World news in brief: Gaza update, Venezuela election violence, executions in South Sudan
The returnees went to several locations in the city, including the central and eastern neighborhoods as well as the Bani Suhaila neighborhood.
Medical evacuation
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 85 seriously ill and injured patients from Gaza were evacuated to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
The patients, including 35 children, were accompanied by more than 60 caregivers and family members. They were transferred from Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
The WHO said it was the largest medical evacuation outside Gaza since October and was carried out in partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates and other organizations.
One of 85 seriously ill and injured patients evacuated from Gaza to the United Arab Emirates waves from a bus.
Thousands of people are still waiting
The UN health agency notes that more than 10,000 people are still in dire need of medical evacuation from Gaza.
“We hope this will pave the way for the establishment of evacuation corridors through every possible route, including the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings to Egypt and Jordan, and from there to other countries,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“We also call for the resumption of evacuations to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Thousands of sick people are suffering needlessly. Above all, and as always, we call for a ceasefire.”
Attacks in the West Bank
Meanwhile, OCHA also reported that attacks by Israeli forces and settlers continue to have a devastating impact on Palestinians in the West Bank.
The agency said nearly 80 people, including nearly two dozen children, were injured in just one week (July 23-29).
Venezuela: Independent rights inquiry warns of post-election violence
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission about Venezuela express deep concern on Wednesday over reports of human rights abuses following the weekend’s presidential election.
The mission said it had received credible reports of arrests, injuries and deaths linked to violence by security forces and armed civilian groups, known as colectivos, following the declared victory of President Nicolás Maduro.
The National Electoral Council declared incumbent President Maduro the winner early Monday morning, sparking nationwide protests.
The fact-finding mission has recorded at least six deaths and many injuries among protesters as of Wednesday morning. The attorney general reported the death of one member of the armed forces and the injuries of 46 military and police officers.
Compliance with human rights standards
Marta Valiñas, Chair of the Delegation, stressed the need for public order operations to comply with international human rights standards, affirming that the use of force must be proportionate and aimed at protecting human life.
“For its part, the Mission will remain attentive and will investigate serious human rights violations occurring in the post-election context, in line with its mandate… including analysing the forces and individuals responsible for such violations,” she said.
The fact-finding mission also noted that the Attorney General had announced the arrest of 749 people amid the protests, adding that while some had been released, others remained in custody. Some of them faced serious charges, such as terrorism.
“We are concerned about this new wave of repression against leaders of opposition political parties,” said Patricia Tappatá Valdez, an expert with the Mission.
“We are witnessing the rapid reactivation of a repressive apparatus that was never dismantled and is now being used to undermine citizens’ public liberties, their rights to political participation and the freedom to express their ideas.”
The mission of finding out the truth is establish by United Nations Dong Nhan Quy Association in September 2019 for a one-year period to assess alleged human rights violations since 2014. Its mandate has been extend until September 2024.
UN human rights office records worrying rise in extrajudicial executions in South Sudan
United Nations Human Rights Office, OHCHRsaid on Wednesday it was deeply concerned about the increase in extrajudicial executions in South Sudan.
People are being shot by the military and security forces for a variety of alleged crimes, including murder, rape, cattle attacks, family disputes and inter-communal violence.
OHCHR Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan speak that from January 2023 to June 2024, a total of 76 people, including two children, were executed without trial.
“What is even more worrying is that 39 people, including one child, were executed in this way in the first six months of 2024, almost double the number of victims in the same period last year,” he added.
OHCHR calls on the Government to immediately end extrajudicial executions, conduct prompt and impartial investigations, and hold perpetrators accountable.
While the UN human rights office remains concerned about the continued use of the death penalty in South Sudan, Mr Al-Kheetan said it was important for the government to impose a moratorium on executions with the aim of abolishing the death penalty.
