World news in brief: Justice for Yazidis, kidnappings in South Sudan, food prices remain stable
The Mission said survivors and victims of the Yazidi genocide and ISIL crimes, as well as women and children detained solely because of their alleged links to ISIL, should be immediately released from illegal detention in northeast Syria and repatriated, if possible, and given assistance to rebuild their lives.
“Captive Yazidi women, girls and boys, survivors and victims of the Yazidi genocide and other ISIL crimes, are still being held alongside their abusers in inhumane conditions in camps in northeastern Syria today,” said Commissioner Lynn Welchman. “The international community should be supporting their recovery, well-being and pursuit of justice, not perpetuating the atrocities they have endured.”
‘Detained indefinitely’
Today, some 44,000 women and children remain in detention camps in northeastern Syria, including some 27,000 children. Two-thirds are foreigners, from Iraq and more than 60 other countries. They are unable to leave and are being “indefinitely detained,” according to the committee.
The Commission has has been recorded ISIL committed genocide beginning on August 3, 2014, when the terrorist group launched a brutal attack on the Yazidi people in Sinjar, northwestern Iraq, near the border with Syria, along with numerous crimes against humanity and war crimes through mass executions, forced conversions to Islam, slavery, and widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
After the fall of Baghouz in March 2019 when ISIL lost control of territory in Syria, tens of thousands of people believed to be family members of ISIL fighters, including many enslaved Yazidi women and girls, were detained in concentration camps, including Al Hawl and Rawj in northeastern Syria, the Commission stated.
“Yazidis should be offered meaningful options regarding their return to Iraq, reunification with family members or resettlement in third countries with their children,” said Commissioner Hanny Megally. “Member States must facilitate these opportunities.”
South Sudan: Kidnappings on the rise in Central Equatoria state
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (SKIP) expressed deep concern on Friday about increase in kidnappings in the vast Yei region of Central Equatoria state.
The kidnappings, believed to have been carried out by the National Salvation Front (NAS) and other armed elements, occurred mainly in three districts – Yei River, Morobo and Lainya.
Last month, UNMISS received reports of some 12 cases, affecting 134 people, including six children.
The mission warns that child abduction exposes children to a variety of risks, including recruitment and use in armed conflict, as well as sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, called for the immediate and unconditional release of all children and adults in detention.
He called on the Government to conduct an immediate investigation and reminded stakeholders of their human rights obligations.
He also called on all relevant parties, including the Government, to act together to strengthen measures to prevent the recurrence of kidnapping and promptly bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
Global food price index little changed in July
Global food commodity prices remained largely unchanged in July, with gains in vegetable oils, meat and sugar offsetting declines in cereals, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Tuesday.Food and Agriculture Organization) speak on Friday.
This is the second consecutive month of stable prices, with the UN agency Food Price Index averaged 120.8 in July, slightly lower than the revised 121.0 in June.
This figure is 3.1 percent lower than the corresponding value in July last year.
The Food Price Index tracks monthly changes in international prices of a selection of globally traded food commodities.
Grains down, oils up
The FAO Cereal Price Index fell 3.8 percent from June as global export prices for major cereals fell for the second consecutive month. Wheat prices fell on increased supplies from the winter harvest and favorable conditions in Canada and the United States. Maize prices also fell on the back of progressing harvests in Argentina and Brazil and favorable crop conditions in the United States.
In contrast, the Vegetable Oil Price Index rose 2.4 percent, driven by strong demand for soy oil in the biofuels sector and poor crop prospects for sunflower and rapeseed oils. Similarly, the Meat Price Index rose 1.2 percent, driven by strong import demand for a wide range of meats, despite a slight decline in pigmeat prices.
The sugar price index also rose 0.7 percent due to lower-than-expected output in Brazil.
