July 2021 — Page 2 of 13 — Human Rights & Charity

Witchcraft killings of people with albinism have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic, says UN expert

Ikponwosa Ero stated that people had been turning to witchcraft “because of the mistaken belief that using their body parts in potions can bring good luck and wealth”, adding that “the majority of victims have been children.”

The Human Rights Council passed a ground-breaking resolution earlier this month condemning human rights violations committed through witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks and called for international consultation and recommendations on the matter.

More action needed

Ms. Ero said she was “gratified that there has been much progress on several continents”, over the last six years “but there is still much to be done.”

She cited a regional action plan on albinism in Africa and awareness-raising campaigns in Africa, and elsewhere, including in countries like Brazil, Japan and Fiji.

Research on albinism has increased more than tenfold and an explosion in data and reliable information has increased understanding of how the right to health, education, and on disability rights and racial discrimination, pertain to people with albinism.

Long road ahead

There has also been increased understanding of the rights of women and children impacted by albinism and the need to protect against harmful practices. “While we have come very far in the fight against these heinous acts, the road ahead remains long and arduous”, Ms. Ero said.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor specific countries or thematic issues. 

They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor do they receive a salary from the Organization.

From electric dreams to supercharged reality: the road race to a clean energy future

Transport is believed to be responsible for around a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, and combustion engines are a major cause of poor air quality in urban areas, which is a factor in asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Despite being around for many years, electric vehicles remain a small part of the overall car market. However, with growing concern about climate change, and some eye-catching commitments from governments and car manufacturers, which include plans to ban or end the production of combustion engines within the next few decades, that could be about to change.

Formula E is so far the only sport to be certified net zero carbon since its inception, and those associated with the championship are committed to combatting the climate crisis by accelerating the adoption to electric vehicles.

In July, Conor Lennon from UN News spoke to Julia Pallé, Formula E’s Sustainability Director, and Lucas di Grassi, who won the championship’s first ever race back in 2014, and is a clean air advocate for the UN. They discussed the growth of electric car racing, and why it can help convince the general public to give up combustion engines.

Julia Pallé: Formula E was built with sustainability in its DNA, and it is part of the reason that teams, drivers, and partners join us. Everyone is involved in pushing electric vehicles to the mass market.
We are using the championship as a platform to advance the electrification of transport by showcasing a range of products and services that are contributing to the creation of a low carbon economy.

Lucas di Grassi: I joined Formula E back in 2012, and I was the third employee. I had already driven an electric car, and I was very interested in the technology.

I think that the public understands that sustainability is not a choice. There are too many people consuming too much, and we need to improve everyone’s quality of life sustainably, without damaging the planet for future generations.

Electric vehicles are a part of that, and Formula E is at the core of the transition, in terms of research and development, and also changing people’s perception of electric vehicles, which has changed massively over the last five years.

Overcoming a resistance to change

Conor Lennon: Did you encounter any scepticism in the early days of the competition?

Lucas di Grassi: Yes, especially in the motor sport world, where people are very nostalgic. First of all, people laughed about the project, they thought it was a joke. Then they criticised the cars for being slow, for not making any noise, and because we would have to change cars during the races. Then they started to take it seriously, and a few years later they all wanted to join the series!

The famous American physicist Richard Feynman once said that you measure intelligence by people’s ability to adapt or to understand change without getting offended. Formula E is a good example: I grew up loving combustion engine cars, but it is clear that we have to go electric. The motor sports world didn’t agree, but a large proportion of people now understand that electric vehicles can be exciting and fun.

Julia Pallé: There was a lot of scepticism and a reluctance to change. We have seen many victories along the way. From finishing the first season, to more and more partners joining us, and now we are the world championship with the biggest line-up of car manufacturers!
We have also seen many new electric racing series following our example, and this is the biggest testimony that we opened up the way, and showed that electric vehicle races are highly attractive.

Concentrating on the low-hanging fruit

Lucas di Grassi: we have to remember that electric mobility is not just about passenger cars. It ranges from e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and motorbikes, to cars, vans, trucks, and buses.

However, smaller vehicles are much easier to electrify than trucks travelling long distances, or planes. Large freight ships can’t just go electric, and even if we were to switch to a technology such as hydrogen or nuclear power, the cost of transporting the goods would be much higher.

So we need to concentrate on the low-hanging fruit first, such as e-bikes and cars. That’s why I created the world’s first electric scooter championship. These are not regular scooters, they are very fast, and can reach up to 120 kilometres per hour. Another important development in the growth of sustainable transport is autonomous driving, which is much more efficient, and in 2015 I joined Roborace, the first global championship for autonomously driven, electrically powered vehicles

An electric race against time

Conor Lennon: it seems that you’re taking a twin-track approach with Formula E, testing, and developing a fast-evolving technology, and raising awareness. But there’s a race against time, because the number of people who want to use cars is fast rising, and we have to show that is possible to massively scale up electric transportation to meet that demand.

Julia Pallé: It is clear to all of us, from professionals, to those working with the UN, and the general public, that we have nine years to cut emissions by some 50 per cent in order to reach our climate action goals. To do this we have to change the way we live and, at an individual level, the biggest impact we can have is in the way that we travel.

What we are trying to do is to offer concrete solutions: we are backed by many car manufacturers who are developing technology in Formula E that is used to improve the cars, which ultimately benefits consumers.

We are also a showcase, giving a taste of what a future sustainable lifestyle can look like: offering plant-based food options, banning single-use plastics. So, it’s not about compromising, or giving up things we like, but doing things in a different, enhanced way.

This discussion is adapted from an SDG Media Zone video, part of a series produced for the 2021 High Level Political Forum, the largest annual gathering on progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN and Sustainable Transport

The United Nations is playing a part in this coming transition towards clean energy, bringing together major players in the industry at the Sustainable Transport Conference, which takes place in Beijing this October.
This year’s conference will focus on how to plan and develop transport systems that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve the environment for everyone.
The programme will reflect the diversity and complexity of the transport sector and will provide an opportunity for policy dialogue as well as forging partnerships and initiatives to advance sustainable transport.

Bangladesh: Deadly flooding, landslides devastate Rohingya refugees

While initial reports revealed that an estimated 2,500 shelters were damaged or destroyed – affecting more than 12,000 refugees, in the last 24 hours alone, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that nearly a foot of rain fell on camps hosting more than 800,000 Rohingya refugees.

“That’s nearly half the monthly rainfall average for July in one day”, pointed out the UN agency.

Since August 2017, some 700,000 minority Muslim Rohingyas have fled violence in Myanma, crossing the border into Bangaldesh’s Cox’s Bazar, joining hundreds of thousands of others already settled in overcrowded camps there.

Exacerbating the situation

News media report that at least 11 people have died, and thousands are homeless again.

And with the monsoon season stretching over the next three months, UNHCR warned that more heavy downpours are expected, threatening further casualties.

The impacts of the monsoon are compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR noted, reminding that currently the entire country is under a lockdown in response to rising cases across the nation.

UNHCR is supporting the Government-led response by deploying its network of Emergency Response Teams to provide immediate support and assistance to affected families and to those forced to temporarily relocate.

Teams are also assessing the damage and initiating immediate repairs to shelters as well as making site improvements.

Gaining access to essential services for all those affected is another priority, according to the UN refugee agency.

Working day and night

UNHCR-trained refugee volunteers and other partners are working in heavy rain, day and night to help families in urgent need.

In some cases, this has meant rescuing the displaced from shelters destroyed by landslides.

So far, more than 5,000 refugees have temporarily relocated to other family member’s shelters or communal facilities.

Funding shortfall

Adverse weather along with the latest landslides and floods have further aggravated the misery and immense humanitarian needs of the refugees who have suffered for years from disease, heavy rains and fires, including a massive blaze in March that killed at least 15 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

And yet to date, the 2021 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh has received only $274 million, roughly 30 per cent of the $943 million required for the response this year. 

Food systems transformation a ‘silver lining’ in COVID crisis: UN deputy chief

Amina Mohammed was speaking during her closing press conference at the Food Systems Pre-Summit in Rome, Italy.

‘A silver lining’

More than 500 delegates from 108 countries attended in-person, while thousands more joined virtually. Participants included government officials, smallholder farmers, producers, indigenous people, women and youth.

“This meeting has shown us that there’s a silver lining to this COVID crisis: Food systems are a priority area for transformative investments, that can lead the transitions that we need to make,” said Ms. Mohammed.

“Only by working together – as one people, in solidarity – can we have a sustainable and prosperous planet for all.”

The Rome gathering paves the path to the UN Food Systems Summit in September, where countries will underline the need to transform how the world produces, consumes and thinks about food.

On ‘fertile ground’

It is part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to deliver a more just future for all people and the planet by 2030.

The Pre-Summit has provided “fertile ground” for a strong outcome in September, according to Ms. Mohammed.

“We are united in our belief that within food systems lies the potential to achieve all of the goals for people, planet, and prosperity. There is tremendous energy bhind this belief,” she said.

“There is recognition that our challenges are urgent and must be addressed at scale. There is also an incredible desire to break down the silos that exist between government Ministries and thematic sectors and communities.”

Hope and solutions

In her remarks to the closing plenary, the UN deputy chief described the summit process as “a reason of hope” during the pandemic.

Even as the crisis has kept people physically apart, the process has actually brought them together.

“The Pre-Summit has shown me that we can deliver on the right to food, while securing the future of our planet,” she said.

 “Just as food brings us together as cultures and communities, it can also bring us together around solutions.”

Cornerstone treaty of refugee protection turns 70

“The Convention continues to protect the rights of refugees across the world,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “Thanks to the Convention, millions of lives have been saved.”

As relevant now as in 1951

Mr. Grandi expressed alarm over recent attempts by some Governments to disregard or circumvent the Convention’s principles, from expulsions and pushbacks of refugees and asylum seekers at land and sea borders to proposals for their forcibly transfer to third States for processing without proper protection safeguards. 

He stressed the need for the international community to uphold the key principles of refugee protection as laid out in the Convention, including the right of those fleeing persecution not to be returned to the path of harm or danger.

Speaking 70 years to the day after the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees was presented to States for signing, the High Commissioner said the treaty was a crucial component of international human rights law and remains as relevant now as it was when it was drafted and agreed.

“The language of the Convention is clear as to the rights of refugees…remain applicable in the context of contemporary and unprecedented challenges and emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic”, underscored Mr. Grandi.

International cooperation essential

The 1951 Refugee Convention was born following the aftermath of the Second World War.

On 14 December 1950, the UN published the statute, and on July 1951 representatives of 26 States met in Geneva to finalize the text of the treaty.

The Convention and the 1967 Protocol, which broadened the scope of those in need of international protection, define who is a refugee and the kind of protection, assistance and rights they are entitled to.

They remain the cornerstone of refugee protection today and have inspired numerous regional treaties and laws, such as the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention in Africa, the 1984 Cartagena Declaration in Latin America, and the European Union’s Common European Asylum System.

The principles of the Convention were reaffirmed in December 2018 by the Global Compact on Refugees, a blueprint for more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing.

Both recognize that a sustainable solution to refugee situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation.

Supporting refugee law

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on all States to adopt principles of refugee law, including the 1951 Convention, by enacting legislation and establishing institutions, policies and practices reflecting its provisions.

It also encourages countries that are not contracting States to accede to the Convention – as the 2018 signatory South Sudan continues to do.

The 70th anniversary of the Refugee Convention comes only a few months after UNHCR itself marked seven decades as the world’s mandated organization for the protection of those forcibly displaced.

On World Hepatitis Day, WHO calls to eliminate disease by 2030

While some progress has been made, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that globally, “access to prevention, testing, and treatment services for viral hepatitis remains far too low”.

“Over 350 million people have chronic hepatitis, an estimated 80 per cent of them can’t access the care they need”, he added.

‘Make our voices heard’

The day, observed annually on 28 July, aims to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. 

While the five main A, B, C, D and E strains of the virus all cause liver disease, they differ in other important ways, including illness severity, geographical distribution and prevention methods.

This year’s campaign specifically aims to increase early testing and treatment to reduce the risk of liver cancer.

WHO called the day an opportunity for the world’s hepatitis community to “unite and make our voices heard…celebrate the progress we have made and to meet the current challenges…[and] to increase awareness and encourage a real political change to jointly facilitate prevention, diagnosis and treatment”.

Vaccinations can help

Some forms of hepatitis can be prevented through vaccination.

A WHO study found that by 2030, an estimated 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented in low- and middle-income countries through vaccination, diagnostic tests, medicines and education campaigns.

Currently, 42 per cent of children globally have access to the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.

WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO member States, aims to “reduce new hepatitis B and C infections by 90 per cent and deaths by 65 per cent between 2016 and 2030”, said the WHO chief.

“We have the tools to reach these targets, but only if all countries commit to making sure all people have access to them”, he added. “Let’s get to work because hepatitis can’t wait”.

Hepatitis B and C global breakdown

Together, hepatitis B and C, the most common types, have resulted in 1.1 million deaths and three million new infections per year.

An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach.

The burden of hepatitis B infection is highest in the WHO Western Pacific Region and the WHO African Region, where 116 million and 81 million people, respectively, are chronically infected.

Sixty million people are infected in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 18 million in South-East Asia, 14 million in Europe and 5 million in the Americas.

Ten per cent of people with chronic hepatitis B virus are diagnosed, 22 per cent of whom receive treatment.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs in all WHO regions.

If left untreated, hepatitis B and C are major risk factors for liver cancer – the sixth leading cause of death in the WHO Western Pacific Region.

Transmission

Hepatitis B is most spread from mother to child at birth, called perinatal transmission, or through exposure to infected blood.

It is also spread by needlestick injury, tattooing, piercing and exposure to infected blood and body fluids.

Hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus.

Gaza: Humanitarian response underway, but political solutions still needed

Lynn Hastings, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council on developments in the aftermath of 11 days of brutal fighting in May.

“Urgent efforts to improve the situation in Gaza must move forward swiftly, but let us not lose sight of the broader goal: resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ending the occupation and realizing a two-State solution on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements”, she said, speaking from Jerusalem.

Humanitarian response underway

Ms. Hastings told ambassadors that the damage from the escalation is estimated at between $290 million to $380 million, according to an assessment by the World Bank and the European Union. Economic losses are projected at nearly $200 million.

Gaza’s social sector was hit hard, weakening the safety net for the most vulnerable residents, while the immediate and short-term recovery and reconstruction could cost up to $485 million.

“International efforts – coordinated by the United Nations – to implement the humanitarian response and stabilize the situation on the ground in Gaza are well underway”, said Ms. Hastings, who is also the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Middle East.

“Thus far, some $45 million of a requested $95 million has been raised for the consolidated humanitarian flash appeal published by the UN in May.”

Additional measures needed

Ms. Hasting underscored the readiness of the UN and partners to implement recovery and reconstruction initiatives, in coordination with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, Egypt, Qatar and other regional and international entities.

She reported that fuel deliveries for the Gaza Power Plant resumed on 28 June through the Kerem Shalom crossing, and additional restrictions on the import and export of certain items have been lifted.

Israel also expanded the Gaza fishing zone up to 12 nautical miles, but reduced it by half this week following the launch of incendiary balloons into its territory.

“In this context, further steps are needed,” the UN official said. “It is essential that Israel implement additional measures to allow unhindered entry of all humanitarian assistance, including materials to implement the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan and the Flash Appeal”.

Ease movement restrictions

Without regular and predictable entry of goods into Gaza, response would be at risk, she said, and livelihoods, as well as the wider economy, would be affected. Improved movement and access is also critical for any durable stability.

Ms. Hastings advised that while considering its legitimate security concerns, Israel should ease restrictions on the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, with the goal of ultimately lifting them.

Meanwhile, Hamas and other groups should cease launching incendiary devices, mortars and rockets, and end the militant build-up.

“Looking ahead, and with additional donor support, existing UN humanitarian cash assistance or other programmes could quickly be scaled up to reach tens or hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza”, she said.

“While urgent humanitarian interventions can provide crucial relief in the short-term, any sustainable future in Gaza requires political solutions. I again reiterate the need for the return of a legitimate Palestinian Government to the Strip.”

UNRWA cash crunch

Turning to related matters, Ms. Hastings highlighted the financial situation at the UN agency that assists the Palestinian people, UNRWA, which is facing a $100 million shortfall.

The cash flow crisis could affect the re-opening of school for half a million children in Gaza, and undermine humanitarian and early recovery programmes there.

“I appeal once again to all donors, including those from the Arab region, to sustain the funding levels of past years and advance disbursements of funds as much as possible to avoid a disruption of essential services and humanitarian aid”, she said.

COVID-19 infections rise, Delta variant spreads to 132 countries

Latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed a “substantial” uptick in the Americas and the Western Pacific, which jumped 30 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively.

This contributed to a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus deaths overall, which climbed by 21 per cent compared with last week, to more than 69,000.

If these trends continue, WHO noted that the cumulative number of cases reported globally could exceed 200 million in the next two weeks.

Regional overview

Regionally, South-East Asia also reported an increase in new infections, albeit at a much lower rate of three per cent, compared to the previous seven days.

The number of new deaths increased in all regions apart from Europe, where fatalities were similar to the previous week.

WHO said that over the seven days, the highest number of new cases was reported in the United States, which saw more than half a million new infections, representing a skyrocketing 131 per cent increase.

This was followed by Brazil – 324,334 new cases; Indonesia – 289,029 new cases; the United Kingdom – 282,920 new cases; and India – 265,836 new cases.

The global total of 194,608,040 confirmed COVID-19 includes 4.1 million deaths.

As of Monday, almost 3.7 billion vaccine doses have been administered.

Variants update

Of the four COVID-19 mutations that WHO has designated “variants of concern”, the UN agency said that the Alpha variant is present in 182 countries, Beta is in 131, Gamma in 81 and after reaching eight new countries in the past week, the Delta variant is now in 132 countries.

On the issue of vaccine effectiveness against the coronavirus, WHO cited several laboratory studies showing that transmission to household members were reduced by approximately half when the infected person was vaccinated with at least one dose, compared to someone who hadn’t had any jab.

The UN agency added that the risk of transmission fell further, seven to 14 days after people had been given two vaccines.

WHO noted that the majority of the 90 studies on vaccine efficacy carried out to date had come from just three countries that had introduced early vaccination campaigns: Israel, UK and the United States.

Vaccine efficacy

Addressing the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the four variants of concern, WHO referred to studies that had shown “a several-fold reduction in neutralization”.

“Overall, vaccine efficacy against severe disease, hospitalization and death has been higher than against non-severe symptomatic disease, with vaccine efficacy estimates for these more serious outcomes to be above 80 per cent for AstraZeneca-Vaxzevria, Moderna-mRNA-1273, Pfizer BioNTechComirnaty, and Sinovac-CoronaVac, the WHO report stated.

Myanmar: Rights expert calls for ‘COVID ceasefire’, urges UN action

Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said junta forces have engaged in at least 260 attacks against medical personnel and facilities, resulting in at least 18 deaths. Meanwhile, over 600 health care professionals are currently eluding outstanding arrest warrants, and at least 67 have been detained.

No time for complacency

He urged the Security Council and Member States “to use all the tools of the UN”, including adopting resolutions, to demand Myanmar’s military rulers, known officially as the State Administrative Council (SAC), stop all attacks, particularly against healthcare professionals.

“Too many in Myanmar have needlessly perished and too many more will die without action by the United Nations”, he warned.

“Member States of the United Nations cannot afford to be complacent while the junta ruthlessly attacks medical personnel as COVID-19 spreads unchecked. They must act to end this violence so that doctors and nurses can provide life-saving care and international organisations can help deliver vaccinations and related medical care.”

Resolution on ceasefires

Myanmar’s military seized power in February, sparking countless pro-democracy protests across the country which were met with violent crackdowns, and widespread human rights abuses.

Mr. Andrews said the junta has murdered at least 931 people, while some 5,630 others are being held in arbitrary detention where they are at risk of coronavirus infection. Another 255 people have been sentenced for “trumped up crimes”, he added, with 26, including two minors, being sentenced to death.

In February, the Security Council passed a resolution calling for ceasefires in all conflict areas so that COVID-19 vaccinations could take place, and to allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarians and medical personnel.

Attacks must end

“This resolution represented a principled framework to address the outbreak of COVID-19 in States experiencing unrestrained violence.  Given this escalating crisis, these demands must now be focused specifically on Myanmar.  Doing so will save untold numbers of lives,” said Mr. Andrews.

“Of course, the best outcome would be for the junta to stand down so that a legitimate civilian government can lead a coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis,” he added.

“But in the immediate term, the junta’s relentless attacks and detentions must end. For this to be possible, the people of Myanmar need the UN and its Member States to step up with strong, principled action.”

Role of Rapporteurs

Special Rapporteurs, like Mr. Andrews, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor specific countries or thematic issues. 

They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor do they receive a salary from the Organization.

COVID-19: Education replaced by shuttered schools, violence, teenage pregnancy

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, “more than 600 million children in countries not on academic break are still affected by school closures”, James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson at a press conference at UN Geneva.

In countries such as Uganda, this has led to a “20 per cent spike in the last 15 months in teen pregnancies, or pregnancies of 10-24-year-old girls, who were seeking antenatal care. Across the globe in all continents we’ve seen child helplines, a good precursor to understanding kids who are reporting violence, seeing often triple-digit increases,” said Elder.

COVID-19 school closures

In nearly half of countries in Asia and the Pacific, schools have been closed for around 200 days. Latin America and the Caribbean have seen some of the longest closures ever with 18 countries and territories affected by either full or partial closures.

As of today, the UN agency estimates in Eastern and Southern Africa that 40 per cent of all children aged 5 to 18, are currently out of school.

Elder added that if these figures “did not resonate with those in power, then a World Bank report estimates a loss of $10 trillion in earnings over time”, for this generation of students.

Remote learning ‘out of reach’

Equally alarming is the fact that the solution of remote learning is “simply out of reach” for at least a third of the world’s schoolchildren, the UNICEF spokesperson continued. In East Asia and the Pacific, “80 million children have no access whatsoever to any remote learning.

In Eastern and Southern Africa, Uganda school children have gone more than 300 days out of school, while home internet connectivity “is the lowest on the planet there at about 0.3%”.

‘Situation cannot go on’

In a call for action, UNICEF appealed for five main steps: Schools should reopen as soon as possible; governments and donors must protect the education budget; enrolment should be extended to children who were already out of school pre‑COVID‑19 – by removing financial barriers and loosening registration requirements – and cash transfers to the most vulnerable, must be increased.

“Everything needs to be done to bring an end to the pandemic,” Mr. Elder said, starting with making vaccines available everywhere by sharing excess doses and financing to support the roll-out of vaccines.