“We are extremely concerned by these developments and are actively seeking an explanation from the Houthi de facto authorities about the circumstances of their detention and, most importantly, ensuring immediate access for UN personnel,” Dujarric said.
Two of the detainees are women and nine are men. Six work for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), while the other five work for various UN agencies and the office of the UN special envoy in Yemen, Dujarric said.
Houthi militants control much of Yemen, including the capital, and in recent months have attacked shipping in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israeli military attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Dujarric assured that the UN was “pursuing all available means to ensure the safe and unconditional release of all as soon as possible.”
Haiti tornado hit could signal 'devastating' cyclone season, UNICEF warns
The United Nations children's fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday that Haiti's current situation, marred by gang violence and a collapsing health system, could push thousands of children and their families into poverty.
The National Emergency Operations Centre has announced a “very active” cyclone season, predicting 23 events between June and the end of November, 11 of which could develop into hurricanes.
The first tornado of the season already struck Bassin-Bleu in the northwest of the country on May 21, signalling potential devastation for the coming months.
Haitian authorities said 112 people, including 29 children, were injured in the disaster and some 4,350 people, including 650 children, were left homeless.
“Every cyclone, tornado or flood means children lose their homes, livelihoods and lives – and the season has only just begun,” said Bruno Mars, UNICEF Representative in Haiti.
“We help children every time a disaster strikes, but we need support from the international community to help us prepare and respond better to the worst-case scenario.”
UNICEF and partners are helping affected families in Bassin Bleu recover. UNICEF and national partners are providing cash assistance to 300 of the most vulnerable affected families.
Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (File)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Visits Lao People's Democratic Republic for the First Time
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk visited the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) on Friday, the first time a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has visited the Southeast Asian country.
There he discussed the progress the Lao People's Democratic Republic has made in improving the human rights of its people.
Turk said that by ratifying seven of the nine major international human rights treaties, “the country has demonstrated its commitment to agreeing to a roadmap for human rights.”
But Turk also highlighted some key challenges facing the country, particularly the growing public debt.
“One of the key challenges for the Lao People's Democratic Republic is public debt. Let me be clear: debt is a human rights issue,” he said.
Human rights lens
With more than half of the world's poorest countries in or close to severe debt crises, Turk called on international financial institutions to adopt a human rights perspective, calling it an “urgent priority.”
He highlighted the dangers of reducing public spending on social services and the need to take human rights into account in budget allocations.
“When countries do not invest adequately in education, health, equality and other essentials, it creates a cascade of problems for society,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.
In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the high rate of child marriage and low participation of women in decision-making were also cited as areas where improvement is possible.
Given these challenges, Turk expressed hope that his visit “signals a deepening of our cooperation in promoting and protecting the human rights of all people in the country and in the region.”
Climate change is exacerbating the intensity and frequency of droughts.
Climate change will affect health of pregnant women, children and older adults: WHO
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday that the climate crisis is a global health crisis and called on governments around the world to consider ways to protect people from the worst impacts of global warming.
In an effort to convince health officials that the climate emergency should not be ignored, the WHO has published new data on the impact of climate change on key stages of life.
This includes threats from air pollution, wildfires, floods and extreme heat.
Citing extreme heat as an example, the WHO said heat waves can increase premature births and make older people more susceptible to heart attacks and breathing problems.
Indirect factors
The UN health agency also noted that indirect impacts of climate change on human health include reduced crop yields, food shortages, an increase in vector-borne diseases and increased stress that affects mental health.
The WHO suggested flexible working hours and retrofitting buildings for childcare, education and health care as solutions to mitigate the threat of global warming, with a focus on reducing emissions.
The UN health agency added that governments should also focus on working with communities to share knowledge about what to do during heatwaves and other climate emergencies, including through public health messaging to help people protect themselves when air pollution peaks and training health workers to recognise heatstroke.
