Photos: United Nations

2024 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of a UN commitment to protect children from being recruited as soldiers. However, armed groups have increased the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was hailed as a historic agreement when it was adopted by world leaders in 1989, and it has inspired governments to pass laws protecting children from violence and exploitation. Around a decade later, a protocol prohibiting the recruitment and use as soldiers of all children under 18 years of age was adopted. To date, it has been ratified by 173 countries.

Instead of ending the practice, armed groups have increased recruitment and use of children for armed conflict purposes, from Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the Lake Chad basin, Mozambique, the Sahel, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Haiti.

Most of the impacted children were abducted and forcibly recruited. Most of these children are girls who have suffered rape and sexual violence, and have been bought, sold and trafficked.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, declared that the increase in the use of military force by governments and regimes has wreaked havoc on children, in situations such as Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza; Sudan; Lebanon; Myanmar and Ukraine.

“The cries of these children echo across conflict zones, but far too often, the world remains silent,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba.

“Their pain is a stain on our collective conscience. We must do better—because every moment we delay, another child becomes just another number in the long list of conflict related casualties and violations in the children and armed conflict reports.”

Ms. Gamba called for the granting of safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to children, the implementation of international laws, the elimination of wide impact explosives in populated areas, the prohibition of the military use of schools, and the prohibition and elimination of anti-personnel landmines.

“As we move into 2025, let us choose compassion over indifference and peace over war’” added the senior UN official. “Together, we can rewrite the stories of these children—not with fear and loss, but with healing and hope”.

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Photos: YouTube Screenshots

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of humanitarian personnel who have been detained in Yemen for six months, his Spokesperson said on Friday.

Houthi rebels are holding more than 50 staff from the UN, international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, and diplomatic missions, in addition to four other UN personnel detained in 2021 and 2023.

International law violated, aid efforts hindered

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General acknowledged the recent release of one of the Organization’s staff members and two NGO workers, but recalled that the continued arbitrary detention of dozens of others is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law.

“These detentions threaten the safety of humanitarian personnel and significantly impair efforts to assist millions of people in need.  These actions are inconsistent with genuine engagement in peace efforts,” he said.

The UN, NGOs and other international partners are working through all possible channels and authorities to secure the immediate release of the detained personnel.  

WHO infection control experts rush to DR Congo to probe mystery illness 

To the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, where UN infection control experts have been deployed to help investigate a mystery illness that has left 30 people dead, out of nearly 400 confirmed cases.

Symptoms include headaches, coughing, fever, breathing difficulties and anaemia, but the World Health Organization (WHO) said that laboratory testing is needed to determine the cause of the illness.

The infection surfaced in Panzi, a remote locality in Kwango province in the southwest of the country, hundreds of kilometres from the capital Kinshasa.

Hard to reach 

Access by road is difficult and so far, the disease has been reported in seven of Kwango province’s 30 health zones. A respiratory disease such as Influenza or COVID-19 is being investigated as a possible cause, as well as malaria and measles.

The WHO experts – who include epidemiologists and infection prevention and control officers – will join DR Congo’s National Rapid Response Team.

A local UN health agency team has already been supporting authorities in Kwango province since the end of November to reinforce disease surveillance and identify cases. 

UN and partners respond to dire needs in Haiti

The humanitarian situation remains dire for millions of people across Haiti, the UN warned on Friday.

Insecurity continues to impact the capital, Port-au-Prince, with tens of thousands of people remaining uprooted since the escalation of gang violence last month.

Thousands more in both the north and south of the country are affected by ongoing floods.

The UN and partners are supporting authorities and providing assistance to people in need. 

Water and food for thousands

Over the past week, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners have distributed more than 900,000 litres of water to more than 60,000 displaced people in 26 sites across the capital region.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) also provided more than 95,000 hot meals to some 24,000 displaced people across four sites in Port-au-Prince. 

Furthermore, mobile medical clinics operated by UN migration agency IOM were made accessible to about 14,000 people at four displacement sites this week.  

Meanwhile in the south, humanitarians are supporting and coordinating the floods response – alongside local authorities.  They are also providing emergency aid including hygiene kits and blankets, as well as implementing cash transfer activities.

Severe funding shortfall

Despite ongoing efforts, financial support for humanitarian operations is lacking.

As the end of the year approaches, the $674 million 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti remains only 43 per cent funded, with $290 million received.

The UN has called for immediate additional funding to ensure that the dire situation does not further deteriorate. 

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Photos: United Nations\Wikimedia Commons

UN Secretary-General António Guterres (above far right) made a strong call to action as COP29 approaches its crucial conclusion in Baku, imploring world leaders and negotiators on Thursday to overcome their disagreements and reach an historic climate finance deal. “I sense an appetite for agreement,” he said.

Having just returned from the G20 Summit in Rio, Mr. Guterres shared the resounding message he delivered there: an ambitious climate finance goal is not only essential, but urgent.

“Failure is not an option,” he emphasized, warning that the result of inaction could be catastrophic.

Just 24 hours before COP29 is due to wrap up in the Azerbaijan capital, negotiators reportedly remained at loggerheads over a new climate finance goal to help developing countries combat flash flooding, drought, wildfires and other natural shocks made worse by human activity.

The first draft text on a potential outcome dropped in the early morning hours on Thursday and received mixed reactions from government negotiating teams and civil society groups.

Largely divided in two parts, the draft reportedly sets out proposals from developing and developed countries, with some sticking points still unresolved, including on funding goals.

‘Clock is ticking’

Emphasizing the urgency of the moment, the Secretary-General said: “The clock is ticking. COP29 is now down to the wire.”

While progress has been made and areas of convergence are emerging, significant differences still remain, the UN chief continued.

But without decisive action, the consequences could ripple far beyond this summit, potentially undermining near-term efforts and complicating preparations for COP30 in Brazil, he noted.

“Failure might jeopardize both near-term action and ambition in the preparation of new national climate action plans,” Mr. Guterres warned, adding that it could accelerate the approach of irreversible climate tipping points.

A clear path forward

The Secretary-General underscored the critical need for an ambitious new climate finance goal: a comprehensive financial package designed to mobilize resources for developing countries, enabling them to implement climate action plans aligned with the 1.5-degree Celsius target. 

He emphasized the importance of financing initiatives that support nations in transitioning to clean, affordable energy while reducing emissions.

Additionally, he highlighted the necessity of strengthening disaster resilience by securing funds to protect vulnerable populations from the escalating impacts of climate disasters. Restoring trust between nations was also a key focus, with a call to build solidarity through international cooperation under the framework of the Paris Agreement. 

Mr. Guterres underscored the significance of this agreement as more than a mere negotiation. “This is a COP to deliver justice in the face of climate catastrophe,” he said.

An investment, not a handout

Challenging the notion of climate finance as a form of charity, the UN chief argued that it is a critical investment in the planet’s future. “It’s a downpayment on a safer, more prosperous future for every nation on Earth,” he asserted.

He recalled that multilateral development banks have pledged to increase their climate finance to $120 billion annually by 2030, with an additional $65 billion mobilized from the private sector.

Meanwhile, the Pact for the Future – adopted in New York this past September by the 193-member UN General Assembly – commits to improving access to finance and increasing the lending capacity of development banks.

A call for unity

Recognizing the geopolitical divisions that could undermine progress, the Secretary-General urged leaders and negotiators to “soften hard lines”, navigate their differences and “keep eyes on the bigger picture”.

Appealing for unity and reminding all parties of what is at stake – a liveable planet for future generations – he stated: “Never forget what is at stake…This is not a zero-sum game.”

Deliver for all humanity

Wrapping up his remarks, Mr. Guterres said: “The need is urgent. The rewards are great. And time is short.”

He emphasized that COP29 must deliver not only for those in the negotiation halls but for all humanity.

Alongside the Secretary-General’s press conference and the ongoing intense negotiations, discussions at COP29 today also spotlighted the critical importance of gender equality in combating the climate crisis.

UNFCCC/Kiara Worth

Participants at the High-Level event on Gender Transparency, a highlight of ‘Gender Day’ at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

A high-level session on gender and transparency emphasized the necessity of integrating gender considerations into climate policies.

Women, particularly in low-income and marginalized communities, often bear the brunt of climate-induced disasters due to their roles as primary caregivers and food providers.

Meanwhile, in many regions, their limited access to resources, education, and decision-making power further deepens their vulnerability. Women frequently shoulder the burden of securing water, food, and fuel for their families, often at great personal risk.

By ensuring that women have equal access to resources, education, and opportunities to participate in climate solutions, more effective and sustainable strategies can be created for mitigating and adapting to the effects of our rapidly warming planet.

UN News/Nargiz Shekinskaya

Jemimah Njuki, Chief of the Economic Empowerment section at UN Women, speaks to UN News at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

‘200 million hours fetching water’

“Women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa are spending 200 million hours [daily] just fetching water,” said Jemimah Njuki, Chief of Economic Empowerment and Head of the Economics Division at UN Women, in an interview with UN News.

“To put this into context, this is equivalent to the entire workforce of the UK’s working hours per day.”

Ms. Njuki said women and girls are more likely to face food insecurity as a result of climate change.

“Our analysis already shows us that in the worst climate case scenario, 236 million more women and girls will become food insecure, and 158 million more women and girls will fall into poverty,” she warned, ad added: “We also see climate change significantly increasing the unpaid care work performed by women and girls.”

While noting that there has been significant progress on girls’ education, reducing maternal mortality, and reducing child mortality, she underscored that at the same time, “we are seeing huge pushbacks against women’s rights.”

With all this in mind, Ms. Njuki stressed the vital importance of the outcome of COP29 for gender equality.

“As people working on gender equality, we are concerned not just about the quantity of climate finance but also about its quality,” she said.

She posed a few questions that negotiators could consider: “How do we make the financing more gender-responsive? How do we ensure that we are directing funds toward issues of gender equality? How do we ensure that feminist movements, indigenous movements, and the women working on climate action can actually access this finance?”

Courtesy of Dr. Jessica Hernandez

Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Binnizá & Maya Ch’orti’) is an Indigenous scholar, scientist, and community advocate based in the Pacific Northwest.

Indigenous women and land rights

UN News also spoke with Jessica Hernandez, an indigenous scholar, scientist, and community advocate based in the Pacific Northwest. In her current role at Landesa, a non-profit organization, she advocates for indigenous peoples’ land rights and tenure in the Global South.

“One of our goals for COP29 is to advocate for the inclusion of land rights and tenure into the nationally determined contributions (NDCs),” she said.

“We know that 2.5 billion people in rural and indigenous communities worldwide already safeguard these ecosystems, especially land ecosystems crucial for human survival.”

Ms. Hernandez, recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the 100 most powerful and influential women in Central America, highlighted the critical role of indigenous women in sustainable land and resource management and food security.

“Unfortunately, only a minority of this land is legally recognized, leaving these communities vulnerable to exploitative land grabs and without the foundations needed for long-term planning and access to government services,” she added.

Carolina Santos from Engajamundo, a youth-led civil society organization in Brazil, told UN News, “I would like to see more women and girls taking leadership roles in discussions about land rights and access to climate financing, as their bodies are also on the line when it comes to the climate crisis.”

The post UN On COP29 Countdown: Failure On Climate Finance “Not An Option”, Says Guterres appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Reporters Without Borders\YouTube Screenshots

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined two other press freedom organizations in calling on authorities in Guinea-Bissau to accept and implement recommendations to improve its press freedom record at the country’s January 2025 Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The UPR is a peer review mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council, through which the human rights records of the Council’s member states are reviewed every 4.5 years, and recommendations are made for improvement.

Since January 2020, authorities in Guinea-Bissau have undermined press freedom through physical and verbal attacks, arbitrary detention of journalists, and legal harassment, according to the October 2024 submission by CPJ, the local journalists’ union (Sinjotecs), and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). 

The three organizations recommend that Guinea-Bissau improve its press freedom record by investigating and ensuring accountability for past attacks on the press, ending arbitrary detentions and media shutdowns, repealing laws that criminalize journalism, and allowing the press to establish self-regulatory mechanisms.

The UPR submission is available in English here. More On: AfricaGuinea-BissauLetters

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Photos: YouTube Screenshots

Every year, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign led by UN Women serves as a powerful reminder of the widespread violence women and girls face worldwide.

Starting from November 25, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concluding on December 10, on Human Rights Day, this campaign calls on governments, activists, and individuals to unite and push for lasting change.

In support of this civil society initiative the UN Secretary-General back in 2008 launched the campaign UNITE by 2030, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism.

Every year, the UNITE Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s focus is UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls, aiming for long-term solutions that address the root causes of the problem.

Why it matters

The statistics are staggering: nearly one in three women and girls worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.

For at least 51,100 women in 2023, this violence escalated to femicide (homicide targeted at women) with over half committed by intimate partners or family members.

The agency championing women’s empowerment, UN Women, points out that femicides are the ultimate evidence that the systems and structures meant to protect women and girls are failing.

Women are not safe outside their homes either.

Public figures, including politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, are often targeted by violence both online and offline, with some leading to fatal outcomes and intentional killings.

One alarming aspect of this issue is the prevalence of violence in conflict zones. In 2023, the United Nations reported a staggering 50 per cent increase in gender violence from the previous year.

From survivors to advocates

Women like Ukrainian activist Lyudmila Huseynova exemplify the harrowing reality of conflict-related sexual violence.

After enduring over three years of imprisonment and torture in a Russian prison, where she faced brutal physical abuse, “In that place, you become a person without rights,” she recalled of her torment in Izolyatsia prison, Ms. Huseynova’s resilience turned into activism.

Since her release in 2022, she has become an unwavering advocate for survivors, working with SEMA Ukraine to amplify the voices of those suffering from conflict-related sexual violence and to demand global attention to the atrocities faced by women and children in Ukraine.

Through her tireless efforts, Ms. Huseynova not only exposes the cruelty women endure but also leads efforts to secure justice and recovery for victims. “We will use every means to make their pain visible,” she emphasised.

What can we do?

While we may not all be activists, we all have a role in ending the abuse, says UN Women.

On an individual level, from supporting local organisations to advocating for stronger laws and supporting the women in our lives, everybody can make a difference.

Argentinian activist Iren Cari and founder of Women’s Forum for Equal Opportunities stressed the need to support women in political life and centre their voice: “We need funds to promote women’s participation – not only in public policy making, but also to participate in elections.”

UN Women emphasised that governments must enact laws to ensure accountability for perpetrators of gender-based violence, particularly through National Action Plans.

In parallel, funding women’s rights organizations is essential to support survivors and provide them with the necessary resources for recovery.

The 16 Days of Activism remind us that every action, no matter how small, counts in the fight to end gender-based violence, the agency stresses.

PODCAST: UN humanitarians fight for women’s rights in crisis zones

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Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons

Donald Trump’s latest rollout of his hyper nationalist “America First” policy underscores the world’s long-term slide toward catastrophe.

Within nations, when conflicts inevitably erupt, there are laws, as well as police, courts, and governments that enforce the laws.

On the global level, however, the situation approaches international anarchy. Although the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court sort out the issues, they are relatively powerless when major crises occur. They issue laudable statements based on international law, while the most powerful nations frequently defy them and go on their merry, marauding way.

The Russian government is currently continuing its massive military invasion of Ukraine and annexing its territory, while ignoring the demands of the UN General Assembly and the International Court of Justice to end Russia’s aggression and withdraw from Ukraine. Similarly, the Israeli government ignores the demands of these world organizations to end its brutal war upon and occupation of Palestine.

From the overwhelming votes in the UN General Assembly to condemn the Russian and Israeli invasions, we can see what most of the world’s nations want done in these terrible situations. But there is no implementation of their demand to respect international law―law that lacks effective international enforcement.

Over the course of human history, this international lawlessness has contributed to a might-makes-right approach to world affairs, in which militarily powerful nations play the dominant role. Naturally, then, nations have gravitated toward military buildups, making some very powerful, indeed.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the top military spenders in 2023 (the latest year for which figures are available) are the United States ($916 billion), China ($296 billion), Russia ($109 billion), and India ($84 billion). But others―Israel ($28 billion) and North Korea (amount unknown)―also rank among the big-time military spenders. All told, the nations of the world devoted at least $2,443 billion to war and preparations for war, an increase over the previous year of nearly seven percent.

Military spending is not the only way to measure militarism. The Global Peace Index 2024, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, used the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization to examine 163 independent nations and territories. Not surprisingly, the major military powers ranked low on the scale of peacefulness, including China (88^th), India (116^th), the United States (132^nd), North Korea (152^nd), Israel (155^th), and Russia (157^th).

By contrast to these military behemoths―possessing the mightiest military forces in world history, including arsenals of nuclear weapons―the United Nations has remained a relatively anemic organization, speaking truth but lacking power.

Sometimes, the major military powers cope with the explosive global situation by making deals with one another―although such deals rarely create the basis for a peaceful world. For example, the August 23, 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (better known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact) provided for détente between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, two highly-militarized nations that had previously been at odds. In this secret protocol, Hitler and Stalin agreed to share Poland and give Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and other East European territory to the Soviet Union. On September 1, Germany invaded western Poland, thereby beginning World War II. Soon thereafter, the Soviet Union took action to seize its own share of the spoils. As early as July 1940, however, the German High Command began planning its invasion of the Soviet Union, which occurred the following June, ending this cozy arrangement.

On other occasions, major military powers have formed alliances. Wary of a military attack by their rivals or eager to bolster their strength for a military attack upon them, these “great powers” have enhanced their military might by creating military alliances with weaker nations. The weaker nations, for their part, sometimes seek alliances with the militarily powerful to guarantee their own security. 

But alliances, too, have provided a shaky basis for maintaining international peace. During the Cold War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (dominated by the United States) and the Warsaw Pact (dominated by the Soviet Union) engaged in remarkably dangerous nuclear confrontations. Furthermore, both alliances experienced serious internal convulsions. In 1956, Hungary withdrew from the Warsaw Pact, leading to a Soviet invasion that slaughtered 2,500 Hungarians and sent 200,000 fleeing abroad.

Today, the traditional system of every-nation-for-itself is leading to disaster. There are currently 56 active military conflicts in the world, the largest number since the end of World War II. These conflicts are also becoming more internationalized, with 92 nations engaged in a conflict beyond their borders. According to the Global Peace Index, “there has been a significant rise in both conflicts and battle deaths in the past two decades, with battle deaths reaching a thirty-year high.” 

Overarching this grim toll lies a revived nuclear arms race, increasingly likely to erupt into a nuclear war that will annihilate most life on earth.

In this situation, there is a desperate need for effective global governance. Or, to put things differently, the world needs a stronger United Nations―strong enough to resolve conflicts among nations and, thereby, maintain international peace and security.

The task of strengthening global governance is difficult, but not impossible. There are ways to limit the use of the veto in the UN Security Council, transfer security issues to the UN General Assembly (where there is majority rule and no veto), and increase the jurisdiction of international judicial bodies. It’s also necessary and possible to provide the UN with an independent source of income to fund an expanded range of activities.

The time has come to transform the United Nations into a federation of nations that can effectively uphold international law―a government for the world. With such a government, we would have a much better chance of restraining outlaw nations and averting the nuclear catastrophe that looms before us.

Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor of History emeritus at SUNY/Albany and the author of Confronting the Bomb (Stanford University Press).

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons

The Central African Republic (CAR) with the support of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA), is experiencing much positive momentum from the recent dissolution of active armed groups, according to the UN’s Special Envoy for the country.

Speaking to the Security Council on Wednesday, Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for CAR, highlighted the importance of renewing the Mission’s mandate.

MINUSCA was established in September 2014 in the CAR following a deadly flare up of inter-communal violence between the mainly Muslim Séléka groups and the mainly Christian anti-Balaka movement.

Civilians, top priority

Its mandate includes protection of civilians as the “utmost priority” alongside supporting humanitarian operations, protecting and promoting human rights and the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of fighters from neighboring countries.

The CAR has struggled to bring a definitive end to armed rebellions and recurrent violence since the start of the civil war in 2013.

Commending recent progress, Ms. Rugwabiza reported the dissolution of six armed groups and three factions of armed groups signatories which were signatories to CAR’s Political Agreement which “remained effective and resulted in the disarmament and demobilization of their combatants, with the integration of some of them in the national armed forces”.

Ms. Rugwabiza also underscored local elections as a “key component” of the Agreement which “offers a unique opportunity for enhanced governance at a decentralized level”.

Preparations for local elections have also continued to progress driven by the Government’s sustained commitment and MINUSCA multidimensional support.

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Photos: YouTube\Wikimedia Commons

New York, NY – Despite various covert, and not so covert, acts of aggression against the Republic of Zimbabwe, the country’s government boldly asserts that it will never be a colony again. The New York-based human rights organization, the December 12th Movement, confirmed today that a rally in support of Zimbabwe will be during the opening of the United Nations 79th General Assembly on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 1:00pm ET, at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th Street & 1st Avenue) in Manhattan, N.Y. As a shining proof that Pan-Africanism lives, Zimbabwe’s President, His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa will speak at the U.N. General Assembly.

“As an oppressed African living in the United States it’s inspiring to witness the Zimbabwean peoples’ unwavering efforts to be self-determining despite the economic sanctions against their country.” said, Lateefah Carter, a member of the December 12th Movement.

For more information on how you may participate, please call (929) 692-7609 or email D12M@aol.com.

WHO Community groups, teachers and activists, called by the December 12th Movement

WHAT A rally in support of the Republic of Zimbabwe’s struggle against Western economic sanctions intended to punish its citizens for taking their land back from former colonial power England

WHERE The support rally will be at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th Street & 1st Avenue) NYC

WHEN Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00PM Eastern Time

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Photos: Mark Garten\UN\YouTube Screenshots

Amid escalating global conflicts, deepening divisions and mounting crisis, the UN Secretary-General on Friday urged everyone around the world to “cultivate a culture of peace”.

Speaking at the annual Peace Bell Ceremony, António Guterres warned that war is spreading, inequalities are growing, and new technologies are being weaponized without safeguards.

“International institutions must be better positioned to respond,” he stressed.

The Secretary-General’s appeal comes ahead of a pivotal moment for global cooperation.

Later this month, world leaders will gather for the Summit of the Future, a landmark event aimed at tackling pressing challenges impacting human rights, climate change and security, military technology – and efforts to get the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.

“We have a chance for change…in short, we must ‘cultivate a culture of peace’,” he emphasized.

International Peace Day

That, Mr. Guterres continued, is also the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace, which will be marked on 21 September.

“It is a cause all us devotees of peace and justice must rally behind, this day and everyday – through the Summit of the Future and beyond,” he said.

Establishing the International Day in 1981, the General Assembly declared that it should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.

Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly further designated the International Day as a time of non-violence; calling for ceasefires worldwide.

Work for tolerance

Also speaking at the ceremony, Philémon Yang, President of the 79th session of the General Assembly, underscored the need to restore trust and solidarity among nations.

He noted conflicts and crises mounting – from Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti and elsewhere – adding that people are “desperately looking for a glimmer of hope”.

“Let us ring the Peace Bell today and send a message of hope for peace. Let us work towards tolerance and dialogue,” he urged.

In so doing, we can also accelerate progress towards sustainable development and ensure universal respect for the human dignity of everyone, everywhere, he added.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe: A view of the Peace Bell at the UN Headquarters, in New York.

Bell rings out

The ceremony included the traditional ringing of the Peace Bell, which was cast in the 1950s from coins and medals donated by people all over the world, including the Pope, as a symbol of hope for peace.

The Bell is rung twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox, and to commemorate the International Day for Peace.

The Peace Bell has also sounded on other special occasions, such as on 26 April 2011 to mark 25 years since the devastating Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident.

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Photos: Semafor Africa\YouTube Screenshots

Sudan’s government has rejected a United Nations recommendation for the creation of an “independent and impartial” force to protect civilians caught up in the country’s civil war.

UN experts said on Friday that both sides in the war — the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — were responsible for human rights abuses “which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.” They called for the deployment of the independent force “without delay” as well as the expansion of an existing arms embargo in Darfur to all of Sudan.

Sudan’s foreign ministry said the government rejected the recommendations “in their entirety.”

More than 8 million people have been internally displaced since fighting broke out in April 2023, the experts said. Another 2 million people have fled to neighboring countries, and more than 25 million people face acute food shortages.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during a visit to Sudan on Sunday, said the war had killed at least 20,000 people.

“The scale of the emergency is shocking,” he said, “as is the insufficient action being taken to curtail the conflict and respond to the suffering it is causing.”

— Martin K.N Siele

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