Geneva, The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has issued a stark warning about the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, where children face imminent famine and catastrophic food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict. The committee urgently calls for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further child deaths from starvation and malnutrition.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, children in North Gaza are on the brink of famine, with reports of malnutrition and dehydration deaths already emerging. The Gazan Health Ministry has reported 27 child deaths attributable to these causes, though the actual number is likely higher and expected to rise. The committee highlighted the acute suffering of children, noting instances where the scarcity of food has become so severe that children are publicly expressing their distress and longing for basic necessities like bread.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly, with a recent nutrition screening conducted by UNICEF and its partners revealing that one in three children under two years old in the Northern Gaza Strip suffers from acute malnutrition, a significant increase from earlier in the year. Experts from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification project that famine could occur in the northern governorates between now and May 2024, affecting approximately 1.11 million people, half the population of the Gaza Strip, with catastrophic food insecurity by mid-July if the conflict escalates further.
The committee’s statement reiterates calls for a ceasefire, referencing an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice which found plausible rights claims under the Genocide Convention. It urges Israel to comply with the court’s order to prevent acts that could be construed as genocidal and to allow the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Amid reports of escalating violence and a potential invasion of Rafah that could put 600,000 children at immediate risk of famine, the committee appeals to all parties, including the UN General Assembly and Security Council, to agree to an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It also calls for increased funding for UNRWA and the opening of land border crossings to ensure the delivery of much-needed aid to all areas of Gaza, emphasizing the need for security assurances and unimpeded passage to aid all children affected by the conflict.
Ouagadougou, During a concluding press stakeout after his brief official visit to Burkina Faso, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk addressed the multifaceted human rights challenges facing Burkina Faso. Turk emphasized the dire humanitarian situation, alarming security issues, and the essential need for inclusive participation in the nation’s transition process.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Turk’s visit to Ouagadougou was aimed at engaging with various stakeholders, including the authorities, civil society actors, and UN partners, to discuss the country’s pressing human rights issues. His discussions with President of the Transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, covered a wide range of topics from security to socio-economic concerns, climate change, civic space, and inequalities.
Burkina Faso is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, with 2.3 million people facing food insecurity, over two million internally displaced, and 800,000 children out of school. Despite the needs of 6.3 million people, international attention and resources have dwindled. The security situation, with large areas terrorized by armed groups, has led to 1,335 documented violations of human rights and humanitarian law in 2023 alone, affecting at least 3,800 civilians. Turk highlighted the paramount importance of civilian protection and the need for accountability for these violations.
The High Commissioner acknowledged the challenges faced by Burkina Faso’s security and defense forces and welcomed assurances of their commitment to comply with international laws. He stressed the importance of investigating and acting upon reports of violations by security forces and the Volontaires pour la défense de la Patrie (VDP) to foster a climate of law and order and to counter impunity.
Emphasizing the need for meaningful participation and inclusivity in Burkina Faso’s transition, particularly of women, young people, and marginalized communities, Turk called on the international community not to overlook the grave situation in Burkina Faso. He pledged the continued support of his office to the people of Burkina Faso through the transition, anchored in human rights principles.