Australia's human rights violations in Nauru, investment giant leaves climate pact, industry leaders fear impact of armed conflicts, displacements worsen in DRC and Haiti, psychosocial needs of children in Gaza, hundreds of paternity cases remain unsettled for peacekeepers, UXOs continue to kill children in Syria, unprecedented challenges ahead for the UN in 2025.
Australia / Nauru
The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that Australia violated a human rights treaty by detaining asylum seekers, including minors, on the Pacific island of Nauru, even after they were granted refugee status. The UN Human Rights Committee found that Australia breached the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by engaging in arbitrary detention and denying the detainees the right to challenge their detention in court. "A state party cannot escape its human rights responsibility when outsourcing asylum processing to another state," said committee member Mahjoub El Haiba. The ruling underscores the message that countries outsourcing asylum operations remain accountable for human rights violations. El Haiba emphasized, "Offshore detention facilities are not human rights-free zones." (Al Jazeera, "Australia violated rights of asylum seekers held in Nauru")
Climate / UN
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed disappointment over BlackRock's decision to leave the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, which aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The move followed pressure from Republican politicians and concerns over legal inquiries. BlackRock, which manages $11.5 trillion, stated that leaving the initiative would not change how it manages investments or addresses climate risks. Guterres urged other companies to remain committed to combating climate change, emphasizing the vital role of the private sector in addressing the global climate crisis. He highlighted the ongoing climate impact, with 2024 being the hottest year on record.
(Reuters, "UN Chief Upset Blackrock left Climate Group")
Davos
WEF's annual risk survey polled 900 experts, policymakers and industry leaders. Global risk is defined by the survey as "a condition that would negatively affect a significant proportion of global GDP, population or natural resources." Industry leaders see armed conflict as the biggest potential threat to global economies in 2025. (DW, "Wars top global concerns ahead of WEF")
DRC
The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening. Escalating violence has displaced over 100,000 people, including 52,000 children, since the beginning of the year. The conflict is blocking aid delivery and exacerbating an already dire hunger crisis. Millions of children are affected, facing displacement, food insecurity, and potential exploitation. Save the Children calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and increased international support to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance. ( Save the Children,"Violence forces over 50,000 children out of their homes")
Gaza
UNICEF has prepared to send essential supplies, including nutrition, water sanitation kits, hygiene kits, and neonatal care items, into Gaza on 1,300 lorries once border crossings open under a ceasefire set to begin on Sunday. However, the situation remains uncertain, with unclear details about which crossings will open or when. Looting is a significant concern for humanitarian organizations, as armed robbery of aid convoys has been an issue since the conflict began. Criminal gangs have exploited the scarcity of supplies, driving up prices and making it difficult to distribute aid effectively. Additionally, the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza and a shortage of vehicles complicate the logistics of delivering aid. There are also concerns about the movement of displaced people, especially from the south to northern Gaza, which will require aid groups to adjust their operations accordingly. (The National, "Unicef says Gaza aid operation among ‘most complex in the world’ as it prepares for ceasefire surge")
WEF's annual risk survey polled 900 experts, policymakers and industry leaders. Global risk is defined by the survey as "a condition that would negatively affect a significant proportion of global GDP, population or natural resources." Industry leaders see armed conflict as the biggest potential threat to global economies in 2025. (DW, "Wars top global concerns ahead of WEF")
DRC
The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening. Escalating violence has displaced over 100,000 people, including 52,000 children, since the beginning of the year. The conflict is blocking aid delivery and exacerbating an already dire hunger crisis. Millions of children are affected, facing displacement, food insecurity, and potential exploitation. Save the Children calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and increased international support to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance. ( Save the Children,"Violence forces over 50,000 children out of their homes")
Gaza
UNICEF has prepared to send essential supplies, including nutrition, water sanitation kits, hygiene kits, and neonatal care items, into Gaza on 1,300 lorries once border crossings open under a ceasefire set to begin on Sunday. However, the situation remains uncertain, with unclear details about which crossings will open or when. Looting is a significant concern for humanitarian organizations, as armed robbery of aid convoys has been an issue since the conflict began. Criminal gangs have exploited the scarcity of supplies, driving up prices and making it difficult to distribute aid effectively. Additionally, the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza and a shortage of vehicles complicate the logistics of delivering aid. There are also concerns about the movement of displaced people, especially from the south to northern Gaza, which will require aid groups to adjust their operations accordingly. (The National, "Unicef says Gaza aid operation among ‘most complex in the world’ as it prepares for ceasefire surge")
How the Biden administration failed to enforce its threats against Israel regarding its actions in Gaza, resulting in continued human rights abuses and a loss of U.S. credibility on the international stage. Despite issuing multiple red-line warnings to Israel, including demands for increased humanitarian aid access and protection of civilians, the U.S. did not follow through with consequences. This allowed Israel to continue its actions with apparent impunity, damaging U.S. influence and undermining international law. Internal dissent within the State Department, which was disregarded, further highlighted the lack of accountability. "Netanyahu’s conclusion was that Biden doesn’t have enough oomph to make him pay a price, so he was willing to ignore him. (ProPublica, "How the US State Dept Let Israel Get Away with Gaza Horrors")
North Gaza - significant casualties from Israeli bombing of Jabalia and Khan Younis on Tuesday. UN teams attempted to reach Al Awda and Indonesian hospitals to evacuate patients, but were blocked by Israeli forces. The last time UN teams were able to visit either was in December. (UN News, "North Gaza")
UNICEF says that nearly all of Gaza's 1.1 million children need mental health and psychosocial support amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment, displacement and dire living conditions. (Al Jazeera, "Over a million Gaza children face mental health crisis")
Haiti
Haiti
Violence by armed groups in Haiti has displaced over one million people, half of them children, with a 50% increase in displaced children since September. Many face grave risks, including forced recruitment, sexual violence, and lack of essential services. UNICEF urgently calls for an end to violence, protection of children's rights, and humanitarian access to aid the 3 million children in need. Catherine Russell says, "“It is a horrific time to be a child in Haiti, with violence upending lives and forcing more children and families from their homes. Children desperately need safety, protection, and access to essential services. We cannot look away.”(UNICEF, "1 in every 8 children internally displaced.")
ILO
ILO released its "World Employment and Social Outlook 2025". The global employment landscape shows both progress and persistent challenges. Despite steady global unemployment rates of 5% and some job recovery post-pandemic, youth unemployment remains high, decent work deficits persist, and real wage growth lags behind inflation recovery. Structural barriers, informality, gender gaps, and regional disparities in employment opportunities hinder progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Labour market resilience is further tested by geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and technological disruptions. Link shared by Niloufar Pourzand (ILO, " "World Employment and Social Outlook 2025")
OXFAM
Halima Begum, the head of Oxfam GB, argues for a radical overhaul of the international aid sector. She criticizes the current system as outdated and colonial, with power concentrated in wealthy donor countries. Begum proposes a "decolonized" approach where decision-making and power shifts to the global south. "Where the status quo prevails, you’re essentially left with that old trope of European, Asian or African elites in the big INGOs mapping the future of relatively poor black and brown people living in developing countries." (The Guardian, "It's about solidarity, not charity")
Halima Begum, the head of Oxfam GB, argues for a radical overhaul of the international aid sector. She criticizes the current system as outdated and colonial, with power concentrated in wealthy donor countries. Begum proposes a "decolonized" approach where decision-making and power shifts to the global south. "Where the status quo prevails, you’re essentially left with that old trope of European, Asian or African elites in the big INGOs mapping the future of relatively poor black and brown people living in developing countries." (The Guardian, "It's about solidarity, not charity")
Peacekeepers' Paternity
The UN still faces over 747 cases of unresolved paternity cases. These cases involve vulnerable women, some minors, who were impregnated by peacekeepers, often under exploitative circumstances. While the UN has implemented measures like DNA testing and victim support, most member states are unresponsive or slow to act, leaving women and their children in poverty and stigma. UN officials stress the need for greater accountability from member states and a robust system to prioritize victims' rights. (PassBlue "UN lists hundreds of paternity claims - do member states care?")
Syria
Some 5 million children live in areas riddled with unexploded ordinance. In the past 9 years 422,000 UXO incidents occurred with 116 children killed in December 2024 alone. (Bastille Post Global, "UNICEF calls for urgent action on unexploded ordinance")
UN
In opening the General Assembly the SG outlined his priorities for the year ahead, emphasizing the unprecedented crises facing the UN - runaway conflicts, raging climate disasters, and out-of-control technology . He cited the deadlock in the Security Council and the escalation of crises in Gaza and Sudan. He also announced a new climate change conference. (France24, "Humanity has opened 'Pandora's box of ills')
UNICEF/WHO/World Bank
The World Bank will help in alleviating the damage to Sudan's health system through grants to UNICEF and WHO in the SHARE project. The project envisages training of health workers, establishing nutrition services and delivery of medicines. (WHO release, "World Bank partners with WHO and UNICEF to boost health care in Sudan")
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