"HUMAN RIGHTS"

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, told the Security Council that the presidential election scheduled for 28 September “will be a key moment to reaffirm the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s democratic political structure.” UNIFEED

Sudan must hand over former President, other suspects, International Criminal Court Prosecutor tells Security Council, urging justice for victims of violence at 8554th meeting.

A UN spokesperson said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the killing of Jamal Khashoggi was a “horrendous crime,” but stressed that the UN chief “does not have the power or the authority to launch criminal investigations without a mandate from a competent intergovernmental body.” UNIFEED

Security Council members ask about civilian protection amid political shifts, as Darfur, Cyprus Mission Commanders brief on relations with host countries at 8552nd meeting.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called on students and youth to fight the “narrative of impossibility” that dangerously leads to policies of exclusion. In a speech at Berlin’s Free University today, he argued the world was not facing a refugee crisis, but a “crisis in solidarity.” UNHCR

Launch of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech - Opening speeches by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng.

Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep concern about the escalation of the fighting in Idlib, Syria, adding that “the situation is especially dangerous given the involvement of an increased number of actors. Yet again, civilians are paying a horrific price.” UNIFEED

At the launch of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action to combat hate speech today, UN chief António Guterres said, “Hate speech may have gained a foothold. But it is now on notice. We will never stop confronting it.” UNIFEED

Fifty women representing various parts of South Sudan’s uniformed security sectors have met at a two-day workshop in South Sudan’s capital Juba, to chart a way forward for various ways of how they can uplift their careers while helping combat various forms of gender-based violence in the community. UNMISS

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.