"LAW"

At the 47th session of the Human Rights Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressed concern about “widespread use” of the death penalty in Iran “and its arbitrary imposition for a range of acts that under international law do not constitute ‘most serious crimes.’" UNTV CH

The UN’s top diplomat in Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said more than 50 Afghanistan’s 370 districts have fallen to the Taliban since the beginning of May, most of which surround provincial capitals, “suggesting that the Taliban are positioning themselves to try and take these capitals once foreign forces are fully withdrawn.” UNIFEED

Marking a decade of independence, South Sudan faces slow progress, lingering violence, Secretary-General’s Special Representative tells Security Council.

Ten years after the independence of South Sudan, the support of the international community to the country “remains as important today as the world’s youngest nation strives for peace, security, and prosperity for its citizens,” the UN top official in South Sudan told the Security Council today. UNIFEED

At the 47th session of the Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said, “I am deeply disturbed by continued reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross human rights violations and abuses against civilians by all parties to the conflict.” UNTV CH

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Liz Throssell today briefed reporters on the ongoing fighting in Yemen and enforced disappearances law in Pakistan. UNTV CH

Crucial elections needed by end of 2021 to break political impasse, tackle worsening conditions in Haiti, experts tell Security Council.

The Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Helen La Lime, said it was imperative that local, parliamentary, as well as presidential elections take place as scheduled in the fall of this year and called on all Haitian stakeholders to “urgently set aside their differences, askew their narrow interests and work together to tackle the protracted political, structural and social issues that hinder the country's progress.” UNIFEED

As he prepares to leave office on Friday, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said, “the last four years have been an unusually difficult time,” marked by protracted and emerging conflicts, the rising impacts of climate change, and the toll of diseases such as Ebola and now COVID-19, bringing the number of people requiring assistance and protection to unprecedented levels. UNIFEED

The insecurity in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, an oil rich and agricultural potential area, ravaged by a six years civil war, then followed by a fragile peace, is currently undergoing a difficult transition from war to a sustainable, durable peace. UNMISS