Israel-Gaza Conflict Enters Second Week: Daily Brief
The US continues to block calls for a halt to Israel-Gaza violence as conflict enters second week; new sanctions targeting Myanmar junta; Afghan women and girls should not pay price for government’s abuses; Egyptian authorities arrest mother for reporting son’s torture; Qatari security forces forcibly disappear migrant activist; South Africa’s government taken to court over toxic air pollution; and UN and AU must do better to protect children in conflict.
As the Israel-Gaza conflict enters its second week, US President Joe Biden has expressed support for a cease-fire. For the third time in a week, however, the US blocked the adoption of a joint UN security council statement calling for a halt to the violence. Meanwhile, Europe is experiencing a worrying surge in antisemitism.
The United States, United Kingdom and Canada have imposed new sanctions targeting Myanmar's junta. The sanctions are an important step toward cutting off revenue and support for the military which seized power in early February.
With the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan, donor countries may be eager to cut their support in response to rights violations. However, women and girls should not pay the price for their government’s abuses.
Instead of investigating reports by a mother that her son had been tortured and sexually abused in prison, Egyptian authorities arrested Hoda Abdel Hamid – a move that shows the abysmal state of Egypt’s justice system.
A Kenyan security guard who blogged about the plight of migrant workers in Qatar, has been detained and forcibly disappeared by security services. His detention comes as Qatar attempts to stave off threats of a World Cup boycott over migrant workers’ rights.
Two South African environmental justice organizations are presenting evidence in court that toxic air from coal-fired power stations violates communities’ right to a healthy environment. A favourable ruling in the Deadly Air case could compel the government to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
And lastly, The UN and AU must do better to protect children caught in war.