In a statement issued by his Spokesperson on Monday, António Guterres conveyed his condolences to the bereaved households, the folks and Government of Russia, wishing the injured a speedy restoration.
Gunmen utilizing automated weapons reportedly opened fireplace inside a Christian Orthodox church and synagogue in town of Derbent on Sunday night, killing an Orthodox priest.
In what appeared to be coordinated attacks, terrorists additionally shot at visitors police who have been on submit in town of Makhachkala, north of the Caspian Sea, and attacked one other church close by.
Gun battles
There have been reported gun battles across the Assumption Cathedral in town lasting for a number of hours. At least 15 law enforcement officials have been among the many lifeless along with 4 civilians.
Authorities in Dagestan mentioned that no less than six militants have been additionally killed following the attacks, though no group has claimed duty for the attacks.
The assault got here simply three months after an ISIL terrorist group affiliate referred to as ISIS-Ok, carried out one of the deadliest terror attacks on Russia soil in latest years, on the Crocus City Hall, in Moscow, killing greater than 140.
Russian authorities mentioned they have been investigating if so-called sleeper cells have been concerned in coordinating the attacks, and Dagestan has reportedly declared three days of mourning.
Time to end battle on medication, Human Rights Council hears
In a report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, a prime impartial rights professional has called for an end to the so-called battle on medication – after describing it as an alternative as a battle on folks.
Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur to well being, insisted that punitive approaches to drug use and drug management affected society’s most weak folks.
Ms. Mofokeng mentioned that the dearth of a human-rights primarily based method to addressing drug use has notably harmed these going through homelessness, poverty and psychological well being issues, together with different marginalized people together with intercourse staff, women, youngsters, LGBT individuals, Black and indigenous peoples.
The rights professional insisted that the criminalization of drug use was the one most excessive choice inside a raft of different regulatory choices accessible to governments.
Meanwhile the dearth of entry to hurt discount providers for drug customers in prisons “lead to a high prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis”, she mentioned.
Full decriminalisation call
In help of the “full decriminalisation” of drug use, the rights professional insisted that proof from authorities that took this method “demonstrates that adopting less punitive policies does not result in an increase in drug use, drug-related harms or other crimes.
Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed rights experts are independent of any government, receive no salary for their work and serve in their individual capacity.
Vast majority of countries yet to have a woman Head of State
In what is the biggest electoral year ever, 113 countries have still never had a woman Head of State and only 26 are led by a woman today, new figures from gender equality agency UN Women revealed on Monday.
The new data comes as the world celebrated the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, recognizing the different ways women are breaking barriers and making a difference in the field of diplomacy.
“As many countries head to the polls this year, we all must put women first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most,” mentioned UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.
As of 1 January 2024, women make up lower than a 3rd of Cabinet ministers in 141 nations. In seven nations, there aren’t any women represented in Cabinets in any respect. Meanwhile, solely 23 per cent of Ministerial positions are held by women.
Male bastion
Women are additionally underrepresented as Permanent Representatives to the UN. As of May 2024, women held 25 per cent of senior ambassador posts in New York, 35 per cent in Geneva, and 33.5 per cent in Vienna.
“Our work is guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet,” Ms. Bahous mentioned.
“Women’s equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all,” she added.