UNICEF Deputy Director Ted Chaiban concluded a five-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting the escalating crisis that has led to the worst humanitarian situation since 2003. He expressed grave concerns about the increasing violations against children’s rights and the protection of civilians in the region.
Chaiban emphasized that children are facing unimaginable horrors, including being killed, maimed, abducted, and recruited by armed groups. The number of internally displaced persons in eastern DRC has reached a record high of 7.2 million, with the situation expected to worsen as armed groups gain more control and fighting spreads.
As the UN peacekeeping mission begins to withdraw from the country, the situation is becoming even more dire. Chaiban stressed the urgent need for regional and international efforts to negotiate a political solution to the conflict and end the suffering of innocent civilians, especially children.
In a separate development, UN-appointed human rights experts called on Iran to revoke the death sentence against anti-corruption activist Mahmoud Mehrabi. The experts expressed alarm over Iran’s harsh punishments for freedom of expression, including the death penalty, and urged the authorities to amend the Constitution and penal code to prohibit executions.
The experts also highlighted the cases of other individuals facing the death penalty in Iran, including rapper Tomaj Salehi and those sentenced in connection with nationwide protests. They called for an end to the use of the death penalty as a tool to suppress dissent and urged Iranian authorities to respect human rights and international standards.