Brief World News: Palestinian journalists awarded top press freedom prize, child migrant detention, Niger faces meningitis epidemic

The top award for reporters who have bravely covered the destruction in Gaza under Israel’s relentless bombardment has been announced by an international jury of media professionals. Mauricio Weibel, the jury chair, emphasized the importance of recognizing the courage and commitment of Palestinian journalists in such dramatic circumstances. The UN agency chief, Audrey Azoulay, highlighted the significance of collective action to support journalists worldwide in carrying out their essential work.

Meanwhile, top independent rights experts have called for an end to the detention of child migrants and asylum-seekers entering the European Union. The experts, including Gehad Madi, Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants, stressed that detaining children due to their parents’ migration status is a violation of their rights. This appeal comes as the EU prepares to implement a new Pact on Migration and Asylum, aiming to monitor respect for human rights during the screening of migrants and asylum seekers at borders.

In Niger, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an urgent vaccination campaign in response to a deadly meningitis outbreak. With over 2,000 cases and 123 deaths recorded in just one week, Niger is facing a significant increase in cases compared to last year. The focus is on the Niamey region, where the infection rate is alarmingly high. WHO is collaborating with partners to provide a new single-dose vaccine to protect at-risk communities from the disease.