Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights, the show about the government, policy and human rights. All right, welcome back to Policy and right here in Depictions Media Radio, I'm your host to Michael Cloggs. So in today's report, we're going to here start. Let's start by looking at reports from CNN, and there's two that we want to focus on because Hurricane Debbie is
bear palling Florida. At this moment, Hurricane Debbie Category one storm is nearing landfall with the eyewall moving on shore in the Florida Big Ben area. According to National Hurricane Center forecasts shows Debbie will slowly transfers over the southeast US and dump a potentially catastrophic rainfall over widespread parts
of Florida, Georgia, south and south of Carolina. More than one hundred thousand homes and businesses are already without power across Florida as Debbie hurricane force winds winds to begin to batter the state. According to Power Outage dot US, hundreds of flights have been canceled and delayed in the region, and several school systems have announced temporary closures. So and
the US Presidential race president or Vice President. Kamila Harris sorry for the slip there is expected to announce her running mate UH this week and intends to keep her so moving forward. The Israelis are claiming some victory as they did target and kill a Hamas leader and other other details. As we want to focus for a second on UH. The prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.
We have a recorded statement from President Joe Biden about that, and there may be some other details about that prisoner swap from reported from the BBC SO sixteen people released from Russia jails as part of a prisoner swap tasted freedom. They were moving scenes at at air base in US state of Maryland. Wall Street journal of reported one of the freed Americans lifted in a mother's embrace after being greeted on the tarmac as US President Joe Biden swapped.
The swap involved twenty four prisoners from the US, Germany, Poland and Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus and deal origin origins can be traced in twenty twenty, and it was explained from the first hints during the release of a US basketball player Brittany Greener, though it's nearly unraveling over the death of a Russian dissident, Alexei Navalali as to the conclusion when US officials held a breath and crossed
their fingers until planes touchdown. So Donald Trump had made some statements saying that the efforts are laughable and that the nicotiators themselves were basically a joke, as he posted that on his Truth network, and he also was also touting how it would have never happen under his watch
to begin with, claiming more crooked Joe theories. The thing of it is is should such a thing have ever become a political ploy in order for the Republican Party and for Donald Trump to attempt to gain votes went over the American public. Should should that be allowed? Or should we be just simply grateful that someone was able to get the job done and get people home. So
more thoughts. There are some some other thoughts from Vladimir Putin, and Putin claiming a win in the prisoner swap, that he got exactly what he wanted and he showed how he does have power over the Western government. From the returning Russians, there was a red carpet reception, a guard
of honor. There were bouquets of flowers and some hugs from President Putin and as he embraced the FSB hitman who had been serving a life sentence in Germany for assassinating the assassinating Georgia born Uh changing disson it.
Uh.
Russia also released more prisoners than it received. Why why is put In celebrating this is a victory and Russia got what they wanted. They got agents back, including a man number one on the list. The German authorities had initially been unwilling to release a convicted assassin who, according to German court, had acted on behalf of the Russian authorities.
The message to Kriminlin wants to send to his agents' spies is if we send you on a mission abroad and things go wrong, will find a way to get you home. So mister Putin is claiming a victory, which other areas such as in Bangladesh in one case, Lebanon, Assyria and are also there's some statements about how they're trying to bring justice to those people from the UN Security Council in the Sudan and South Sudan, so there will be a joint statement. There also.
Okay, good afternoon everyone. Today is the seventy ninth anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, and a message delivered in Hiroshima by his High Representative for Disarmament Affairs is Zumi Nakamitsu. The Secretary General said that nuclear weapons and the threat of their use are not confined to history books. They represent a real and present danger that remains with us today. He added that we cannot press our luck again and must find new solutions to bring
disarmament to life. We will never forget the lessons of the sixth of August nineteen forty five, the Secretary General said, and mis Nakamitsu will also be attending the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing on Thursday and will also deliver a
message on the Secretary General's behalf there. We issued a statement yesterday that said that the Secretary General continues to closely follow developments in Bangladesh, including the Chief of Army Staff's announcement regarding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheiksina and plans for the formation of an interim government. He urges calm and restraint by all sides and emphasizes the importance
of a peaceful, orderly and democratic transition. The Secretary General stands in full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and calls for the full respect of their human rights. He continues to underscore the need for a full, independent, impartial
and trans instigation into all acts of violence. Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that ongoing hostilities and repeated evacuation orders continue to severely constrain AID operations and deepen the suffering
that Palestinians are facing. OJA says that our partners monitoring population movements in Gaza report that despite the recent evacuation orders, many families continue to stay in areas placed under evacuation due to high levels of insecurity and the lack of safety across Gaza, as well as harsh living conditions in displacement sites where there is limited access to aid and basic services that are also fatigued by multiple rounds of displacement.
Whether they move or stay, people in Gaza must be able to receive humanitarian assistance. Those who choose to leave their homes must be able to do so safely, and they must be allowed to return as soon as circumstances allow. The World Health Organization reports that mass displacement in Gaza as having a grave impact on public health, with overcrowding, a lack of proper shelter, and poor water, sanitation and
hygiene conditions increasing the dangers of communicable diseases. WHO says overcrowding is also raising the risk of mass casualties and attacks on heavily populated areas. Meanwhile, the agency warns that the number of patients in need of medical evacuation outside Gaza is expected to increase given the ongoing fighting and the shrinking capacity.
Of the health system.
WHO continues to call for the establishment of multiple medical evacuation quarters out of Gaza to ensure the safe and timely passage of patients via all possible routes, including the
Repha and Caram Shaloam crossings. Meanwhile, OH says that active conflict, destroyed roads and infrastructure, access denials, delays, a lack of public order and safety, and other challenges continue to hamper efforts to move AID in Gaza and therefore reach Palestinians with the life saving humanity in assistance that they rely on. We must be able to deliver to people in need wherever they.
Are in Gaza.
Our humanitarian colleagues report that the Karam Shalom crossing was closed today due to military operations. This has prevented the transport of critical supplies as well as the entry of human charian personnel into Gaza. Meanwhile, the Aire West or Zikim crossing has been closed since the second of August due to maintenance work. Humanitarian supplies have been redirected to the Era's crossing. This morning, Security Council members held a
briefing on the human charian situation in Sudan. This meeting, as you know, comes days after the Famine Review Committee concluded that famine conditions are present in Zamzam camp close to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Dam musurnu Ocha's director of Operations and Advocacy told Council members that life saving supplies in Port Sudan are ready to be loaded and dispatched to Zamsam, including essential medicines, nutritional supplies, water purification tablets and soap.
She added that she added that it.
Is crucial that the approvals and security assurances needed are not delayed. For his part, the world Food Program's Assistant Executive Director, Stephanomolo, said that the agency is significantly scaling up operations across the country. WFP will prioritize reaching people facing emergency and catastrophic levels of hunger, along with those who have been internally displaced. Both officials reiterated that the conflict must stop and a ceasefire remains the only sustainable
solution that will prevent this further spread of famine. The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Carolinziade, today a voice concern about recent developments in Northern Kosovo. The UN Mission noted that the developments continue to adversely impact the daily lives and socioeconomic rights of affected communities, including the closure of nine Post Office of Serbia branches in the Northern Municipalite Northern
Municipalities by authorities in Pristina. Missiade calls for responsible leadership to maintain the calm and safety and security of all communities.
She further reiterated her calls.
For outstanding issues to be resolved through the EU facilitated dialogue and appealed for restraint from taking unilateral action and lastly, thanks to Romania. The impasse has been broken. What do you think I'm referring to contributions. You're absolutely right, Desi deji. The nation of Romania has paid its dues in full and their check takes us to one hundred and twenty three fully paid up member states. And thank you to our friends in Bucharest. And for that you get the very first question.
Thank you, Varhan. Let me ask you some questions steal on the OIOS investigation results. We know that the according to what I understand, the evidence is sufficient to terminate those nine people to say that they might evolve in the Hamas attack. I know, I know you cannot. The report is confidential, but can you give us like maybe one example, like what kind of evidence led to this termination?
Ultimately, I cannot give you any more precise details than what I've provided for you already. The report itself can be seen by different countries. I believe some of the donors genre are aware now of the contents of that.
But it is not a public document.
And so what we have been able to share yesterday through the extensive information you saw in the note and the questions and answers, is as much as we can provide.
Yeah, like there's no no case, no examples.
I mean, okay, anyway, I mean the details are in the hands of of oyos and some of those who have been shared, like I said, with the donors who have been able to see the report.
I just want to read out the response from the Israeli ambassador.
Are done. Oh, I'm aware of this response, Grace.
And too late that that's not the part I want to ask. He said, and I quote, investigation ignored that thousands of agency employees involved in Hamas terrorism and the extent of their involvement. Israel has provided the UN with precise details of over a hundred on what employees who are members of the terrorist organizations Hamas. We didn't hear that much. We know that there are nineteen people who's
under investor, who are under investigation. What about the the numbers here thousands of employees, one hundred names.
What I can tell you is that if we are to get precise information, as the ambassador suggested, we will follow up on it. So we are willing to look into any precise information that is provided by Israel or any other authorities. If we do not have that, then there's nothing to follow up on But has.
The Israel provided the precise details of over one hundred names?
I think you can tell from what the information we've been providing to you. We have followed up on all of the information we've received as we receive it. If we're not following up on it, that means we do not have precise information on it. Any other questions, Yes, Evelyn.
Oh, thank you for ahead. Is there any chance, considering what's happening in the Middle East of a cease fire humanitarian cease fire? Is a Secretary General still pursuing it.
We are encouraging it amongst all of our parties. We continue to pursue discussions on this. As you're aware, are envoy there towards ven Island. Has been in touch with various authorities and he continues to push, as of course do a number of concerned nations, and we are encouraging their efforts to make sure that this conflict does not spiral out of control.
That what doesn't, sorry, what's not what's out of control.
We believe that the longer the crisis in Gaza continues and that there's no ceasefire, there's a greater risk for the conflict expand and we want that to be avoided and we're pursuing that from all avenues.
Okay, thank you Gabriel.
Thanks Varhun. Does the Secretary of General have any comments about Muhammed Unis perhaps returning to Bangladesh to lead an interim government?
Well, on that what I can what I can say, Uh, hold on just one second. Obviously at this stage, Uh, he's he's keeping abreast of all the efforts that are that are underway to form an interim government. And here are just all parties to seek a broad national consensus on government information and a timetable towards democratic elections.
Statement on behalf of the following members of the Security Council as well as incoming members that are state parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Denmark, Ecuador, France, Greece, Guyana, Marda, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sera Reone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom
and our own countries, Japan and Switzerland. We thank the ICC Prosecutor Mister Karen Khan for the presentation of the thirteen ninth Report to the Security Councncil on the straation in Dar Rule in accordance with Resolution fifteen ninety three a miss the present conflict in Sudam. We also thanked his office or its airports to implement its mandate on
the ground under difficult circumstances. We are gravely concerned about the dire humanitarian situation, as well as the numerous reports of serious viorations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of international humanitari human rights law. We insist the international law must be upheld all at all times, and justice and accountability must be insured for violations all violations.
As an ongoing conflict in Sudan demonstrates once again, accountability for past and present authorities is an essential prerequisite for peace and stability in the future. We thus welcome the progress achieved by the ICC in the pursuit of accountability for past crimes and share the commitment to bring the
perpetuators of atrocities to justice. In the context of ongoing hostilities, we command a continuing investigation into the irrigations of crimes committed to Endurhurd since twenty twenty three, prioritizing in particular crimes of sexual and gender based violence and crimes against children. We welcome the further progress of the trial of Mista Arii Muhammad Ari abudurur rahuman. We value the law given to victims, witnesses and affected communities in the process of
the trial. We note the current pace of proceedings will lead to judgment in the course of twenty twenty five and hope that the justice can be delivered without father deray. Notwithstanding the current armed hostilities in Sudan, we commend.
The efforts by the Prosecutor's office to engage with effect the communities in a challenging environment, and we welcome the continuing communication with CEOs, women's organizations, victims and witnesses. Outside of Sudan, we hear repeated calls for justice not just from those who witnessed and suffered from the crimes perpetrated two decades ago, but also the victims and survivors of the crimes allegedly committed since April twenty twenty three in Darfur.
This conflict must not become the world's forgotten atrocity. We welcome the efforts made by the Sudanese authorities to constructively engage and communicate with the Prosecutor's office, including through the provisions of visas and executing requests from the office. We also take note of the office's first engagement with the
tribal leadership of Arab communities from Darfur. We hope that this positive momentum will be further consolidated to enable the Prosecutor's Office to fulfill its investigative and prosecutoral mandate, including through the surrender and arrest of fugitives. It is crucial to recognize the link between the pain and suffering inflicted on our four twenty years ago and the current situation.
We renew our unwavering commitment to uphold, defend, and promote the principles and values of the Roman Statute, and to preserve its integrity, undeterred by any threats or measures against the Court, its officials, and those cooperating with it. In this regard, we continue to comply with our cooperation obligations and encourage all member states to fully support the Court in carrying out its mandate of insuring justice for the
victims of the most serious crimes under international law. We underlined the important role played by the ICC in maintaining international peace and security. In this regard, we are affirm our support for the Court as an independence and impartial judicial institution. The ICC embodies our collective commitment to fight against impunity for the most serious crimes under international law.
Thank you, but anyway, good afternoon on Bangladesh. I can tell you that we expect a formal statement shortly. We're watching the situation in the country very closely. We continue to call for calm and restraint and to urge all parties to respect the right to peaceful assembly and expression. We are security forces to protect those out on the
streets of Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh. You'll have seen that the High Commissioner for Human Rights Wulker Turk, issued a statement yesterday in which he called for violence in the country to stop. He added that accountability for human rights violations, including those for those with superior and command responsibility, is crucial. The international community must make it clear that at this pivotal time there will be no impunity.
You'd been asking for a long time about the Office of Internal over Site Services work concerning the UN Relief and Works Agency. I can tell you the following. The Office of Internal Oversight Services has completed its investigation into nineteen area staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East UNRAW regarding allegations of their involvement in the armed attacks of the
seventh of October twenty twenty three in Southern Israel. OIOS made findings in relation to each of the nineteen UNRW staff members alleged to have been involved in the attacks. In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member's involvement, while in nine other cases the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff member's involvement. With respect to these ten cases, appropriate measures will be taken in due course
in conformity with UNRAW regulations and rules. In respect of the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRAW staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of September. Of the seventh of October twenty twenty three, the employment of these individuals will be
terminated in the interests of the agency. Turning to GAZA, the Office for the Coordination of Humansiaran Affairs reports that ongoing bombardment and hostilities continue to kill, injure and displace Palestinians, as well as damage and destroy the homes and infrastructure they rely on. In just the past forty eight hours, three schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza City were reportedly hit,
resulting in dozens of casualties. According to Palestinian Civil Defense, partners on the ground are assessing the knees of people who fled and have been providing assistance. Meanwhile, a new analysis by the UN Satellite Center Yunisat found that as of a month ago, sixty three percent of structures in Gaza had been damaged. Yesterday, the Israeli military issued a new evacuation order for people living in areas of southern Communis and Northern Rufa to immediately move westward to Almawassi.
Our partners tracking population movements in Gaza estimate that more than eleven thousand people had been living in these areas affected by this evacuation order. We call once again for all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by taking constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects. This includes allowing civilians to leave for safer areas and allowing their return as soon as
circumstances allow. People must be able to receive humanitarian assistance whether they move or stay. As the violence continues, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza's deepening. OUR partners are now reporting a surge in malnutrition levels among children in northern Gaza.
Last month.
They noted a three hundred percent increase in July, when more than six hundred and fifty cases of acute malnutrition were diagnosed, compared to May, when one hundred and.
Forty five such cases were detected.
Our humanitarian partners say that nutrition conditions are worsening due to access constraints, shortages and essential supplies, limited availability of fresh produce in meat, poor water and sanitation services, and spreading diseases. For example, acute supplies shortages mean that just eight percent of the nearly fifty thousand children whom OUR Partners had been aiming to reach in Northern Gaza were
able to receive those supplies last month. Under Secretary General Jean Pierre Lacroix concluded his official trip to the Middle East on Saturday. On the first leg of this visit, he met with personnel in the Unit Its Engagement Observer Force ONDOFF and engaged with senior Syrian officials in Damascus to affirm the mission's commitment to its mandate and de escalation.
In Lebanon, Mister Lacroix visited the un Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL in South Lebanon after meetings in Beirut with Lebanese political and military leaders, where he discussed the important role of UNIFIL in supporting de escalation across the Blue Line. Throughout these engagements, he stressed the need for all actors to cease fire, recommit to Resolution seventeen oh one and worked towards a durable political and diplomatic solution.
He visited UNIFILS Nakura headquarters and joined peacekeepers on patrol and in positions along the Blue Line. They were commended for their efforts in a challenging environment. Turning to Ukraine, our colleagues from the Office where the Coronation of Humancherian Affairs tells us that hostilities continued over the weekend and today in frontline regions in the east of the country. Local authorities reported over seventy civilian casualties, including children, and
extensive damage to homes and health and education facilities. The towns of Bokrovsk, Mirnhad and Toretsk in the Donetsk region were particularly impacted, with repeated strikes damaging at least five education and health facilities. Due to the worsening security situation, local authorities initiated a mandatory evacuation of children in six towns and villages in the Dunyatsk region, offering temporary accommodation
and support to evacuated families. AID organizations, notably in Western Ukraine, provided basic assistance, psychosocial support, and other services.
To the vacuees.
During the first half of this year, AID workers provided humanitarian assistance to more than four hundred and forty thousand people in the Donyatsk region, where AID remains a lifeline for devastated communities. Turning to Sudan, our colleagues from the Office where the Coordination of Humanchaaran Affairs are warning that active conflict and worsening flooding continue to fuel misery across
the country, including in North Darfur. On Saturday, fighting in the state capital El Fasher reportedly displaced nearly two thousand people from the Al Salam camp. As you may remember, the Famine Review Committee warned last week that famine conditions are likely prevalent in Al Salam Camp. In Zamzam Camp, where famine can conditions have been confirmed, more than five thousand people have been displaced due to heavy rains in
recent weeks. There are alarming reports that latrines and water points are being flooded, increasing the risk of water borne diseases at a time when people are already dying from hunger and illness. We and our humanitarian partners are trying to scale up assistance in these and other hunger hot spots in Sudan, but we continue to face major challenges, including access constraints, impassable roads, and funding gaps for the
aid operation. Once again, we call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, including across borders and battle lines, to stop a large scale famine from taking hold. And you will have seen a statement we issued over the weekend and in which the Secretary General strongly condemned Frieda's attack at Ledo Beach in Mogadishu, which resulted in multiple casualties. He expressed his condolences to the families of the breaved and
wished a speedy recovery to the injured. The Secretary General said that he is saddened that the people of Somalia continue to be victims of such heinous acts of terrorism. He reiterated that the UNS stands firmly with the government
and people of Somalia against terrorism and violent extremism. Turning to Haiti, the Office where the Coordination of Humanitian Affairs remains concerned about the protection of civilians in the capital of Porta Prince and in neighboring towns, as well as in the Artebinit department in the north, where violence continues to displace families. Despite the volatile contacts, VIEWN and partners
in Haiti continue to support people in need. Since the beginning of March, partners distributed twenty nine point five million liters of drinking water to nearly ninety seven thousand displaced people across the country, including in Porto Prince and Lorain. Partners have also distributed seventeen thousand hygiene kits to nearly
seventy thousand displaced people living in these areas. Since March, the World Food Program has distributed more than one point six million hot meals to one hundred and thirty two thousand displaced people acquiss Porto prints Over the last two weeks, Health Partners reach more than one thousand, three hundred children with psychosocial and mental health support activities across display sites in port of Pants and provided water and sanitation support.
The Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimo Inditu, underlined them perative for ensuring full accountability for international crimes committed during the nineteen ninety four genocide against the Tutsi
in Rwanda and the nineteen ninety five Srebernitica genocide. In a statement issued by her office today, she referred specifically to the more than one thousand fugitive genocideas from Rwanda and thousands of suspected war criminals from the former Yugoslavia who were still at large despite existing indictments and international
arrest warrants. She called on states hosting these fugitives to take active and immediate steps to ensure that they can be brought to justice by prosecuting them before their own jurisdictions or by extraditing them to jurisdictions in which they can be prosecuted.
And some good news, the.
UN Refugee Agency flag that yesterday the refugee athlete Sindi and Gamba competing in the women's seventy five kg category secure the first ever medal for the Refugee Olympic Team in Brazil. In Paris, she triumphed in her quarter final bout and guaranteed herself at least a bronze with the next bout on Thursday for a potential place in the gold medal match.
But whatever the outcome and whatever.
The eventual color of her medal, UNHDR said that her historic achievement has already sent a powerful message of hope to some one hundred and twenty million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Bizing Gamba is one of thirty seven athletes competing in Paris as part of the Refugee team, which was created by the International Olympic KABINI to give displace sportspeople the.
Chance to compete at the highest level.
Wait, I'm about to sneeze first and then no, it's not going to happen, all right, Bena, thank.
You so much. Fun So on the OIOS investigation, First, the technical question in my recollection, the Secretary of General terminated the contract ofven or unrout workers already when it happened in January. Is that incorrect?
Well, there were, yes, he had taken that immediate action, and then there was an additional twelve cases that were brought to his attention for nineteen and all. Now we have found out of those nineteen that in ten cases there's either no information or insufficient information to support the
allegations of their involvement in the October seventh attacks. The nine for whom there is sufficient information will be terminated, and that of course includes some who had been terminated earlier, as in the immediate aftermath of the others of the reporting.
The seven from January are included in the nine.
That's what you want to tell me, I think mostly included in the nine. It's quite possible that even of the initial group of seven, I think some of them may have had insufficient information against them.
And then.
My actually question is about when you say evidence obtained indicates that they were involved in the armed attacks, I think we all like to know to what degree, what kind of evidence is it, and what do you know?
Well, I don't have specific information about the specific allegations. What I can tell you, and we'll be sharing some of this with you after the briefing as well, is that the OIOS investigation involved the following visits to Israel for discussions with Israeli officials and receive and review information held by Israeli authorities.
Visits to amand to obtain.
And review information held by UNRA relevant to the investigation, including on UNRA staff and on UNRAW operations. Review of information and communications technology data, including email records and information on UNRA vehicles. Review of information received from various other sources, including that release through the media and other public sources. And communications with several member states to obtain any additional
information relevant to the investigation. However, one thing I'd like to point out is that since information used by Israeli officials to support the allegations have remained in Israeli custody, OIOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it.
Sorry last follow up, With all due respect, I think this is not really sufficient given all the million of funding for UNROE, when we had a half year long investigation, and in the end it says like, yeah, they were involved in the attacks, but we don't tell you.
How we are sharing information with the donors about this, And there has been a report that some of the donors are getting to review here at headquarters.
That is a.
Confidential report, not able to share that with you, but the note I just read will be shared as well as the information I just provided, and a little bit more in the interests of transparency.
Gabriel, thank you for han following up on that you said the nine may have been involved in the attacks of October seventh? Is that correct or did I miss hear you?
You heard me correct? That is exactly what I've said.
So what do we make of the fact that you say may That means that you do not have conclusive evidence they were, but there's enough indicating they might have been. I mean, it's a word that needs to be clarified if you don't mind.
Well it is.
It is exactly what I would say that again, you know we that is to say, OIOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it that was in the hands of Israeli authorities. That was, you know that is information remains in the custody of Israel.
Beyond that, regarding those nine cases, the evidence provided in support of allegations that the UN staff member was involved in the armed attacks of the seventh of October twenty twenty three could, if authenticated and corroborated, provide a factual basis to conclude that the UNRUSS staff member may have engaged in conduct sanctionable under the applicable UNRAUW regulations and rules. And those cases, those nine cases have been referred for decision.
Okay, And are those nine people still alive?
I believe one of the nineteen people is dead. The remainder are alive.
All right, I'll move on from that for a second. On Bangladesh. Sorry, let me go back to the OOS one more time. I'm sorry. What does his Secretary of General feel about these findings? What is his view of it? As you it's his personal feelings about what the oios he believes.
It's important that we go through this very carefully, given the fact that any involvement in these attacks would constitute a major betrayal of trust. Obviously, there were actions that were taken for the benefit of the agency that were very swift and very decisive in terms of dealing with the individuals who had been named at first, and now
it's good to have all of the information available. I do think it's important to bear in mind the huge number of unra staff members who have been taking enormous risks for months keeping your tens even hundreds of thousands of people alive, whether in shelters or whether by helping
with the provision of food and services. And we want to make sure that the reputation of our unrusted staff are dedicated staff, including about two hundred people who have lost their lives since the seventh of October, is fully recognized and that UNRUGG gets the support that it needs.
Maggie, just continuing on OIOS. First of all, any chance OIOS could do a briefing for us, because I mean, this is really opaque and you're you kind of mumbled at one point. Confidential. Is this report confidential or is it going to be published?
Or it is confidential it will not be published. Why all such reports are confidential?
Is it because it's a personnel matter?
Why is it for a variety of reasons, including by the way, legal reasons having to do with how information is obtained and so forth. So OOS investigation reports are strictly confidential. The report has been provided directly to the Secretary General and will not be made public. However, I mean the General Assembly has previously decided that OIOS reports are,
upon request, made available to any member state. In those cases, the Undersecretary General for Internal Oversight Services retains the discrection to redact or withhold access to an OIOS report for reasons of confidentiality or access might risk violating the due process rights of those involved in OIOS investigations.
All right, wait, I'm not done. Okay, Okay again, could we have OIOS do some sort of briefing.
I will make the requests where that goes.
And wait, So the nineteen that were investigated, were these nineteen all on the list of employees of UNRA that was originally sent to the Israelis because they were vetting people. And as you remember when we heard about this in the beginning.
I believe all employees are ones that we are. All names go over to Israel for vetting, so all un RUS staff members that would apply to Okay, Frank.
Yeah, in your remarks about this, you said these people may have been involved. Is that your words or is that the investigator's words?
That is my words? As as as summarizing.
You just fire somebody out of may have it is it is.
The words I have been given to tell you, which have been very precisely written for me.
Right right, But can you give us what's behind and may have, I mean, any kind of evidence that he got.
A short of the manigator point is if, as I said to Gabriel, you know, if these allegations are verified and corroborated, then that that could constitute sanctionable violations of unra's rules and regulations. Now the question is one of verification.
I said earlier, I think before you came into the room that since information used by Israeli officials to support the allegations that remained in Israel, because the OYOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it.
Can we assume though, that the people that were terminated they verified the information and then they were terminated.
Process Wise, the appropriate processes have been followed, uh and and the termination followed the as you can see, an extensive OIOS examination into this deshing.
Yes for hunt a couple of follow ups also on the oy OS investigation. Just now you mentioned the sources of the evidence, the visit to Aman to Israel, email, the car and other other information. But to what level can can the OIOS determine that this person might involved or one hundred percent certainly involved in the attack. I mean where where is the what what is the percentage?
Like how how you put the le level of those information to to to to to determine like who is in this in this involvement.
There would need to be further process of authentication and corroboration. We are evaluating what the next steps will be in that regard.
So which means which means, so far you have people may be may be involved, but there might I just I just don't understand this may because I feel like you don't have one hundred percent confirmation.
We have sufficient information in order to take the actions that we're taking, which is to say, the termination of these nine individuals. Beyond that, there will need to evaluate what further steps are needed in order to fully corroborate and evaluate.
So there's a further further action on this report, on this investigation. Because you said this it's been already concluded.
Then this is the iOS investigation has been concluded. There may be further action taken, and we'll need to see how that is done.
Right.
Another thing is in your statement you said the ten cases, the indefficient evidence and the no evidence cases, appropriate measures will be taken in due course? What what what are those appropriate?
We're evaluating, Uh, we're evaluating what to do with those staff members now that there is no there is no sufficient evidence linking them, so.
Their employment is now still on hold. I mean you're not.
Going to well, we'll have to review this. We'll have to review each individual case to see how to be how that is to be handled.
Okay, let me ask you another question. Last Friday or Thursday, I think mister Domenico announced a a program called back to Learning in Gaza. I'm wondering he's uh. The the the purpose is to give children safe spaces to play, to learn, to grow, to reunite with old friends and make new ones. Given the fact that we heard multiple times nowhere is safe in Gaza, will this place of those children go back to learn be one hundred percent safe.
There's not a single place in god so that it's one hundred percent safe. We've wanted to ensure the safety of our facilities, but as you can see, our facilities have been attacked, so we can't guarantee that.
But we're doing our very best.
To ensure that areas like this will be safe and that children will be kept free from harm.
Obviously, we need the full cooperation with the parties for that. Yes, please, thank you.
Roan on Bangladesh. Are they concerns of how the situation in the country will impact regional security? Have they been conversations between the UN and authorities in Bangladesh in the region?
Thank you. I'm thinking I'm hoping that this will be what I need to answer your question.
No, it is not.
You know.
Sorry, I've been waiting for a Bangladesh statement, but it's not quite it's not quite ready yet.
What I can tell you about the situation in.
Bangladesh is that for us, the important things are are that for the parties to remain calm, and we want to emphasize the importance of a peaceful, orderly and democratic transition. We stand in full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh at this time and we call for full respect of their democratic and human rights and ultimately, regarding that what's happened so far, there's a need for a full, independent and impartial and transparent investigation into all acts of violence.
Is this what I want? I didn't really expect a bad time, But.
Have there been for the conversations, have there been any conversations between the UN and authorities there in the region.
We are in touch with authorities in the region, and our country team is in touch with authorities in Bangladesh, and we'll see where we go with that. But right now the situation is moving very swiftly. We'll have to see what happens once the dust settles, if the sum.
If I had going back to the issue of the investigation, so I just want to understand because it's a little bit confusing. So you have information, you couldn't verify them independently, and you still.
Making measures against people. Is that correct?
Well, here's the point. OIOS investigations are not criminal investigations. What OIOS investigators do is that they carry out administrative fact finding inquiries related to personnel, funds, and activities of the organization. The aim of an administrative investigation is to establish facts and to allow for a conclusion as to whether internal administrative law and procedures of the organization have been violated. In this case, the unraw regulations and rules.
The United Nations has no criminal jurisdiction over its personnel, but we can impose disciplinary sanctions in response to wrongdoing or take other administrative measures to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization, and that is what we're doing in this case.
Okay, but can you say for one hundred percent that there was wrongdoing.
That happened there? Can you say for sure?
Because one thing I've made clear is it may have happened, but we are not able for reasons I've been saying, repeat, lead doing this to fully verify and authenticate the reasons for this.
Did you, during this investigation talk to the people who were accused of being involved in such activities?
Uh?
No, And what I can tell you is, because of safety and security concerns, OIOS did not meet with subject, unrust staff, and possible corroborating witnesses to conduct interviews and take statements. In some cases, however, OIOS was able to request and secure video recorded statements from the subjects who responded to a series of set questions addressing the allegations of their own involvement in the armed attacks of September
of the seventh of October twenty twenty three. In another case, the subject, on his own volition, provided a video recording offering a general denial of the allegations raised against him.
Okay, just sorry, just one last one. So you said that the accusation were made by the Israelis. The Israelis gave you information without giving you the evidence. They have the evidence, the so called evidence question.
There's some evidence that is in their custody.
Yes, yeah, so it's in the custody of the israel it's not your custody.
Is that correct?
And why didn't you give this Why didn't they give you this so called evidence.
That's a question to ask them, not us. That you should, of course have asked all relevant authorities to provide any necessary evidence. There's some that that we were not able to have because it's not in our custody.
But but I mean, you can understand why you're a little bit baffled by your statement, because it seems to be that you are coming to a conclusion without having enough evidence and without providing us enough evidence to.
To to to to understand what you are saying.
I mean, we act on the best information that we have.
The reason we've come to these conclusions as the result of some fairly painstaking work since since January. Obviously, this is like I said, this is not a criminal investigation. For criminal investigation, you would need different standards and you would need a different approach if there is to be any follow up as a criminal investigation, other steps will need to be considered because this is not the body for that.
Sorry, but why then would you fire the people if it's not the criminal investigation, If you don't have enough evidence, why are you firing them or taking any steps against them?
That's what it's not.
Clear for us.
Like I said, for nine people, the evidence was sufficient to conclude that they may have been involved in the seventh of October of attacks, and the UN has the ability in its authority to impose disciplinary sanctions in response to wrongdoing or take other administrative measures to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization, And as I said in what I read earlier, that the employment of the nine individuals will be terminated in the interests of the UN Relief and Works Agency.
Yes, to understand, Sorry to go back and back to the word may, but like to understand better. Does that mean like you see that these nine people likely or highly likely were part of the text?
I think that's a good way of describing it.
Yes, Okay, I have more questions. Sorry, Did I understand correctly that you didn't conduct interviews out of safety concerns with the accused. Then I would like to know what kind of safety concerns is this.
You're well aware of what the safety concerns are of going to to GUS at this time.
Like you can, you can still interview people via like zoom.
Well, we were able to get video recorded statements, as I just mentioned, by the way, a lot of the information that I'm saying to you right now, we're going to give it to you all on mass following the briefing.
Yes, I just have.
Okay, So next we're gonna hear from a person whose name is Link. She is speaking at the Training Training March in Vancouver, BC. I wanted to make clear that the training March is not part of Vancouver Pride because of pink washing, so we should not confuse the the organizers of one event being involved in this particular event.
So we're gonna hear what Link has to say. She is from or Link is from Palestine, she grew up there and has been able to move to Canada into Vancouver, and so we're gonna hear what a perspective of person who from a person who actually lived the gender oppression that is happening in Palestine, along with other types of oppression that are happening, and they can see the attacks that are going on against transgender people in Palestine and Israel.
First, I'd like.
To say thank you to the Trans March organizers for giving me space to speak today and for organizing this lovely ceremony and for the march coming up.
All the volunteers. Thank you.
My name is Link.
I'm proudly queer in trance and i am proud for Palestinian.
Let me know if I'm am I speaking loud enough, Folks in the back, Okay, thank you, Hello, thank you. When I knew I was going to speak today, I really didn't realize what would be happening this week on a global scale. And so to keep everyone aligned with the context of what Palestinians are already well aware of, I will give an update. I must provide a trigger warning. There are mentions of sexual violence, though I'm not going
into graphic details. This week, Israeli courts were debating the validity of using rape as a form of torture after a Palestinian prisoner was hospitalized from a gang rape by members of the IOF Shame mobs of Israeli settlers showed up in attempts to release the guilty parties, and this was later brought up as a topic of debate in the Israeli court. She Not only was it a matter of debate, but members of the court were speaking in
favor that this means of torture is justified. The use of sexual violence by Zionist forces against Palestinians is a long standing practice since the inception of the Zionist entity. Violence of this nature does not discriminate based on sex or gender.
Let me be clear, if.
We cannot have moral clarity to resist these evils we are witnessing today, then we as humanity have lost it. As an activist, as an Arab, as a member of a gender minority, and as a survivor of sexual violence, I am continually lost for words. Dindians are tired of needing to prove our humanity to the world. Equally so I know, trans people, we are also tired of needing to prove our humanity.
To the world.
If you call yourself a feminist, a believer in social justice, if you stand for human rights, then you must stand with the plight of the Palestinian people to put an end to Zionism and to stop the ongoing genocide and torture campaigns of Palestinians. Free the people of Palestine and free all Palestinian prisoners.
Free the land from the illegal occupation from the river to the sea.
If you are unsure of the best way to support the movement, look into the boycott, divestment and sanctioned movement. Support Palestinian activists, amplify Palestinian journalists, and donate to mutual aid funds going directly to Palestinians. If you're unsure of about these fundraisers, you can see me any time and I'll.
Let you know where to donate.
If you call yourself a feminist, then your feminism must include the liberation of trans people. Your feminism must include their fight for access to use the bathroom.
Freely without the threat of violence or harassment.
The fight for access to healthcare with the help of insurance provided to the rest of the population. The fight for equal access to legal matters around changing documents the same as the rest of the population. A struggle to find housing after many become displaced from their families after their identities are revealed, and solidarity to affirm and believe
trans people when they tell us who they are. I cannot speak too much to my trans experience, as you can tell how much more comes at the forefront of my own intersections. How can we expect people to explore, or know or share their experiences of gender when they are being bombed, forcibly, displaced and starved. Shame.
It is a privilege to know my gender and have it affirmed in my community.
When I first came out as trans, the most important knowledge I gained was.
The statistics, the statistic about.
The suicide rate among the trans community compared to the rest of the population.
Shame. I have fought every day since to not be another statistic. We are not numbers to the trans youth of the future. I pray that you can hold on to everything that brings you joy.
That you are valid.
You are valid in your identity, and while.
We realize the ever present cloud of death over our community, that we will continue to live as who we are and to fight for what we believe in. The commitment to our identities is a commitment to the truth, and the reason they will hate us is the inherent threat we instill to the colonizer's binary, fuck the minery.
And fuck apartheid. Trans people are.
Here to stay WO.
And Palestinians will return as we resist settler colonialism globally. Let us be united in our struggles for self determination, justice and healthcare for trans people everywhere, WHOA, and all of the same things in a free Palestine.
From the river to the sea.
Palestine will be free, thank you very much.
The show has been produced by Depictions Media. Please contact us at depictions dot media for more information.