High Commissioner Volker Türk voiced his concern that Sunday’s ballot which noticed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina safe a fifth time period in workplace, was “marred by violence and repression of opposition candidates and supporters”, in response to a press release from rights workplace OHCHR.

“In the months leading up to the vote, thousands of opposition supporters have been detained arbitrarily or subjected to intimidation. Such tactics are not conducive to a truly genuine process,” mentioned Mr. Türk.

He implored the Government “to take the necessary steps to ensure that the human rights of all Bangladeshis are fully taken into account, and to strengthen the underpinnings of a truly inclusive democracy in the country.”

Arrest, threats, disappearances

OHCHR mentioned that in response to experiences, regulation enforcement officers used strategies corresponding to arrests, threats, enforced disappearances, blackmailing and surveillance as intimidation ways forward the poll, which was boycotted by the principle opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Acts of political violence, together with arson assaults allegedly dedicated by opposition teams, have additionally been reported.

Around 25,000 opposition supporters have been arrested, together with key occasion leaders, since 28 October, mentioned OHCHR. At least 10 opposition supporters reportedly died – or had been killed – in custody within the final two months, elevating critical issues about doable torture or harsh situations of detention, the High Commissioner mentioned.

Many human rights defenders have been compelled to enter hiding, and a few have fled the nation, whereas dozens of suspected enforced disappearance instances have been reported, principally in November.

‘Future of all Bangladeshis is at stake’

“These incidents must be independently investigated, and those responsible must be brought to justice in fair and transparent trials,” Mr. Türk mentioned. “Violations and irregularities during the campaign and on election day itself should also be thoroughly and effectively investigated.”

“Democracy was hard won in Bangladesh and must not become cosmetic,” mentioned the High Commissioner. “Bangladesh has been a role model of development, and I fervently hope this will translate into the political and institutional spheres too. The future of all Bangladeshis is at stake.” 

Rights specialists demand accountability for sexual torture victims of Hamas

Top impartial human rights specialists on Monday demanded prompt investigations and accountability for victims of sexual torture within the 7 October Hamas-led assaults in southern Israel.

Some 1,200 Israeli and international nationals had been killed within the shock assaults throughout 22 villages and 1000’s extra injured. An estimated 240 adults, youngsters and infants had been additionally taken hostage by militants from Hamas and different Palestinian extremist teams.

In an announcement on Monday the rights specialists often known as Special Rapporteurs – who aren’t UN workers and who report back to the Human Rights Council in Geneva – additionally referred to as for justice referring to different grave crimes dedicated within the Occupied Palestinian Territory because the warfare in Gaza started – a possible reference to spiking violence within the West Bank together with East Jerusalem that has left greater than 300 Palestinians lifeless since 7 October.

“Investigators must be given the necessary resources, support and access required” to discover all alleged crimes,” the specialists mentioned, as they referred to as on Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the de facto authorities in Gaza to cooperate totally with any probes.

Plastic air pollution: UN atomic company embarks on Antarctic research

To the Antarctic now, the place the UN atomic vitality company is utilizing its nuclear knowhow to discover options to the worldwide downside of plastic air pollution.

In cooperation with Argentina, a small crew from the International Atomic Energy Agency is deploying for one month to evaluate the affect of microplastics within the as soon as pristine Antarctic setting.

The researchers’ plan is to research ranges of microplastic in seawater, lakes, sediments, sand, discharge water and animals of the Antarctic ecosystem, close to the Argentine Carlini scientific analysis station.

Plastic patrol

As a part of the UN company’s NUTEC initiative, 22 Antarctic websites will likely be monitored for microplastic air pollution utilizing radiation know-how which has many makes use of together with industrial recycling.

The course of works by making use of gamma and electron beams to rework or recycle plastic waste into different merchandise, corresponding to development supplies.

According to the UN atomic vitality company, roughly 70 per cent of all plastics produced on the planet at the moment are waste materials and solely 9 per cent of them have been recycled thus far.

Power increase to stave off winter chill for five.5 million Ukrainians: UNDP

With energy era capability halved on account of Russia’s invasion, the UN’s growth company (UNDP) and Japan have introduced a cargo of latest gasoline generators to assist beat the winter chill.

Aapproximately 93 per cent of Ukrainians confronted disruptions in important companies like electrical energy, heating, and water provides, mentioned the UN Development Programme on Monday in a press launch announcing the provision of the three cutting-edge gasoline generators, offered by the Government of Japan.

© UNDP Ukraine/Ksenia Nevenchen

Electricity autotransformers will fill gaps in Ukraine’s damaged vitality community.

They may also help in delivering to Ukraine seven autotransformers beforehand bought by Ukrenergo, the nationwide energy firm, with funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The initiative applied in coordination with Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy goals at first at assembly the nation’s quick wants by means of the winter, it additionally helps long-term nationwide objectives.

Installing the brand new gasoline generators and the autotransformers will assist to keep away from disruptions this winter, sustaining crucial companies for over 5.5 million Ukrainians in affected areas.

Countering vitality threats

Speaking on the handover ceremony, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, Christophoros Politis, mentioned: “For the second consecutive year, in collaboration with our partners, we’ve been diligently working to assist Ukraine in preparing for potential energy threats, ensuring that everyone has light and warmth during the winter”.

Working with Japan, UNDP has equipped important emergency tools to communities throughout Ukraine, together with 1,000 power banks and 1,200 generators. In October 2023, two high-power autotransformers were delivered to reinforce the nation’s energy transmission capability.

The problem the nation faces within the vitality sector is immense. According to the UNDP in Ukraine report, Towards a Green Transition of the Energy Sector in Ukraine, era capability has been lowered to just about 50 p.c of its pre-2022 ranges.

Since the invasion of February 2022, out of practically 37 gigawatts of manufacturing capability, over 19 gigawatts have been destroyed, broken, or seized by Russian forces.