The top award, given to journalists who witnessed the destruction of large parts of their homeland by Israel’s relentless shelling, was awarded on the recommendation of an international jury of media experts.
“In these times of darkness and despair, we would like to send a strong message of solidarity and recognition to the Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances,” said jury president Mauricio Weibel. Stated.
huge debt
“We are indebted to them for their courage and commitment to freedom of expression,” he added.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Agency for Science, Education and Culture, said the award reminded everyone of “the importance of collective action to enable journalists around the world to continue their vital work of reporting and investigating.” Ta.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is having a significant impact on journalists. Since October 7, UNESCO, based on information from international NGO partners, has condemned and expressed regret over the loss of life in the line of duty of 26 journalists and media workers.
UNESCO is supporting journalists reporting from conflict and crisis zones, including distributing essential supplies to journalists in the Gaza Strip, and providing safe working spaces and emergency grants to journalists in Ukraine and Sudan. ing.
Detention of child migrants in the EU should end, top human rights experts say
Migration is currently in the news, with a top independent rights expert on Thursday calling for an end to the practice of detaining children of migrants and asylum seekers entering the European Union.
In an appeal to the EU, experts including Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Migrants, Gehad Madi, argued that the detention of children because of their parents’ immigration status is “always a violation of rights”. .
The development comes as the European Union’s 27 member states prepare to implement a new agreement on migration and asylum, which is awaiting approval by the EU Council in Brussels.
Measures scheduled to come into force in 2026 include the creation of a national mechanism to monitor respect for human rights when screening migrants and asylum seekers at borders.
“Asylum seekers should not be punished for exercising their right to seek asylum, and migrants should not be criminalized,” the independent experts said in a statement.
WHO begins emergency vaccination drive in Niger to stem meningitis outbreak
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) launched a mass vaccination campaign in Niger’s Niamey region on Thursday following an ongoing outbreak of deadly meningitis.
In just one week last month, more than 2,000 infections were recorded and 123 people died, according to the WHO.
Niger is one of 26 African countries where the disease is endemic and poses a persistently high risk in the so-called African meningitis belt.
The recent surge in infections is a 50% increase compared to last year, and the death rate is over 6%.
The epicenter was in the Niamey region, where the number of infected people per 100,000 people exceeded 52. The U.N. health agency said other regions, including Agadez, Zinder and Dosso, also require urgent intervention to address high infection rates.
To protect at-risk communities, WHO is working with several technical and financial partners to respond to the outbreak with new vaccines.
Unlike previous jabs, the new meningitis vaccine is a single dose and protects against five types of infections.