Craig Mokhiber, director of the New York office of the UN High Commissioner for human rights, has stepped down from his position after protesting what he has called a "text book case of genocide" in the Gaza Strip. As reported by multiple media outlets, Mokhiber has said this in his resignation letter in addition to other serious assertions.

Saying that this will be his last communication to UN High Commissioner in Geneva Volker Turk, Mokhiber has said that the United Nations was "failing" to do its duty as Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues.

He alleged that the US, the UK and large number of countries in Europe were "wholly complicit in the horrific assault". Mokhiber wrote to the UN high commissioner on October 28.

“Once again we are seeing a genocide unfolding before our eyes and the organization we serve appears powerless to stop it,” he said as reported by The Guardian.

In his letter, Mokhiber also said the there have been number of occasions in past when the United Nations has failed to stop a genocide mentioning the Rwandan genocide, Muslims in Bosnia, Yazidis in Iraqi Kurdistan and Rohingya in Myanmar.

Watch | Humanitarian crisis worsen, how much water and power does Gaza have?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/humanitarian-crisis-worsen-how-much-water-and-power-does-gaza-have-654022/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“The current wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people, rooted in an ethno-nationalist colonial settler ideology, in continuation of decades of their systematic persecution and purging, based entirely upon their status as Arabs … leaves no room for doubt.”

Mokhiber stated that not only the West was "refusing to meet their treaty obligation" under Geneva Conventions but were also arming Israel in addition to providing political and diplomatic cover.

“We must support the establishment of a single, democratic secular state in all of historic Palestine, with equal rights for Christians, Muslims, and Jews,” he wrote, adding: “and, therefore, the dismantling of the deeply racist, settler-colonial project and an end to apartheid across the land.”

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/15-anti-israel-protesters-jailed-over-anti-israel-riot-at-russian-airport-653986">15 anti-Israel protesters jailed over riots at Russian airport</a>

Mokhiber has been part of the UN since 1992. He served in a number of prominent roles. He has served as a senior human rights adviser in Palestine, Afghanistan and Sudan..

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-chief-ismail-haniyeh-says-massacre-by-israel-is-to-hide-its-setback-654021">Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh says 'massacre' by Israel is to hide its setback</a>

The resignation letter has expectedly stirred conversation on social media. Several journalists and academics have begun posting the resignation letter on social media platforms like X.&nbsp;

The Guardian has quoted a UN spokesperson who said that these were Mokhiber's "personal views".

“I can confirm that he is retiring today. He informed the UN in March 2023 of his upcoming retirement, which takes effect tomorrow. The views in his letter made public today are his personal views,” said the spokesperson.

Craig Mokhiber, director of the New York office of the UN High Commissioner for human rights, has stepped down from his position after protesting what he has called a "text book case of genocide" in the Gaza Strip.

Craig Mokhiber, director of the New York office of the UN High Commissioner for human rights, has stepped down from his position after protesting what he has called a "text book case of genocide" in the Gaza Strip. As reported by multiple media outlets, Mokhiber has said this in his resignation letter in addition to other serious assertions. Saying that this will be his last communication to UN High Commissioner in Geneva Volker Turk, Mokhiber has said that the United Nations was "failing" to do its duty as Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues. He alleged that the US, the UK and large number of countries in Europe were "wholly complicit in the horrific assault". Mokhiber wrote to the UN high commissioner on October 28. “Once again we are seeing a genocide unfolding before our eyes and the organization we serve appears powerless to stop it,” he said as reported by The Guardian. In his letter, Mokhiber also said the there have been number of occasions in past when the United Nations has failed to stop a genocide mentioning the Rwandan genocide, Muslims in Bosnia, Yazidis in Iraqi Kurdistan and Rohingya in Myanmar. Watch | Humanitarian crisis worsen, how much water and power does Gaza have? × “The current wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people, rooted in an ethno-nationalist colonial settler ideology, in continuation of decades of their systematic persecution and purging, based entirely upon their status as Arabs … leaves no room for doubt.” Mokhiber stated that not only the West was "refusing to meet their treaty obligation" under Geneva Conventions but were also arming Israel in addition to providing political and diplomatic cover. “We must support the establishment of a single, democratic secular state in all of historic Palestine, with equal rights for Christians, Muslims, and Jews,” he wrote, adding: “and, therefore, the dismantling of the deeply racist, settler-colonial project and an end to apartheid across the land.” Also Read | 15 anti-Israel protesters jailed over riots at Russian airport Mokhiber has been part of the UN since 1992. He served in a number of prominent roles. He has served as a senior human rights adviser in Palestine, Afghanistan and Sudan.. Also Read | Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh says 'massacre' by Israel is to hide its setback The resignation letter has expectedly stirred conversation on social media. Several journalists and academics have begun posting the resignation letter on social media platforms like X. The Guardian has quoted a UN spokesperson who said that these were Mokhiber's "personal views". “I can confirm that he is retiring today. He informed the UN in March 2023 of his upcoming retirement, which takes effect tomorrow. The views in his letter made public today are his personal views,” said the spokesperson.

Top UN official resigns citing 'genocide' in Gaza Strip

The head of the United Nations Development Agency has appealed for urgent aid to Pakistan as the country still heals from damages caused by last year's flood. UN official urges the world to boost climate resilience.

UN official urges International Community to help flood-hit Pakistan

The shipment of 360,000 Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in Yemen, as part of the first batch of 1.9 million doses it will receive throughout the year, is a "game-changer" and a "milestone" in the fight against the pandemic in the country, health officials have said.

Yemen Wednesday received 360,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF said in a statement.

The AstraZeneca vaccines are licensed and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and will enable health workers and other priority populations vulnerable to COVID-19 to be protected against the virus, it said.

The 360,000 doses arrived with 13,000 safety boxes and 1,300,000 syringes that are critical for the safe and effective roll-out of the vaccination campaign.

This first batch is part of 1.9 million doses that Yemen will initially receive throughout 2021.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had tweeted: "Arrival in Aden. Made in India vaccines land in Yemen," with the hashtag 'VaccineMaitri'.

UNICEF Representative Philippe Duamelle and WHO Representative Dr Adham Ismail took delivery of the vaccines in Aden, together with the Minister of Health and Population Dr Qasim Buhaibeh, and the Deputy Minister of Public Health and Population Dr Ali Alwaleedi.

"The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine doses is a critical moment for Yemen," Duamelle said.

"As COVID-19 continues to claim lives around the world, Yemen now has the capacity to protect those most at risk, including health workers, so that they can safely continue to provide life-saving interventions for children and families. Vaccines work, vaccines save lives, now let's start getting people vaccinated," he added.

Ismail said the shipment represents an important step in the fight against COVID-19 in Yemen.

"It will help save lives, including those at highest risk of serious disease, and will help protect the health system.

"These safe and effective vaccines will be a game-changer, but for the foreseeable future we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds," he said.

Rehan Hafiz, Senior Country Manager Yemen, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance expressed delight that Sana'a has received its first COVAX vaccine doses.

"We look forward to the launch of the vaccination campaign. Thanks to the work of the Government of Yemen and of the COVAX partners, and with the support of our donors, we are now able to protect our most vulnerable populations," Hafiz said, adding that their work is only beginning, but the arrival of the first COVAX COVID-19 doses is a major milestone for Yemen.

COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) working in partnership with UNICEF as key implementing partner, as well as civil society organisations, vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others.

A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric also told reporters during the daily press briefing that Yemen received 360,000 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility.

"These vaccines, licensed and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, will enable health workers and other vulnerable populations to be protected against the virus," he said.

Dujarric said the first batch of vaccines along with 13,000 safety boxes and 1,300,000 syringes are critical for the safe and effective roll-out of the vaccination campaign in the country.

Nearly 2 million doses are expected for Yemen this year, he said.

The shipment of 360,000 Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in Yemen, as part of the first batch of 1.9 million doses it will receive throughout the year, is a "game-changer" and a "milestone" in the fight against the pandemic in the country, health officials have said.

The shipment of 360,000 Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines that arrived in Yemen, as part of the first batch of 1.9 million doses it will receive throughout the year, is a "game-changer" and a "milestone" in the fight against the pandemic in the country, health officials have said. Yemen Wednesday received 360,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF said in a statement. The AstraZeneca vaccines are licensed and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and will enable health workers and other priority populations vulnerable to COVID-19 to be protected against the virus, it said. The 360,000 doses arrived with 13,000 safety boxes and 1,300,000 syringes that are critical for the safe and effective roll-out of the vaccination campaign. This first batch is part of 1.9 million doses that Yemen will initially receive throughout 2021. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had tweeted: "Arrival in Aden. Made in India vaccines land in Yemen," with the hashtag 'VaccineMaitri'. UNICEF Representative Philippe Duamelle and WHO Representative Dr Adham Ismail took delivery of the vaccines in Aden, together with the Minister of Health and Population Dr Qasim Buhaibeh, and the Deputy Minister of Public Health and Population Dr Ali Alwaleedi. "The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine doses is a critical moment for Yemen," Duamelle said. "As COVID-19 continues to claim lives around the world, Yemen now has the capacity to protect those most at risk, including health workers, so that they can safely continue to provide life-saving interventions for children and families. Vaccines work, vaccines save lives, now let's start getting people vaccinated," he added. Ismail said the shipment represents an important step in the fight against COVID-19 in Yemen. "It will help save lives, including those at highest risk of serious disease, and will help protect the health system. "These safe and effective vaccines will be a game-changer, but for the foreseeable future we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds," he said. Rehan Hafiz, Senior Country Manager Yemen, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance expressed delight that Sana'a has received its first COVAX vaccine doses. "We look forward to the launch of the vaccination campaign. Thanks to the work of the Government of Yemen and of the COVAX partners, and with the support of our donors, we are now able to protect our most vulnerable populations," Hafiz said, adding that their work is only beginning, but the arrival of the first COVAX COVID-19 doses is a major milestone for Yemen. COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) working in partnership with UNICEF as key implementing partner, as well as civil society organisations, vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others. A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric also told reporters during the daily press briefing that Yemen received 360,000 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility. "These vaccines, licensed and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, will enable health workers and other vulnerable populations to be protected against the virus," he said. Dujarric said the first batch of vaccines along with 13,000 safety boxes and 1,300,000 syringes are critical for the safe and effective roll-out of the vaccination campaign in the country. Nearly 2 million doses are expected for Yemen this year, he said.

Made-in-India COVID-19 vaccines in Yemen a 'game changer': UN official

India has been a "very responsible" player in international fora, and as it sits on the UN Security Council, it can galvanise action in various areas and also bring focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, a top UN official has said.

India overwhelmingly won its election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member last month for a two-year term that will begin in January 2021. It garnered 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast in the UN General Assembly.

Previously, India had been elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful Security Council for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992, and most recently in 2011-2012.

"India is a very important country in the world in terms of technology, in terms of people, in terms of ideas and it also has been a very strong member of many other international organisations and can bring sensitivities of those organisations to bear in discussions (at the UN and as a Security Council member)," UN General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande told PTI.

Responding to a question on expectations from India as it prepares to sit in the Security Council next year, he said India has given a great deal of support to other countries not only in its own region, but also elsewhere.

"So, we expect that it will bring some focus to Development Goals (SDG) issues as it will bring some focus to discussions around respect for other countries.

"I think its own relationship within the Commonwealth and other fora (like the) Non-Aligned Movement, the G77, you name it. It has been a very responsible player in those fora, so we expect that it will galvanise action in those areas of importance to those organisations as well," Muhammad-Bande said last week.

On a question about what role India can play, together with the UN, to promote access to affordable medicines and vaccines, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, India can be helpful because it has a "very strong" relationship with its neighbours.

"It operates within the Commonwealth, it operates within its region. It also operates at the UN and they are a platform to give further support to the efforts of the global community," he said.

The UN official also said there was a resolution of the General Assembly agreed to by all Member States to give support to the idea of the availability of vaccines.

"Countries that are able to produce quickly the needed vaccines when developed of course have a responsibility and those who are able to provide some funding to guarantee that this happens.

"And then we'll have a mechanism to allow those who really need access. Even before the crisis, many countries were struggling and the situation has become extremely more difficult for many countries," he said.

India has been a "very responsible" player in international fora, and as it sits on the UN Security Council, it can galvanise action in various areas and also bring focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, a top UN official has said.

India has been a "very responsible" player in international fora, and as it sits on the UN Security Council, it can galvanise action in various areas and also bring focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, a top UN official has said. India overwhelmingly won its election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member last month for a two-year term that will begin in January 2021. It garnered 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast in the UN General Assembly. Previously, India had been elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful Security Council for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992, and most recently in 2011-2012. "India is a very important country in the world in terms of technology, in terms of people, in terms of ideas and it also has been a very strong member of many other international organisations and can bring sensitivities of those organisations to bear in discussions (at the UN and as a Security Council member)," UN General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande told PTI. Responding to a question on expectations from India as it prepares to sit in the Security Council next year, he said India has given a great deal of support to other countries not only in its own region, but also elsewhere. "So, we expect that it will bring some focus to Development Goals (SDG) issues as it will bring some focus to discussions around respect for other countries. "I think its own relationship within the Commonwealth and other fora (like the) Non-Aligned Movement, the G77, you name it. It has been a very responsible player in those fora, so we expect that it will galvanise action in those areas of importance to those organisations as well," Muhammad-Bande said last week. On a question about what role India can play, together with the UN, to promote access to affordable medicines and vaccines, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, India can be helpful because it has a "very strong" relationship with its neighbours. "It operates within the Commonwealth, it operates within its region. It also operates at the UN and they are a platform to give further support to the efforts of the global community," he said. The UN official also said there was a resolution of the General Assembly agreed to by all Member States to give support to the idea of the availability of vaccines. "Countries that are able to produce quickly the needed vaccines when developed of course have a responsibility and those who are able to provide some funding to guarantee that this happens. "And then we'll have a mechanism to allow those who really need access. Even before the crisis, many countries were struggling and the situation has become extremely more difficult for many countries," he said.

India 'very responsible' player in global fora, can galvanise action as UNSC member: UN official

Myanmar&nbspis not ready for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, said the seniormost United Nations official to visit the country this year, after&nbspMyanmar&nbspwas accused of instigating ethnic cleansing and driving nearly 700,000 Muslims to Bangladesh.

Ursula Mueller, UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, made a six-day visit to&nbspMyanmar&nbspand was allowed a visit to Rakhine State, indicating a tentative shift in&nbspMyanmar's thus-far tough stance towards the UN. She also met army-controlled ministers of defence and border affairs, as well as de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, where Mueller urged 'them to end the violence'.

Mueller also expressed concerns whether returnees would be allowed to return to 'their places of origin.'&nbspMyanmar&nbsphas bulldozed at least 55 villages that were emptied during the violence, Human Rights Watch has said. A total of 362 villages had been partially or completely destroyed since August, according to the New York-based human rights watchdog.

The exodus of Rohingya Muslims followed the Aug. 25 crackdown by the military in the northwestern Rakhine state.&nbspMyanmar&nbspand Bangladesh agreed in January to complete a voluntary repatriation of the refugees in two years.&nbspMyanmar&nbspset up two reception centres and what it says is a temporary camp near the border in Rakhine to receive the first arrivals.

Ursula Mueller, UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, made a six-day visit to Myanmar and was allowed a visit to Rakhine State, indicating a tentative shift in Myanmar's thus-far tough stance towards the UN

Myanmar&nbspis not ready for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, said the seniormost United Nations official to visit the country this year, after&nbspMyanmar&nbspwas accused of instigating ethnic cleansing and driving nearly 700,000 Muslims to Bangladesh. Ursula Mueller, UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, made a six-day visit to&nbspMyanmar&nbspand was allowed a visit to Rakhine State, indicating a tentative shift in&nbspMyanmar's thus-far tough stance towards the UN. She also met army-controlled ministers of defence and border affairs, as well as de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, where Mueller urged 'them to end the violence'. Mueller also expressed concerns whether returnees would be allowed to return to 'their places of origin.'&nbspMyanmar&nbsphas bulldozed at least 55 villages that were emptied during the violence, Human Rights Watch has said. A total of 362 villages had been partially or completely destroyed since August, according to the New York-based human rights watchdog. The exodus of Rohingya Muslims followed the Aug. 25 crackdown by the military in the northwestern Rakhine state.&nbspMyanmar&nbspand Bangladesh agreed in January to complete a voluntary repatriation of the refugees in two years.&nbspMyanmar&nbspset up two reception centres and what it says is a temporary camp near the border in Rakhine to receive the first arrivals.

Myanmar not ready for return of Rohingya refugees: UN official

A former UN official, Prashanti Tiwary, has filed an FIR against United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)&nbsp;India chief Diego Palacios in Patna.

Tiwary lodged a case of sexual harassment and mental torture against the UNFPA chief, reports said.&nbsp;

She complained of harassment against him saying that she lost her job after she refused to assent to his demands.&nbsp;

She said &quot;I used to work at UN Population Fund&#39;s Bihar office. I met him when he came to Patna for 3 days. Some incidents happened at that time. I did not cower down to his demands. He began pressurising me to relent. As a result I lost my job&quot;.

However, the UN agency has dismissed the charges against its official and put forward diplomatic immunity for him.

Prashanti had also requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to waive the immunity of the UNFPA India chief so that a trial against him could be initiated in the Indian court.&nbsp;

She said &quot; I have complained against India Rep &amp; Asst Rep of UN Population Fund alleging them of &#39;character assassination&#39;. I have complained about the same to MEA. I have asked the government to waive off his immunity (India rep) so he can be tried in Court.&quot;

Tiwary said that her Right to Equality guaranteed by the Indian Constitution&nbsp;was challenged by the immunity offered to the UN official.&nbsp;

The special immunity provided to the UN official restricts any kind of legal action against him. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The woman said 'I used to work at UN Population Fund's Bihar office. I met him when he came to Patna for 3 days. Some incidents happened at that time. I did not cower down to his demands. He began pressurising me to relent. As a result I lost my job'

A former UN official, Prashanti Tiwary, has filed an FIR against United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India chief Diego Palacios in Patna. Tiwary lodged a case of sexual harassment and mental torture against the UNFPA chief, reports said. She complained of harassment against him saying that she lost her job after she refused to assent to his demands. She said "I used to work at UN Population Fund's Bihar office. I met him when he came to Patna for 3 days. Some incidents happened at that time. I did not cower down to his demands. He began pressurising me to relent. As a result I lost my job". However, the UN agency has dismissed the charges against its official and put forward diplomatic immunity for him. Prashanti had also requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to waive the immunity of the UNFPA India chief so that a trial against him could be initiated in the Indian court. She said " I have complained against India Rep & Asst Rep of UN Population Fund alleging them of 'character assassination'. I have complained about the same to MEA. I have asked the government to waive off his immunity (India rep) so he can be tried in Court." Tiwary said that her Right to Equality guaranteed by the Indian Constitution was challenged by the immunity offered to the UN official. The special immunity provided to the UN official restricts any kind of legal action against him.

Patna woman accuses UN official of harassment

un-official

Un Official, News on Un Official, stories on Un Official, articles on Un Official, Un Official stories at Wion, Un Official news, Un Official latest news