The UN&nbsp;human rights chief on Tuesday (Sep 24) called on anyone with influence in the Middle East to seek to avert an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as intensifying cross-border attacks increased fears of a full-blown war.

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and its Iran-backed arch-foe attacked military facilities in northern Israel on Tuesday, after Lebanon suffered its deadliest day in decades with more than 500 people killed.

"UN High Commissioner Volker Turk calls on all states and actors with influence in the region and beyond to avert further escalation and do everything they can to ensure full respect for international law," Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for Turk said at a Geneva press briefing.

"The methods and means of warfare that are being used raise very serious concerns about whether this is compliant with international humanitarian law," she added.

Asked about reports that Israel had warned people through phone messages ahead of the strikes, she said: "Whether you've sent out a warning you're telling civilians to flee doesn't make it okay to then strike those areas, knowing full well that the impact on civilians will be huge."

At the same press briefing, Abdinasir Abubakar, a World Health Organization (WHO) official in Lebanon, said that some hospitals in the country were "overwhelmed" by the thousands of wounded people arriving. At least four healthcare workers had been killed on Monday, he added.

"We have some evidence, and we have some documentation that shows that at least there were some attacks on health facilities, even the ambulances as well," he told the briefing, condemning the impact on Lebanon's fragile health sector.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Lebanon's people on Monday, saying: "Israel's war is not with you, it's with Hezbollah." For too long Hezbollah has been using you as human shields."

The UN&nbsp;refugee agency's spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said more people are expected to flee their homes and that the agency is seeking to identify new shelters for displaced people around Beirut and the Bekaa valley.

"We're looking at tens of thousands (of displaced), but we expect that those figures will start to rise," he said. "The situation is extremely alarming. It's very chaotic, and we are doing what we can to support the government."

Schools have been closed across the country as some facilities have been transformed into shelters, said Ettie Higgins, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Lebanon.

"This is leaving many children at home or in shelters in total fear," she said. Hundreds of other children had travelled out of southern areas overnight, she added, some with no belongings besides the clothes they were wearing.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The UN human rights chief on Tuesday (Sep 24) called on anyone with influence in the Middle East to seek to avert an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as intensifying cross-border attacks increased fears of a full-blown war.

The UN human rights chief on Tuesday (Sep 24) called on anyone with influence in the Middle East to seek to avert an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as intensifying cross-border attacks increased fears of a full-blown war. Israel struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and its Iran-backed arch-foe attacked military facilities in northern Israel on Tuesday, after Lebanon suffered its deadliest day in decades with more than 500 people killed. "UN High Commissioner Volker Turk calls on all states and actors with influence in the region and beyond to avert further escalation and do everything they can to ensure full respect for international law," Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for Turk said at a Geneva press briefing. "The methods and means of warfare that are being used raise very serious concerns about whether this is compliant with international humanitarian law," she added. Asked about reports that Israel had warned people through phone messages ahead of the strikes, she said: "Whether you've sent out a warning you're telling civilians to flee doesn't make it okay to then strike those areas, knowing full well that the impact on civilians will be huge." At the same press briefing, Abdinasir Abubakar, a World Health Organization (WHO) official in Lebanon, said that some hospitals in the country were "overwhelmed" by the thousands of wounded people arriving. At least four healthcare workers had been killed on Monday, he added. "We have some evidence, and we have some documentation that shows that at least there were some attacks on health facilities, even the ambulances as well," he told the briefing, condemning the impact on Lebanon's fragile health sector. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Lebanon's people on Monday, saying: "Israel's war is not with you, it's with Hezbollah." For too long Hezbollah has been using you as human shields." The UN refugee agency's spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said more people are expected to flee their homes and that the agency is seeking to identify new shelters for displaced people around Beirut and the Bekaa valley. "We're looking at tens of thousands (of displaced), but we expect that those figures will start to rise," he said. "The situation is extremely alarming. It's very chaotic, and we are doing what we can to support the government." Schools have been closed across the country as some facilities have been transformed into shelters, said Ettie Higgins, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Lebanon. "This is leaving many children at home or in shelters in total fear," she said. Hundreds of other children had travelled out of southern areas overnight, she added, some with no belongings besides the clothes they were wearing. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

UN human rights chief calls for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation between Israel and Hezbollah

The release of a formal investigation into the widespread incarceration of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities by UN top human rights official Michelle Bachelet is expected next week.

As per CNN, the investigation has the potential to change how the international community and senior UN officials have handled the testimonies of survivors and their families by strengthening the need for accountability in a way the UN system has not previously done.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint | Chinese textbooks changed after 'ugly' cartoons spark outcry

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However, Bachelet has for some time been accused by human rights groups and academic experts of being soft on Beijing after her controversial visit to China in May.

Her critics said that she had the chance to draw attention to the horrifying human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government, but failed and that she refrained from denouncing the government's widespread mistreatment of the Uyghur ethnic group.

The report has been pending for a long time. Bachelet stated in September 2021 that her office was "finalising its assessment," and in December a representative stated that they anticipated publishing in the upcoming weeks. However, the report has stayed unpublished for months for mysterious reasons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minorities-drafted-into-forced-labour-possible-enslavement-in-chinas-xinjiang-un-expert-507846">Minorities drafted into forced labour, possible 'enslavement' in China's Xinjiang: UN expert</a>

China denies all claims that it has mistreated Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

However, a recent report by an independent UN expert alleged that the Chinese government is engaging in forced labour schemes in Xinjiang that may constitute crimes against humanity.

Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, stated in the report that the conclusions were "based on an independent assessment of available information".

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meetings-in-xinjiang-unsupervised-china-visit-not-an-investigation-un-rights-chief-482968">Meetings in Xinjiang 'unsupervised', China visit 'not an investigation': UN rights chief</a>

Chinese foreign ministry, however, reaffirmed Beijing's denial that forced labour ever occurred in Xinjiang, defended China's history of upholding workers' rights, and sharply criticised the report's findings.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a daily briefing in Beijing, "A certain special rapporteur chooses to believe in lies and disinformation about Xinjiang spread by the US&nbsp;and some other Western countries and anti-China forces."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The release of a formal investigation into the widespread incarceration of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities by UN top human rights official Michelle Bachelet is expected next week.

The release of a formal investigation into the widespread incarceration of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities by UN top human rights official Michelle Bachelet is expected next week. As per CNN, the investigation has the potential to change how the international community and senior UN officials have handled the testimonies of survivors and their families by strengthening the need for accountability in a way the UN system has not previously done. Watch | WION Fineprint | Chinese textbooks changed after 'ugly' cartoons spark outcry However, Bachelet has for some time been accused by human rights groups and academic experts of being soft on Beijing after her controversial visit to China in May. Her critics said that she had the chance to draw attention to the horrifying human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government, but failed and that she refrained from denouncing the government's widespread mistreatment of the Uyghur ethnic group. The report has been pending for a long time. Bachelet stated in September 2021 that her office was "finalising its assessment," and in December a representative stated that they anticipated publishing in the upcoming weeks. However, the report has stayed unpublished for months for mysterious reasons. Also read | Minorities drafted into forced labour, possible 'enslavement' in China's Xinjiang: UN expert China denies all claims that it has mistreated Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. However, a recent report by an independent UN expert alleged that the Chinese government is engaging in forced labour schemes in Xinjiang that may constitute crimes against humanity. Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, stated in the report that the conclusions were "based on an independent assessment of available information". Also read | Meetings in Xinjiang 'unsupervised', China visit 'not an investigation': UN rights chief Chinese foreign ministry, however, reaffirmed Beijing's denial that forced labour ever occurred in Xinjiang, defended China's history of upholding workers' rights, and sharply criticised the report's findings. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a daily briefing in Beijing, "A certain special rapporteur chooses to believe in lies and disinformation about Xinjiang spread by the US and some other Western countries and anti-China forces." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UN report on Uyghur abuses to be released soon. Will it call out China?

Indigenous residents of low-lying islands off northern Australia will submit a landmark complaint with the United Nations on Monday accusing the government of violating their human rights by failing to tackle climate change.

The Torres Strait Islanders will tell the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva that rising seas caused by global warming are threatening their homelands and culture, lawyers representing the group said.

The lawyers, from the non-profit ClientEarth, said the case was the first of its kind to be lodged with the UN equating government inaction on climate change to a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-experts-cite-concern-at-disproportionate-assange-detention-215668"> human rights violation</a>.

In their complaint, the islanders ask the UN to find that international human rights law requires Australia to reduce its emissions to at least 65 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

The country should become carbon neutral by 2050, phasing out its use and export of coal completely, they say.

The complaint also demands the government allocate Aus$20 million (US$14 million) for emergency infrastructure like sea walls to protect Torres Strait communities.

"Advancing seas are already threatening homes, as well as damaging burial grounds and sacred cultural sites," the claimants said in a statement.

"Many Islanders are worried that their islands could quite literally disappear in their lifetimes without urgent action."

Kabay Tamu of Warraber island said that his community had a "right to practice our culture in our traditional homeland".&nbsp;

"Our culture starts here on the land. It is how we are connected with the land and the sea. You wash away the land and it is like a piece of us you are taking away," he said in a statement.

The complaint is being lodged just days before Australian elections in which the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison trails in opinion polls.

Climate change has been a key campaign issue, with Morrison's government accused of dragging its feet on emission reduction efforts while backing the expansion of coal mining.

John Knox, a law professor at Wake Forest University in the US and a former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights, called the Torres Islanders to claim "potentially groundbreaking".&nbsp;

The UN committee late last year determined that states' duty to safeguard human rights also meant protection against environmental harm, including climate change, Knox said on Twitter.

"This case gives the Human Rights Committee its first chance to give specific application" to that determination "by assessing and explaining what Australia should do to protect the human rights of the Torres Strait Islanders," he said.

While the UN committee's rulings are non-binding, "its decision may increase pressure on Australia to do the right thing", he said.&nbsp;

Indigenous residents of low-lying islands off northern Australia will submit a landmark complaint with the United Nations on Monday accusing the government of violating their human rights by failing to tackle climate change.

Indigenous residents of low-lying islands off northern Australia will submit a landmark complaint with the United Nations on Monday accusing the government of violating their human rights by failing to tackle climate change. The Torres Strait Islanders will tell the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva that rising seas caused by global warming are threatening their homelands and culture, lawyers representing the group said. The lawyers, from the non-profit ClientEarth, said the case was the first of its kind to be lodged with the UN equating government inaction on climate change to a human rights violation. In their complaint, the islanders ask the UN to find that international human rights law requires Australia to reduce its emissions to at least 65 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. The country should become carbon neutral by 2050, phasing out its use and export of coal completely, they say. The complaint also demands the government allocate Aus$20 million (US$14 million) for emergency infrastructure like sea walls to protect Torres Strait communities. "Advancing seas are already threatening homes, as well as damaging burial grounds and sacred cultural sites," the claimants said in a statement. "Many Islanders are worried that their islands could quite literally disappear in their lifetimes without urgent action." Kabay Tamu of Warraber island said that his community had a "right to practice our culture in our traditional homeland". "Our culture starts here on the land. It is how we are connected with the land and the sea. You wash away the land and it is like a piece of us you are taking away," he said in a statement. The complaint is being lodged just days before Australian elections in which the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison trails in opinion polls. Climate change has been a key campaign issue, with Morrison's government accused of dragging its feet on emission reduction efforts while backing the expansion of coal mining. John Knox, a law professor at Wake Forest University in the US and a former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights, called the Torres Islanders to claim "potentially groundbreaking". The UN committee late last year determined that states' duty to safeguard human rights also meant protection against environmental harm, including climate change, Knox said on Twitter. "This case gives the Human Rights Committee its first chance to give specific application" to that determination "by assessing and explaining what Australia should do to protect the human rights of the Torres Strait Islanders," he said. While the UN committee's rulings are non-binding, "its decision may increase pressure on Australia to do the right thing", he said.

Indigenous Australians take government to UN over climate change

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-must-be-upheld-in-fight-against-extremism-un-chief-guterres-to-china-214664&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiZ9ovvof_hAhULgI8KHTrsBxAQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Mhc4xm58ltqbgYDi4SxHy">United Nations human rights </a>experts voiced concern on Friday at what they called the "disproportionate sentence" of 50 weeks in prison imposed on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for skipping bail in Britain.

Assange is being held in the high-security Belmarsh prison "as if he were convicted for a serious criminal offence", the U.N. working group on arbitrary detention said in a statement, adding that this "appears to contravene principles of necessity and proportionality". It described the skipping bail charge as a relatively "minor violation".

The group, composed of five independent experts, issued an opinion in 2015 that Assange - holed up at the time at the Ecuadoran Embassy in London after skipping bail to avoid extradition to Sweden to face an allegation of rape - was being arbitrarily detained.

Assange has denied the rape allegations.

United Nations human rights experts voiced concern on Friday at what they called the "disproportionate sentence" of 50 weeks in prison imposed on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for skipping bail in Britain.

United Nations human rights experts voiced concern on Friday at what they called the "disproportionate sentence" of 50 weeks in prison imposed on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for skipping bail in Britain. Assange is being held in the high-security Belmarsh prison "as if he were convicted for a serious criminal offence", the U.N. working group on arbitrary detention said in a statement, adding that this "appears to contravene principles of necessity and proportionality". It described the skipping bail charge as a relatively "minor violation". The group, composed of five independent experts, issued an opinion in 2015 that Assange - holed up at the time at the Ecuadoran Embassy in London after skipping bail to avoid extradition to Sweden to face an allegation of rape - was being arbitrarily detained. Assange has denied the rape allegations.

UN rights experts cite concern at 'disproportionate' Assange detention