Women bear the brunt of the global rollback of human rights,” says USG DiCarlo
On 28 May, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that “women bear the brunt of the global rollback of human rights.” Addressing a meeting regarding the participation of women and youth in peace and political processes, she recalled her recent visit to Afghanistan, where women and girls were systematically denied rights and dignity, particularly in education. On the role of young people in peacebuilding, she stressed that they deserve the opportunity to shape their future. While there are “no quick fixes to entrenched power politics, patriarchal attitudes, or unequal social structures,” she highlighted that “through its meetings and decisions, the Council can reinforce that women, along with men, are responsible for building peace and prosperity in their societies” and can also promote recognition of young people as important agents of change.
There can be no long-term solution in Gaza that is not fundamentally political,” Special Coordinator Wennesland warns Council
On 29 May, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Council that more than 36,000 Palestinians and over 1,500 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed since the 7 October attacks, while 126 hostages were still being held in Gaza. “Agreement on a deal to achieve ceasefire and secure release of hostages is blocked,” he reported, recalling the “appalling incident” on 26 May in Rafah that killed 45 Palestinians and injured 200. Noting that the West Bank remained a “pressure-cooker of negative trends”, he pointed to the risk of regional conflagrations. “This trajectory must change if we are to avoid further catastrophe,” he emphasized. To this end, “he stressed, “we should be putting in place the framework for Gaza’s recovery” he said, adding: “There can be no long-term solution in Gaza that is not fundamentally political.”
“We urgently need de-escalation across all theatres of the Syrian conflict,” Special Envoy Pedersen tells Council
On 30 May, Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the Council that “the Syrian people remain trapped in a profound crisis, which is becoming more entrenched with time.” In the absence of a comprehensive political process, negative trends are festering that present terrible risks for Syrians and the international community, he said, noting that “a dizzying array of local and international actors and listed terrorist groups remain engaged in conflict.” If this dynamic continues, there will inevitably see more civilian suffering. “Instead of this, we urgently need de-escalation across all theatres of the Syrian conflict,” he warned, noting that regional de-escalation efforts, starting with a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, were absolutely essential.
