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UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 May 2024
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Press Conferences | OCHA , UNICEF , OHCHR , WHO , UN WOMEN
UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 May 2024
UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
7 May 2024
Situation in Gaza
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said that the previous night the UN Secretary-General had reiterated his pressing call to both the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas to go the extra mile needed to make an agreement come true and stop the present suffering. He was deeply concerned by the indications that a large-scale military operation in Rafah might be imminent. The Secretary-General reminded the parties that the protection of civilians was paramount in international humanitarian law.
Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stated that the Rafah crossing was now under control of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and was closed for the movement of goods and people. The same was the case for the Kerem Shalom crossing. Therefore, the UN no longer had physical presence at the Rafah crossing, and the two main arteries for getting aid into Gaza were choked off. Temporary hopes of a ceasefire had been quickly crashed and a military incursion was now beginning. IDF was ignoring all warnings of what this could mean for civilians. Rafah was the only entry point for fuel, for example, reminded Mr. Laerke.
James Elder, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that every warning and every image of children killed or injured had been ignored. The worst nightmare was now coming true. Rafah was a city of children, as more than half of the people residing there now were under 18 years of age. There was nowhere safe left to go in Gaza, stressed Mr. Elder. He said that there was one toilet for 850 people and one shower for 3,500 people. Rafah was home to the European hospital, the largest remaining functioning hospital in Gaza. The south of the Gaza Strip was the main point of entry of aid into Gaza, and it was hard to see how famine could be averted if this point of entry was closed off. The copying capacity of numerous families was being squashed, and people were exhausted and sick; hundreds of thousands of children in Rafah had a disability or a medical condition putting them at an additional risk. Mr. Elder said that the parties to the conflict continued to disregard the life and wellbeing of children. This had to change. UNICEF was pleading and imploring for a ceasefire once again.
Ms. Vellucci, speaking on behalf of UN Women, informed that new UN Women survey data from Rafah highlighted the depth of physical and mental despair, with 93 percent of women interviewed feeling unsafe and over half reporting medical conditions requiring urgent attention. With any Israeli ground invasion, those numbers would soar. The imminent risk of death and injuries among Rafah’s 700,000 women and girls would escalate with any ground invasion, as they had nowhere to go to escape the bombing and killing. Over 80 per cent of women reported feelings of depression, 66 per cent were not able to sleep, and over 70 per cent had heightened anxiety and nightmares. More than half of women surveyed had a medical condition requiring urgent medical attention since the start of the war, with 62 per cent unable to pay for necessary medical care. More information is available here.
Ms. Vellucci said that at 3:30 pm Geneva time, the Secretary-General was expected to address the media in New York on the situation in Gaza. This press encounter would be live webcast at UNTV.
Responding to numerous questions from the media, Mr. Laerke, for OCHA, said that 76 percent of the territory of Gaza was currently under evacuation orders. Reports from the ground spoke of panic and despair; people were terrified and fleeing toward the north with what they had. Exact numbers were hard to get by, stated Mr. Laerke. Under international humanitarian law, people had to be given an adequate time to prepare for evacuation and be guaranteed safe routes for evacuation and be assured a safe evacuation destination; none of these conditions had been met. What underpinned a humanitarian operation was access to electricity, water, and sanitation, all of which were missing. He reiterated that the Kerem Shalom crossing was operated by the IDF and was currently closed. One day of fuel stock was estimated to be available in Gaza; all aid that arrived into Gaza was distributed immediately so there were no warehouses storing large amounts of aid. If no fuel came in for a prolonged period of time, that would be an effective way to put the existing humanitarian operation to grave. Mr. Laerke said that the IDF had denied access to UN humanitarians to Rafah for the time being. Mr. Laerke further explained that the UN was coordinating humanitarian deliveries with the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Egyptian Red Crescent, and the statistics on aid deliveries included their parts. He emphasized that the Eretz border crossing was not a substitute for Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
Mr. Elder, for UNICEF, said that people were worried based on what they had seen over the previous seven months rather than on what they were reading in the leaflets they received. Children in Rafah were experiencing unprecedented levels of trauma, he said. More entry and check points needed to be operational if famine was to be averted in Gaza.
Margaret Harris, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that all three hospitals in the Rafah area were overwhelmed and treating more patients than they could handle. One of them was treating over 200 dialysis patients per day, and if its operations were halted, that could spell a death sentence for those patients. Less than a third of all hospitals were functioning in Gaza in any shape or form, reminded Dr. Harris.
Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), replying to another question, said that hundreds of bodies had indeed been found in the compounds of Al Shifa and Naser hospitals; some of them had been, very worryingly, reportedly found with their hands tied. OHCHR was not in a position to verify these reports and could not tell under which circumstances those people had been killed. Independent investigations were thus absolutely needed; OHCHR, the Commission of Inquiry, and the International Criminal Court should all be involved. More than 30,000 people had been killed in Gaza thus far, and mass graves existed; a large number of individuals in those graves were unidentified. Ms. Shamdasani stressed that international humanitarian law provided strict requirements under which civilian populations could be displaced. Failure to meet those requirements could amount to war crimes. OHCHR was continuing to press for access and was continuing with its remote monitoring, in order to bring factual, legal, and even moral clarity to what was happening. The violations had to be recorded and widely reported in the media; and accountability had to be ultimately ensured. The cycle of impunity could not be allowed to continue. OHCHR had documented many violations that amounted to war crimes, and the OHCHR would continue to speak out on these issues, stressed Ms. Shamdasani. Speaking about the West Bank as requested, she said that, since 7 October, 475 Palestinians, of whom 120 children, had been killed there.
Crackdown on journalists in Russia
Ravina Shamdasani, for the United Nations Human Rights (OHCHR), informed that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today said he was concerned by the increasing number of journalists charged, convicted, and jailed in Russia for their independent reporting, in what appears to be an intensification of a crackdown on dissenting voices.
“The continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia are very troubling. The intensification of the crackdown on journalists’ independent work must immediately cease and the right to inform – a key component of the right to freedom of expression – needs to be upheld,” stated the High Commissioner.
Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the number of imprisoned journalists in Russia had reached an all-time high. At least 30 journalists were currently detained in Russia under a variety of criminal charges, including terrorism, extremism, disseminating knowingly false information about the armed forces, spying, treason, extortion, infringing upon people’s rights, violating the provisions of the law on foreign agents, inciting mass disturbances, illegal possession of explosives, and illegal possession of drugs. “Journalists should be able to work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals – in line with Russia’s international human rights obligations. I call on the authorities to immediately drop charges against journalists detained solely for doing their jobs, and to release them,” Türk said.
Full statement is available here.
Responding to questions, Ms. Shamdasani said that she did not have information on imprisoned journalists being offered to fight to Ukraine in exchange for their sentences being commuted. Since March, at least seven Russian journalists had faced charges related to their reporting on Ukraine or Alexey Navalny. Twelve foreign national journalists were currently detained in Russia.
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), reminded that today at 3 pm in Room XXIII the Palais des Nations, the World Press Freedom Day would be marked with an event “A Press for the Planet”, focused on the importance of protecting journalists and scientists in defense of the environment.
The Committee Against Torture would conclude its 79th session at 10 am on 11 May and issue its concluding observations on the six countries reviewed during this session: Austria, Honduras, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Finland.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child, which had opened its 96th session the previous day, was concluding this morning its review of Namibia. This afternoon, it would begin consideration of Guatemala.
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Teleprompter
Good morning.
Sorry for the delay.
Let's start immediately this press briefing of today, 7th of May, here in Geneva with one of the important topics of of the day, which of course is an update on Gaza.
Yesterday night, the Secretary General of the United Nations reiterated this pressing call to both the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas to go the extra mile needed to make an agreement come true and stop the present suffering.
We have seen further development since and we will hear more from our colleagues.
But the Secretary General also expressed his preoccupation by the indications that the large scale military Operation DRAFA could be imminent.
And we have already seen movement of people's, many of these in desperate humanitarian condition and having been repeatedly displaced to the search safety that has so many time being denied to them.
And I think maybe ANTS will also have some updates on that.
But as a final statement, the Secretary General reminded the parties that the protection of civilians is paramount in international humanitarian law.
And as I said, we'll hear a little bit more now about the situation there from our colleagues.
Maybe I will start directly with Yens and then we will hear on the situation of children from James Yens.
Thank you, Alessandra, and good morning everyone.
Let me start with a a short update that I've been asked about.
The Rafael crossing is now under control of the Israeli Defence Forces and is currently closed for the movement of goods and people in both directions.
Kirum Shalom crossing is also closed for goods and people.
We currently do not have any physical presence at the Rafah crossing as our access to go to that area for coordination purposes has been denied by coca.
So that means that currently the two main arteries for getting aid into Gaza is currently choked off.
Indeed, this morning is one of the darkest in this seven months long nightmare.
And that's because of yesterday not least.
We all saw the images of families in Gaza celebrating kids dancing in the streets when they first believed that at long last a ceasefire had been agreed to and it was coming.
No more war, no more dead siblings, dead parents or families displaced.
Maybe they could even go home, or at least back to what is left of home.
And then a few hours later, that was turned on its head when they learned that no, it's a false hope, no ceasefire, more war.
One can only imagine the soul crushing disappointment of that.
So now we see the beginning of a military incursion.
Rafa is in the crosshairs.
IDF is ignoring all warnings about what this could mean for civilians and for the humanitarian operation across the Gaza Strip, for example.
We'll rather close today.
No fuel entry.
Now.
It's the only entry point for fuel.
And without that, diesel for trucks, for generators, for communication equipments and so on is in jopardy.
It does shut it down if fuel does not come in.
So that is the situation as of this morning and I'm sure James has more, well, James institution of children.
Thanks again.
Good morning, Alexandra.
Morning everyone.
Every warning, every image of children killed and injured, every heartbreaking story of of bloodshed and despair, every mind boggling piece of data of the sheer number of children and mothers killed, of family homes and hospitals destroyed, it's all been ignored.
Our worst fears.
Gazan's nightmare appears to be a reality, and it's a reality that those holding power still have the ability to prevent.
7 reasons why UNICEF and humanitarian agencies have been calling for a ceasefire and an offensive in Rafa not to take place.
The first Rafa is a city of children.
More than half of every single girl and boy in the Gaza Strip is in Rafa.
2 If we define safety and international humanitarian law says we must as the freedom from bombardment and the access to safe water, protection, food and medicines, then there is nowhere safe left to go in Gaza.
3IN Rafa there is currently approximately 1 toilet for 850 people.
When it comes to showers, it's one for 3 1/2 thousand.
Picture the queues of 70 year old women, of pregnant mums, of teenage girls all day.
Maybe accessing a shower.
The situation in the zones where people have been told to go is mind bogglingly much, much worse than in Rafa.
For Rafa is home to Gaza's last largest remaining hospital, the European Hospital, named as such to honour the European Union that paid for its construction amid the systematic devastation to Gaza's health system.
Rafa Hospital is 1 of Gaza's largest and most critical life lines.
[Missing Subtitle]
The South of the Gaza Strip, as Yens has been speaking to, is also the entry point for most of the aid that enters Gaza.
A military ******* will greatly complicate a delivery and likely see that gate closed.
It's hard to see if that closes for an extended.
How aid agencies avert famine across the Gaza Strip, six families coping capacity has been *******.
Families are hanging on psychologically and physically by a thread.
I do not recall meeting a single family and I met scores, a single family in Rafa who hadn't lost a home or a loved one or both.
People are exhausted, they're malnourished.
Children are sick.
And that brings us to the last, the health of those in Rafa.
Hundreds of thousands of children in Rafa have a disability or a medical condition or a vulnerability that puts them at even greater jeopardy and makes it so much more difficult for them to relocate, if there was anywhere for them to relocate to.
In Rafa.
I saw children who had amputations now in tents because because hospitals are full.
Those children and many, many more are now told to go to zones such as Almawasi, the so-called safe zone of Almawasi, where UNICEF reported a couple of weeks ago on a little boy called Mustafa who had left his family home to go and get parsley for dinner and was shot in the head.
Mustafa was killed in the safe zone, so-called safe zone of Al Mawasi, the zone where children and families in Rafa are now told to go to.
This past weekend's events in Gaza, the continued killing of children, more attacks from the warring parties, and now evacuation orders yet again expose how parties to this conflict continue to utterly disregard the lives and protection of civilians and of children.
This has to change, and this is the last moment for that to change.
Aid must flow, hostages must be freed, Rafa must not be invaded, and children must stop being killed.
We've pleaded, we have implored countless times, and we do so once more for the children of Rafa.
We need a ceasefire now.
Thank you very much, James.
And let me add, please, on behalf of you and women who've asked me to convey to you this information, please be informed that there is a new survey data from Rafa that has been published.
I think it was yesterday night, pretty late.
It's available on UN Women.
I think we have distributed to you the press release this this new UN Women survey data from Rafa highlights the depth of physical and mental despair, with 93% of women interviewed feeling unsafe and over half reporting medical conditions requiring urgent attention.
We have in this press release lots of data that I would ask you to have a look at.
This data collected by young women reveals, for example, that more than 10,000 women have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, among them 6000 mothers, leaving 19,000 orphaned children behind.
And we've heard from James the condition of life of these children.
The survey also sheds lights on the devastating reality of women and girls in Rafa, including the fact that Rafa now is hosts 700,000 women and girls who have nowhere else to go.
Over 80% of women report feeling of depressions, 66% are not able to sleep, over 70% of ironed and anxiety and nightmares.
More than half of women surveyed, that is 51% have a medical condition requiring urgent medical attention.
Since the start of the war.
More than six out of 10 of the interviewed women who are currently pregnant or have been pregnant since 7 October reported complications.
And in household with nursing mothers, 72% reported that there are challenges in breastfeeding and in meeting the nutritional needs of babies.
And I will conclude with a statement by Sima Bahusi, Women Executive Director, that said women and girls in Rafa, as in the rest of Gaza and in a state of constant despair and fear already, a grand invasion would be an unbearable escalation that risks killing thousands more civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee again.
We must protect civilians.
We need an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded and safe humanitarian aid distribution across all Gaza.
The need for peace has never been more urgent.
It is our only hope, concludes the UN Women Executive Director, which calls for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2728 of 25th of March 2024, which demands an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and safe and unimpeded access from humanitarian aid.
And our colleagues at UN Women are of course, available if you have any questions on this data.
And with that, I, I know just the last information before we open the floor to question, just to be to inform you that at 9:30 AM, which is of course, 3:30 if I'm not wrong, Geneva time, 9:30 in New York, the Secretary General is expected to speak to the press to deliver remarks on the situation in Gaza.
And of course you will be able to follow this on UN Web TV.
And let's start with the question.
There are many I've seen first, Jeremy, hi, you, you, you responded already in a way, but I'd like to maybe have a more comprehensive answer on exactly what kind of facilities the UN have in the so-called red zone right now.
Have you mentioned the European hospital of any others?
And has the UN been asking his personnel on the ground to evacuate as well?
And regarding evacuation, we have been, we're hearing reports from people on the ground that people who are not in the red zone are already evacuating to Annawazi and and and the north.
So have you been hearing those reports as well?
Are you hearing that people are evacuating Rafa regardless of the zones where they are right now?
Yeah, thank you.
What we have in that shown that has been designated as a an evacuation shown by the IDF.
And mind you, now 76% of the territory of Gaza is under evacuation orders, 76% in that area.
There are 9 sites sheltering displaced people.
It's also home to three clinics and six warehouses.
And of course that is part of what I mean when I say that this is a devastating blow to the aid operation in Rafa and beyond.
So it has terrible repercussions in terms of movements.
We have, we have seen people move.
I think it's fair to say that the reports that we get from colleagues on the ground is that panic and despair has taken hold.
People are terrified.
We have seen images of people fleeing with what they have.
It's extremely difficult for us to have exact numbers on this for the for the reasons that you can all understand.
And they are moving towards the North.
We have for some time actually extended our presence towards the North because we knew that people were going there and our purpose as humanitarian is of course to be where people are regardless of how or why they got there.
We can discuss that and have and we can protest the way this is being done.
But of course our imperative is to help people and we will go to where they are.
So we have seen that moment.
Now, what is very important with these kind of evacuation orders, and that is enshrined in the in international humanitarian law, is that one, people must have adequate time to prepare for the evacuation.
Has that happened?
No, they need a safe route or corridor to get to the designated area.
Have they had that?
Is that present?
Absolutely not convenience.
We have seen, we've heard the reports from the missions going there.
It's littered with unexploded ordnance, massive bombs lying in the street.
It's not safe.
3 The point of destination must be safe and they must have access to humanitarian aid.
Is that the case?
No, it's not safe.
We've just heard that.
And by the way, the area that they have designated as quote unquote safe, so they changed.
You have seen the map that they have put out.
It's about 3 times the size that it was previously.
So these things are constantly fluctuating and that is not a conducive environment for carrying out a safe evacuation of people.
So they must have access to aid where they go.
That is not the case, particularly in Malwazi.
The major problem is that there's no infrastructure.
What underpins A humanitarian operation is access to electricity, access to water and sanitation systems, sewage system, and so on.
That it, it's, it's not there.
It's simply not there.
And finally, but that's looking a bit farther ahead.
If such an evacuation is carried out, people must have, must be allowed to return to where they come from, when it's safe to do so from UNICEF.
Yes, that crossing is where our supplies come through almost exclusively.
That's water.
And I explained some of the some of the data in terms of the sheer lack of safe water.
It's in Rafa, it's around 1 litre per person in a household which is catastrophically below any emergency levels.
So that, that that is, that is people's lifeline absolute and and simply cannot maintain that without supplies coming through there.
UNICEF won't leave our motto very much like we heard from Munro yesterday and from I'm sure all other agencies to stay and deliver in terms of we've had people moving not from those zones.
Yes, I've spoken to people, I speak to people regularly there and was asking how they were yesterday.
Two things struck me.
One, yes, people are moving from other areas in Rafa and I think that's because they have realised that it's important to look at the evidence of what's happened in Gaza in the last seven months rather than the language used.
So the language used now is of course, quote unquote, limited invasion.
Now, as we spoke about previously here from this platform, it was in November, December, where promises were made that the South of Gaza would not possibly endure the ferocity of the north.
And then I've stood in Kan Eunice, the neighbouring city to Rafa and seen utter demonstration, 360° more more intense devastation of a city than anywhere in my 20 years.
So people are well aware that they need to look at the evidence and the way this was being conducted rather than what leaflets say.
The final point I'd say to that is the people I spoke to yesterday just showed again a level of trauma.
This was families who were aware that they would have to move, had been aware for months that this this worst case scenario may came and come.
And the people I spoke to invariably would say I'm frozen, I don't even know what to pack.
Seven months now we talk of course, of 2/3 of houses, homes and destroyed.
We talk of reports of more than 14,000 children killed.
So somehow we don't talk of not a single university still functioning, not a child who's been to school for a year and an unprecedented level of child trauma.
That's what we're seeing now again in these children who are told pick up your last surviving remnants of your life.
And we move from tent to tent.
That's also what's happening to children in Rafa now.
Thank you.
And I think Margaret, welcome.
You may have also something welcome you you asked about the hospital specifically and Al Nadja is in the sorry better.
Yeah, Al Nadja is in the the zone that's been designed has been advised people to move.
Now it they are not moving, they're staying open and continuing to accept patients.
But they are also the only place now in Gaza where dialysis is taking place.
They're they're doing about two, around 200 dialysis, dialysis per day.
So again, if they're no longer functioning, if they're shut down, that means all those people will die simply from kidney failure because that's what's keeping them alive.
They are also overwhelmed.
They're all the hospitals.
There are three hospitals currently functioning in the Rafa area.
They're all overwhelmed.
They're all receiving more cases than they can deal with.
The European Hospital in Han Eunice is also threatened by this action because it will be cut off.
So it again is a very important hospital for dealing with the wounded.
It's called the European Hospital because the EU has funded it.
But it will probably not be able to function as well or it will be difficult for patients to access due to the the incursion.
Thank you to all colleagues and yes.
Yes, thank you.
That would be a question to hear.
I'm here to to Jens you.
You mentioned we were having a geographic discussion.
According to my information, Europeans in East Han Eunice, but James has been there and it's rougher.
Is it it's rougher.
It's right on the border of the first evacuation order from yesterday.
But as Yen said, that has changed.
I've seen lots of hints.
I won't forget about Anya's was waiting and yes, go ahead.
OK.
Yeah.
So the question concerns Karam Shalom, you, you say that it was close, but you didn't mention why.
If you could let us know why.
And concerning the, the fuel, so we understand that the the fuel cannot entry anymore into Rafa and Gaza generally.
If you could specify and how many stocks does do you have in Gaza or in Rafa to of of fuel and for how many days?
If you could specify.
Thank you.
Thank you, Jens.
Thank you, Agnes.
Kiram Shalom is, is operated by the Israeli Defence Force and they have closed it, simple as that.
You, you have seen a few days ago there was an, an attack in that area.
Of course, we, we call on, on those who perpetrated this attack to, to stop doing so.
I mean, this is, this is devastating as well.
But it is the IDF that closes down.
As I mentioned, Rafa is currently under the, the crossing is currently under the ID of control and we've been told there will be no crossings of personnel or goods in and out for the time being.
For how long I have no idea, but that's the current situation.
Now that has a massive impact, if you like.
On your next question, how much stock do we have?
We've been told that there's a very, very short buffer of about one day of fuel available, primarily diesel to run trucks and to run generators.
So there's that.
We know by and large that of all the aid that comes in, it's pretty much distributed immediately.
It's not like that.
There's huge warehouses full of aid.
It's distributed immediately for good reasons.
Yeah, go ahead.
Yes, you said one day, one day for Rafa or one day for all Gaza.
This is as fuel only comes in through Rafa, the one day Bava is for for the entire operation in Gaza.
Benjamin.
Thanks.
Alessandra, question to Yens and then question to all of the the three on the podium.
So just to be clear, you said the two main arteries are closed.
That's an evidence.
Is there any type of contingency plan that is for rerouting maybe somewhere the supply of humanitarian aid?
Is there any other type point of entry for for the aid or I'd like to hear you on that.
Or is Rafa now totally isolated from any type of supply And my you want my other question?
OK.
Yeah, no, no, go on, go on and I'll do follow up.
Thanks.
There is, as you know, the areas crossing in the north which have been opened recently, there's not nowhere near the volume of eight that comes in compared to Colum Shalom and and Rafa.
Now of course, we are looking at all possibilities, right?
But I mean, we didn't know that this was going to shut down these two crossings in the South that we rely on so heavily, not of our own choice, but because that's what we've been designated to use, right?
So we're looking at, of course, all options for how can we kind of get, get something in there.
It remains to be seen, but errors is of course on, on the table if, if you like, sorry, the second part of your question.
The second part of my question is, it is rougher now isolated from any type of supply of aid because even if you go through areas in the north, then is the road open?
Yeah, it's exactly a very good point.
It's like what we've been talking about for a very long time, why we have advocated for opening in the North because of the illogical way of delivering aid in the North that you have to go all the way to the South and then drive through a war zone to get to the north where we have said, well, can't we just get in from the north?
Now you flip that around and you say we will have to drive through a war zone, but in the other direction to get from Eris to the South.
So of course we need to get, we need to have aid as close to people as possible and it is close to people, it is close to people.
It's there just on the other side of the border.
So of course we need those those opening.
Any other question for the other colleagues?
Yes, just the last one.
Also some kind of technical question.
Were you able to preposition any type of aid in the AL Mawasi designated humanitarian zone or is it only controlled or, or or dealt by COGAT?
Yeah, some for UNICEF, some pre positioning, but not of the things that we need day-to-day, which is water for UNICEF and very little pre positioning in in that area.
The of the **** energy malnutrition supplies that we need for children.
The only thing I'd add to what Yen said is that the conversation about where aid comes in is critical.
And he's dead right.
Areas will simply not be enough.
It's also very important to underline that this is not just about goods coming in.
It's about them being able to freely move around when they come in.
And this has been the constant war of words and disinformation, to be frank, that's happened.
Once goods come in, then we sit.
And I've done this many times for hours and hours and hours at checkpoints.
As other United Nations senior officials have said, you know, they know this dance.
You sit at a checkpoint for hours until not fully knowing full well that the clock will tick and we won't be able to work in the dark.
And so approval was gained, but time was not with us, and we had to return.
So the freedom of movement and more opening of checkpoints in on the Gaza Strip is something that urgently needs to happen if we're serious about preventing A famine.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You want to go ahead?
Yeah.
We, we also, it was the pre positioning of supplies.
Yes, we indeed did pre position supplies in a warehouse away from where we expected the the the military activities to be happening.
But again, as as James has said, I haven't seen the place, but from all descriptions, it's not an area that you'd be able to actually put supplies in.
But we've put medical supplies.
But again, they will run out very quickly.
And the critical thing is, again, for the hospitals to be able to receive patients, which will be impossible in the middle of a conflict like this.
We've only got 33% of 30% of hospitals functioning in any shape or form.
And that is not a shape or form you or I would understand as a functioning hospital.
OK.
More question from the room, Beza, then Emma, then Isa.
Thank you.
Alessandra, you already mentioned about the contingency plan and relocation of the supplies and you say it's going to run out quickly.
But what I would like to ask that at what level those relocated supplies can meet the needs of the people in the move right now.
Can you give a day for that?
I, I can't, yeah, I can't give an exact date that there are many types of supplies.
We're about medical supplies, we're about fuel, we're about **** nutrition biscuits, many kinds of of supplies.
And there may be various levels of, of availability of that that doesn't, you know, negate what I what I said before, which is that the overall picture is that aid is pretty much distributed immediately because the needs are, are so ****.
We don't have the luxury of having huge warehouses with a buffer stock.
Emma, just given this picture that you've painted of very few stores, can you just Fast forward a couple of days, What does the situation look like if these two key crossings remain closed and for WHO for Margaret, please.
Are there any exceptions at all for patient transfers out of Gaza and and maybe medical supplies coming in?
Rick Papergorn mentioned that Rafa was the main one taking almost all of the supplies in.
Just spell out that situation, please.
Thank you.
You want me to crystal ball this a bit?
Let let me, let me put it like this, if no fuel comes in for a prolonged period of time, it would be a very effective way of putting the humanitarian operation in its grave.
Clear Margaret, for the last two days.
Yesterday the the crossing was closed and they were not in exceptions, no personnel in or out evacuations, nothing.
And my understanding is the same applies today.
So nothing in, nothing out.
Yep, Isabel, yes, sorry Jens.
But to put those things in perspective, could you tell us what was the volume coming into into Gaza through Rafa, through the crossing in the last weeks and days?
And what it means for this is the second is a quite rhetoric one.
But what means that in the next also days and weeks you will have likely to negotiate with Israeli forces any kind of entry of humanitarian aid of any kind through Rafa?
Yeah, thank you.
As you know, it's it's tracked.
I don't have the tracking in front of me of of me, but I'm happy to to take that out and share that with you.
The exact numbers, what has been going in through the two crossings over the past week or so.
So we can see what is what has been choked off exactly.
Of course we, we engage every single day, many times a day.
I would say constantly with through intermediaries with the with the IDF about access getting this in that that of course will will continue whether it bears through.
Well, time will tell Jamie.
And there I go to the platform.
Hi Jens.
Could you tell us what IDF is telling you beyond the fact that they're simply denying access?
Are they telling you anything about how long this could go on for?
Are they telling you to stop bringing trucks to the border?
What are they?
What kind of instructions are they giving you, both for the security of your own personnel and partners and for a possible continuation of the aid effort?
I, I don't have that information, Jamie.
You would have to ask them what they say.
We, we have been, we've been told that these, the crossings are, are closed for goods and personnel in and out.
We have been told because we want of course, to have access to Rafa to see what's going on.
We have been denied access for the time being Musa.
Mercy.
We we say about mercy.
My question is for Margaret.
I feel to the United Nations expert group statement yesterday.
They said more than 39 bodies were discovered in the Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals, including those of women and the children, many of whom are believed to have serious signs of torture, torture and summary executions and potential examples of people being buried alive.
If Margaret, you have some information about about that, you can confirm this.
The statement of the experts group.
Thanks.
I wonder whether this is more a question for Ravina, who is actually our next speaker, but maybe she can come to the point of Margaret.
Do you have anything you want to add on this?
No, it's exactly we witness, we, we don't do the forensics, we don't do this area of work.
So this is definitely for, I mean, you've, you've already spoken about this in the past days.
I don't know if you have an update on this.
Thank you.
Good morning.
Yes, that's Alexandra pointed out.
And as you know, we have spoken about the issue of mass graves.
What is clear is that mass graves exist in both the compounds of Al Shifa and Nasser hospitals.
Hundreds of bodies have been found.
What is unclear is the circumstances under which these people were killed.
We have received very worrying reports, including, as I've mentioned before, we've received reports that some of the bodies were found with their hands tied.
Now, these are not reports that we are in a position to verify.
There are several NGOs and other actors on the ground who are trying to gather more information.
We're in close touch with them.
But what we are insisting on is an independent investigation to establish exactly what happened.
We know that the graves exist.
We know that lots of people were killed.
We know that they were buried in the compounds of hospitals.
We do not know in what circumstances they were killed, whether it was due to the conduct of hostilities or whether there was something further that needs to be examined.
Thank you very much, Christian.
Maybe if you stay in the boarding room.
So yeah, thank you, Christian.
Thank you very much.
Culture has been playing down the UN aid operation and has been suggesting that lots of other stuff is coming in.
Does anyone of you know what percentage of the overall aid the UN is supplying?
Do you know of other significant aid deliveries coming in Red Cross or private donations?
That seems to be what Colgate is suggesting.
And wasn't there also use of the military Rd at some point for aid deliveries?
Thank you.
Yeah, thank you.
First of all, Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent coordinate with us.
So the the number of trucks that we that we report on does include that We have seen as you have commercial, some kind of a commercial operation done by the Israelis.
I think you will recall what has been referred to the Flower Massacre, which was one such operation that ended in tragedy.
We have humanitarian experience and expertise to stand up a proper principled humanitarian operation and that is what we intend to continue to do.
It is there and we are not leaving Rafa, as James said, that goes for all of us.
We intend to to stay as long as as is humanly possible.
Thank you.
Unless something now.
So let's go to Nick.
Yeah, thank you.
But again, I take your point that the arrow's crossing is no substitute for Rafael and Karam Shalam.
Could you just give us an idea of what aid is coming through that particular crossing point?
Can you also give us an update on the maritime deliveries and the floating pier?
Again, you've said before that this is no substitute, but it would just be useful to know where we are with that and if we can see aid coming in via that route anytime soon.
And just a quick side note to Alessandra, it'd be good if the UN Women could actually circulate this report.
We haven't seen it.
It'd be great to have it.
Thanks.
Just quickly answering this, we have send it in fact both of me and and Suraj have send it to you during the briefing.
So you should have it in your e-mail and of course our colleagues are available for questions.
It's not a report, it's a press release with updated data.
Yes, thank you.
I hope the microphone is in the right position now.
Thank you.
Nick, can I, can I add that request to So what Isabel asked about on the numbers of trucks of what we know has gone through areas.
It's not data I have in front of me, but I'll, I'll happy, I'll be happy to investigate that.
As to the, to the pier and the maritime corridor, it's not functioning yet.
We are not the ones building it.
So you'll have to talk to the to the US authorities about that.
Yep.
Sorry.
I thought it's the hand in the room.
Yeah, Isabel or maybe, maybe.
Yeah, Sorry, it's a follow up.
OK, go ahead if you can comment, Ravina.
What?
What?
What is what all this means in in human right terms in Rafa to what is happening now.
Thanks, Isabella.
I think my colleagues have very clearly set out what this means in humanitarian terms.
It means that people are being forcibly relocated yet again, sometimes for the 4th, 5th, 6th time, to places that are not safe.
And let us remember that these people include people who have been disabled as a result of the conduct of hostilities.
This includes people who need dialysis treatment, otherwise they will die.
They are being relocated to places that do not have the infrastructure or the resources to be able to host the mass displacement of this large number of people with such diverse needs.
International humanitarian law prohibits the ordering of the displacement of civilians for reasons related to the conflict unless the security of the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand.
Even then, this is subject to strict legal requirements, and Israel has strict obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the safety and access of these individuals to medical care, to adequate food, to safe water, to sanitation.
Failure to meet these obligations may amount to forced displacement, which is a war crime.
Yeah.
Electric Isabel, the last one please.
So that's that's it means that as you said, the evacuations in this this this type of our questions are prohibited unless completely necessary, which is which is not the case.
So one more more time is giving your review.
Israel is violating international humanitarian law.
There are strong indications that this is being conducted in violation of international humanitarian law.
Thank you, Yuri.
Yes, thank you, Alessandra, and good morning, everyone.
My question is for Evina.
So thank you to come to the podium for that.
The first question is about the fact that you still don't have access to Gaza, even if you are required it.
All the warnings from your office and from the **** Commissioner have been ignored by Israel without exception.
All what you say that's been ignored, What is the next step?
So at what?
At what point will the notion of war crime be surpassed in the in the language elements of your office to speak of crimes against humanity?
Because nothing changed even when you are putting warnings.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thanks for the question, Yuri.
Indeed, it's a source of immense frustration for us, the lack of access to be able to physically be there and corroborate information, interview witnesses, visit sites, examine the actual, you know, situation on the ground.
We are continuing to press for access.
This is crucial.
We are also continuing to carry out remote monitoring and put out information that we are managing to corroborate to bring some to try to bring some factual clarity, some legal clarity and perhaps even some moral clarity to what is happening here on situations like the discovery of the mass graves.
What we were concerned about is that this will be yet another blip on the radar, yet more violations carried out in Gaza that just get forgotten about over time.
Well, these violations should not get forgotten about.
They need to be recorded.
They need to be reported widely by the media.
They need to result in pressure from Member States that do have leverage over the parties to the conflict to bring such violations to an end.
They need to be recorded so that there will be accountability, so that investigations do take place and ultimately there is accountability and the cycle of impunity does not continue over and over and over again as we have seen it.
We have documented many violations that amount to war crimes and that there are even indications of further atrocity crimes being committed.
And it is our obligation and our duty to continue to speak out on these issues.
Lisa.
Yes, thank you.
Thank you, everyone.
This is very sobering meeting discussion, I must say.
Ravina, I'd like to ask you about the mass graves, whether it is clearly determined that Israel in fact has dug these mass graves.
I asked this because Israel just the other day came out with the a release saying that the mass graves were dug by dozens themselves before Israel's operation began.
So I'd like your input on that.
And also, I mean, is this still to be determined?
And then how likely is it that an independent investigation will go ahead in the medium term or is this something for the long term?
Because do you believe that forensic experts will be given access to the area right now?
How long is this likely to happen?
Thanks, Lisa.
It is a complex issue.
So as I said earlier, it is clear that mass graves exist not only in the compounds of Al Shifa and Nasser Hospital, but there are impromptu graves conducted containing large numbers of bodies that exist across Gaza.
A lot of people have been killed.
More than 30,000 people have been killed.
Graves are dug very quickly.
People are buried.
And these graves exist, you know, in in many parts of Gaza.
What is worrying about this one in particular is that there's a large number of individuals in these graves who are unidentified.
So their loved ones did not know whether they were alive or dead.
And it's not clear the circumstances under which they were killed.
Some of these graves, they did exist and there were bodies there.
The IDF claims that they dug up the bodies and they reburied them.
It's not clear how many bodies were there initially, how many bodies were buried by the IDF.
There are so many open questions here.
And again, there are very worrying reports that indicate that some of the bodies may have been found with their hands tied.
Now we don't know, We haven't managed to corroborate these reports, but they are severe enough that we need to insist on an independent investigation.
These claims cannot simply be dismissed and we can't just take their word for it that these were all bodies that were already pre-existing, dug up and then reburied with respect.
There needs to be an investigation.
They need to be independent assessment of the situation and this is what we are insisting on.
So, Tucker, hello, good morning.
I just want to follow up this international investigation.
Which UN body or institution would be appropriate to create a mandate to set up an international investigation?
Thank you.
Alessandra may have more to add on that from our side.
What we are calling for, well, we're calling for access for us, for the UN Human Rights office.
We are calling for access for the Commission of inquiry, the UN Commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory.
And as you may know, the the ICC, the International Criminal Court is also engaged on the situation and there are ongoing investigations there.
Exactly.
You said it too, Yan yes, good morning.
Thank thank you for giving me the floor question to Yen's maybe you've said it, but or I missed it.
I was wondering, have the Israelis given you any official reason for closing the two crossings into into Rafa Haiyan?
No, not, not particularly, but it's it's part of the of the song that they and now issued evacuation order for.
But we have not gotten anything apart from that.
It's closed.
Second question from Nick.
Yeah, I think your question to Ravina and Margaret.
There were reports last week that the former head of orthopaedics and Al Shifa, the doctor Al Bush, had died in Israeli custody.
Have you, either of you, been able to get any further information on the circumstances or cause of his death?
Thank you.
No, I'm afraid not, Nick.
But let me check if colleagues have managed to gather any further information on this.
I'll get back to you.
And Margaret makes a no sign.
So.
Yeah.
What, you want to say something?
Likewise.
I'll, I'll.
I'll follow up for you, Nick.
And I will see if we've got more information on this tragedy.
Thank you very much, Kathleen.
Yes, good morning to all.
Thank you, Alessandra.
2 questions, my side, a follow up about question already asked about according to you Alessandra, which entity at the UN is able to take any decision regarding the fact that Israel is systematically refusing the request of access to visit Gaza to heads of agencies?
Not only human rights, but other heads of agencies have requested to go and visit Gaza and West Bank and they haven't got an A positive answer.
They got no answer, in fact.
And I'd like also to come back to the West Bank.
Could you tell us more about the situation in the West Bank?
I don't know Jens or James or Margaret, any of you, because we know that some people from Gaza are trapped in the West Bank since the beginning of the events in October.
What about Havina, what's happening there?
Because people are focused on on Gaza, but in there's a lot of things happening apparently in West Bank.
Thank you to all of you.
Thank you, Katrina.
I don't think I have anything to add to what Ravina said about the bodies.
I just wanted to mention that Philippe Ladderini was indeed denied access.
That was in the 5th of May and he put out a statement again asking for that access and concluding that the denial of humanitarian access is a violation of humanitarian law.
But I think Ramina mentioned the bodies and maybe I don't know who would like to take up the the last the second part of the question about the West Bank.
Maybe Yancey want to start on this or or maybe James, if you also have something on the children in that area.
Just very quickly.
First of all, thanks Catherine for raising the West Bank because it it is not as much in focus and it should be because things are are happening there as well.
You will see in our situation report that come out three times a week as as you know there's one a new one online this morning.
There is a section about what is going on in the West Bank.
A lot of it has to do with settler violence, which has seen a spike in in recent times.
And we do see reports of, you know, buildings and, and, and structures inside refugee camps in the West Bank being bulldozed.
But I will refer you to to our report for for details.
Oh, sorry, Yeah, I, I will get more recent information.
Remind me.
But certainly if we look at the data that UNICEF got from the end of last year, there were in fact in the last 12 weeks of 20/23/83 children killed in the West Bank.
That was more than double all children killed the year previous to that.
So we are seeing spikes in children being killed across the occupied territories.
Yeah, Ravine and then Margaret.
Yeah, I'm reading our latest update.
Thank you, Kathleen, for that question because obviously the situation in the West Bank also remains very difficult for the Palestinians living there.
We have verified that since the 7th of October and until the 6th of May, 475 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, including E Jerusalem.
The data that we have suggests set off these 120 are children.
We are also continuing to receive reports of settler violence, continuing to receive reports of arbitrary arrest, detention and I'll treatment as well as restrictions of freedom of expression, movement restrictions as well.
And just to add, we've recorded very **** numbers of attacks on healthcare.
We have recorded at least 446 attacks, which have resulted in 12 fatalities and 95 injuries.
Now, it should be noted that also in Israel, there have been 68 attacks on healthcare with 24 deaths and 34 injuries.
Thank you very much.
And I'm seeing here in the chat if colleagues could give this data on the West Bank in writing, as at the moment to all journalists, that would be useful.
There is also one question in the chat.
Yes, I had not seen from Christian that just asks whether is it the military Rd to Wadi Gaza I think is being used for AIDS.
Don't know if you have an answer to that Military Rd in brackets.
Sorry.
Yeah and apologies I I forgot that question.
I'll have to check.
But if Karen Shalom, which is also a screening point, it's closed.
The, the, the question remains if, if anything is being screened right and it needs to be screened before it gets on the military Rd to to what's called Gate 1996 entry point further through the north.
But let me let me double check on that.
Want to see something?
No, it's just an important point that Yen has mentioned that areas as well.
Anything that goes through areas has to go through Kerim Shalom.
So that's closed then?
Then nothing is being cleared.
Sorry, Catherine.
Yes, this is just to come back to the UN Women press release.
It it was released yesterday in New York.
So yeah, yeah, it did.
And yeah, I know exactly.
And that's, that's what I said at the beginning when I started reading it.
The press release was put out yesterday night.
We received it in the evening and we were asked by our even women colleagues to flag it to you, which I I did especially that now we were having this, this briefing on, on Gaza, Katrina, thank you.
But I mean for me, my colleagues in New York did already cover, yeah, probably some, sure, some of your media would probably have covered it also from New York.
Some others may have not seen it.
And that is why basically we are the first even briefing.
After that they published it.
So they have asked us to flag it, Jeremy, and then maybe we'll go to the next subject.
Yeah, A quick one for Margaret.
I'm reading that two hospitals are evacuating the patients in South Rafa S Gaza.
So I'd like to know, is it you're saying you said I think that Al Najar is not evacuating.
So just to understand if what are your information which hospitals are evacuating?
Certainly my information from this morning from my briefing that I got this morning was that under shower was currently staying open even though they were in the zone and perhaps the European had the same issue.
But my understanding was the hospitals would continue functioning and they are trying to serve their patients as best they can.
Thank you very much.
Thanks to all of you, correspondent, and but also thanks to all our colleagues here.
I'd like to ask Ravina to stay with us as she has another point of brief.
And thanks to Margaret, Yance and James.
And again, please be sorry.
Please be reminded that at 3:30 this afternoon, the Secretary General will speak to the press on the situation in Gaza.
So and it will be on you on web TV.
You want to get closer for the camera.
Sorry, I think they are just more central.
Thank you very much, Ravenous.
So you have another point on Russia and the crackdown on journalists.
Quite timely since the 3rd of May, as we all know, was well pressed for the day and we'll speak about this in a moment, please.
Exactly.
Alessandra, You should have received a press release about an hour ago on Russia.
The UN **** Commissioner for Human Rights, Walker Turk, is concerned by the increasing number of journalists charged, convicted and gaoled in Russia for their independent reporting in what appears to be an intensification of a crackdown on dissenting voices.
The continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalisation of independent journalism in Russia is very troubling.
The since the start of the invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022, the number of imprisoned journalists in Russia has reached an all time ****.
The crackdown on journalists independent work must immediately seize and the right to inform, which is a key component of the right to freedom of expression, needs to be upheld.
At least 30 journalists are currently detained in Russia under a variety of criminal charges, and these include charges ranging from terrorism, extremism, disseminating knowingly false information about the armed forces, spying, treason, extortion, infringing upon people's rights, violating the provisions of the law on foreign agents, inciting mass disturbances, illegal possession of explosives, and illegal possession of drugs.
Out of the 30 reporters deprived of their liberty, 12 are serving prison sentences ranging from 5 1/2 to 22 years in prison.
Since March, at least 7 journalists have faced administrative of criminal charges, particularly for criticism of Russia's actions in Ukraine or for alleged links to the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny and his Anti Corruption Foundation.
The Russian authorities appear to be attempting to further strengthen control of the narrative, both around domestic issues and around the conduct of hostilities in Ukraine.
As a result, people in Russia have increasingly restricted access to non state information and viewpoints, which hampers their ability to benefit from diverse sources and to make fully informed decisions on matters of vital public interest.
We are also concerned about the frequent use of the broad legislative framework to combat terrorism and extremism, and we call on the authorities to amend the legislation to comply fully with principles of legality, necessity and proportionality under international human rights law.
Journalists should be able to work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals.
We call on the authorities to immediately drop charges against journalists who have been detained solely for doing their jobs and to release them.
Thank you very much, Ravina.
Jimmy.
Sorry, Jeremy.
Thanks, Ravina.
We know that several opposition figures have been offered to fight in Ukraine and France, just like many prisoners in in in Russia.
Do you have any information that journalists who are imprisoned have been offered the same, Yeah, the same thing?
That's a good question, Jeremy.
I don't have specific information on journalists who've been offered the same thing.
What is worrying, of course, is the lack of transparency as well with regards to many of these moves.
And again, the fact that independent journalism is being cracked down upon people are it just leads to a level of uncertainty and facilitates a climate of misinformation, disinformation, chaos and panic for people who don't know what their rights are in these circumstances.
But whether journalists have specifically been been targeted on this.
I'll check and get back to you if we have information.
Thank you very much.
Any other question to Ravine on this particular subject on the room or online?
No.
Oh, yes, Lisa.
Lisa Schleman.
Yeah, Thanks.
Ravina, how many of the imprisoned journalists are foreign journalists?
And are they specifically imprisoned As for as political hostages having something to do with the country?
Like there are at least one who is very famous in the United States who is still being held there.
There is also someone from Radio Free Europe, I think, who has been held there and so forth.
And then I was wondering how who are the journalists that are selected for imprisonment?
What I mean is that there are some Western journalists from CNN, from other agencies that somehow or other, at least until now, have been able to report there.
So I'm wondering, you know, how, how these people are chosen as to who should be imprisoned and who is to be allowed there.
And is it your contention that Russia in general is not a safe place in which to be a journalist?
Thank you.
Thanks, Lisa.
A few points in response to your questions.
So as I mentioned in since March, at least 7 journalists have faced administrative or criminal charges.
All seven of these are Russian journalists.
And they have faced these charges in relation to their reporting either of the the the war on Ukraine or in relation to Alexei Navalny, the late opposition leader.
On the international journalists, according to recent reports, 12 of the 412 of the 17 foreign national journalists detained worldwide are in Russia.
So 12 foreign national journalists are currently detained in Russia.
And on why certain journalists are targeted and others are not, I mean, that really is a question for the Russian authorities.
And then I hope you will ask them that question.
Thank you very much.
Any other question in the room?
I don't see also any.
I said sorry.
Lisa has a follow up.
Pardon.
Yeah.
I asked whether Russia is simply not a safe place in which to be a journalist.
I mean, are you kind of playing Russian roulette when you go there?
Russia is a place where it is very risky to be a journalist these days.
If you are reporting on issues that are very sensitive to the the authorities, If a narrative is being challenged, an official narrative is being challenged, particularly with regards to the war on Ukraine, continuous attacks about effectively to a criminalisation of independent journalism in Russia.
Thank you very much.
And before we close this issue, sorry, please let me remind you of an event which is taking place this afternoon at the Paledinacio.
As you may have seen, the word Press Freedom Day this year was the decade that has been dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
The idea is to highlight the significant role that the press, journalism and access to information play to ensure and secure a sustainable future that respects the right of individuals, the diversity of their voices and gender equality.
In this context, UNESCO, the the the Liaison office here in Geneva, UNEP, WHOHCHR, the Permanent Mission of Austria to Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Chile to Geneva and the Geneva Press Club together with the UN Geneva you, you know, organises a an event today from 3:00 to 6:00 PM in room 23 of the Paris de Nacion.
This event is really meant to focus on science communication in shaping public understanding and policy making regarding environmental issues.
There's a lot to say about safeguarding journalist and scientists, particularly women, against the specific challenges and threats they encounter in the fields related to environmental reporting on environmental issues.
Independent journalist and scientists are crucial actors in helping our society separate facts from fiction and take informed decision in the area of environmental policies, which is particularly important at this time.
So we hope we will see you at in room 23 this afternoon at three O clock.
The Director General and Geneva will open the meeting.
Quite a few speakers, I think of very interesting ones, they will speak about combating climate disinformation, also protecting environmental journalists and scientists.
So let's see you in room 23 this afternoon.
And if there are no other questions on this subject, I think, Ravina, very much, I hope you will see you this afternoon.
And let me just tell you that the Committee Against Torture will conclude its 79th session next Friday at 10 AM.
They have examined the reports of Austria, Honduras, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein, N Macedonia and Finland, and they will publish on Friday the concluding observation of these countries on this country.
Sorry.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is concluding this morning the review of the report of Namibia, and this afternoon we'll begin consideration of the report of Guatemala.
The countries to be examined next are Georgia, Mali, Panama, Egypt, Bhutan, Estonia and Paraguay.
And I think that's all I had for you.
I just wanted to say thank you very much to everyone for the collaboration about the new operational hours at the Paradinacion.
I think this weekend, we already have some colleagues who have been contacting Unis to have access.
It worked, so let's hope that it continues to work well.
And in this regard, let me remind you that as of now, as of last week, in fact, with the information about the week ahead, Solange, we'll also send out the information on who is the senior unis officer on duty during the weekend.
Last weekend it was Rolando and we would publish every weekend the information so that you know whom you have to contact during the weekend if you have, if you need us.
Thank you very much to everyone and I'll see you on Friday.
Thank you.