World news summary: Palestinian journalists win top press freedom award, detention of migrant children, Niger meningitis epidemic
The top award for reporters who witnessed the destruction of much of their homeland under relentless Israeli bombardment was awarded on the recommendation of an international jury of media experts.
“In these dark and hopeless times, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition with Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such tragic circumstances ”, speak Mauricio Weibel, who presided over the jury.
Huge debt
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression.” he added.
United Nations science, education and culture chief Audrey Azoulay said that the Prize reminds everyone of “the importance of collective action to ensure that journalists around the world can continue to continue to carry out their essential work of information and investigation.”
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is taking its toll on journalists. As of October 7, UNESCO condemned and regretted the deaths of 26 journalists and media workers on the job, based on information from international NGO partners.
UNESCO is supporting journalists reporting from conflict and crisis areas, including distributing essential supplies to journalists in Gaza, and establishing safe working spaces and providing emergency grants for journalists in Ukraine and Sudan.
Leading human rights experts say the detention of migrant children in the EU must end
Migration news now, and a call from leading independent rights experts on Thursday to end the practice of detaining children of migrants and asylum seekers entering the European Union.
In an appeal to the EU, experts including Gehad Madi, Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrantsemphasized that detaining children because of their parents’ migration status “is always a violation” of their rights.
The development comes as the 27 members of the European Union prepare to implement the new Treaty on Migration and Asylum, which is awaiting approval by the EU Council in Brussels.
Measures expected to enter into force in 2026 include the creation of national mechanisms to monitor respect for human rights during the screening of migrants and asylum seekers at national borders .
“Asylum seekers should not be punished for exercising their right to seek asylum and migration should not be criminalized,” independent experts said in a statement.
WHO launches emergency vaccination in Niger to prevent meningitis epidemic
United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) started a mass vaccination campaign in the Niamey region of Niger on Thursday in response to an ongoing and deadly meningitis outbreak.
WHO said more than 2,000 cases were recorded in just one week last month and 123 people died.
Niger is one of 26 African countries where the disease is endemic and is continuously at high risk in the African meningitis belt.
The recent increase in cases represents a 50% increase over last year, with a mortality rate exceeding 6%.
The epicenter is the Niamey region, with an infection rate of more than 52 cases per 100,000 people. The UN health agency said other areas such as Agadez, Zinder and Dosso also required urgent intervention to deal with high infection rates.
To help protect high-risk communities, WHO is working with a number of technical and financial partners to respond to the outbreak with a new vaccine.
Unlike previous vaccines, the new meningitis vaccine is a single dose – and it protects against five strains of the infection.
