West Bank, Human Trafficking, South Sudan & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (8 July 2021)

The United Nations of Earth reporting on this issue: "West Bank, Human Trafficking, South Sudan & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (8 July 2021)"
The topics: Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Common Agenda - Deputy Secretary-General/Travel - Security Council - Secretary-General/Covid-19 - Covid-19/Africa - Malawi/Covid-19 - South Sudan - Climate Finance - Hydromet Report - Economic And Social Council -Human Trafficking/Report -Central African Republic -Global Food Prices -West Bank SOUTH SUDAN From South Sudan, ahead of the country’s 10th anniversary tomorrow of its historic achievement of independence, the UN peacekeeping mission there said that this is an important opportunity to inject fresh momentum into the peace process to deliver the stability, peace, and prosperity that the country’s citizens deserve. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Nicholas Haysom, said that, tomorrow, we celebrate this important occasion alongside the people of South Sudan who fought long and hard for their independence and endured great suffering to secure a better life for themselves and future generations. The UN Mission says that, while significant progress has been made since the signing of the 2018 peace deal, the implementation of the revitalized agreement is slow and peace remains fragile, with a lack of a unified security force, insecurity due to intercommunal fighting and crime driven by economic deprivation. Mr. Haysom urged the country’s political leaders to seize this opportunity to make the hopes and dreams of a decade ago a reality by securing the sustainable peace needed to enable full recovery and development. He stressed the need to fully implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement and for the international community to continue its support for the country. HUMAN TRAFFICKING/REPORT A new study released today by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on victims and survivors of human trafficking. According to the report, traffickers took advantage of the global crisis, capitalizing on peoples’ losses of income and the increased amount of time both adults and children were spending online. The study found that children are being increasingly targeted by traffickers who are using social media and other online platforms to recruit new victims and profit from the increased demand for child sexual exploitation material. It’s a tragic report that is worth being looked at. WEST BANK Lastly, I was asked about the recent demolition of Palestinian housing. I just want to update that, yesterday, in the Jordan Valley, representatives from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), non-governmental organizations and Member States sought to gain access to the community of Humsa Al-Baqi’a, but were refused access by the military while the demolitions were taking place. As of noon today, no assistance had been allowed in and an OCHA team had entered the community was requested to leave the site by Israeli forces. The Secretary-General is, indeed, very deeply concerned by yesterday’s demolition of Palestinian property in the Bedouin community of Humsa Al-Baqi’a, in Area C of the occupied West Bank. He reiterates his call on the Israeli authorities to cease demolitions and seizures of Palestinian property in the occupied West Bank. Such actions are contrary to international law and could undermine the chances for the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=08%20July%202021


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