UN reports over 70,000 migrant deaths since 2014

Conflicts, climate disasters, and economic pressures have driven displacement to record highs, with nearly 70,000 migrants reported dead or missing since 2014, according to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration's third report.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the exacerbating effects of misinformation and hate speech on these challenges, which undermine the positive contributions of migrants globally. He reiterated the potential benefits of safe and well-managed migration, including economic growth, addressing labor shortages in aging societies, and fostering innovation.

The report calls for enhanced international cooperation to prevent migrant deaths, improve identification efforts, and support affected families. It also addresses the persistent issue of migrant smuggling, with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) noting that smugglers exploit barriers to legal migration, profiting from the desperation of those fleeing conflict or poverty.

A new UN report reveals that hunger in the Arab region has worsened, with 66.1 million people, or approximately 14% of the population, experiencing hunger in 2023. Moderate or severe food insecurity affected 186.5 million people, with 72.7 million facing severe food insecurity.

The report identifies conflict as the primary driver of food insecurity and malnutrition in the region, compounded by economic challenges, high income inequalities, and climate extremes. Rising food prices have further exacerbated the crisis, with undernourishment rates in conflict-affected countries reaching 26.4%, compared to 6.6% in non-conflict areas.

The situation is expected to deteriorate further due to ongoing conflicts and persistent droughts. Economic access to healthy diets remains a critical issue, affecting over one-third of the population. In 2022, 151.3 million people could not afford a healthy diet, with the highest rates in conflict-affected countries.

The Arab region also faces a triple burden of malnutrition, including rising trends in obesity, wasting, and nutrient deficiencies. Adult obesity rates are alarmingly high, with a prevalence of 32.1% in 2022, more than double the global rate. Upper-middle-income countries, particularly Egypt, Qatar, and Kuwait, have the highest rates of obesity.

UN human rights investigators report that South Sudanese women and girls refusing arranged marriages are among those being unlawfully arrested and detained. Between January and May 2023, 1,140 civilians were arbitrarily arrested and detained, including 162 women and 87 children. Many detentions were ordered by customary courts for reasons such as refusing an arranged marriage, seeking divorce, or alleged adultery.

The report highlights that women and girls are often detained to compel their families to return dowries. Other detainees include individuals with disabilities and political opposition members. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on South Sudanese authorities to release all those held arbitrarily and to reform the country's judicial system.

The findings underscore the weak rule of law in South Sudan, where state institutions have been undermined amid ongoing targeted killings, conflict-related sexual violence, and other human rights violations. (ILKHA)