He had reportedly lost members of his family in a recent Israeli attack on his former homeland in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, on Friday, authorities in the Netherlands announced they were investigating an overnight arson attack at a synagogue in Rotterdam.
UN chief ‘strongly condemns’ attacks
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns these anti-Semitic attacks in very clear terms,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters on Friday.
“Places of worship should be safe havens for all, and attacks against them strike at the core of our shared humanity,” he added.
The Secretary-General calls on authorities around the world to ensure “the protection of religious sites, bring perpetrators to justice and work diligently to counter anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred.”
Rights violations persist in Syria despite the “Syrian government’s will” to change
Independent human rights investigators in Syria alleged on Friday that serious violations – including extrajudicial executions, torture, enforced disappearances and kidnappings – have continued across the country, more than a year since the overthrow of the Assad regime.
Last March, government armed forces and militants killed more than 1,400 people – mostly Alawite civilians – in Latakia, Tartus, Homs and Hama.
Four months later, in mid-July, more than 1,500 people, mainly Druze and Bedouin civilians, were killed in Sweida by government forces, armed groups and tribal fighters.
“Syrian survivors and affected communities deserve justice, compensation and guarantees of non-repetition,” said Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, a member of the panel of rights experts who report independently to the Human Rights Council and are not UN staff.
Some optimism about the transition
The Commission welcomed efforts for a “comprehensive transition” towards inclusive governance, rule of law and accountability initiated by the Syrian authorities, including the establishment of two new national justice bodies, adding that the disarmament and demobilization of non-state armed forces remains essential.
“We are encouraged by the Syrian government’s willingness to engage constructively with the international human rights system… and the extraordinary strength of Syrians who are working tirelessly to rebuild their institutions,” said Commissioner Monia Ammar.
The president of the Commission, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, added that “only through sustained support will Syria be able to complete its transition towards a political environment that guarantees human rights for all.”
Most respondents in a new study from Eastern Europe and Central Asia experience mistreatment during childbirth.
Two in three women who responded to a new study looking at mistreatment during childbirth reported at least one form of mistreatment, including non-consensual medical procedures, verbal and physical abuse, and significant violations of privacy.
The report released Friday by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, found that half of the women surveyed (48.1 percent) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia underwent obstetric procedures – such as episiotomies, cesarean sections or the administration of oxytocin – without their informed consent.
The survey, based on 2,600 women who recently gave birth in 16 countries, found that 24 percent reported experiencing verbal abuse, including shouting and humiliation, while one in 10 suffered physical or sexual abuse during childbirth or gynecological examinations.
Necessary transformation
Only two percent of abused people officially reported their experience, often due to a lack of trust in accountability mechanisms or fear of retaliation.
“Obstetric violence is not just a clinical issue; it is a human rights violation that leaves women feeling helpless and distressed, with long-term impacts on their health and well-being.” said Florence Bauer, UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The report also issued a joint Call to Action, urging governments and medical communities across the region to implement comprehensive strategies to eliminate obstetric violence, including requiring human rights-focused training for all healthcare staff.
“We must work together to transform maternity care into a positive, respectful and truly woman-centered experience for all.” Mrs. Bauer said.