“At a time when some powerful global actors are openly challenging and even vilifying human rights, including through transnational repression, Mongolia’s positive engagement stands out,” said United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
However, concerns about corruption remain. A representative of civil society told him that “corruption is the biggest obstacle to the development of the country.”
“It is clear that stronger anti-corruption measures are needed, including to gain the trust of the population and reinforce the rule of law,” Türk said.
Young people drive change
Climate change remains a major threat to sustainable development in Mongolia, including through increasingly severe winter frosts, droughts, floods and storms that could affect a wide range of human rights.
Türk also highlighted Mongolia’s young and active population, many of whom are increasingly concerned about the future, the planet and the impact of digital technology and social media on society.
“It is important for governments to be responsive and think in terms of long-term intergenerational impact, not just short-term political or economic gains,” he said.
Haiti: alarming increase in rape cases
In the first three months of this year, there were almost 2,000 incidents of gender violence in Haiti (about 21 cases per day), according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.
More than 70 percent of cases involved rape, a sharp increase from the previous quarter, when rapes accounted for 49 percent of incidents. The majority were reportedly gang rapes carried out by armed groups, and women and girls made up the majority of survivors.
The increase follows a broader increase in gender-based violence last year, when couples recorded more than 8,000 incidents, a 25 percent increase compared to 2024.
Support services funded only eight percent
Despite the worsening crisis, support services remain underfunded. So far this year, only $1.2 million of the $15 million needed has been received: barely eight percent of the total needed.
The funding gap is severely limiting access to emergency medical care within the critical 72-hour period after an assault, as well as psychosocial support and temporary shelter.
Overall, Haiti continues to face a deep humanitarian crisis. Around 1.45 million people are internally displaced, while almost six million (about half the population) are acutely food insecure.
Hunger increases in Afghanistan, women and children are the most affected
Afghanistan is grappling with overlapping crises, including economic collapse, job losses and climate crises, compounded by rising regional tensions that are driving up prices and worsening food insecurity.
“The little food we can afford we give to our children, but it is not enough,” said Raqiba Ahmadi in the northeastern city of Faizabad. Her youngest daughter is recovering from malnutrition and her husband is unemployed.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned that these combined pressures have depleted stocks of specialized foods used to help women and children recover from malnutrition.
Threatened life line
“Programmes like nutrition assistance are essential, not optional,” said John Aylieff, WFP country director in Afghanistan.
Even before the latest crises, Afghanistan was facing record levels of hunger and malnutrition. More than 13.8 million people now face acute food insecurity, while almost five million children and pregnant or lactating women are malnourished.
Nutrition assistance and food rations remain a lifeline for millions of women and children across the country, Aylieff said.
“But, unfortunately, this lifeline has already been cut, threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of mothers and children,” he warned.