25 Oct 2016

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Inside the so-called ‘Jungle’ of Calais, France, a few days before its dismantling on October 19, 2016, refugees pack their bags. Photo: UNHCR/Olivier Laban-Mattei

Removal of “Jungle” migrant camp in Calais underway

The removal of a controversial migrant camp in Calais, France, known as the “Jungle” is underway.

At its height the unofficial migrant settlement was home to 7,000 people, who were hoping to travel mainly to the UK.

On Tuesday the destruction of the camp continued as the inhabitants were bussed to locations in France.

Some children have been allowed to enter the UK.

The UN Refugee Agency‘s William Spindler welcomed the dismantling of the camp.

“Conditions in the Jungle are appalling. This is a place that is unsanitary, that it’s insecure, where people live in conditions that are not fit for human inhabitation. For years we have been advocating for this site to be closed and for proper accommodation to be provided. We hope that this will be the beginning of a solution for the situation.”

 “Dangerous rise” in ethnic hate speech in South Sudan

An increase in hate speech and incitement to violence against certain ethnic groups in South Sudan is highly dangerous and could result in mass atrocities if not reined in.

That’s according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

Over the past two weeks, letters with graphic warnings of violence against people from the Equatoria region were left outside the gates of humanitarian organisations in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state in the north-west of South Sudan.

The letters, purportedly written by individuals from the Dinka community, warned Equatorians to leave or be “eliminated”, with threats of violence, mutilation and murder.

Certain State officials in the region have also reportedly joined in the hate speech.

The threats emerged in reaction to the killing of an unconfirmed number of Dinka civilians travelling on buses early in October.

Here’s the UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

“Zeid urged President Salva Kiir and all leaders with influence to urgently and unambiguously condemn the incitement to violence and to take urgent measures to defuse the tensions.”

Attack on police academy in Quetta, Pakistan condemned

An attack on Tuesday on a police academy in Quetta, Pakistan in which at least 60 people were reportedly killed has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General.

More than 100 people were also injured.

The terrorist group ISIL and a faction of the Taliban based in Pakistan have both reportedly claimed responsibility.

The UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, called for the perpetrators of what he called “this abhorrent act of violence” to be brought to justice swiftly.

Andita Listyarini, United Nations.

Duration: 2’46″