Geneva, UN experts have issued a stern warning following the release of a final round of legal documents related to the sexual abuse case of US financier Jeffrey Epstein. The experts stressed that no individual should be considered above the law or beyond the reach of justice.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the recently unsealed court records reveal the extent of Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking operations, involving sexual abuse, exploitation, rape, and other heinous crimes against underage girls and women. The experts expressed deep disturbance over the network of victims and survivors ensnared in the exploitative world created by Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The experts urged law enforcement to conduct thorough, swift, and transparent investigations and judicial proceedings. They emphasized the necessity of holding all individuals who may have been complicit in these crimes accountable, including those who engaged in paying for sex or aiding the operations.
The handling of this case by law enforcement and the judiciary is seen as setting a critical precedent for the future. It will either send a clear message that crimes against women and children are intolerable or suggest that power and connections can shield perpetrators from accountability.
The UN experts paid tribute to the victims and survivors who courageously came forward, highlighting the importance of protecting their privacy and ensuring their safety from further stigmatization and trauma. They also stressed the need for victim- and survivor-centric reparations and measures to prevent such crimes’ recurrence.
The Epstein case, as pointed out by the experts, underscores the international community’s ongoing failure to prevent the exploitation and abuse of women and children. They called for urgent, preemptive responses and accountability to address this critical issue.
Paris, The Director-General of UNESCO has denounced the death of media worker Yazan Emad Al-Zwaidi, who was reportedly killed during an airstrike in Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, while on assignment for Al Ghad TV network.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Al-Zwaidi’s death adds to a troubling tally of at least 25 journalists and media workers who have lost their lives in Palestine while performing their professional duties since October 2023. This figure excludes those who have died in circumstances not related to their work.
UNESCO continues to advocate for the safety of journalists around the world, engaging in efforts to raise awareness, build capacity, and spearhead the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. The organization reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that journalists can carry out their essential role in society without facing life-threatening risks.