{"id":1777,"date":"2023-09-13T12:48:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T12:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=1777"},"modified":"2023-09-21T13:27:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T13:27:05","slug":"hrc54-morocco-un-human-rights-council-observes-minute-of-silence-for-victims-of-earthquake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=1777","title":{"rendered":"HRC54 | Morocco: UN Human Rights Council Observes Minute of Silence for Victims of Earthquake"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\">Ambassador Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the UN in Geneva and Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, asked the Council to observe a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake in <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\">Morocco<\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"HRC54 | Morocco: UN Human Rights Council Observes Minute of Silence for Victims of Earthquake\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Iz7kuk3OwPQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Human Rights Council this morning opened its fifty-fourth regular session, holding a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco, and hearing a global update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the request of Gambia, the Council held a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco.\u00a0 Morocco thanked all for this touching gesture of solidarity and compassion shown in honour of the innocent victims of the earthquake.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Volker T\u00fcrk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said development issues underlined almost every challenge the international community faced.\u00a0 People everywhere had a right to a decent standard of living, including food, access to affordable medical care, education, economic prospects, a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and justice and police systems which upheld their rights.\u00a0 But time and again, people were deprived of these rights.\u00a0 Climate change was pushing millions of people into famine.\u00a0 Urgent action was needed now.\u00a0 Instead of unity, the world was seeing the politics of division and distraction.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr. T\u00fcrk said the Food and Agriculture Organization&#8217;s 2023 global report projected that almost 600 million people would be chronically undernourished at the end of the decade.\u00a0 With the planetary crisis gaining pace, there was also a vital need for a shift to human rights economies that promoted green solutions.\u00a0 He emphasised the need for a rapid, equitable phase-out of fossil fuels.\u00a0 The High Commissioner also spoke about the growing crisis of homelessness, unprecedented water scarcity, and the situation of human rights in a number of countries and territories.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">V\u00e1clav B\u00e1lek, President of the Human Rights Council, in opening remarks on procedural and organizational matters, said Myanmar would not be represented in the interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the overall situation of human rights in Myanmar, scheduled to take place during this session, as the General Assembly had still not made a decision on the representation of Myanmar.\u00a0 He also said that personal insults, attacks or threats against the Council\u2019s mandate holders would not be tolerated.\u00a0 He called on everyone to take all necessary steps to prevent any act of reprisal or intimidation committed against individuals or groups who had cooperated with the Council, its mechanisms and procedures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Council approved the draft programme of work with the understanding that it was a living document.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/webtv.un.org\/live\/\">here<\/a>.\u00a0 All meeting summaries can be found\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ungeneva.org%2Fen%2Fnews-media%2Fmeeting-summaries-list&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cohchr-infodesign%40un.org%7C6dec654965dd422eac8908dbb2b5a1c7%7C0f9e35db544f4f60bdcc5ea416e6dc70%7C0%7C0%7C638300265403544857%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=AQHuGCV7fd2Afe7biyCck9vShi9XtJBTRbaChKTLpog%3D&amp;reserved=0\">here<\/a>.\u00a0 Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council\u2019s fifty-fourth regular session can be found\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/hr-bodies\/hrc\/regular-sessions\/session54\/regular-session\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Council this morning will hold an interactive dialogue with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, followed by an interactive dialogue on the written update of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Minute of Silence<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">MUHAMMADOU M. O. KAH, Permanent Representative of Gambia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, called for a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Morocco.\u00a0 All were aware that just three days ago, a devastating earthquake struck Morocco, with the deaths of thousands.\u00a0 This tragic event reminded all of the temporary nature of life and collective vulnerability.\u00a0 The Council must remember they were not just members of nations, but part of a global community: humanity.\u00a0 It was part of the collective responsibility to stand together in both good and hard times.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">OMAR KNIBER, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations Office at Geneva, thanked all for this touching gesture of solidarity and compassion shown in honour of the innocent victims of the earthquake.\u00a0 Since the event, there had been an outpouring of solidarity and expressions of sympathy, which had been affectionate and emotional from the entire international community in Geneva, without exception.\u00a0 Morocco was very grateful that humanity was standing together with deep compassion.\u00a0 Work was ongoing day and night to save lives, and considerable efforts were being made despite the significant obstacles being faced.\u00a0 The authorities, guided by the King, had conducted tireless efforts to bring relief, being aided by the international community.\u00a0 Morocco had been completely stricken by this event, but the people of Morocco were known for their resilience, and would overcome these problems and difficulties.\u00a0 All were thanked for their expressions of solidarity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Council held a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives and as a symbol of its collective commitment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Opening Remarks by the President of the Council<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">V\u00c1CLAV B\u00c1LEK, President of the Human Rights Council, in opening remarks on procedural and organizational matters, said the General Assembly had still not made a decision on the representation of Myanmar.\u00a0 Therefore, in the interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the overall situation of human rights in Myanmar, scheduled to take place during this session, Myanmar would not be represented.\u00a0 The President said such a proposal was made on the basis that this exceptional circumstance did not set a precedent for the future.\u00a0 The Council agreed with the proposal that the two interactive dialogues would proceed as scheduled, without the participation of the concerned country.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr. B\u00e1lek it was unacceptable that the Council\u2019s mandate holders were sometimes subjected to personal insults, attacks or threats in the course of their work, and reiterated that disagreement with the content of the reports and presentations of mandate holders could be expressed, but personal insults, attacks or threats would not be tolerated.\u00a0 Along the same lines, the active participation of representatives of civil society and national human rights institutions was part of the foundation of the Human Rights Council.\u00a0 The President called on everyone to take all necessary steps to prevent any act of reprisal or intimidation committed against individuals or groups who had cooperated with the Council, its mechanisms and procedures, and in the case that such an act did occur, ensure that it was promptly and seriously addressed.\u00a0 He also emphasised that the United Nations, including this Council, had a zero tolerance for any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, and that all complaints would be dealt with promptly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Global Update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">VOLKER T\u00dcRK, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said development issues underlined almost every challenge the international community faced.\u00a0 People everywhere had a right to a decent standard of living, including food, access to affordable medical care, education, economic prospects, a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and justice and police systems which upheld their rights.\u00a0 But time and again, people were deprived of these rights.\u00a0 Last month, in Iraq, Mr. T\u00fcrk had witnessed drought in previously lush Basra, where searing heat, extreme pollution and fast-depleting supplies of fresh water were creating barren landscapes of rubble and dust.\u00a0 This was a human rights emergency for Iraq and many other countries.\u00a0 Climate change was pushing millions of people into famine.\u00a0 Urgent action was needed now.\u00a0 Instead of unity, the world was seeing the politics of division and distraction.\u00a0 The series of some 30 incidents of burning the Quran recently was the latest manifestation of polarisation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr. T\u00fcrk was shocked at the more than 2,300 people reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean this year, including the loss of more than 600 lives in a single shipwreck off Greece in June.\u00a0 It was evident that far more migrants and refugees were dying, unnoticed, in the seas around Europe, along the United States-Mexican border, or at the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the Office was seeking urgent clarification about allegations of killings and mistreatment.\u00a0 Sustainable Development Goal 16 \u2013 on peace, justice and strong institutions \u2013 encapsulated the way out and forward and made clear that to advance development, States had the responsibility to guarantee and protect civic space and fundamental rights.\u00a0 Against this backdrop, Mr. T\u00fcrk said his address would focus on development and human rights.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Food and Agriculture Organization&#8217;s 2023 global report projected that almost 600 million people would be chronically undernourished at the end of the decade.\u00a0 Causal factors included climate change, the consequences of the pandemic, and Russia\u2019s war on Ukraine.\u00a0 The Russian Federation&#8217;s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, and attacks on grain facilities in Odesa and elsewhere, had again forced prices sky-high in many developing countries.\u00a0 In Somalia, years of drought, extremist violence and failed governance had led to an estimated 43,000 excess deaths last year.\u00a0 Some 1.8 million children were likely to be acutely malnourished through 2023.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Hunger and food insecurity were also deeply concerning in the Caribbean.\u00a0 The May 2023 World Food Programme-Caribbean Community survey found that 3.7 million people \u2013 or 52 per cent of the population of countries belonging to the Caribbean Community \u2013 were food insecure.\u00a0 In Haiti, nearly half the population, 4.9 million people, experienced acute food insecurity.\u00a0 Across 111 countries, 1.2 billion people, nearly half of them children, now lived in acute multidimensional poverty.\u00a0 They represented almost 20 per cent of the countries&#8217; populations \u2013 and according to the World Bank, many millions more would be pushed into extreme poverty due to climate change.\u00a0 Across the Sahel, most people struggled for daily survival, with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger among the eight least developed countries in the world; 2022 was the deadliest year since the beginning of the Sahel crisis a decade ago, and the constant threat of violence by armed groups was now expanding towards coastal States.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">None of the challenges faced by these countries could be addressed in isolation: they were interlinked.\u00a0 One important step needed to be the reform of the international financial architecture, including fairer deals on debt relief and development finance.\u00a0 Mr. T\u00fcrk also strongly encouraged States to endorse the United Nations&#8217; appeal for a sustainable development goal stimulus, and welcomed the current international discussions on reinforcing international tax cooperation.\u00a0 There was a need to combat tax avoidance, tax evasion and illicit financial flows.\u00a0 Mr. T\u00fcrk commended the leadership of the African group for bringing the topic to the General Assembly, and welcomed the initiative led by Colombia, Chile and Brazil to promote progressive taxation and greater cooperation across Latin America and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">With the planetary crisis gaining pace, there was also a vital need for a shift to human rights economies that promoted green solutions.\u00a0 Mr. T\u00fcrk emphasised the need for a rapid, equitable phase-out of fossil fuels.\u00a0 He welcomed the consideration of an international crime of ecocide, proposed for inclusion in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court by a number of States and civil society groups.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A crisis of affordable housing was driving a growing crisis of homelessness.\u00a0 In many European countries, housing costs had risen far faster than incomes \u2013 putting stable, secure housing out of reach for large numbers of young people, and others with low or erratic incomes.\u00a0 Across the European Union, a 2023 report indicated that nearly one million people were homeless \u2013 almost 30 per cent higher than the already high level in 2021 \u2013 with young people among the most impacted.\u00a0 In the United States, more than half a million people were experiencing homelessness in January 2022, according to official figures, with over 40 per cent of them being people of African descent.\u00a0 By dint of concerted action, including housing allowances and targeted social support services, among others, Finland had seen significant reductions in homelessness since 2010.\u00a0 A European Platform on Combatting Homelessness was established in 2021 to help coordinate action across the European Union by governments, cities and civil society.\u00a0 Ending homelessness and ensuring affordable housing were firmly embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Across the Middle East and North Africa, people were facing unprecedented water scarcity, with an estimated 83 per cent of the region\u2019s population exposed to extremely high water stress.\u00a0 Governance reforms could better equip societies to react, adapt and build resilience to decreasing water access.\u00a0 Water was just one example of the need to ensure inclusive governance in the context of development.\u00a0 China&#8217;s drive for development had brought achievements in alleviating poverty, but the country\u2019s recent economic challenges highlighted the need for a more participatory approach that upheld all human rights.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In El Salvador, Mr. T\u00fcrk was concerned about the excessive duration of the current state of emergency, and mass detentions which had occurred in this context, as well as unacceptable prison conditions, and restrictions of civic space.\u00a0 In Mexico, poverty rates had decreased notably, with over five million people moving out of poverty between 2018 and 2022, an achievement worth celebrating.\u00a0 At the same time, recent data indicated an increase in the number of people who lacked access to healthcare services.\u00a0 A milestone decision by the Supreme Court last week found criminal penalties for abortion in the Federal Penal Code unconstitutional &#8211; another advance in Latin America regarding women\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr. T\u00fcrk also welcomed last month&#8217;s discussions by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela towards a common vision for the Amazon rainforest, including effective participation by indigenous peoples.\u00a0 He also congratulated the people of Ecuador for their votes in favour of stopping oil and mineral extraction activities in Yasun\u00ed National Park, which was home to indigenous peoples, and the Andean Choc\u00f3 Biosphere Reserve.\u00a0 In Australia, a referendum would take place next month on constitutional recognition of the First Peoples of Australia, by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander \u201cvoice\u201d to Parliament.\u00a0 This was a historic opportunity to lay a new foundation for the inclusion and participation of indigenous peoples.\u00a0 In India, the Office frequently received information that marginalised minority communities were subjected to violence and discrimination.\u00a0 Muslims were often the target of such attacks, most recently in Haryana and Gurugram, in northern India.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Mr. T\u00fcrk remained shocked by the escalating violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, as more Palestinians and Israelis, including children, continued to be killed and seriously injured.\u00a0 He was also concerned by continuing civic space restrictions by the Palestinian authorities and de facto authorities in Gaza.\u00a0 He reiterated his deep concerns regarding human rights developments in the Russian Federation.\u00a0 Allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities persisted, as did the authorities\u2019 unwillingness to investigate.\u00a0 In Iran, a year after Mahsa Amini\u2019s death, the High Commissioner was concerned that a new bill currently under review imposed severe penalties on women and girls who did not obey the compulsory dress code, including travel bans and withdrawal of access to social services.\u00a0 Accountability for Ms. Amini\u2019s death, and for violations in the context of subsequent protests, had been inadequate.\u00a0 Use of the death penalty had risen sharply, notably against the Baloch and others from minority communities.\u00a0 In Pakistan, Mr. T\u00fcrk was concerned by the use of blasphemy allegations to incite violence against minority communities and instigate communal tensions.\u00a0 Draft amendments to the country&#8217;s already severe blasphemy laws would sharply increase penalties.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Ethiopia&#8217;s Amhara region, since the start of the crisis and the declaration of a state of emergency at the beginning of August, over 1,000 people had reportedly been arrested, and more than 200 reportedly killed, in the context of clashes between Federal Forces and Amhara Fano militia.\u00a0 All these incidents needed to be investigated, and those responsible held to account.\u00a0 Mr. T\u00fcrk urged dialogue with all stakeholders and encouraged transitional justice, and accountability.\u00a0 In both Libya and Tunisia, he was alarmed by reports that authorities had been carrying out mass arrests and collective expulsions of migrants and asylum seekers from south of the Sahara.\u00a0 As of 31 August, at least 28 migrants had reportedly died from heat and thirst in desert areas at the Libya-Tunisia border, after some 2,000 migrants and asylum seekers, were left there by Tunisian authorities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In Lebanon, three years after the Beirut explosion which killed over 200 people and wounded more than 7,000, including over 1,000 children, there had been no accountability.\u00a0 It might therefore be time to consider an international fact-finding mission to look into human rights violations related to the tragedy.\u00a0 In Cameroon, six years of crisis in the north-west and south-west regions had claimed several thousand lives, displaced an estimated 725,000 people, and left at least 1.7 million in need of humanitarian assistance.\u00a0 Mr. T\u00fcrk acknowledged steps by the authorities towards a major national dialogue.\u00a0 In Peru, Mr. T\u00fcrk expressed concern at the opening of a parliamentary inquiry on all members of the National Justice Board, an independent institution in charge of appointing judges and prosecutors.\u00a0 Since January, the Office had documented 13 bills and five constitutional accusations by Congress that had raised concerns regarding interference into autonomous constitutional bodies, particularly the National Election Board and the National Justice Board.\u00a0 Congress was called on to abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and respect the balance of State powers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">More than halfway through the 2030 Agenda, the international community was on target for it to become a tragic monument to the failure to erase extreme poverty and realise human rights.\u00a0 At the Sustainable Development Goals summit next week; at the [United Nations Climate Change Conference] COP28, on climate change; and at the Summit of the Future, States needed to pivot decisively towards fundamental changes.\u00a0 As the Human Rights 75 high-level event in December approached, Mr. T\u00fcrk urged all Member States to make genuine commitments through transformative pledges.\u00a0 He concluded by emphasising that the human rights cause had the potential to unify the international community, at a time when the world urgently needed to come together to confront the existential challenges that faced humanity.\u00a0 This was ultimately about building trust and restoring hope, including through the work of the Council.\u00a0 Everyone needed to play their part.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Link:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ungeneva.org%2Fen%2Fnews-media%2Fmeeting-summary%2F2023%2F09%2Fopening-human-rights-council-opens-its-fifty-fourth-regular&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cohchr-infodesign%40un.org%7C6dec654965dd422eac8908dbb2b5a1c7%7C0f9e35db544f4f60bdcc5ea416e6dc70%7C0%7C0%7C638300265403544857%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FRCFUj0ss%2BL95u1pAOBTHklrHwXv4Sm6%2BzNNjZDIJIk%3D&amp;reserved=0\">https:\/\/www.ungeneva.org\/en\/news-media\/meeting-summary\/2023\/09\/opening-human-rights-council-opens-its-fifty-fourth-regular<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Source: ohchr.org \/ UN Human Rights Council<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"excerpt\">Ambassador Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the UN in Geneva and Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, asked the Council to observe a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. The Human Rights Council this morning opened its fifty-fourth regular session, holding a minute [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Ambassador-kah.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1741,"url":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=1741","url_meta":{"origin":1777,"position":0},"title":"Independence Day in Gambia in 2023 &#8211; The Gambia is celebrating its 58th anniversary","author":"Gambian Honorary Consulate in Zurich, Switzerland","date":"February 18, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"When is Gambian Independence Day? Independence Day is a public holiday in The Gambia on 18th February. This is the National Day of The Gambia and marks independence from Britain on 18 February 1965. History of Gambian Independence Day Located on the west coast of Africa, The Gambia is the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?cat=57"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/dk.jpg?fit=1043%2C642&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/dk.jpg?fit=1043%2C642&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/dk.jpg?fit=1043%2C642&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/dk.jpg?fit=1043%2C642&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1816,"url":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=1816","url_meta":{"origin":1777,"position":1},"title":"Global Fund delegation from Geneva pays courtesy visit to Minister of Foreign Affairs","author":"Gambian Honorary Consulate in Zurich, Switzerland","date":"June 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"On Monday, 10th June 2024, a team from the Global Fund in Geneva, Switzerland paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara. The purpose of the visit was to update the Honourable Minister on the recent activities of the institution in The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?cat=57"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/FB_IMG_1718185713736.jpg?fit=1080%2C618&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/FB_IMG_1718185713736.jpg?fit=1080%2C618&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/FB_IMG_1718185713736.jpg?fit=1080%2C618&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/FB_IMG_1718185713736.jpg?fit=1080%2C618&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/FB_IMG_1718185713736.jpg?fit=1080%2C618&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1770,"url":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=1770","url_meta":{"origin":1777,"position":2},"title":"PRESS RELEASE: The Gambia Hosts Regional Ministerial Meeting on Combating Transnational Organize Crime, on 12th June 2023 at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre,Bijilo.","author":"Gambian Honorary Consulate in Zurich, Switzerland","date":"June 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The Gambia Hosts Regional Ministerial Meeting on Combating Transnational Organize Crime, on 12th June 2023 at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre,Bijilo.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Press Release&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Press Release","link":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?cat=58"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/5b3JE-Ap_400x400.png?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1836,"url":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=1836","url_meta":{"origin":1777,"position":3},"title":"Gambian Association in Zurich, Switzerland, invited the Honoray Consul to the Gambia Day \u2013 3rd Edition.","author":"Gambian Honorary Consulate in Zurich, Switzerland","date":"September 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I would like to sincerely thank the Gambian Association in Zurich, Switzerland, for inviting me to grace the occasion of Gambia Day \u2013 3rd Edition. The event was excellent, and it was heartwarming to see the Gambian community come together with their loved ones to celebrate. Each year, this occasion\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?cat=57"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG-20250913-WA0010.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG-20250913-WA0010.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG-20250913-WA0010.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG-20250913-WA0010.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG-20250913-WA0010.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":968,"url":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?p=968","url_meta":{"origin":1777,"position":4},"title":"First Lady Madam Fatoumata Bah-Barrow recently travelled to Geneva","author":"Gambian Honorary Consulate in Zurich, Switzerland","date":"April 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"First Lady Madam Fatoumata Bah-Barrow recently travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, where she was hosted by UNAIDS Executive Director, Ms. Winnie Byanyima. Their engagements highlighted mutual areas of interest to collaborate with the First Lady\u2019s Foundation \u2013 Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow Foundation (FABB) \u2013 to support vulnerable women living with HIVAIDS. In separate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/?cat=57"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/269845388_1092965634837608_8232004049143389050_n.jpg?fit=780%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/269845388_1092965634837608_8232004049143389050_n.jpg?fit=780%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/269845388_1092965634837608_8232004049143389050_n.jpg?fit=780%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/269845388_1092965634837608_8232004049143389050_n.jpg?fit=780%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1777"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1781,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777\/revisions\/1781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegambianhonoraryconsulzurich.ch\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}