These are some of the world issues that deserve to be addressed at the seventy-third session of the UN General Assembly that began on September 18

On September 18, the seventy-third session of the General Assembly of the United Nations began. Historically, this is where the leaders of all the countries of the world meet to discuss and reflect on the problems that affect the world, as well as to find a solution to them. Therefore, here we present you some urgent world issues that should be addressed in this international assembly and that are important for both Latin America and the world.

Leer en español: ¿Qué temas deberían tratarse en la Asamblea General de la ONU?

1. Migration crisis

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), today there is a serious migration crisis, "Around 74,500 migrants arrived in Europe, crossing the Mediterranean since January 2018, adding to the more than 129,000 migrants who did so last year in the same month."

The same organization also revealed that more than 2.3 million people have left Venezuela to neighboring countries, such as Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Brazil. In addition, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in Nicaragua "more than 24,000 have left their country to Costa Rica."

2. Crisis in Venezuela and Nicaragua

The violation of human rights is another of the problems facing our world; and Latin America, with Venezuela and Nicaragua, is the region that takes all eyes, taking IGNORE INTO account the crises that both countries are experiencing.

In 2017, a report by the United Nations (UN) revealed that in Venezuela "more than 5,000 people were arrested, of which more than 1,000 were still imprisoned on July 31. At least 609 civilians arrested in the context of the demonstrations had to appear before military courts." The UN recommended that the government "cease arbitrary detention and the use of military courts to try civilians."

For its part, Amnesty International stressed that between 2017 and 2018 "a National Constituent Assembly was elected without the participation of the opposition. The attorney general was dismissed in irregular circumstances. Security forces continued to use excessive and undue force to disperse protests. Hundreds of people were arbitrarily detained . "

You might be interested: Bolivia: Why people reject the new headquarters of UNASUR?

3. Violation of human rights

In addition, according to the same agency, "numerous complaints of torture and other ill-treatment, including sexual violence against protesters, were received, the judicial system continued to silence dissent, even military jurisdiction was used to prosecute civilians."

"Human rights defenders were subject to harassment, intimidation and raids, conditions of detention were extremely harsh, and the food crisis and access to the right to health continued to worsen, especially affecting children and young people with chronic diseases and pregnant women," stated the UN.

Regarding Nicaragua, Amnesty International reported that between 2017 and 2018 "homicides based on gender are increasingly brutal. The attacks against defenders of human rights persisted. The total prohibition of abortion continued. The impunity of those who perpetrated acts of violence against indigenous peoples was maintained."

4. Other topics

The previous problems facing Latin America are just some of them. To these is added Colombia which, according to a report of the Integrated Illicit Crops Monitoring System of the UN, is the leading country in coca cultivation. In addition, in this region we have the serious economic crisis in Argentina and the situation in Mexico with the drug cartels. All these are world issues that also deserve to be addressed at the seventy-third session of the UN General Assembly.

Read also: Argentina: What saves Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from going to jail?

Latin America in the General Assembly of the United Nations

Among the Latin American leaders who will attend this important meeting are: Jimmy Morales, Guatemala; Miguel Díaz-Canel, Cuba; Lenín Moreno, Ecuador; Iván Duque, Colombia; Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua; Mauricio Macri, Argentina; and Enrique Peña Nieto, Mexico. The most anticipated president is Nicolás Maduro, who has not attended since 2015. However, according to Infobae, he plans to attend despite his fear of being a victim of an attack.

On the other hand, a fact of great relevance for Latin America is that the former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, María Fernanda Espinosa, is the first Latina to be elected president of the UN General Assembly, replacing the Slovak Miroslav Lajcak. Her position will last one year, according to the BBC.

Es un gran honor ser la primera mujer de la región en ocupar la @UN_PGA, y la cuarta en ser electa para este cargo, en 73 años de vida de Naciones Unidas. Dedico esta elección a las mujeres del mundo, y me comprometo a trabajar por una verdadera igualdad de género. #EcuadorALaONU https://t.co/7oKpEU0c28

— Ma Fernanda Espinosa (@mfespinosaEC) 5 de junio de 2018

Thus, it is expected that the UN General Assembly will address issues of great conjuncture for Latin America and the world, but, above all, that compromises will be reached to solve them as soon as possible. The ideal is that everything said should be taken to action and not only remain in speeches.

LatinAmerica Post | Edwin Gustavo Guerrero Nova

Translated from "Asamblea General de la ONU: Temas urgentes que derían tratarse"