2024 proved to be a tough year for human rights activists, 281 people died across the world

More aid workers, health workers, delivery workers, and other human rights activists have been killed in 2024 than in any other year so far, the United Nations said on Friday. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), violence in the Middle East is believed to be the biggest reason for the killing of 281 human rights activists worldwide this year.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Larke said, 'Even before the year ends, 2024 has become the deadliest year for human rights activists around the world. Talking about the year 2023, 280 activists died then. Even before the year ends, the death toll of last year has been crossed.

He said, 'Human rights workers are working courageously and selflessly in places like Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, Ukraine etc. Our workers are doing their best to serve humanity, but in return, they are being killed in large numbers. The United Nations said that these figures have been obtained from the 'Aid Worker Security Database', a US-run project, and it is operated by the UK-based group 'Humanitarian Outcomes'.

333 human rights activists killed in Hamas and Israel

The Hamas-Israel war is affecting the whole world. Data revealed on Friday that about 230 aid workers have been killed in the Palestinian-occupied territories. Incidents of violence, kidnapping, injuries, harassment, and arbitrary detention have occurred in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen, among other countries.

OCHA said a total of 333 human rights activists have been killed since the recent conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas began on 7 October 2023, when militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 250 others.

72 percent increase in military conflicts

According to information, more than 33 thousand people lost their lives in 14 armed conflicts last year. Which is an increase of 72 percent compared to 2022. Despite these challenges and dangers, humanitarian aid organizations are providing essential services and assistance to the people, and last year 14.4 crore people were provided help.

OCHA chief Tom Fletcher stressed that countries and warring parties must ensure the safety of humanitarian aid workers. International law must be kept supreme. The culprits must be prosecuted and this era of impunity must end.