News Center – Several regions around the world are witnessing escalating political and humanitarian tensions, amid warnings of worsening crises and increasing risks to civilians, while calls for urgent international action to ensure the protection of populations accelerate.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, warned in a new report yesterday,Friday, May 29, of a doubling of conflict-related sexual violence cases during 2025. The annual report of the Secretary-General documented 9,788 confirmed cases in 21 countries, despite difficulties in accessing victims and conflict zones.

The report noted the inclusion of 77 entities on the list of perpetrators, including government entities from Isreal and Russia added this year.

The UN documented 31 cases of sexual violence against Palestinians, most of them inside detention centers, involving women, men, and boys. The violations included rape, gang rape, and unjustified strip-searching in a climate of impunity.

The UN verified 310 cases against Ukrainian prisoners of wat and civilian detainees, including rape, electroshock of genitals, and severe beatings, while Russia has not communicated with the UN Office since 2022.

The report affirmed the spread of sexual violence in Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, and elsewhere, used as a war tactic, a tool of torture, and political repression. Men and boys in detention centers in several countries were also targeted, while refugees and girls faced increasing risks.

Patten stressed that victims must not be forgotten, affirming that the violations are global and devastating, requiring a response that places the rights and dignity of survivors at the forefront.