World News in Brief: Cambodia human rights, Hormuz invasive species risk, IOM lauds 2025 progress

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Concluding his first official visit to Cambodia, UN independent human rights expert Tom Andrews said he was encouraged by the government’s cooperation but remained concerned about key human rights issues such as the lack of freedom of expression. 

Although Mr. Andrews was able to meet freely with local human rights advocates and people displaced by Cambodia’s ongoing border conflict with Thailand, he said many are imprisoned for exercising their political rights, prisons remain overcrowded and some senior government officials remain involved in cyberscam operations. 

“My first mission to Cambodia has left me with deep concerns: for displaced people along the border with Thailand, for those who have been trafficked, and for those who are behind bars having exercised basic freedoms,” he said. 

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Mixed progress on human rights 

Mr. Andrews was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia. 

On one hand, he acknowledged that the government has taken meaningful steps to close scam compounds, agreed to address prison overcrowding, dramatically improved economic conditions for millions and committed to many human rights treaties. 

On the other, he said more than 100 people may be detained for exercising basic political freedoms, many of the country’s laws conflict with international law, opposition parties are harassed and the government has not done enough to take action against scammers. 

With elections approaching in 2027 and 2028, Mr. Andrews said the government must respect the rights of political opponents. 

In the country’s north and northwest, more than 20,000 Cambodians remain displaced – unable to return home because their villages are occupied by Thai soldiers amid the latest flareups on the border. 

He stressed that Thailand and Cambodia must work together to ensure that all civilians can return home safely. 

“They need, and deserve, to go home,” he said. 

Special Rapporteurs receive their mandates from the UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.  They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work. 

Trapped ships in Strait of Hormuz face a different kind of attack 

The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) warned that ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Iran war could become an “ecological timebomb,” increasing the risk of invasive species spreading to new marine environments once shipping resumes. 

The concern centers on “biofouling” – the buildup of marine organisms such as algae and small animals on ship hulls. Vessels that remain stationary for extended periods face an increased risk of biofouling. 

“There is a risk of a transfer of species if ships are unable to remove fouling before moving out of an area or after a prolonged period of time in one area,” said IMO spokesperson Natasha Brown. “The IMO recommends that ship operators follow the IMO biofouling guidelines as far as possible.” 

Invasive species impacts could be ‘devastating’ 

The IMO said biofouling has become a growing global problem due to increased shipping and trade, warning that the impacts of invasive aquatic species have been “devastating” in some regions because they are difficult to remove once established. 

“Bioinvasions are actually continuing at an alarming rate and there are new areas being invaded all the time,” the agency warned. 

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The IMO is developing a legally binding treaty aimed at improving management of ship biofouling and reducing 

UN migration agency: Millions reached in 2025 despite mounting pressures

The UN migration agency IOM provided humanitarian assistance to 17.8 million people in 170 countries and territories in 2025 – a year marked by conflicts, disasters, record needs and a sharp drop in aid funding, according to a report published on Wednesday. 

Established in 1951, the IOM provides humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced people, helps governments create safe migration policies, and works to ensure that human mobility remains humane and orderly. 

Focusing its efforts on places such as Gaza, Haiti, Myanmar, Ukraine and the Sahel, the IOM provided shelter assistance to 7.3 million people last year, delivered 4.2 million primary health consultations and supported 5.1 million people with water, sanitation and hygiene services, according to the report. 

In addition to the IOM’s direct on-the-ground aid, the Organization’s data informed 21 humanitarian response plans, helping governments and aid organisations target assistance. 

The report highlighted the importance of coordination and evidence-based interventions to prioritise where to deliver aid as global funding continues to decrease. 

“Conflicts, disasters, disease outbreaks and displacement drove needs to unprecedented levels, even as resources contracted dramatically,” IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels said. 

“Despite these challenges, IOM remained present where people needed us most.”