The UN condemns the violent murder of the Ugandan athlete Cheptegei

United Nations, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 6 Sep, 2024) The UN strongly condemns the death of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, a spokesperson said on Thursday, after the Olympian succumbed to severe burns inflicted by her boyfriend.

“We join the UN Population Fund and UN Women in strongly condemning his violent murder,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He said “gender-based violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world, and must be treated as such.”

Cheptegei, the 33-year-old long-distance runner who had just made her Olympic debut at the Paris Games, was doused with petrol by her teammate on Sunday and set on fire.

The doctor who treated her in western Kenya said she died Thursday morning from severe burns.

“Every 11 minutes on average, a woman or a girl is killed by an intimate partner or a family member somewhere in the world,” Dujarric told reporters, citing UN figures.

“We definitely think the real number is much higher,” he said.

“As the secretary-general once said, we live in a male-dominated culture that leaves women vulnerable by denying them equality and dignity and rights.”

“Our societies are less peaceful, our economy is less prosperous and our world less fair,” said Dujarric, adding that “a different world is possible.”