LATEST VIOLENCE IN SOUTH SUDAN'S JONGLEI STATE THREATENS RECENT GAINS, UN WARNS
New York, Aug 31 2012 5:10PM
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today said it is increasingly concerned by recent violence in Jonglei state that threatens the important gains made this year in restoring peace and security.
"UNMISS is particularly concerned by the apparent emergence in Jonglei of an armed insurgency group linked to the militia leader David Yau Yau, which is believed to be acting in concert with groups of armed youths who have evaded the civilian disarmament operation in the state," the Mission said in a press statement.
"It is essential to preserve the gains achieved over recent months in the improved security situation in Jonglei and ensure the civilian disarmament process goes forward as a key element of this effort," it added.
Since the killing of 24 members of the South Sudanese armed forces on 23 August in an attack near the town of Likuangole by assailants said to be loyal to David Yau Yau and allegedly supported by armed youth, further attacks have occurred and civilians displaced from Likuangole town.
The two most recent reported attacks took place 27 and 30 August in Likuangole when unknown attackers twice fired at the South Sudanese Army (SPLA), with the army responding and repelling the assailants. No casualties were reported.
"UNMISS has reinforced its peacekeeping strength in Likuangole and will work with the civilian authorities and the SPLA to help reduce tensions and protect civilians," said the Mission.
UNMISS is working with partners to contribute to the return of all civilians, who last week fled Likuangole to neighbouring villages. It urges the South Sudanese authorities to take all necessary measures to enable the displaced population to safely return to their homes.
Also today, the Security Council welcomed the progress made by the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan in negotiations under African Union auspices to fulfil their obligations under the Roadmap aimed at easing tensions, facilitating the resumption of negotiations on post-secession relations and normalizing the relations between the two countries.
"The Security Council welcomes [the] significant reduction in violence and tension between the two countries," the 15-member body said a presidential statement.
It also welcomed the agreement reached by the two countries on oil and related financial arrangements that should help alleviate the "sharply deteriorating economic conditions" affecting them.
"The Council encourages the parties to swiftly finalize the details and the signing of the agreement and move forward with transparent implementation of the agreement, in order for production and transportation to resume as soon as possible."
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July last year, six years after the signing of the peace agreement that ended decades of warfare between the north and the south. However, the peace between the two countries has been threatened in recent months by armed clashes along their common border and outstanding post-independence issues that have yet to be resolved.
The Council also noted with interest the agreement reached by the parties to establish a panel of experts to provide an authoritative, non-binding opinion on the status of the border, and hoped that this process will facilitate a speedy outcome in accordance with the Roadmap.
Aug 31 2012 5:10PM
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Friday, August 31, 2012
UN CHIEF URGES ‘DIPLOMATIC AND NEGOTIATED SOLUTION’ TO IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE
UN CHIEF URGES 'DIPLOMATIC AND NEGOTIATED SOLUTION' TO IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE
New York, Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
Taking note of the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear programme, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasized the need for diplomacy in resolving the country's nuclear issue, a United Nations spokesperson <"/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6267">said today.
"It is regrettable that Iran has yet to reach agreement with the IAEA on a plan to resolve all outstanding issues," the spokesperson told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
"The Secretary-General emphasizes that there can only be a diplomatic and negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue which should be pursued through a reciprocal, step-by-step process," the spokesperson added. "This must include measures by Iran aimed at building international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme."
According to media reports, a leaked quarterly report from the IAEA notes that Iran has doubled the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges it has in an underground bunker.
The Iranian nuclear issue was a topic of discussion in the UN chief's various meetings in Tehran, where he attended the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital on Sunday and ends on Friday, and drew representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries.
"The Secretary-General used the opportunity of his participation in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement to convey the clear concerns and expectations of the international community on this matter," the spokesperson told the news briefing.
Iran's nuclear activities have been of international concern since the discovery, in 2003, that Iran had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years, in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, but many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
In a meeting on Thursday, with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Aliakbar Salehi, Mr. Ban had shared his concern about Iran's nuclear programme and underscored the importance of transparency in this matter, as well as the need for Iran to fully comply with the IAEA.
Regarding Iran's talks with the P5+1 grouping, which is made up of the five Security Council permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States – along with Germany, Mr. Ban and Mr. Salehi agreed on the need for positive momentum that would advance the talks, according to the Secretary-General's spokesperson.
Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
Taking note of the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran's nuclear programme, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has emphasized the need for diplomacy in resolving the country's nuclear issue, a United Nations spokesperson <"/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6267">said today.
"It is regrettable that Iran has yet to reach agreement with the IAEA on a plan to resolve all outstanding issues," the spokesperson told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
"The Secretary-General emphasizes that there can only be a diplomatic and negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue which should be pursued through a reciprocal, step-by-step process," the spokesperson added. "This must include measures by Iran aimed at building international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme."
According to media reports, a leaked quarterly report from the IAEA notes that Iran has doubled the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges it has in an underground bunker.
The Iranian nuclear issue was a topic of discussion in the UN chief's various meetings in Tehran, where he attended the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital on Sunday and ends on Friday, and drew representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries.
"The Secretary-General used the opportunity of his participation in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement to convey the clear concerns and expectations of the international community on this matter," the spokesperson told the news briefing.
Iran's nuclear activities have been of international concern since the discovery, in 2003, that Iran had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years, in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, but many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
In a meeting on Thursday, with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Aliakbar Salehi, Mr. Ban had shared his concern about Iran's nuclear programme and underscored the importance of transparency in this matter, as well as the need for Iran to fully comply with the IAEA.
Regarding Iran's talks with the P5+1 grouping, which is made up of the five Security Council permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States – along with Germany, Mr. Ban and Mr. Salehi agreed on the need for positive momentum that would advance the talks, according to the Secretary-General's spokesperson.
Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
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AMID RECENT SPATE OF EXECUTIONS, UN CALLS FOR END TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
AMID RECENT SPATE OF EXECUTIONS, UN CALLS FOR END TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
New York, Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
The United Nations agency tasked with defending human rights voiced renewed concern today over the sudden spate of executions in countries around the world following the recent use of capital punishment in Gambia, Iraq, and South Sudan.
"We urge all States, who have not yet done so, to introduce – or reintroduce – an official moratorium on the use of the death penalty aiming to abolish it," Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12474&LangID=E">declared in a briefing to the press in Geneva.
Until now, Gambia was at the forefront in Africa in its efforts to abolish the death penalty in law and practice. Last week, however, in a strong reversal of that trend, nine prisoners were executed shortly after Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's announcement that all people on death row would have their sentences carried out by mid-September.
Mr. Colville deplored the executions as a "tremendous regression" for the country's justice system, noting that prior to last week the country had maintained a moratorium on the death penalty for 27 years and had abolished capital punishment for drug offences in April 2011.
He also pointed to the number of executions in Iraq, where 96 people have had their death sentences carried out since the beginning of 2012. During the month of August alone, 26 people have reportedly been executed, including 21 in a single day.
"Given the lack of transparency in court proceedings in Iraq, major concerns about due process and fairness of trials, and the very wide range of offences for which the death penalty can be imposed in Iraq, it is a truly shocking figure," said Mr. Colville.
In a <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12471&LangID=E">message issued yesterday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warned that international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), requires compliance with rigorous fair trial standards in cases where death sentences are imposed.
OHCHR's concern over the Iraqi executions was also echoed by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in a separate statement released today, in which it urged the Government of Iraq to consider a moratorium on the implementation of all death sentences and to consider ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, with a view to the eventual abolition of the death penalty.
Meanwhile, in his press briefing, Mr. Colville also expressed concern that two men hanged in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, on 21 August, did not have proper legal assistance.
The overall global trend on the use of the death penalty has seen the number of executions worldwide decline. An estimated 150 UN Member States have abolished the death penalty or introduced a moratorium, either in law or practice.
Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
The United Nations agency tasked with defending human rights voiced renewed concern today over the sudden spate of executions in countries around the world following the recent use of capital punishment in Gambia, Iraq, and South Sudan.
"We urge all States, who have not yet done so, to introduce – or reintroduce – an official moratorium on the use of the death penalty aiming to abolish it," Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12474&LangID=E">declared in a briefing to the press in Geneva.
Until now, Gambia was at the forefront in Africa in its efforts to abolish the death penalty in law and practice. Last week, however, in a strong reversal of that trend, nine prisoners were executed shortly after Gambian President Yahya Jammeh's announcement that all people on death row would have their sentences carried out by mid-September.
Mr. Colville deplored the executions as a "tremendous regression" for the country's justice system, noting that prior to last week the country had maintained a moratorium on the death penalty for 27 years and had abolished capital punishment for drug offences in April 2011.
He also pointed to the number of executions in Iraq, where 96 people have had their death sentences carried out since the beginning of 2012. During the month of August alone, 26 people have reportedly been executed, including 21 in a single day.
"Given the lack of transparency in court proceedings in Iraq, major concerns about due process and fairness of trials, and the very wide range of offences for which the death penalty can be imposed in Iraq, it is a truly shocking figure," said Mr. Colville.
In a <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12471&LangID=E">message issued yesterday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warned that international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), requires compliance with rigorous fair trial standards in cases where death sentences are imposed.
OHCHR's concern over the Iraqi executions was also echoed by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in a separate statement released today, in which it urged the Government of Iraq to consider a moratorium on the implementation of all death sentences and to consider ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, with a view to the eventual abolition of the death penalty.
Meanwhile, in his press briefing, Mr. Colville also expressed concern that two men hanged in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, on 21 August, did not have proper legal assistance.
The overall global trend on the use of the death penalty has seen the number of executions worldwide decline. An estimated 150 UN Member States have abolished the death penalty or introduced a moratorium, either in law or practice.
Aug 31 2012 2:10PM
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IN IRAN, BAN HOLDS RANGE OF MEETINGS WITH LEADERS OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT COUNTRIES
IN IRAN, BAN HOLDS RANGE OF MEETINGS WITH LEADERS OF NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT COUNTRIES
New York, Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
While in Iran for 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with several leaders of the group's members, discussing issues ranging from nuclear power and security to human rights and the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Earlier Friday, Mr. Ban met with his counter-part at the League of Arab States, Secretary-General Nabil El-Araby. The two men discussed recent developments concerning Syria, including the intensified violence and mounting humanitarian crisis, according to information provided by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria was also the main topic of discussion between Mr. Ban and the Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Al-Moualem, with Mr. Ban urging the Syrian official to allow a greater number of humanitarian partners to operate so that aid can reach those who desperately need it.
In addition, Mr. Ban told Mr. Al Moualem that he was "extremely concerned" about the extent of destruction in Syria and the scale of civilian suffering, and reiterated that violence from all sides must stop immediately so that a political solution can be found.
Also on Friday morning, the UN chief met with the Malian Foreign Minister, Tieman Coulibaly, and expressed his hope that the remaining transitional mechanisms announced by the Interim President would soon be in place to allow for a swift and full restoration of State authority in the country, which has experienced conflict and drought in recent months.
On Thursday, the Secretary-General met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Aliakbar Salehi, with whom he shared his concern about Iran's nuclear programme and underscored the importance of transparency in this matter, as well as the need for Iran to fully comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iran's nuclear activities have been of international concern since the discovery, in 2003, that Iran had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years, in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, but many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Regarding the talks with the P5+1 grouping, which is made up of the five Security Council permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States – along with Germany, Mr. Ban and Mr. Salehi agreed on the need for positive momentum that would advance the talks, according to the Secretary-General's spokesperson.
On Thursday, Mr. Ban also met with the President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsy, whom he congratulated for his recent victory in the country's election. Mr. Ban reiterated the UN's readiness to continue supporting Egypt's transition, and underlined the importance of Egypt's leadership on questions of regional peace and security.
During a Thursday meeting with the President of the Presidium of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Nam, Mr. Ban voiced his concern about the food and nutrition situation in the country, particularly following the long dry spell in the spring and the recent flooding.
He also said he was disturbed about the humanitarian situation and emphasized the importance of ongoing contact between the UN and DPRK. Mr. Ban also added that he hoped for an improvement in cross-border relation with the Republic of Korea (ROK), which would also lead to an improvement of ties between DPRK and the United States.
Mr. Ban met with the Nepalese Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai, on Thursday. He urged him to continue efforts to find consensus so that constitution-making and reconciliation process can resume and be completed without delay.
The 16th NAM summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday and ends today. Some 120 representatives from its Member States are in attendance, as well as from various associated observer countries.
Mr. Ban is due back in New York on Saturday.
Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
While in Iran for 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with several leaders of the group's members, discussing issues ranging from nuclear power and security to human rights and the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Earlier Friday, Mr. Ban met with his counter-part at the League of Arab States, Secretary-General Nabil El-Araby. The two men discussed recent developments concerning Syria, including the intensified violence and mounting humanitarian crisis, according to information provided by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria was also the main topic of discussion between Mr. Ban and the Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Al-Moualem, with Mr. Ban urging the Syrian official to allow a greater number of humanitarian partners to operate so that aid can reach those who desperately need it.
In addition, Mr. Ban told Mr. Al Moualem that he was "extremely concerned" about the extent of destruction in Syria and the scale of civilian suffering, and reiterated that violence from all sides must stop immediately so that a political solution can be found.
Also on Friday morning, the UN chief met with the Malian Foreign Minister, Tieman Coulibaly, and expressed his hope that the remaining transitional mechanisms announced by the Interim President would soon be in place to allow for a swift and full restoration of State authority in the country, which has experienced conflict and drought in recent months.
On Thursday, the Secretary-General met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Aliakbar Salehi, with whom he shared his concern about Iran's nuclear programme and underscored the importance of transparency in this matter, as well as the need for Iran to fully comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iran's nuclear activities have been of international concern since the discovery, in 2003, that Iran had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years, in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, but many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Regarding the talks with the P5+1 grouping, which is made up of the five Security Council permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States – along with Germany, Mr. Ban and Mr. Salehi agreed on the need for positive momentum that would advance the talks, according to the Secretary-General's spokesperson.
On Thursday, Mr. Ban also met with the President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsy, whom he congratulated for his recent victory in the country's election. Mr. Ban reiterated the UN's readiness to continue supporting Egypt's transition, and underlined the importance of Egypt's leadership on questions of regional peace and security.
During a Thursday meeting with the President of the Presidium of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Yong Nam, Mr. Ban voiced his concern about the food and nutrition situation in the country, particularly following the long dry spell in the spring and the recent flooding.
He also said he was disturbed about the humanitarian situation and emphasized the importance of ongoing contact between the UN and DPRK. Mr. Ban also added that he hoped for an improvement in cross-border relation with the Republic of Korea (ROK), which would also lead to an improvement of ties between DPRK and the United States.
Mr. Ban met with the Nepalese Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai, on Thursday. He urged him to continue efforts to find consensus so that constitution-making and reconciliation process can resume and be completed without delay.
The 16th NAM summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday and ends today. Some 120 representatives from its Member States are in attendance, as well as from various associated observer countries.
Mr. Ban is due back in New York on Saturday.
Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
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ON UN VISIT, BASKETBALL STAR PAU GASOL URGES HELP FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY SAHEL CRISIS
ON UN VISIT, BASKETBALL STAR PAU GASOL URGES HELP FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY SAHEL CRISIS
New York, Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
Pau Gasol, National Basketball Association (NBA) champion and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), has wrapped up a trip to Chad by urging continued support for the hundreds of thousands of children affected by the food crisis in West Africa's Sahel region.
"I'm in Chad to remind people that one million children are at risk in the Sahel because of the nutritional crisis and that it is possible to end malnutrition," said Mr. Gasol, a Silver Medalist at the 2012 Olympics, a two-time NBA champion and a UNICEF Spain Ambassador since 2003.
He said that thanks to everyone's help many lives are being saved. At the same time, there are still hundreds of thousands of children who need treatment for malnutrition. "We have to keep the work and momentum going," he stated.
In Chad, more than 127,000 children are at serious risk of severe malnutrition. They fight to survive in the midst of a crisis caused by prolonged drought and rising food prices.
UNICEF has reached more than 335,000 children with nutritional treatment in the Sahel region so far this year, the agency stated in a <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_65684.html">news release. The goal is to reach 700,000 in the coming months to address the consequences of the crisis, which affects 18 million people in nine countries across the Sahel.
During his visit, Mr. Gasol spent three days in the capital, N'Djamena, and three days in Kanem, where he saw UNICEF projects in Mao and Miouh, the latter a small village where a feeding centre has been opened, a water well has been installed, schools are being supported by training teachers and supplies are being distributed.
In addition, hygiene habits are being promoted while supplies and practical information to prevent diseases such as cholera are being provided.
"It is very important to reach places like Miouh, where families have problems that could not be addressed without the support of organizations like UNICEF," said Mr. Gasol.
In Mao, he visited a UNICEF programme aimed at promoting hygiene habits among children. He refereed a football game and made sure that the children washed their hands after finishing, since this practice prevents deadly diseases.
In N'Djamena, the Goodwill Ambassador met with Chadian ministers to share the idea that sport is "an exceptional tool for the promotion of values, for the development of children and to contribute to the development of their countries."
Chad is the fourth country – after South Africa, Angola and Ethiopia – Mr. Gasol has visited in his role as a UNICEF Ambassador.
Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
Pau Gasol, National Basketball Association (NBA) champion and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), has wrapped up a trip to Chad by urging continued support for the hundreds of thousands of children affected by the food crisis in West Africa's Sahel region.
"I'm in Chad to remind people that one million children are at risk in the Sahel because of the nutritional crisis and that it is possible to end malnutrition," said Mr. Gasol, a Silver Medalist at the 2012 Olympics, a two-time NBA champion and a UNICEF Spain Ambassador since 2003.
He said that thanks to everyone's help many lives are being saved. At the same time, there are still hundreds of thousands of children who need treatment for malnutrition. "We have to keep the work and momentum going," he stated.
In Chad, more than 127,000 children are at serious risk of severe malnutrition. They fight to survive in the midst of a crisis caused by prolonged drought and rising food prices.
UNICEF has reached more than 335,000 children with nutritional treatment in the Sahel region so far this year, the agency stated in a <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_65684.html">news release. The goal is to reach 700,000 in the coming months to address the consequences of the crisis, which affects 18 million people in nine countries across the Sahel.
During his visit, Mr. Gasol spent three days in the capital, N'Djamena, and three days in Kanem, where he saw UNICEF projects in Mao and Miouh, the latter a small village where a feeding centre has been opened, a water well has been installed, schools are being supported by training teachers and supplies are being distributed.
In addition, hygiene habits are being promoted while supplies and practical information to prevent diseases such as cholera are being provided.
"It is very important to reach places like Miouh, where families have problems that could not be addressed without the support of organizations like UNICEF," said Mr. Gasol.
In Mao, he visited a UNICEF programme aimed at promoting hygiene habits among children. He refereed a football game and made sure that the children washed their hands after finishing, since this practice prevents deadly diseases.
In N'Djamena, the Goodwill Ambassador met with Chadian ministers to share the idea that sport is "an exceptional tool for the promotion of values, for the development of children and to contribute to the development of their countries."
Chad is the fourth country – after South Africa, Angola and Ethiopia – Mr. Gasol has visited in his role as a UNICEF Ambassador.
Aug 31 2012 1:10PM
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GUINEA: UN RIGHTS OFFICE VOICES CONCERN AT EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY SECURITY FORCES
GUINEA: UN RIGHTS OFFICE VOICES CONCERN AT EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY SECURITY FORCES
New York, Aug 31 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations human rights office today voiced concern about the excessive use of force by security forces in Guinea in a number of incidents over the past few weeks, and stressed that demonstrators must be allowed to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
There were violent clashes on Monday between security forces and demonstrators during an opposition protest rally in the capital, Conakry, where security forces used tear gas in the compound of an opposition leader's home, <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12474&LangID=E">said a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"Reports suggest that live bullets were also used, and that a number of people were arrested, severely beaten up and injured," Rupert Colville told a news conference in Geneva.
This came weeks after six people were killed in the town of Zogota in the south-east of the country by security forces on 3 August. OHCHR in Guinea has been investigating the circumstances surrounding the killings, which occurred after protestors in Zogota vandalised the facilities of a mining company.
"The Government has launched an inquiry into the killings and we call on the authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, to bring justice to the victims and to send a clear message that security forces cannot expect impunity for such egregious breaches of international human rights law," said Mr. Colville.
"Law enforcement officials must respect the international legal standards for maintaining public order, including detailed guidelines governing the use of live ammunition," he added.
Given the tense political climate in the country, OHCHR called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint.
"Demonstrators must be allowed to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and law enforcement officials must enforce law and order in a proportionate manner," the spokesperson said. "We encourage all stakeholders to work towards an inclusive dialogue, including with the participation of civil society actors, to ensure that the delayed elections are held promptly."
In 2009, at least 150 Guineans were killed and many others raped after armed forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators at an opposition rally in Conakry. There have also been several incidents of excessive force used against demonstrators since then that have resulted in deaths and injuries.
Aug 31 2012 12:10PM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations human rights office today voiced concern about the excessive use of force by security forces in Guinea in a number of incidents over the past few weeks, and stressed that demonstrators must be allowed to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
There were violent clashes on Monday between security forces and demonstrators during an opposition protest rally in the capital, Conakry, where security forces used tear gas in the compound of an opposition leader's home, <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12474&LangID=E">said a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"Reports suggest that live bullets were also used, and that a number of people were arrested, severely beaten up and injured," Rupert Colville told a news conference in Geneva.
This came weeks after six people were killed in the town of Zogota in the south-east of the country by security forces on 3 August. OHCHR in Guinea has been investigating the circumstances surrounding the killings, which occurred after protestors in Zogota vandalised the facilities of a mining company.
"The Government has launched an inquiry into the killings and we call on the authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable, to bring justice to the victims and to send a clear message that security forces cannot expect impunity for such egregious breaches of international human rights law," said Mr. Colville.
"Law enforcement officials must respect the international legal standards for maintaining public order, including detailed guidelines governing the use of live ammunition," he added.
Given the tense political climate in the country, OHCHR called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint.
"Demonstrators must be allowed to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and law enforcement officials must enforce law and order in a proportionate manner," the spokesperson said. "We encourage all stakeholders to work towards an inclusive dialogue, including with the participation of civil society actors, to ensure that the delayed elections are held promptly."
In 2009, at least 150 Guineans were killed and many others raped after armed forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators at an opposition rally in Conakry. There have also been several incidents of excessive force used against demonstrators since then that have resulted in deaths and injuries.
Aug 31 2012 12:10PM
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UNESCO CHIEF DEPLORES LATEST KILLING OF A SOMALI JOURNALIST
UNESCO CHIEF DEPLORES LATEST KILLING OF A SOMALI JOURNALIST
New York, Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
Somali authorities must do everything in their power to put an end to the continuing violence which has already claimed the lives of eight journalists in the African country this year, the head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom said today, as she condemned the latest killing of a Somali journalist.
"I am appalled by news of the violent death of Mohamud Ali Keyre," the Executive Director of the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, said in a <"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/director_general_condemns_killing_of_somali_journalist_mohamud_ali_keyre/">news release.
"It is essential that the authorities do all in their power to stem the violence that is claiming so many civilian lives in Somalia, including a shocking number of media workers," Ms. Bokova added.
Mohamud Ali Keyre was killed on 12 August in Mogadishu, the country's capital, by a single bullet to the head. The 23-year-old reporter wrote for the website horyaalmedia.com and had previously worked for the Mogadishu-based radio broadcaster Voice of Democracy, before fleeing to Kenya because of threats against his life.
According to media reports, Mr. Ali Keyre decided to return to Mogadishu after deeming the security situation in the city to be improved.
After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country winding down its transitional federal governing arrangements. Until last year, most of the capital, Mogadishu, was, for several years, riven by a fluid frontline dividing the two sides – fighters belonging to the Al Shabaab militant group and troops belonging to the Somalia Government, with the latter supported by the UN-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
In her statement, Ms. Bokova urged local authorities to implement measures improving the safety of media personnel across Somalia, while pointing out that press freedom was an intrinsic to Somalia's growth into a full-fledged democracy.
"Journalists must be able to keep the public informed without fearing for their lives," continued Ms. Bokova. "A free and independent press is an essential contribution to dialogue and national reconciliation in Somalia. It is also necessary to democracy and the rule of law."
Since 2009, 18 journalists have been killed in Somalia. Their lives and work are commemorated on the website UNESCO Condemns the Killing of Journalists.
Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
Somali authorities must do everything in their power to put an end to the continuing violence which has already claimed the lives of eight journalists in the African country this year, the head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom said today, as she condemned the latest killing of a Somali journalist.
"I am appalled by news of the violent death of Mohamud Ali Keyre," the Executive Director of the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, said in a <"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/director_general_condemns_killing_of_somali_journalist_mohamud_ali_keyre/">news release.
"It is essential that the authorities do all in their power to stem the violence that is claiming so many civilian lives in Somalia, including a shocking number of media workers," Ms. Bokova added.
Mohamud Ali Keyre was killed on 12 August in Mogadishu, the country's capital, by a single bullet to the head. The 23-year-old reporter wrote for the website horyaalmedia.com and had previously worked for the Mogadishu-based radio broadcaster Voice of Democracy, before fleeing to Kenya because of threats against his life.
According to media reports, Mr. Ali Keyre decided to return to Mogadishu after deeming the security situation in the city to be improved.
After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country winding down its transitional federal governing arrangements. Until last year, most of the capital, Mogadishu, was, for several years, riven by a fluid frontline dividing the two sides – fighters belonging to the Al Shabaab militant group and troops belonging to the Somalia Government, with the latter supported by the UN-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
In her statement, Ms. Bokova urged local authorities to implement measures improving the safety of media personnel across Somalia, while pointing out that press freedom was an intrinsic to Somalia's growth into a full-fledged democracy.
"Journalists must be able to keep the public informed without fearing for their lives," continued Ms. Bokova. "A free and independent press is an essential contribution to dialogue and national reconciliation in Somalia. It is also necessary to democracy and the rule of law."
Since 2009, 18 journalists have been killed in Somalia. Their lives and work are commemorated on the website UNESCO Condemns the Killing of Journalists.
Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
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UN REFUGEE AGENCY REPORTS INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SYRIANS CROSSING INTO LEBANON
UN REFUGEE AGENCY REPORTS INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SYRIANS CROSSING INTO LEBANON
New York, Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
The United Nations refugee agency is seeing an increase in the number of Syrian refugees arriving in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, with local charities and authorities reporting about 2,200 people settling in the east over the past week – almost double the recent weekly average, according to a spokesperson for the agency.
"UNHCR is adding new telephone hotlines to help the increasing number of refugees seeking to register," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Adrian Edwards, told a media briefing in Geneva.
"The tense security situation in Tripoli last week meant many refugees were unable to make their registration appointments. The centre is now open and operations have returned to normal," he added, noting that in northern Lebanon the arrivals rate remains steady at about 400 people arriving every week.
UNHCR is also monitoring the situation for refugees in the northern border area of Akkar, which is still affected by shelling from the Syrian side of the border. The villages of Al-Nura and Debbabiyeh, which host more than 80 refugees, saw nearby shelling in recent days, the spokesperson said.
More than 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly 18 months ago. There have been reports of an escalation in violence in recent weeks in many towns and villages, as well as the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo. As of Thursday, some 229,000 people had left the country and sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.
"Across Lebanon, the squeeze on shelter remains one of our biggest concerns with many refugees still staying in schools that are supposed to open in a week or two for the new school terms," Mr. Edwards said.
Twenty families were evicted from a school in al-Marj, in west Bekaa, earlier this week but were allowed to extend their stay following intervention by UNHCR and its non-governmental partner organizations, as well as Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs.
"We continue to search for alternative shelter for refugees staying in schools, and are running a hotline for refugees who are coming under pressure to vacate. So far, we've received 20 reports of refugees being pressured to leave," Mr. Edwards said. "We are monitoring these cases and asking for understanding by local school authorities to avoid Syrians being evicted."
He added, "Last week we submitted to the authorities a list of 11 abandoned buildings we propose to refurbish to house refugees. So far we have received permission to use three of these and are waiting for further approvals for the renovations. We hope the government can expedite the remaining approvals."
Mr. Edwards noted that the refugee agency's shelter strategy in Lebanon includes a mix of refurbishing buildings to house Syrians and offering cash for shelter grants for the most vulnerable.
Addressing the same media briefing in Geneva, a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson, Patrick McCormick, said the agency was deeply concerned about the situation, as children who are meant to go back to school are currently stuck in refugee camps and makeshift shelters.
Mr. McCormick stressed that many challenges remain, including the provision of access to services such as water and sanitation, but noted that UNICEF would not be able to tackle the emergency properly until there was a political solution.
Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
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New York, Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
The United Nations refugee agency is seeing an increase in the number of Syrian refugees arriving in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, with local charities and authorities reporting about 2,200 people settling in the east over the past week – almost double the recent weekly average, according to a spokesperson for the agency.
"UNHCR is adding new telephone hotlines to help the increasing number of refugees seeking to register," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Adrian Edwards, told a media briefing in Geneva.
"The tense security situation in Tripoli last week meant many refugees were unable to make their registration appointments. The centre is now open and operations have returned to normal," he added, noting that in northern Lebanon the arrivals rate remains steady at about 400 people arriving every week.
UNHCR is also monitoring the situation for refugees in the northern border area of Akkar, which is still affected by shelling from the Syrian side of the border. The villages of Al-Nura and Debbabiyeh, which host more than 80 refugees, saw nearby shelling in recent days, the spokesperson said.
More than 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly 18 months ago. There have been reports of an escalation in violence in recent weeks in many towns and villages, as well as the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo. As of Thursday, some 229,000 people had left the country and sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon.
"Across Lebanon, the squeeze on shelter remains one of our biggest concerns with many refugees still staying in schools that are supposed to open in a week or two for the new school terms," Mr. Edwards said.
Twenty families were evicted from a school in al-Marj, in west Bekaa, earlier this week but were allowed to extend their stay following intervention by UNHCR and its non-governmental partner organizations, as well as Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs.
"We continue to search for alternative shelter for refugees staying in schools, and are running a hotline for refugees who are coming under pressure to vacate. So far, we've received 20 reports of refugees being pressured to leave," Mr. Edwards said. "We are monitoring these cases and asking for understanding by local school authorities to avoid Syrians being evicted."
He added, "Last week we submitted to the authorities a list of 11 abandoned buildings we propose to refurbish to house refugees. So far we have received permission to use three of these and are waiting for further approvals for the renovations. We hope the government can expedite the remaining approvals."
Mr. Edwards noted that the refugee agency's shelter strategy in Lebanon includes a mix of refurbishing buildings to house Syrians and offering cash for shelter grants for the most vulnerable.
Addressing the same media briefing in Geneva, a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson, Patrick McCormick, said the agency was deeply concerned about the situation, as children who are meant to go back to school are currently stuck in refugee camps and makeshift shelters.
Mr. McCormick stressed that many challenges remain, including the provision of access to services such as water and sanitation, but noted that UNICEF would not be able to tackle the emergency properly until there was a political solution.
Aug 31 2012 11:10AM
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Thursday, August 30, 2012
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IN MALI, UN OFFICIAL URGES DONOR SUPPORT TO STEP UP FOOD RELIEF EFFORTS
IN MALI, UN OFFICIAL URGES DONOR SUPPORT TO STEP UP FOOD RELIEF EFFORTS
New York, Aug 30 2012 7:10PM
The top United Nations relief official <"http://bit.ly/PBMJea">said today that humanitarian efforts to alleviate the devastating food crisis affecting Mali have begun to yield results, but warned that much still remains to be done and the situation could worsen without continued donor support.
"I have spent the past two days seeing for myself the effects of the terrible food and nutrition crisis that is now affecting at least 4.6 million people in Mali, as well as the difficulties faced by Malians affected by insecurity in the north," the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, said during her trip to the African country.
Pointing to her Tuesday visit to the Gabriel Toure nutrition centre in Bamako, the Malian capital, Ms. Amos noted that treatments costing just $100 were restoring to health numerous children affected by severe acute malnutrition and that nearly 150,000 children had been treated in similar facilities across the country.
However, despite the progress, Ms. Amos voiced concern that not enough was being done and urged donors to step up with their contributions.
"There are too many other children who are not being reached because we do not have the money to increase our operations everywhere," she warned. "We asked for $213 million to provide life-saving projects this year; less than half of that has been provided."
Mali is located in the Sahel region, a semi-arid belt crossing the north of Africa, which is highly exposed to the threat of famine and where 1.1 million children are currently at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
A recent report released by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that Mali's food situation was especially precarious as a plague of locusts in the country's north was spreading and threatening agricultural production in the rest of the country.
Following her visit on Wednesday to the city of Mopti, Ms. Amos acknowledged that the delicate humanitarian situation caused by the food crisis was being further compounded by continued instability and insecurity caused by violence in the north.
In January, fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels broke out in the country's north. The clashes, as well as the proliferation of armed groups in the region and political instability in the wake of a military coup d'état in March, have led the displacement of an estimated 440,000 people.
Ms. Amos observed the shipment of supplies being sent by river barge from Mopti to beleaguered towns in the north of the country, including the historic city of Timbuktu, which has been in rebel hands in since April.
"There are many people we cannot reach because so many places are too dangerous for relief organizations to work," Ms. Amos continued, adding that "without additional support, we are not going to reach everyone who needs help."
Aug 30 2012 7:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 7:10PM
The top United Nations relief official <"http://bit.ly/PBMJea">said today that humanitarian efforts to alleviate the devastating food crisis affecting Mali have begun to yield results, but warned that much still remains to be done and the situation could worsen without continued donor support.
"I have spent the past two days seeing for myself the effects of the terrible food and nutrition crisis that is now affecting at least 4.6 million people in Mali, as well as the difficulties faced by Malians affected by insecurity in the north," the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, said during her trip to the African country.
Pointing to her Tuesday visit to the Gabriel Toure nutrition centre in Bamako, the Malian capital, Ms. Amos noted that treatments costing just $100 were restoring to health numerous children affected by severe acute malnutrition and that nearly 150,000 children had been treated in similar facilities across the country.
However, despite the progress, Ms. Amos voiced concern that not enough was being done and urged donors to step up with their contributions.
"There are too many other children who are not being reached because we do not have the money to increase our operations everywhere," she warned. "We asked for $213 million to provide life-saving projects this year; less than half of that has been provided."
Mali is located in the Sahel region, a semi-arid belt crossing the north of Africa, which is highly exposed to the threat of famine and where 1.1 million children are currently at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
A recent report released by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that Mali's food situation was especially precarious as a plague of locusts in the country's north was spreading and threatening agricultural production in the rest of the country.
Following her visit on Wednesday to the city of Mopti, Ms. Amos acknowledged that the delicate humanitarian situation caused by the food crisis was being further compounded by continued instability and insecurity caused by violence in the north.
In January, fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels broke out in the country's north. The clashes, as well as the proliferation of armed groups in the region and political instability in the wake of a military coup d'état in March, have led the displacement of an estimated 440,000 people.
Ms. Amos observed the shipment of supplies being sent by river barge from Mopti to beleaguered towns in the north of the country, including the historic city of Timbuktu, which has been in rebel hands in since April.
"There are many people we cannot reach because so many places are too dangerous for relief organizations to work," Ms. Amos continued, adding that "without additional support, we are not going to reach everyone who needs help."
Aug 30 2012 7:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?SYRIAN=20GOVERNMENT, =20OPPOSITION=20MUST=20TAKE=20STEPS=20TO=20PROTECT=20CIVILIANS=20=96=20UN=20RIGHTS=20OFFICIAL?=
SYRIAN GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION MUST TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT CIVILIANS – UN RIGHTS OFFICIAL
New York, Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
A United Nations human rights official today stressed that the Government of Syria and opposition forces can take concrete steps to protect civilians from the ongoing violence.
"There are very concrete things that the parties can do to protect civilians, who as we all know are suffering in this situation," said Georgette Gagnon, the Director of Human Rights for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), which wrapped up its mandate last week.
"Both parties – but the Government in particular – have an obligation to protect civilians in this type of situation."
In an interview with UN Radio, Ms. Gagnon stressed that the Government could prevent civilians from getting caught in the fighting by giving them enough warning to leave areas before military operations are carried out there.
"The Government could also ensure that the hospitals and the medical clinics are not militarized and not subject to attacks, and that everybody who needs medical care can get access to it in addition to other types of humanitarian assistance," Ms. Gagnon said.
"On the opposition side, we would say that they must do more to protect civilians and ensure that they are not placing themselves in areas where there are lots of civilians, making the area more likely to be attacked by the Government."
More than 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly 18 months ago. There have been reports of an escalation in violence in recent weeks in many towns and villages, as well as the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.
Ms. Gagnon said that civilians were particularly concerned about access to food, water, electricity, schooling and other types of medical services, especially in areas where the fighting has intensified such as the cities of Homs and Deir ez-Zor.
"It was very distressing to see cities such as Aleppo or suburbs around Damascus being the subject of helicopter bombardments and other types of aerial attacks," Ms. Gagnon said. "Huge amounts of people are fleeing areas and living as internally displaced persons in school in very poor conditions."
Earlier this month, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry probing abuses committed during the country's ongoing conflict, and working under a mandate from the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, issued a report which found that the Syrian Government and opposition forces have perpetuated war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ms. Gagnon stressed that while both parties had committed human rights violations, it was important to make a distinction on the types of violations incurred by each party.
"We must be clear that the violations were different in scale, gravity and frequency and affecting civilians in different ways," she said, adding that the Government's use of heavy weapons in urban areas is affecting civilians "very seriously," while opposition forces are detaining people illegally in some cases, and executing people who are alleged members of the Government.
As head of the UNSMIS human rights team, Ms. Gagnon met with Government officials, civil society members, community leaders and members of the armed opposition. Initially set up in April for 90 days, the Mission's mandate was extended by the Security Council until 20 August.
Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
A United Nations human rights official today stressed that the Government of Syria and opposition forces can take concrete steps to protect civilians from the ongoing violence.
"There are very concrete things that the parties can do to protect civilians, who as we all know are suffering in this situation," said Georgette Gagnon, the Director of Human Rights for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), which wrapped up its mandate last week.
"Both parties – but the Government in particular – have an obligation to protect civilians in this type of situation."
In an interview with UN Radio, Ms. Gagnon stressed that the Government could prevent civilians from getting caught in the fighting by giving them enough warning to leave areas before military operations are carried out there.
"The Government could also ensure that the hospitals and the medical clinics are not militarized and not subject to attacks, and that everybody who needs medical care can get access to it in addition to other types of humanitarian assistance," Ms. Gagnon said.
"On the opposition side, we would say that they must do more to protect civilians and ensure that they are not placing themselves in areas where there are lots of civilians, making the area more likely to be attacked by the Government."
More than 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly 18 months ago. There have been reports of an escalation in violence in recent weeks in many towns and villages, as well as the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.
Ms. Gagnon said that civilians were particularly concerned about access to food, water, electricity, schooling and other types of medical services, especially in areas where the fighting has intensified such as the cities of Homs and Deir ez-Zor.
"It was very distressing to see cities such as Aleppo or suburbs around Damascus being the subject of helicopter bombardments and other types of aerial attacks," Ms. Gagnon said. "Huge amounts of people are fleeing areas and living as internally displaced persons in school in very poor conditions."
Earlier this month, the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry probing abuses committed during the country's ongoing conflict, and working under a mandate from the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, issued a report which found that the Syrian Government and opposition forces have perpetuated war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Ms. Gagnon stressed that while both parties had committed human rights violations, it was important to make a distinction on the types of violations incurred by each party.
"We must be clear that the violations were different in scale, gravity and frequency and affecting civilians in different ways," she said, adding that the Government's use of heavy weapons in urban areas is affecting civilians "very seriously," while opposition forces are detaining people illegally in some cases, and executing people who are alleged members of the Government.
As head of the UNSMIS human rights team, Ms. Gagnon met with Government officials, civil society members, community leaders and members of the armed opposition. Initially set up in April for 90 days, the Mission's mandate was extended by the Security Council until 20 August.
Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
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SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN LEBANON FOR ANOTHER YEAR
SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN LEBANON FOR ANOTHER YEAR
New York, Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
The Security Council today extended the mandate of United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon until 31 August 2013, while urging all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the world body's staff.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body condemned "in the strongest terms" all terrorist attacks against the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and reiterated its calls for the rapid finalization of the investigation by the Government into three attacks on the mission carried out in 2011.
Established in 1978, UNIFIL is tasked with ensuring that the area between the so-called Blue Line – separating Israel and Lebanon – and the Litani River is free of unauthorized weapons, personnel and assets. It also cooperates with the Lebanese Armed Forces so they can fulfil their security responsibilities.
In today's resolution, the Council also strongly called on all parties concerned to respect the cessation of hostilities, prevent any violation of the Blue Line and cooperate fully with UNIFIL, the Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, as envisioned in <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/res/1701(2006)">resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah.
In addition, the Council urged Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from the northern part of the village of Ghajar without further delay, in coordination with UNIFIL.
Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
The Security Council today extended the mandate of United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon until 31 August 2013, while urging all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the world body's staff.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body condemned "in the strongest terms" all terrorist attacks against the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and reiterated its calls for the rapid finalization of the investigation by the Government into three attacks on the mission carried out in 2011.
Established in 1978, UNIFIL is tasked with ensuring that the area between the so-called Blue Line – separating Israel and Lebanon – and the Litani River is free of unauthorized weapons, personnel and assets. It also cooperates with the Lebanese Armed Forces so they can fulfil their security responsibilities.
In today's resolution, the Council also strongly called on all parties concerned to respect the cessation of hostilities, prevent any violation of the Blue Line and cooperate fully with UNIFIL, the Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, as envisioned in <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=s/res/1701(2006)">resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah.
In addition, the Council urged Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from the northern part of the village of Ghajar without further delay, in coordination with UNIFIL.
Aug 30 2012 6:10PM
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ENHANCED GLOBAL SUPPORT VITAL FOR DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SYRIA – UN OFFICIALS
ENHANCED GLOBAL SUPPORT VITAL FOR DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SYRIA – UN OFFICIALS
New York, Aug 30 2012 5:10PM
Top United Nations officials today raised the alarm on a deepening humanitarian crisis in Syria, where over 2.5 million people now need urgent assistance and protection, and urged enhanced international support to respond to the growing crisis.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson <"http://www.un.org/sg/dsg/statements/index.asp?nid=357">told a meeting of the Security Council that the most pressing needs include water and sanitation, food and shelter, blankets and health care. Access to health facilities has become difficult or impossible in some areas due to violence, checkpoints and fuel shortages, while food prices have tripled in some areas.
"To meet the humanitarian pressure, we need to urgently address two main issues," Mr. Eliasson said, citing humanitarian access and funding. He highlighted the need for the Syrian Government to authorize more international non-governmental organizations to operate in the country, and for UN agencies to expand their presence.
At the same time, security has to be improved, he added. "I urge Member States to emphasize to the Government and opposition groups the urgency of guaranteeing the security of aid agencies operating in areas under their control to allow for safe access to civilians and for evacuation."
He reported that, as of yesterday, the $180 million Humanitarian Response Plan is only half-funded, with some critical sectors having received almost no funding at all. "Donors should urgently rise to this humanitarian imperative. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake."
More than 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly 18 months ago. There have been reports of an escalation in violence in recent weeks in many towns and villages, as well as the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.
Both the Government and the opposition have chosen the path of armed confrontation, with no immediate prospect of an end to the fighting and resolution of the conflict, said the Deputy Secretary-General.
Civilians and non-combatants, including women and children, face "systematic slaughter," with almost daily reports of atrocities, most recently in Daraya, he added. "These recent accounts of possible war crimes are deeply troubling, and should give us all further impetus to work to end this nightmare.
"Those responsible in Government and the military forces, as well as armed opposition groups, must be held accountable for gross human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Also addressing the ministerial-level meeting of the Council was UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, who said that the escalation of armed conflict in Syria has led to a "dramatic and deepening" humanitarian crisis.
As of yesterday, 229,000 people had left the country and sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
"By keeping their borders open to refugees in such a complex and challenging environment, the countries which neighbour Syria are providing a very positive example to the world," <"http://www.unhcr.org/503fa7c49.html">said Mr. Guterres. "But their capacities are being severely tested. International solidarity in support of their generosity must be urgently reinforced."
He too appealed to all parties to grant unrestricted humanitarian access inside Syria, and to respect and provide protection to Iraqi, Palestinian and other refugees inside the country. He also called for enhanced international support to all victims of the conflict.
"I urge all States to respond positively to the two appeals that will shortly be made by the humanitarian community for additional funding in countries of asylum and inside Syria. But direct support to the victims is not enough. International solidarity must translate into effective burden-sharing and meaningful support to governments and communities in refugee-hosting countries."
He also asked all States in the region and beyond to continue to extend protection to the Syrians fleeing their country, and to ensure that the civilian and humanitarian character of asylum is maintained.
Efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria will continue under the leadership of the Joint Special Representative of the UN and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, who begins his new role on 1 September.
Mr. Brahimi takes over the peace-facilitation role which has been carried out since February by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who sought to bring an end to all violence and human rights violations in Syria and promote a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Today's meeting was chaired by Laurent Fabius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France and President of the Security Council for August, and also heard from officials from several regional countries, Council members and the representative of Syria.
Aug 30 2012 5:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 5:10PM
Top United Nations officials today raised the alarm on a deepening humanitarian crisis in Syria, where over 2.5 million people now need urgent assistance and protection, and urged enhanced international support to respond to the growing crisis.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson <"http://www.un.org/sg/dsg/statements/index.asp?nid=357">told a meeting of the Security Council that the most pressing needs include water and sanitation, food and shelter, blankets and health care. Access to health facilities has become difficult or impossible in some areas due to violence, checkpoints and fuel shortages, while food prices have tripled in some areas.
"To meet the humanitarian pressure, we need to urgently address two main issues," Mr. Eliasson said, citing humanitarian access and funding. He highlighted the need for the Syrian Government to authorize more international non-governmental organizations to operate in the country, and for UN agencies to expand their presence.
At the same time, security has to be improved, he added. "I urge Member States to emphasize to the Government and opposition groups the urgency of guaranteeing the security of aid agencies operating in areas under their control to allow for safe access to civilians and for evacuation."
He reported that, as of yesterday, the $180 million Humanitarian Response Plan is only half-funded, with some critical sectors having received almost no funding at all. "Donors should urgently rise to this humanitarian imperative. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake."
More than 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly 18 months ago. There have been reports of an escalation in violence in recent weeks in many towns and villages, as well as the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.
Both the Government and the opposition have chosen the path of armed confrontation, with no immediate prospect of an end to the fighting and resolution of the conflict, said the Deputy Secretary-General.
Civilians and non-combatants, including women and children, face "systematic slaughter," with almost daily reports of atrocities, most recently in Daraya, he added. "These recent accounts of possible war crimes are deeply troubling, and should give us all further impetus to work to end this nightmare.
"Those responsible in Government and the military forces, as well as armed opposition groups, must be held accountable for gross human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Also addressing the ministerial-level meeting of the Council was UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, who said that the escalation of armed conflict in Syria has led to a "dramatic and deepening" humanitarian crisis.
As of yesterday, 229,000 people had left the country and sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
"By keeping their borders open to refugees in such a complex and challenging environment, the countries which neighbour Syria are providing a very positive example to the world," <"http://www.unhcr.org/503fa7c49.html">said Mr. Guterres. "But their capacities are being severely tested. International solidarity in support of their generosity must be urgently reinforced."
He too appealed to all parties to grant unrestricted humanitarian access inside Syria, and to respect and provide protection to Iraqi, Palestinian and other refugees inside the country. He also called for enhanced international support to all victims of the conflict.
"I urge all States to respond positively to the two appeals that will shortly be made by the humanitarian community for additional funding in countries of asylum and inside Syria. But direct support to the victims is not enough. International solidarity must translate into effective burden-sharing and meaningful support to governments and communities in refugee-hosting countries."
He also asked all States in the region and beyond to continue to extend protection to the Syrians fleeing their country, and to ensure that the civilian and humanitarian character of asylum is maintained.
Efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria will continue under the leadership of the Joint Special Representative of the UN and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, who begins his new role on 1 September.
Mr. Brahimi takes over the peace-facilitation role which has been carried out since February by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who sought to bring an end to all violence and human rights violations in Syria and promote a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Today's meeting was chaired by Laurent Fabius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France and President of the Security Council for August, and also heard from officials from several regional countries, Council members and the representative of Syria.
Aug 30 2012 5:10PM
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UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT SPEAKS OUT ON ISRAELI RULING ON RACHEL CORRIE VERDICT
UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT SPEAKS OUT ON ISRAELI RULING ON RACHEL CORRIE VERDICT
New York, Aug 30 2012 3:10PM
The decision by an Israeli judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit brought forward by the family of a deceased young American peace activist is shocking and sad, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today, condemning the ruling as a victory for Israeli impunity.
"This is a sad outcome, above all for the Corrie family that had initiated the case back in 2005, but also for the rule of law and the hope that an Israeli court would place limits on the violence of the state, particularly in relation to innocents and unarmed civilians in an occupied territory," the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, said in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12470&LangID=E">statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, was killed in March 2003 while protesting against the demolition of Palestinian homes in Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza.
The details of her death are disputed, with the Corrie family accusing the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) of deliberately crushing her with a bulldozer during the demolition process. For its part, the IDF maintains that the bulldozer operator failed to see Ms. Corrie due to his restricted vision from inside the vehicles' cockpit and that her death was entirely accidental.
According to Mr. Falk's statement, despite evidence and eyewitness testimony indicating that Rachel Corrie was in the direct line of vision of the bulldozer driver and was also wearing a bright fluorescent orange vest increasing her visibility, Judge Oded Gershon ruled that Ms. Corrie's death was "a regrettable accident" in a territory considered by the State of Israel to be "a war zone."
"The judge's decision represents a defeat for justice and accountability, and a victory for impunity for the Israeli military," noted Mr. Falk, who added: "Such a shocking rationale flies directly in the face of the Geneva Conventions, which impose on an occupying power an unconditional obligation to protect the civilian population."
Mr. Falk also drew parallels between Rachel Corrie's death and other recent incidents in which the use of Israeli force against civilian populations has caused casualties, most notably the 2008-2009 Gaza War, in which over 1,400 people were killed, and the more recent 2010 Israeli commando assault on Turkish ships filled with activists bringing humanitarian supplies to the blockaded people of Gaza.
"Israeli governmental institutions have consistently embraced impunity and non-accountability in responding to well-documented violations of international humanitarian law and in many cases Israel's own criminal law," he said, adding that the Corrie family had been at "the partisan mercies" of the Israeli judicial system whose legal decisions were "a mockery of justice."
The Corrie family have announced their intention to appeal Judge Gershon's verdict in the Israeli Supreme Court, Mr. Falk added.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs like Mr. Falk, are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. They work in an independent and unpaid capacity.
Aug 30 2012 3:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 3:10PM
The decision by an Israeli judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit brought forward by the family of a deceased young American peace activist is shocking and sad, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today, condemning the ruling as a victory for Israeli impunity.
"This is a sad outcome, above all for the Corrie family that had initiated the case back in 2005, but also for the rule of law and the hope that an Israeli court would place limits on the violence of the state, particularly in relation to innocents and unarmed civilians in an occupied territory," the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, said in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12470&LangID=E">statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, was killed in March 2003 while protesting against the demolition of Palestinian homes in Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza.
The details of her death are disputed, with the Corrie family accusing the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) of deliberately crushing her with a bulldozer during the demolition process. For its part, the IDF maintains that the bulldozer operator failed to see Ms. Corrie due to his restricted vision from inside the vehicles' cockpit and that her death was entirely accidental.
According to Mr. Falk's statement, despite evidence and eyewitness testimony indicating that Rachel Corrie was in the direct line of vision of the bulldozer driver and was also wearing a bright fluorescent orange vest increasing her visibility, Judge Oded Gershon ruled that Ms. Corrie's death was "a regrettable accident" in a territory considered by the State of Israel to be "a war zone."
"The judge's decision represents a defeat for justice and accountability, and a victory for impunity for the Israeli military," noted Mr. Falk, who added: "Such a shocking rationale flies directly in the face of the Geneva Conventions, which impose on an occupying power an unconditional obligation to protect the civilian population."
Mr. Falk also drew parallels between Rachel Corrie's death and other recent incidents in which the use of Israeli force against civilian populations has caused casualties, most notably the 2008-2009 Gaza War, in which over 1,400 people were killed, and the more recent 2010 Israeli commando assault on Turkish ships filled with activists bringing humanitarian supplies to the blockaded people of Gaza.
"Israeli governmental institutions have consistently embraced impunity and non-accountability in responding to well-documented violations of international humanitarian law and in many cases Israel's own criminal law," he said, adding that the Corrie family had been at "the partisan mercies" of the Israeli judicial system whose legal decisions were "a mockery of justice."
The Corrie family have announced their intention to appeal Judge Gershon's verdict in the Israeli Supreme Court, Mr. Falk added.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs like Mr. Falk, are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. They work in an independent and unpaid capacity.
Aug 30 2012 3:10PM
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ON INTERNATIONAL DAY, UN EXPERTS HIGHLIGHT NEED TO END ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
ON INTERNATIONAL DAY, UN EXPERTS HIGHLIGHT NEED TO END ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
New York, Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
The practice of enforced disappearances in which citizens of a State are deliberately vanished to never be seen again is not only a heinous crime but an act that negates the very essence of humanity, a group of independent United Nations experts said today.
"Such a practice cannot and should not be tolerated nor justified whether it is used to counter terrorism or fight organized crime or suppress legitimate demands concerning issues such as democracy, freedom of expression or freedom of religion," stated the <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Disappearances/Pages/DisappearancesIndex.aspx">Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances.
"It is an act that negates the very essence of humanity and is contrary to the deepest values of any society," they added in their joint statement marking the second International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The Working Group was established by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1980 to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of disappeared relatives. It seeks to establish a channel of communication between the families and the Governments concerned to ensure cases are investigated.
The International Day was proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 2010, in a resolution which expressed its deep concern over the increase in enforced or involuntary disappearances in various regions of the world.
The UN experts pointed out that 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, but voiced concern that the criminal act of vanishing people continued in some countries while others had not yet come to terms with the role enforced disappearances played in their past.
"The practice of enforced disappearances is still used in certain countries to repress individuals and intimidate people claiming their rights," the experts stated. "In other countries, situations of the past have not been dealt with in an appropriate manner. All families of the disappeared, even though those disappearances occurred decades before, should enjoy the right to truth, the right to justice, and the right to reparation."
In their <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12467&LangID=E">statement, the experts also renewed their vow to work towards the elimination of enforced disappearances and emphasized their commitment in bringing truth to the families of the missing.
In addition, they also urged all Member States to commit to the full eradication of the practice and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
"We have a new Convention to respect and implement. A Convention to bring to life, honouring those who disappeared, and are yet still so present, and we have lives that we can still save," stated the experts.
In December 2010, the Convention, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 2006, came into force after Iraq became the 20th State to ratify it. The treaty not only outlaws enforced disappearances, but also recognizes the right of all people affected by the crime to know the truth about the circumstances of this crime, the progress and results of the investigation and the fate of the disappeared person.
The Working Groups' five members are Olivier de Frouville from France, who is also the Chair-Rapporteur, Ariel Dulitzky from Argentina, Jasminka Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Osman El-Hajjé from Lebanon, and Jeremy Sarkin from South Africa.
Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
The practice of enforced disappearances in which citizens of a State are deliberately vanished to never be seen again is not only a heinous crime but an act that negates the very essence of humanity, a group of independent United Nations experts said today.
"Such a practice cannot and should not be tolerated nor justified whether it is used to counter terrorism or fight organized crime or suppress legitimate demands concerning issues such as democracy, freedom of expression or freedom of religion," stated the <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Disappearances/Pages/DisappearancesIndex.aspx">Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances.
"It is an act that negates the very essence of humanity and is contrary to the deepest values of any society," they added in their joint statement marking the second International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The Working Group was established by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1980 to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of disappeared relatives. It seeks to establish a channel of communication between the families and the Governments concerned to ensure cases are investigated.
The International Day was proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 2010, in a resolution which expressed its deep concern over the increase in enforced or involuntary disappearances in various regions of the world.
The UN experts pointed out that 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, but voiced concern that the criminal act of vanishing people continued in some countries while others had not yet come to terms with the role enforced disappearances played in their past.
"The practice of enforced disappearances is still used in certain countries to repress individuals and intimidate people claiming their rights," the experts stated. "In other countries, situations of the past have not been dealt with in an appropriate manner. All families of the disappeared, even though those disappearances occurred decades before, should enjoy the right to truth, the right to justice, and the right to reparation."
In their <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12467&LangID=E">statement, the experts also renewed their vow to work towards the elimination of enforced disappearances and emphasized their commitment in bringing truth to the families of the missing.
In addition, they also urged all Member States to commit to the full eradication of the practice and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
"We have a new Convention to respect and implement. A Convention to bring to life, honouring those who disappeared, and are yet still so present, and we have lives that we can still save," stated the experts.
In December 2010, the Convention, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 2006, came into force after Iraq became the 20th State to ratify it. The treaty not only outlaws enforced disappearances, but also recognizes the right of all people affected by the crime to know the truth about the circumstances of this crime, the progress and results of the investigation and the fate of the disappeared person.
The Working Groups' five members are Olivier de Frouville from France, who is also the Chair-Rapporteur, Ariel Dulitzky from Argentina, Jasminka Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Osman El-Hajjé from Lebanon, and Jeremy Sarkin from South Africa.
Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?MANY=20CHILDREN=20IN=20GUATEMALA=20STILL=20FACING=20SEXUAL=20EXPLOITATION, =20FORCED=20LABOUR=20=96=20UN=20EXPERT?=
MANY CHILDREN IN GUATEMALA STILL FACING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, FORCED LABOUR – UN EXPERT
New York, Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
In spite of protection measures by the Guatemalan Government, many children are still victims of sexual exploitation and forced labour, a United Nations independent expert warned today.
"Many children are still victims of sexual exploitation and forced labour in Guatemala despite the laudable efforts carried out to prevent and combat the sale of children for illegal adoption," said the Special Rapporteur on child trafficking, prostitution and child pornography, Najay Maalla M'jid, at the end of a ten-day visit to the country.
"The phenomenon of sexually exploited girls in prostitution is very worrying, as well as the large number of young mothers that have been sexually abused by relatives and the absence of sexual education that does not inform children of the inherent risks of sexual relations and early pregnancies," she added in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12473&LangID=S">news release from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Ms. Maalla M'jid underlined that it is still difficult to determine the extent of the trafficking and exploitation of children due to the lack of systematic denunciations, as people fear stigmatization and retaliation.
She also noted a lack of access to mechanisms that guarantee rapid protection and security for victims outside the capital, Guatemala City, pointing out that there is a transnational dimension to the issue which translates into using minors for sexual tourism, online pornography and organized crime.
The Special Rapporteur recognized that there have been numerous legal reforms and measures adopted by various actors at a central and local level.
"However, in spite of these efforts and great mobilization, child protection measures are still fragmented due to the overlapping competencies of multiple institutions and the lack of coordination among sectors, as well as the absence of adequate and permanent resources," she said.
Ms. Maalla M'jid also emphasized that slow judicial investigations and the current impunity enjoyed by many perpetrators impede the rapid and efficient protection of victims and witnesses, and called on the Government to adopt a strategy with a global and integrated focus to guarantee the protection of children who have been victims or are at risk of abuse.
"The strengthening of institutions that are tasked to implement, coordinate and evaluate prevention and protection strategies for children should take advantage of the continued technical assistance of the United Nations and the international community," Ms. Maala M'jid said.
During her visit to the country, Ms. Maalla M'jid met with Government officials, as well as with representatives from civil society and the private sector. She also talked to young teenagers who have been victims of violence and abuse when she visited child protection centres in the country.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes.
Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
In spite of protection measures by the Guatemalan Government, many children are still victims of sexual exploitation and forced labour, a United Nations independent expert warned today.
"Many children are still victims of sexual exploitation and forced labour in Guatemala despite the laudable efforts carried out to prevent and combat the sale of children for illegal adoption," said the Special Rapporteur on child trafficking, prostitution and child pornography, Najay Maalla M'jid, at the end of a ten-day visit to the country.
"The phenomenon of sexually exploited girls in prostitution is very worrying, as well as the large number of young mothers that have been sexually abused by relatives and the absence of sexual education that does not inform children of the inherent risks of sexual relations and early pregnancies," she added in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12473&LangID=S">news release from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Ms. Maalla M'jid underlined that it is still difficult to determine the extent of the trafficking and exploitation of children due to the lack of systematic denunciations, as people fear stigmatization and retaliation.
She also noted a lack of access to mechanisms that guarantee rapid protection and security for victims outside the capital, Guatemala City, pointing out that there is a transnational dimension to the issue which translates into using minors for sexual tourism, online pornography and organized crime.
The Special Rapporteur recognized that there have been numerous legal reforms and measures adopted by various actors at a central and local level.
"However, in spite of these efforts and great mobilization, child protection measures are still fragmented due to the overlapping competencies of multiple institutions and the lack of coordination among sectors, as well as the absence of adequate and permanent resources," she said.
Ms. Maalla M'jid also emphasized that slow judicial investigations and the current impunity enjoyed by many perpetrators impede the rapid and efficient protection of victims and witnesses, and called on the Government to adopt a strategy with a global and integrated focus to guarantee the protection of children who have been victims or are at risk of abuse.
"The strengthening of institutions that are tasked to implement, coordinate and evaluate prevention and protection strategies for children should take advantage of the continued technical assistance of the United Nations and the international community," Ms. Maala M'jid said.
During her visit to the country, Ms. Maalla M'jid met with Government officials, as well as with representatives from civil society and the private sector. She also talked to young teenagers who have been victims of violence and abuse when she visited child protection centres in the country.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes.
Aug 30 2012 2:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?NON-ALIGNED=20MOVEMENT=20MUST=20RESPOND=20TO=20ITS=20PEOPLE=92S=20ASPIRATIONS, =20BAN=20TELLS=20SUMMIT?=
NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT MUST RESPOND TO ITS PEOPLE'S ASPIRATIONS, BAN TELLS SUMMIT
New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the strong partnership between the United Nations and the international grouping of over 100 countries known as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), while also stressing the need for both bodies to rise to the challenge of responding to the needs of those they represent.
"Today the United Nations and the NAM face the supreme challenge of answering people's aspirations," Mr. Ban said in his <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1635">remarks to the group's 16th summit, held in Tehran. "I see two paths for rising to this challenge: prevention to help deal with a society's political grievances; and sustainability to help address society's developmental challenges."
He highlighted the "powerful yearning for freedom" within nations – the freedom to participate, the freedom to make one's voice heard and the freedom to choose one's government.
"In some places this has brought transformation and new beginnings, but in others, we see suppression and frustration," he said. "That is why I have urged world leaders to listen seriously and sincerely. Listen to the appeals of people – for justice, for human rights, for dignity."
The 16th NAM Summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital on Sunday and ends on Friday, and is expected to draw representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries.
In his remarks, the UN chief noted that the crisis in Syria started with peaceful demonstrations that were met by ruthless force, and urged all parties to stop the violence now.
"Now, we face the grim risk of long-term civil war destroying Syria's rich tapestry of communities," he said. "Those who provide arms to either side in Syria are contributing to the misery. Further militarization is not the answer. The situation cannot be resolved with the blood and the bodies of more than 18,000 people and counting. There should be no more bullets and bombs."
He also cited the need to tackle challenges such as climate change, women's empowerment, sustainable development and poverty eradication, as well as the "far too many" political disputes within and between NAM member States, including Sudan and South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Mali.
"I urge all NAM members to work within the principles of the UN Charter to resolve disputes peacefully," Mr. Ban said. "But it is not sufficient to focus on lowering tensions between NAM countries, as important as that is. We must prevent conflict between all UN Member States.
"And from this platform – as I have repeatedly stated around the world – I strongly reject threats by any Member State to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts, such as the Holocaust.
"Claiming that another UN Member State, Israel, does not have the right to exist, or describing it in racist terms, is not only utterly wrong but undermines the very principles we have all pledged to uphold."
The Secretary-General also noted that assuming the leadership of the NAM provides Iran with the opportunity to demonstrate that it can play a "moderate and constructive role" internationally. "That includes responsible action on the nuclear programme which is among the top concerns of the international community," he stated.
"For the sake of peace and security in this region and globally, I urge the Government of Iran to take the necessary measures to build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme," he said, adding that this can be done by fully complying with the relevant Security Council resolutions and cooperating with the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Mr. Ban said that, in this period of "profound transition," NAM – which represents nearly two-thirds of the UN's 193 members – continues to define its evolving identity and address changing notions of sovereignty in an age of interconnectedness.
"You represent diverse societies joined by common goals. I urge you to unite as well to promote and protect the values embedded in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association.
"For much of your membership, this internal effort should be the next frontier of action for your people," said the Secretary-General. "Our organizations must keep pace in changing times. Long-held assumptions may need to change."
Also addressing the NAM summit today was the President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, who commended the rich and varied activity of the group, which can help to promote a safer and more stable global environment, while noting that the world is a much more different place than it was when NAM was established 50 years ago.
"You will be asking yourselves how to interact with the new international order as it now stands. I believe that it would be appropriate to examine your role from two standpoints: first, how you relate to one [another] in fulfilling your objectives and, second, how you relate to the other international groups," President Al-Nasser said. "This high-level meeting provides an opportunity for such a review."
Secretary-General Ban also spoke at the Iranian Foreign Ministry's School of International Relations, where he said many human rights challenges remain in Iran. It is especially important for the voices of Iran's people to be heard during next year's presidential election, he stated.
He added that this is why he had urged the authorities during his visit to release opposition leaders, human rights defenders, journalists and social activists to create the conditions for free expression and open debate.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
________________
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New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the strong partnership between the United Nations and the international grouping of over 100 countries known as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), while also stressing the need for both bodies to rise to the challenge of responding to the needs of those they represent.
"Today the United Nations and the NAM face the supreme challenge of answering people's aspirations," Mr. Ban said in his <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1635">remarks to the group's 16th summit, held in Tehran. "I see two paths for rising to this challenge: prevention to help deal with a society's political grievances; and sustainability to help address society's developmental challenges."
He highlighted the "powerful yearning for freedom" within nations – the freedom to participate, the freedom to make one's voice heard and the freedom to choose one's government.
"In some places this has brought transformation and new beginnings, but in others, we see suppression and frustration," he said. "That is why I have urged world leaders to listen seriously and sincerely. Listen to the appeals of people – for justice, for human rights, for dignity."
The 16th NAM Summit, under the chairmanship of the Government of Iran, began in the Iranian capital on Sunday and ends on Friday, and is expected to draw representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries.
In his remarks, the UN chief noted that the crisis in Syria started with peaceful demonstrations that were met by ruthless force, and urged all parties to stop the violence now.
"Now, we face the grim risk of long-term civil war destroying Syria's rich tapestry of communities," he said. "Those who provide arms to either side in Syria are contributing to the misery. Further militarization is not the answer. The situation cannot be resolved with the blood and the bodies of more than 18,000 people and counting. There should be no more bullets and bombs."
He also cited the need to tackle challenges such as climate change, women's empowerment, sustainable development and poverty eradication, as well as the "far too many" political disputes within and between NAM member States, including Sudan and South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Mali.
"I urge all NAM members to work within the principles of the UN Charter to resolve disputes peacefully," Mr. Ban said. "But it is not sufficient to focus on lowering tensions between NAM countries, as important as that is. We must prevent conflict between all UN Member States.
"And from this platform – as I have repeatedly stated around the world – I strongly reject threats by any Member State to destroy another or outrageous attempts to deny historical facts, such as the Holocaust.
"Claiming that another UN Member State, Israel, does not have the right to exist, or describing it in racist terms, is not only utterly wrong but undermines the very principles we have all pledged to uphold."
The Secretary-General also noted that assuming the leadership of the NAM provides Iran with the opportunity to demonstrate that it can play a "moderate and constructive role" internationally. "That includes responsible action on the nuclear programme which is among the top concerns of the international community," he stated.
"For the sake of peace and security in this region and globally, I urge the Government of Iran to take the necessary measures to build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme," he said, adding that this can be done by fully complying with the relevant Security Council resolutions and cooperating with the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Mr. Ban said that, in this period of "profound transition," NAM – which represents nearly two-thirds of the UN's 193 members – continues to define its evolving identity and address changing notions of sovereignty in an age of interconnectedness.
"You represent diverse societies joined by common goals. I urge you to unite as well to promote and protect the values embedded in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of association.
"For much of your membership, this internal effort should be the next frontier of action for your people," said the Secretary-General. "Our organizations must keep pace in changing times. Long-held assumptions may need to change."
Also addressing the NAM summit today was the President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, who commended the rich and varied activity of the group, which can help to promote a safer and more stable global environment, while noting that the world is a much more different place than it was when NAM was established 50 years ago.
"You will be asking yourselves how to interact with the new international order as it now stands. I believe that it would be appropriate to examine your role from two standpoints: first, how you relate to one [another] in fulfilling your objectives and, second, how you relate to the other international groups," President Al-Nasser said. "This high-level meeting provides an opportunity for such a review."
Secretary-General Ban also spoke at the Iranian Foreign Ministry's School of International Relations, where he said many human rights challenges remain in Iran. It is especially important for the voices of Iran's people to be heard during next year's presidential election, he stated.
He added that this is why he had urged the authorities during his visit to release opposition leaders, human rights defenders, journalists and social activists to create the conditions for free expression and open debate.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT ‘APPALLED’ AT LEVEL OF EXECUTIONS IN IRAQ
UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT 'APPALLED' AT LEVEL OF EXECUTIONS IN IRAQ
New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
An independent United Nations human rights expert today strongly <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12468&LangID=E">condemned last Monday's execution of 21 people within one day in Iraq, including three women, which was followed two days later by the reported execution of five more people.
"I am appalled about the level of executions in Iraq. I deeply deplore the executions carried out this week, and am particularly alarmed about continuing reports of individuals who remain at risk of execution," said the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns.
"I urge the Government of Iraq to halt immediately the executions," added Mr. Heyns, who noted that the number of people executed in the country since the start of this year is now at least 96.
The expert has previously expressed to the Iraqi Government his concerns about the imposition of the death penalty, and called for a halt to executions and a review of all death row cases. He had also informed it of the need for transparency, stringent respect of due process and fair trial guarantees, and the application of the death penalty only for the most serious crimes – namely intentional killing.
"The death penalty may only be imposed, in countries that still have this form of punishment, if a strict set of substantive and procedural requirements are met," Mr. Heyns underscored.
He noted that the continued lack of transparency about the implementation of the death penalty in Iraq, and the country's recent record, raises serious concerns about the question of what to expect in the future.
"The arbitrary killing of people, also when it is committed behind a smokescreen of flawed legal processes, is not solely a matter of domestic concern," he said. "Iraq should take note that the international community will take strong exception to a continuation of its flagrant disregard of the norms applicable to the protection of the right to life."
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
An independent United Nations human rights expert today strongly <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12468&LangID=E">condemned last Monday's execution of 21 people within one day in Iraq, including three women, which was followed two days later by the reported execution of five more people.
"I am appalled about the level of executions in Iraq. I deeply deplore the executions carried out this week, and am particularly alarmed about continuing reports of individuals who remain at risk of execution," said the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns.
"I urge the Government of Iraq to halt immediately the executions," added Mr. Heyns, who noted that the number of people executed in the country since the start of this year is now at least 96.
The expert has previously expressed to the Iraqi Government his concerns about the imposition of the death penalty, and called for a halt to executions and a review of all death row cases. He had also informed it of the need for transparency, stringent respect of due process and fair trial guarantees, and the application of the death penalty only for the most serious crimes – namely intentional killing.
"The death penalty may only be imposed, in countries that still have this form of punishment, if a strict set of substantive and procedural requirements are met," Mr. Heyns underscored.
He noted that the continued lack of transparency about the implementation of the death penalty in Iraq, and the country's recent record, raises serious concerns about the question of what to expect in the future.
"The arbitrary killing of people, also when it is committed behind a smokescreen of flawed legal processes, is not solely a matter of domestic concern," he said. "Iraq should take note that the international community will take strong exception to a continuation of its flagrant disregard of the norms applicable to the protection of the right to life."
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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AFRICAN CITIES MUST IMPLEMENT GREEN MEASURES TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY – UN REPORT
AFRICAN CITIES MUST IMPLEMENT GREEN MEASURES TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY – UN REPORT
New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
Policymakers in African cities must implement green measures to make sure that growing urban areas can meet the increasing demand for food, according to a report released today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The publication, entitled <"http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/greenercities/"><em>Growing greener cities in Africa</em>, stresses the importance of sustainable practices to meet nutrition needs such as urban market gardening, referring to the home, school, community and market gardens that produce fruits and vegetables in and around the continent's cities.
"The challenge of achieving a 'zero hunger' world – in which everyone is adequately nourished and all food systems are resilient – is as urgent in African cities as it is in rural areas," FAO's Assistant Director-General for Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Modibo Traoré, notes in the publication's foreword.
He adds, "African policymakers need to act now to steer urbanization from its current, unsustainable path towards healthy, 'greener' cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens."
The report, which draws on surveys and case studies from 31 countries across the African continent, found that market gardening in cities in 10 countries is already the single most important source of locally-grown fresh produce. However, this practice has grown with little official recognition, regulation and support, and in many cases has become unsustainable as farmers are increasing the use of pesticides and polluted water.
To address this issue, the publication urges governments and city administrations to work together with growers, processors, suppliers, vendors and others to give market gardens and urban agriculture the political, logistical and educational support necessary for sustainable development.
One of the report's recommendations advises policymakers to zone and protect land and water for market gardens, and encourage growers to adopt a farming model that will boost yields while preserving natural resources by applying the right amount of pesticides, seeds and fertilizers.
The report also stresses that greener measures are crucial if the continent is to sustain the strong economic growth it has recorded over the past decade, and notes that while it has led to rapid urbanization, many people are still facing poverty in urban areas.
According to an FAO <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/154241/icode/">news release on the report, more than half of all urban Africans live in slums, up to 200 million survive on less than $2 a day, and poor urban children are as likely to be chronically malnourished as poor rural children.
The publication was released in advance of the sixth session of the World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, which seeks to examine rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
Policymakers in African cities must implement green measures to make sure that growing urban areas can meet the increasing demand for food, according to a report released today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The publication, entitled <"http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/greenercities/"><em>Growing greener cities in Africa</em>, stresses the importance of sustainable practices to meet nutrition needs such as urban market gardening, referring to the home, school, community and market gardens that produce fruits and vegetables in and around the continent's cities.
"The challenge of achieving a 'zero hunger' world – in which everyone is adequately nourished and all food systems are resilient – is as urgent in African cities as it is in rural areas," FAO's Assistant Director-General for Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Modibo Traoré, notes in the publication's foreword.
He adds, "African policymakers need to act now to steer urbanization from its current, unsustainable path towards healthy, 'greener' cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens."
The report, which draws on surveys and case studies from 31 countries across the African continent, found that market gardening in cities in 10 countries is already the single most important source of locally-grown fresh produce. However, this practice has grown with little official recognition, regulation and support, and in many cases has become unsustainable as farmers are increasing the use of pesticides and polluted water.
To address this issue, the publication urges governments and city administrations to work together with growers, processors, suppliers, vendors and others to give market gardens and urban agriculture the political, logistical and educational support necessary for sustainable development.
One of the report's recommendations advises policymakers to zone and protect land and water for market gardens, and encourage growers to adopt a farming model that will boost yields while preserving natural resources by applying the right amount of pesticides, seeds and fertilizers.
The report also stresses that greener measures are crucial if the continent is to sustain the strong economic growth it has recorded over the past decade, and notes that while it has led to rapid urbanization, many people are still facing poverty in urban areas.
According to an FAO <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/154241/icode/">news release on the report, more than half of all urban Africans live in slums, up to 200 million survive on less than $2 a day, and poor urban children are as likely to be chronically malnourished as poor rural children.
The publication was released in advance of the sixth session of the World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, which seeks to examine rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?UN=20CHIEF=20WELCOMES=20REPORT=20INTO=20MALDIVES=92=20TRANSFER=20OF=20POWER, =20URGES=20PARTIES=20TO=20ACCEPT=20FINDINGS?=
UN CHIEF WELCOMES REPORT INTO MALDIVES' TRANSFER OF POWER, URGES PARTIES TO ACCEPT FINDINGS
New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the release of the report today by the Maldives' Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) that has looked into the facts, circumstances and causes of the 7 February transfer of power in the island nation, <"http://dev.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6265">according to a UN spokesperson.
"The Secretary-General urges all parties to accept the findings of the Commission and now begin the process of national dialogue aimed at resolving the political problems facing the country," the spokesperson added in a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
"To that end, he welcomes the start today of high-level political dialogue, and hopes that this leads to national reconciliation and a way of moving forward," the spokesperson added. "He is concerned at the prospect of renewed political tensions should any side not accept the outcome of the inquiry. He calls on all parties to exercise maximum cooperation and restraint."
In February, the Maldives' then-President, Mohamed Nasheed, resigned after days of protests and tensions between the Government and military and police. He was succeeded by his former deputy, Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
In the wake of those events, the Government set up the CoNI, with both the UN and the Commonwealth of Nations providing legal advice to the Commission. "The CoNI was reconstituted in June with international assistance and has since been recognized by all parties as a credible inquiry mechanism," the spokesperson said.
According to media reports, the CoNI's report has concluded that former President Nasheed's resignation was legal, and that he was not forced to step down at gunpoint as had been claimed.
Reportedly, Mr. Nasheed has rejected the report, and his supporters have resumed street protests in the Indian Ocean nation.
In his news briefing, the UN spokesperson noted that Mr. Ban calls on the parties to respect the Constitution, create a peaceful and transparent environment conducive to dialogue and take steps to strengthen democratic reform and institutions.
"The Secretary-General reaffirms the readiness of the United Nations to extend the necessary support and assistance requested by the parties," the spokesperson added.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the release of the report today by the Maldives' Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) that has looked into the facts, circumstances and causes of the 7 February transfer of power in the island nation, <"http://dev.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=6265">according to a UN spokesperson.
"The Secretary-General urges all parties to accept the findings of the Commission and now begin the process of national dialogue aimed at resolving the political problems facing the country," the spokesperson added in a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
"To that end, he welcomes the start today of high-level political dialogue, and hopes that this leads to national reconciliation and a way of moving forward," the spokesperson added. "He is concerned at the prospect of renewed political tensions should any side not accept the outcome of the inquiry. He calls on all parties to exercise maximum cooperation and restraint."
In February, the Maldives' then-President, Mohamed Nasheed, resigned after days of protests and tensions between the Government and military and police. He was succeeded by his former deputy, Mohammed Waheed Hassan.
In the wake of those events, the Government set up the CoNI, with both the UN and the Commonwealth of Nations providing legal advice to the Commission. "The CoNI was reconstituted in June with international assistance and has since been recognized by all parties as a credible inquiry mechanism," the spokesperson said.
According to media reports, the CoNI's report has concluded that former President Nasheed's resignation was legal, and that he was not forced to step down at gunpoint as had been claimed.
Reportedly, Mr. Nasheed has rejected the report, and his supporters have resumed street protests in the Indian Ocean nation.
In his news briefing, the UN spokesperson noted that Mr. Ban calls on the parties to respect the Constitution, create a peaceful and transparent environment conducive to dialogue and take steps to strengthen democratic reform and institutions.
"The Secretary-General reaffirms the readiness of the United Nations to extend the necessary support and assistance requested by the parties," the spokesperson added.
Aug 30 2012 1:10PM
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INTERNALLY DISPLACED CAMP RESIDENTS IN DARFUR RETURN FOLLOWING VIOLENCE - UN MISSION
INTERNALLY DISPLACED CAMP RESIDENTS IN DARFUR RETURN FOLLOWING VIOLENCE - UN MISSION
New York, Aug 30 2012 12:10PM
About 80 percent of the residents of a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Darfur, Sudan, have returned to the camp, in the aftermath of the recent violence which displaced 25,000 IDPs, the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, known by the acronym UNAMID, <"http://unamid.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=11027&ctl=Details&mid=14214&ItemID=19247&language=en-US">reported today.
"[UN] humanitarian agencies and non-governmental partner organizations have been able to resume their activities in the camp," UNAMID stated in a news release, citing information from the agencies.
"Food distribution began, a mobile clinic is operating and an assessment of the needs of the affected population is ongoing to provide the assistance required, including non-food items such as plastic sheets, mats and blankets," it added.
The violence had begun on 1August, with the shooting of a district commissioner and his driver during a car-jacking by three unidentified armed men. The vehicle was recovered later that same day, in the vicinity of the Kassab IDP camp, located near the town of Kutum, some 120 kilometres from the state capital of El Fasher.
Later that day, armed men surrounded Kassab, looted its market and burnt down the police post located within. Three civilians and one police officer were reported killed, in addition to six people injured.
In the following days, similar events took place – such as fighting between armed elements and Government forces, looting and the displacement of civilians – leading to a deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation at the Kassab and Fataborno IDP camps, as well as around Kutum. The incidents forced more than 25,000 IDPs from the camp to flee and seek refuge in Kutum.
In response, UNAMID has been providing a round-the-clock presence with continuous patrols, monitoring movements in and around the camp and facilitating humanitarian assistance.
Aug 30 2012 12:10PM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 12:10PM
About 80 percent of the residents of a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Darfur, Sudan, have returned to the camp, in the aftermath of the recent violence which displaced 25,000 IDPs, the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, known by the acronym UNAMID, <"http://unamid.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=11027&ctl=Details&mid=14214&ItemID=19247&language=en-US">reported today.
"[UN] humanitarian agencies and non-governmental partner organizations have been able to resume their activities in the camp," UNAMID stated in a news release, citing information from the agencies.
"Food distribution began, a mobile clinic is operating and an assessment of the needs of the affected population is ongoing to provide the assistance required, including non-food items such as plastic sheets, mats and blankets," it added.
The violence had begun on 1August, with the shooting of a district commissioner and his driver during a car-jacking by three unidentified armed men. The vehicle was recovered later that same day, in the vicinity of the Kassab IDP camp, located near the town of Kutum, some 120 kilometres from the state capital of El Fasher.
Later that day, armed men surrounded Kassab, looted its market and burnt down the police post located within. Three civilians and one police officer were reported killed, in addition to six people injured.
In the following days, similar events took place – such as fighting between armed elements and Government forces, looting and the displacement of civilians – leading to a deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation at the Kassab and Fataborno IDP camps, as well as around Kutum. The incidents forced more than 25,000 IDPs from the camp to flee and seek refuge in Kutum.
In response, UNAMID has been providing a round-the-clock presence with continuous patrols, monitoring movements in and around the camp and facilitating humanitarian assistance.
Aug 30 2012 12:10PM
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UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES GAMBIA TO IMPOSE IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES GAMBIA TO IMPOSE IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
New York, Aug 30 2012 11:10AM
The United Nations human rights chief today urged Gambian authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, after nine people were executed on Sunday and President Yahya Jammeh announced that all remaining death row inmates would be executed, by firing squad, by mid-September.
"I urge the Gambia to immediately stem this regression in human rights protection, and to impose an official moratorium, effective immediately, on the use of the death penalty," <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true&LangID=E">said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.
"The statement by President Yahya Jammeh that all remaining death sentences would be carried out by mid-September is extremely worrying, and raises serious questions about the motivation behind the sudden rush to execute," she added. "A further statement by the Ministry of the Interior, which seeks to justify the change of policy, is seriously misguided."
Until now, Gambia was at the forefront in the region's efforts to abolish the death penalty in law and practice, with a moratorium on the death penalty for 27 years and the abolition of capital punishment for drug offences in April 2011.
Prior to the nine executions carried out on 26 August, the last official execution in the West African nation took place in 1985, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"The Gambia has, for almost three decades, been one of the increasing number of States that did not practice capital punishment – until this sudden, grave, unfortunate change of course," Ms. Pillay said, adding that this represented an unfortunate setback for human rights protection in the country.
Ms. Pillay voiced her concern over the fairness of the trials of some of the people sentenced to death, as well as the lack of transparency surrounding the identity of those who were executed.
"The confusion and lack of transparency for several days over whether the executions actually took place, and accompanying uncertainty about the identity of those executed, is unacceptable, particularly for the family members of those killed. Secretly executing individuals without informing their families amounts to inhuman treatment," Ms. Pillay said.
The High Commissioner also warned that international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Gambia has ratified, requires compliance with rigorous fair trial standards in cases where death sentences are imposed.
"I urgently call on the President and relevant authorities in the Gambia to heed all the international, regional and local calls on the Government not to carry out further executions," she said, adding that "the moratorium that was in place for the past quarter of a century was something the country could be proud of, and was respected for."
Ms. Pillay's call follows that of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, who on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent executions and called on the Government to refrain from executing others on death row.
Aug 30 2012 11:10AM
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New York, Aug 30 2012 11:10AM
The United Nations human rights chief today urged Gambian authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, after nine people were executed on Sunday and President Yahya Jammeh announced that all remaining death row inmates would be executed, by firing squad, by mid-September.
"I urge the Gambia to immediately stem this regression in human rights protection, and to impose an official moratorium, effective immediately, on the use of the death penalty," <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true&LangID=E">said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.
"The statement by President Yahya Jammeh that all remaining death sentences would be carried out by mid-September is extremely worrying, and raises serious questions about the motivation behind the sudden rush to execute," she added. "A further statement by the Ministry of the Interior, which seeks to justify the change of policy, is seriously misguided."
Until now, Gambia was at the forefront in the region's efforts to abolish the death penalty in law and practice, with a moratorium on the death penalty for 27 years and the abolition of capital punishment for drug offences in April 2011.
Prior to the nine executions carried out on 26 August, the last official execution in the West African nation took place in 1985, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"The Gambia has, for almost three decades, been one of the increasing number of States that did not practice capital punishment – until this sudden, grave, unfortunate change of course," Ms. Pillay said, adding that this represented an unfortunate setback for human rights protection in the country.
Ms. Pillay voiced her concern over the fairness of the trials of some of the people sentenced to death, as well as the lack of transparency surrounding the identity of those who were executed.
"The confusion and lack of transparency for several days over whether the executions actually took place, and accompanying uncertainty about the identity of those executed, is unacceptable, particularly for the family members of those killed. Secretly executing individuals without informing their families amounts to inhuman treatment," Ms. Pillay said.
The High Commissioner also warned that international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Gambia has ratified, requires compliance with rigorous fair trial standards in cases where death sentences are imposed.
"I urgently call on the President and relevant authorities in the Gambia to heed all the international, regional and local calls on the Government not to carry out further executions," she said, adding that "the moratorium that was in place for the past quarter of a century was something the country could be proud of, and was respected for."
Ms. Pillay's call follows that of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, who on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent executions and called on the Government to refrain from executing others on death row.
Aug 30 2012 11:10AM
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Work In London.
Am Frederick sean a Recruitment agent officer in London.Exotic candidates(outside UNITED KINGDOM) needed to fill various skills in London. Send details/resume for application.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
UN FORCE HOLDS TALKS WITH ISRAELI, LEBANESE OFFICIALS ON BORDER ISSUES
UN FORCE HOLDS TALKS WITH ISRAELI, LEBANESE OFFICIALS ON BORDER ISSUES
New York, Aug 29 2012 5:10PM
The head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon today chaired a meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese and Israeli militaries as part of ongoing UN-sponsored efforts to reduce tensions and boost security along the countries' border area.
The Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Paola Serra, held talks with representatives of both the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) at the UN Position at the Ras Al Naqoura crossing, according to a UNIFIL <"http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1499&ctl=Details&mid=3103&ItemID=17309">press statement released today.
The discussions covered issues relevant to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, placing particular focus on the situation along the Line of Withdrawal – the so-called Blue Line – that separates Lebanon and Israel, the ongoing visible marking of the Blue Line, and past violations, as well as the withdrawal by the occupying Israeli forces from northern part of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the Blue Line.
"Both parties expressed their full support and commitment to work together with UNIFIL for the implementation of the relevant provisions of resolution 1701, to maintain calm in the area and to prevent incidents and tension along the Blue Line," Major-General Serra stated.
"In this context they have also expressed interest in speeding up the marking of the Blue Line," he added, noting that the meeting itself had been "constructive."
The Force Commander also expressed satisfaction that the overall situation in the area of UNIFIL's mandate was quiet and stable, with all parties reiterating their commitment to the cessation of hostilities.
UNIFIL was originally created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in re-establishing effective authority in the area. The mandate had to be adjusted twice due to developments in 1982 and 2000.
Following the 2006 conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah, the Council adopted resolution 1701, which enhanced UNIFIL, and decided that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other matters, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilians and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.
Aug 29 2012 5:10PM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 5:10PM
The head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon today chaired a meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese and Israeli militaries as part of ongoing UN-sponsored efforts to reduce tensions and boost security along the countries' border area.
The Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major-General Paola Serra, held talks with representatives of both the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) at the UN Position at the Ras Al Naqoura crossing, according to a UNIFIL <"http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1499&ctl=Details&mid=3103&ItemID=17309">press statement released today.
The discussions covered issues relevant to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, placing particular focus on the situation along the Line of Withdrawal – the so-called Blue Line – that separates Lebanon and Israel, the ongoing visible marking of the Blue Line, and past violations, as well as the withdrawal by the occupying Israeli forces from northern part of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the Blue Line.
"Both parties expressed their full support and commitment to work together with UNIFIL for the implementation of the relevant provisions of resolution 1701, to maintain calm in the area and to prevent incidents and tension along the Blue Line," Major-General Serra stated.
"In this context they have also expressed interest in speeding up the marking of the Blue Line," he added, noting that the meeting itself had been "constructive."
The Force Commander also expressed satisfaction that the overall situation in the area of UNIFIL's mandate was quiet and stable, with all parties reiterating their commitment to the cessation of hostilities.
UNIFIL was originally created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in re-establishing effective authority in the area. The mandate had to be adjusted twice due to developments in 1982 and 2000.
Following the 2006 conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah, the Council adopted resolution 1701, which enhanced UNIFIL, and decided that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other matters, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilians and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.
Aug 29 2012 5:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?WELCOMING=20=91LANDMARK=92=20EVENTS, =20SECURITY=20COUNCIL=20URGES=20SWIFT=20END=20TO=20SOMALI=20TRANSITION?=
WELCOMING 'LANDMARK' EVENTS, SECURITY COUNCIL URGES SWIFT END TO SOMALI TRANSITION
New York, Aug 29 2012 2:10PM
The Security Council today welcomed the recent adoption of Somalia's provisional constitution, the inaugural meeting of its new parliament and the appointment of that body's speaker, and called on all parties to continue to work together to bring a swift end to the country's transition.
The Council welcomed these "landmark" events in a statement issued to the press, after receiving a closed-door briefing on the latest developments on Tuesday from the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga.
Yesterday, Professor Mohammed Osman Jawari was selected as speaker of the New Federal Parliament that was inaugurated on 20 August, in an election that laid the groundwork for an imminent round of voting to appoint the Parliament's Deputy Speakers. This, in turn, would be followed by the election of the Horn of Africa nation's President.
Some 260 Members of Parliament have now either been sworn in or are pending imminent ratification, with 15 names still remaining before the new Somali legislature reaches its total of 275 constituents.
"The members of the Council called on the new Federal Parliament to discharge its responsibilities with independence, transparently and free from undue influence or coercion," said the statement.
They also underlined the importance of a fully functioning Parliament and that the remaining seats should be agreed and filled as quickly as possible.
In addition, the Council members urged all signatories to the so-called Roadmap for the End of Transition to continue to work together and bring a swift end to the transitional governing arrangements.
"They called on the signatories to refrain from unilateral action and to continue the process of dialogue and compromise," the statement noted. "They underlined that Parliament should now elect a president without further delay."
Aug 29 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 2:10PM
The Security Council today welcomed the recent adoption of Somalia's provisional constitution, the inaugural meeting of its new parliament and the appointment of that body's speaker, and called on all parties to continue to work together to bring a swift end to the country's transition.
The Council welcomed these "landmark" events in a statement issued to the press, after receiving a closed-door briefing on the latest developments on Tuesday from the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga.
Yesterday, Professor Mohammed Osman Jawari was selected as speaker of the New Federal Parliament that was inaugurated on 20 August, in an election that laid the groundwork for an imminent round of voting to appoint the Parliament's Deputy Speakers. This, in turn, would be followed by the election of the Horn of Africa nation's President.
Some 260 Members of Parliament have now either been sworn in or are pending imminent ratification, with 15 names still remaining before the new Somali legislature reaches its total of 275 constituents.
"The members of the Council called on the new Federal Parliament to discharge its responsibilities with independence, transparently and free from undue influence or coercion," said the statement.
They also underlined the importance of a fully functioning Parliament and that the remaining seats should be agreed and filled as quickly as possible.
In addition, the Council members urged all signatories to the so-called Roadmap for the End of Transition to continue to work together and bring a swift end to the transitional governing arrangements.
"They called on the signatories to refrain from unilateral action and to continue the process of dialogue and compromise," the statement noted. "They underlined that Parliament should now elect a president without further delay."
Aug 29 2012 2:10PM
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SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN ARRIVES IN TEHRAN, MEETS WITH IRANIAN LEADERS
SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN ARRIVES IN TEHRAN, MEETS WITH IRANIAN LEADERS
New York, Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Iran earlier today and has just finished a series of meetings with Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to a United Nations spokesperson.
Soon after arriving in Tehran, the UN chief attended a working lunch at the Parliament Building with the Speaker, Ali Larijani, and other officials, and later had meetings with President Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"In all these meetings, the Secretary-General conveyed the clear concerns and expectations of the international community on the issues for which cooperation and progress are urgent for both regional stability and the welfare of the Iranian people," the spokesperson told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
"These include Iran's nuclear programme, terrorism, human rights and the crisis in Syria. We expect to be able more details on these talks later," he added.
The UN chief is in Iran to attend the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Taking place in the capital, Tehran, and under the chairmanship of Iran, the NAM Summit began on Sunday and ends on Friday, and is expected to draw representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries. The UN chief will address the Summit on Thursday.
"I am very pleased to visit Iran and looking forward to having very constructive and useful discussions and meetings with senior leadership of Iran and I am also looking forward to meeting people and learn more about culture and history of Iran," Mr. Ban said in a media encounter upon arrival at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport, earlier on Wednesday.
The Secretary-General also congratulated Iran for its chairmanship of the NAM Summit.
"This is very important opportunity for Iran to play a very important role as moderate and constructive leader of the international community in addressing all the challenges," he said, adding that Iran has a "very important" role to play in the region, particularly when it comes to the situation in Syria.
Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Iran earlier today and has just finished a series of meetings with Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to a United Nations spokesperson.
Soon after arriving in Tehran, the UN chief attended a working lunch at the Parliament Building with the Speaker, Ali Larijani, and other officials, and later had meetings with President Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"In all these meetings, the Secretary-General conveyed the clear concerns and expectations of the international community on the issues for which cooperation and progress are urgent for both regional stability and the welfare of the Iranian people," the spokesperson told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
"These include Iran's nuclear programme, terrorism, human rights and the crisis in Syria. We expect to be able more details on these talks later," he added.
The UN chief is in Iran to attend the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Taking place in the capital, Tehran, and under the chairmanship of Iran, the NAM Summit began on Sunday and ends on Friday, and is expected to draw representatives from its 120 members, as well as from various associated observer countries. The UN chief will address the Summit on Thursday.
"I am very pleased to visit Iran and looking forward to having very constructive and useful discussions and meetings with senior leadership of Iran and I am also looking forward to meeting people and learn more about culture and history of Iran," Mr. Ban said in a media encounter upon arrival at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport, earlier on Wednesday.
The Secretary-General also congratulated Iran for its chairmanship of the NAM Summit.
"This is very important opportunity for Iran to play a very important role as moderate and constructive leader of the international community in addressing all the challenges," he said, adding that Iran has a "very important" role to play in the region, particularly when it comes to the situation in Syria.
Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
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UN OFFICIAL HAILS 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES AS CELEBRATION OF INCLUSION
UN OFFICIAL HAILS 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES AS CELEBRATION OF INCLUSION
New York, Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
With the 2012 London Paralympic Games only hours away from their torch-lighting ceremony, a senior United Nations official has lauded the sporting event for its celebration of inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
"Paralympic athletes achieve remarkable performances and get the chance, every two years, to shine in the limelight and show the world what they are capable of," the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on <"http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/sport/home">Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, said yesterday at a ceremony inaugurating the Paralympic Wall in the Olympic Village in London.
"Sport is a wonderful equalizer and a very efficient tool to ensure inclusion. It can certainly place everyone on a level playing field," Mr. Lemke added.
The 2012 Paralympic Games are the fourteenth edition of the sporting event and also the largest Paralympic Games ever to be held, with more than 4,200 athletes from 166 countries competing in 21 sports.
In a news release, the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace, which Mr. Lemke heads, noted that the newly unveiled Paralympic Wall would promote the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in an effort to ensure that sport is ultimately recognized as a global tool for inclusion, tolerance and diversity.
"Paralympic athletes are real change makers and role models in the sense that they greatly contribute to changing stereotypes and the way we sometimes look at persons with disabilities as well as the way they look at themselves," he continued, noting that "access to sport, physical activity and play is a fundamental right for everyone."
The Convention, which entered into force in May 2008 and has so far been endorsed by 144 countries, is the culmination of years of global efforts to ensure that the rights of the world's estimated 650 million persons with disabilities are guaranteed and protected.
It asserts the rights to education, health, work, adequate living conditions, freedom of movement, freedom from exploitation and equal recognition before the law for persons with disabilities.
Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
With the 2012 London Paralympic Games only hours away from their torch-lighting ceremony, a senior United Nations official has lauded the sporting event for its celebration of inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
"Paralympic athletes achieve remarkable performances and get the chance, every two years, to shine in the limelight and show the world what they are capable of," the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on <"http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/sport/home">Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, said yesterday at a ceremony inaugurating the Paralympic Wall in the Olympic Village in London.
"Sport is a wonderful equalizer and a very efficient tool to ensure inclusion. It can certainly place everyone on a level playing field," Mr. Lemke added.
The 2012 Paralympic Games are the fourteenth edition of the sporting event and also the largest Paralympic Games ever to be held, with more than 4,200 athletes from 166 countries competing in 21 sports.
In a news release, the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace, which Mr. Lemke heads, noted that the newly unveiled Paralympic Wall would promote the ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in an effort to ensure that sport is ultimately recognized as a global tool for inclusion, tolerance and diversity.
"Paralympic athletes are real change makers and role models in the sense that they greatly contribute to changing stereotypes and the way we sometimes look at persons with disabilities as well as the way they look at themselves," he continued, noting that "access to sport, physical activity and play is a fundamental right for everyone."
The Convention, which entered into force in May 2008 and has so far been endorsed by 144 countries, is the culmination of years of global efforts to ensure that the rights of the world's estimated 650 million persons with disabilities are guaranteed and protected.
It asserts the rights to education, health, work, adequate living conditions, freedom of movement, freedom from exploitation and equal recognition before the law for persons with disabilities.
Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
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UNITED NATIONS ALARMED OVER REPORTS OF FURTHER MASSACRES IN EASTERN DR CONGO
UNITED NATIONS ALARMED OVER REPORTS OF FURTHER MASSACRES IN EASTERN DR CONGO
New York, Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
Two senior United Nations officials today spoke out over reports of further massacres of civilians, beginning in early August, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – the latest in a series of violent attacks by armed groups systematically targeting civilians in the area.
"The deterioration of the overall security situation in North Kivu following the M23 mutiny and related ruthless attacks against civilians is extremely alarming," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for the DRC, Roger Meece, said.
The eastern DRC – particularly its provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu – has been plagued by violence over the past few months. One of the key actors is a group of renegade soldiers known as the 23 March Movement (M23).
The M23 has clashed with national army troops, which have been supported by peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), and has caused massive displacement of local residents, in addition to raising concerns about the region's stability.
In addition, on the humanitarian front, the fighting in eastern DRC has uprooted nearly half a million people over the past months, including some 220,000 people in North Kivu province, 200,000 in South Kivu province, and more than 51,000 who have fled to neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda. The M23's activities have led to condemnation from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council.
According to a joint <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12464&LangID=E">press release from MONUSCO and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC – known as UNJHRO, and made up of MONUSCO and UNHCR staff – has documented, since May, more than 45 attacks on some 30 villages and towns in the Ufamandu I and II areas, in Masisi territory, in North Kivu province.
UNJHRO has conducted four missions to the remote affected area and carried out dozens of interviews with victims and witnesses.
Some of the attacks have been carried out by the armed group known as Raïa Mutomboki and others by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (known by the French acronym FDLR), at times in coalition with the armed group known as Nyatura.
This has resulted in serious human rights violations, including civilian massacres and the destruction and looting of homes and property, as well as the mass displacement of thousands of civilians.
"Allegations of hundreds of killings are still being verified," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said. "However, the preliminary findings suggest that a significant number of people – most of them women and children – were slaughtered. The sheer viciousness of these murders is beyond comprehension. In some cases, the attacks against civilians may constitute crimes against humanity."
The attacks on villages by Raïa Mutomboki and FDLR occur in the context of an increase in security vacuums exacerbated by desertions from the Congolese Army (known by the French acronym FARDC) in April, the subsequent creation of the M23, and the redeployment of FARDC units to contain it, MONUSCO and UNHCR said in a joint news release.
They added that many armed groups have also taken advantage of this situation to expand their own area of influence, often carrying out brutal attacks against civilians in the process.
"Proclaiming to protect local populations against the predominantly Hutu FDLR, the Raïa Mutomboki are targeting civilians of Hutu ethnicity whom they consider to be foreigners and allies of the FDLR," MONUSCO and UNHCR noted. "In turn, the FDLR retaliate against civilian populations they believe to be associated with the Raïa Mutomboki."
Eastern DRC is home to various ethnic groups, including Hutus. In addition, some 100,000 Rwandans, mainly Hutus, fled to the area in 1994 in the wake of the genocide there, with some of them joining the FDLR.
Ms. Pillay has called on all armed groups to immediately cease attacks against civilians and noted the possible consequences for those responsible for such attacks, referring to the recent court case of a former rebel leader, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. In July, the International Criminal Court (ICC) sentenced the former Congolese warlord to 14 years of imprisonment for his involvement in child soldier recruitment in the early 2000s.
Mr. Meece, in turn, has noted with "grave concern" that the M23 mutiny had required MONUSCO and FARDC to divert resources away from some areas. He has also underscored MONUSCO's recent civilian protection activity in localities most affected by Raïa Mutomboki and FDLR, and reiterated the priority which the peacekeeping mission accords to civilian protection.
Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
Two senior United Nations officials today spoke out over reports of further massacres of civilians, beginning in early August, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – the latest in a series of violent attacks by armed groups systematically targeting civilians in the area.
"The deterioration of the overall security situation in North Kivu following the M23 mutiny and related ruthless attacks against civilians is extremely alarming," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for the DRC, Roger Meece, said.
The eastern DRC – particularly its provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu – has been plagued by violence over the past few months. One of the key actors is a group of renegade soldiers known as the 23 March Movement (M23).
The M23 has clashed with national army troops, which have been supported by peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), and has caused massive displacement of local residents, in addition to raising concerns about the region's stability.
In addition, on the humanitarian front, the fighting in eastern DRC has uprooted nearly half a million people over the past months, including some 220,000 people in North Kivu province, 200,000 in South Kivu province, and more than 51,000 who have fled to neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda. The M23's activities have led to condemnation from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council.
According to a joint <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12464&LangID=E">press release from MONUSCO and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC – known as UNJHRO, and made up of MONUSCO and UNHCR staff – has documented, since May, more than 45 attacks on some 30 villages and towns in the Ufamandu I and II areas, in Masisi territory, in North Kivu province.
UNJHRO has conducted four missions to the remote affected area and carried out dozens of interviews with victims and witnesses.
Some of the attacks have been carried out by the armed group known as Raïa Mutomboki and others by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (known by the French acronym FDLR), at times in coalition with the armed group known as Nyatura.
This has resulted in serious human rights violations, including civilian massacres and the destruction and looting of homes and property, as well as the mass displacement of thousands of civilians.
"Allegations of hundreds of killings are still being verified," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said. "However, the preliminary findings suggest that a significant number of people – most of them women and children – were slaughtered. The sheer viciousness of these murders is beyond comprehension. In some cases, the attacks against civilians may constitute crimes against humanity."
The attacks on villages by Raïa Mutomboki and FDLR occur in the context of an increase in security vacuums exacerbated by desertions from the Congolese Army (known by the French acronym FARDC) in April, the subsequent creation of the M23, and the redeployment of FARDC units to contain it, MONUSCO and UNHCR said in a joint news release.
They added that many armed groups have also taken advantage of this situation to expand their own area of influence, often carrying out brutal attacks against civilians in the process.
"Proclaiming to protect local populations against the predominantly Hutu FDLR, the Raïa Mutomboki are targeting civilians of Hutu ethnicity whom they consider to be foreigners and allies of the FDLR," MONUSCO and UNHCR noted. "In turn, the FDLR retaliate against civilian populations they believe to be associated with the Raïa Mutomboki."
Eastern DRC is home to various ethnic groups, including Hutus. In addition, some 100,000 Rwandans, mainly Hutus, fled to the area in 1994 in the wake of the genocide there, with some of them joining the FDLR.
Ms. Pillay has called on all armed groups to immediately cease attacks against civilians and noted the possible consequences for those responsible for such attacks, referring to the recent court case of a former rebel leader, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. In July, the International Criminal Court (ICC) sentenced the former Congolese warlord to 14 years of imprisonment for his involvement in child soldier recruitment in the early 2000s.
Mr. Meece, in turn, has noted with "grave concern" that the M23 mutiny had required MONUSCO and FARDC to divert resources away from some areas. He has also underscored MONUSCO's recent civilian protection activity in localities most affected by Raïa Mutomboki and FDLR, and reiterated the priority which the peacekeeping mission accords to civilian protection.
Aug 29 2012 1:10PM
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