UN EXPERTS URGE FRANCE TO ADHERE TO GLOBAL STANDARDS AMID ROMA EVICTIONS
New York, Aug 29 2012 12:10PM
A group of independent United Nations human rights experts today urged the French Government to ensure compliance with international non-discrimination standards when it comes to the dismantling of Roma settlements and the expulsion of migrant Roma.
A number of evictions and expulsions in August, including in the cities of Lille, Lyon and Paris, have been documented by non-governmental organizations and the media, and seem set to continue, according to a <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12466&LangID=E">news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
"Forced eviction is not an appropriate response and alternative solutions should be sought that conform with human rights standards," said the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik. "Legal safeguards must be in place, including the provision of adequate housing alternatives to ensure that individuals, particularly children, women and those with illnesses or disability, are not left homeless or vulnerable."
Ms. Rolnik also noted that 'though these acts are being justified on the basis of unsanitary conditions, few if any visible efforts are being developed to find alternative solutions for these communities, such as improving housing conditions."
The experts noted that similar actions against the Roma were undertaken in August 2010 and met with widespread European and international criticism.
"These reports are disturbing, especially because it is not the first time that Roma are collectively expelled from France," said the UN Independent Expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák. "The Roma are European Union citizens and Europe's most marginalized minority.
"Regrettably, these acts demonstrate that they do not always enjoy the same right of free movement and settlement, and continue to experience discriminatory treatment," added Ms. Izsák, who is herself of Hungarian Roma origin.
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, highlighted that collective expulsion is banned under international law and any repatriation should be "voluntary, in compliance with international standards, and based on individual assessment and independent monitoring."
Meanwhile, the Special Rapporteur on racism, Mutuma Ruteere, warned that "these evictions and expulsions are inevitably fuelling the already worrying climate of hostility against Roma in France," and highlighted the importance of enhancing the efforts to tackle marginalization of Roma in the sphere of housing and employment and facilitating their social inclusion.
Estimates suggest that up to 12 million Roma live in Europe, and other sizeable Roma populations live in Latin America and other regions, most of them on the margins of society.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on specific human rights themes.
Aug 29 2012 12:10PM
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
IRAQ: UN ENVOY WELCOMES TRANSFER OF IRANIAN EXILES TO NEW REFUGEE CAMP
IRAQ: UN ENVOY WELCOMES TRANSFER OF IRANIAN EXILES TO NEW REFUGEE CAMP
New York, Aug 29 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations top envoy in Iraq today hailed the relocation of another group of 400 Iranian exiles from a camp outside of the capital, Baghdad, to a new location, prior to their eventual resettlement in third countries.
"I welcome the residents' decision to re-commence the relocation process from Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Martin Kobler, said in a news release issued by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which he also heads.
The issue of Camp Ashraf – located in eastern Iraq and made up of several thousand Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People's Mojahedeen of Iran – has been one of the main issues dealt with by UNAMI for more than 18 months.
In line with a memorandum of understanding signed in December by the UN and the Iraqi Government to resolve the situation, some two-thirds of the residents, or 2,000 people, were re-located to a temporary transit location near Baghdad known as Camp Hurriya – formerly known as Camp Liberty – where a process to determine refugee status is being carried out by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
"Three-fourths of the residents, 2,400 persons, have now moved to Camp Hurriya," Mr. Kobler stated. "I thank them for their cooperation, and call on those remaining in Camp Ashraf to act in the same spirit and start preparations for additional moves without delay, in order to peacefully complete the process."
The news release further noted that Mr. Kobler requested that the Government of Iraq "be generous" to the camp residents in regards to their humanitarian needs, while also reiterating his appeal to Member States to accept the refugees upon resettlement in their countries.
Prior to today's transfer, close to 1,300 individuals were still awaiting relocation from Camp Ashraf to the transit centre.
UNAMI staff have been monitoring the human rights and humanitarian situation during the relocation process and provide round-the-clock human rights monitoring at Camp Hurriya.
Aug 29 2012 12:10PM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations top envoy in Iraq today hailed the relocation of another group of 400 Iranian exiles from a camp outside of the capital, Baghdad, to a new location, prior to their eventual resettlement in third countries.
"I welcome the residents' decision to re-commence the relocation process from Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriya," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Martin Kobler, said in a news release issued by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which he also heads.
The issue of Camp Ashraf – located in eastern Iraq and made up of several thousand Iranian exiles, many of them members of a group known as the People's Mojahedeen of Iran – has been one of the main issues dealt with by UNAMI for more than 18 months.
In line with a memorandum of understanding signed in December by the UN and the Iraqi Government to resolve the situation, some two-thirds of the residents, or 2,000 people, were re-located to a temporary transit location near Baghdad known as Camp Hurriya – formerly known as Camp Liberty – where a process to determine refugee status is being carried out by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
"Three-fourths of the residents, 2,400 persons, have now moved to Camp Hurriya," Mr. Kobler stated. "I thank them for their cooperation, and call on those remaining in Camp Ashraf to act in the same spirit and start preparations for additional moves without delay, in order to peacefully complete the process."
The news release further noted that Mr. Kobler requested that the Government of Iraq "be generous" to the camp residents in regards to their humanitarian needs, while also reiterating his appeal to Member States to accept the refugees upon resettlement in their countries.
Prior to today's transfer, close to 1,300 individuals were still awaiting relocation from Camp Ashraf to the transit centre.
UNAMI staff have been monitoring the human rights and humanitarian situation during the relocation process and provide round-the-clock human rights monitoring at Camp Hurriya.
Aug 29 2012 12:10PM
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GLOBAL BAN ON NUCLEAR TESTS VITAL FOR ACHIEVING MORE SECURE WORLD – UN CHIEF
GLOBAL BAN ON NUCLEAR TESTS VITAL FOR ACHIEVING MORE SECURE WORLD – UN CHIEF
New York, Aug 29 2012 11:10AM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the importance of a global ban on nuclear tests to achieve a safer and more secure world, calling on all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the international treaty that seeks to achieve this goal.
"Nuclear tests remain a threat to human health and global stability," Mr. Ban said in his <"http://www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/2012/sgmessage2012.shtml">message for the third annual <"http://www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/index.shtml">International Day against Nuclear Tests, observed on 29 August.
The Day highlights the efforts of the UN and a growing community of advocates, including Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and media in informing and educating on the importance of the nuclear-test-ban.
The General Assembly chose 29 August as the annual commemoration date since it marks the day in 1991 when Semipalatinsk, one of the largest test sites in the world and located in north-eastern Kazakhstan, was closed for good.
Mr. Ban noted that the Day is an important opportunity to call attention to the harmful and long-lasting effects of testing, as well as the continued danger posed by the existence of tens of thousands of nuclear weapons.
"Around the world, symposia, conferences, exhibitions and competitions are being held to raise public awareness and galvanize action to finally end nuclear tests," he stated. "To achieve this goal, States that have not yet signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) must do so without delay."
The CTBT, which aims to establish a verifiable, permanent global ban on all types of nuclear explosive tests, enjoys near-universal support but has yet to enter into force. The Secretary-General is the depositary of the treaty, which, as of today, has been signed by 183 States and ratified by 157.
Ratification by eight so-called Annex 2 States is required for the treaty to enter into force. They are China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, and the United States.
Pending the treaty's entry into force, Mr. Ban urged all States to uphold the current moratorium on all nuclear test explosions.
"However, while existing voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests are essential, they are no substitute for a total global ban," he reminded them.
The International Day against Nuclear Tests is being marked around the world with events to call attention to the dangers of nuclear test explosions, the threats posed to humans and the environment, and the need to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons and their testing.
Aug 29 2012 11:10AM
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New York, Aug 29 2012 11:10AM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the importance of a global ban on nuclear tests to achieve a safer and more secure world, calling on all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the international treaty that seeks to achieve this goal.
"Nuclear tests remain a threat to human health and global stability," Mr. Ban said in his <"http://www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/2012/sgmessage2012.shtml">message for the third annual <"http://www.un.org/en/events/againstnucleartestsday/index.shtml">International Day against Nuclear Tests, observed on 29 August.
The Day highlights the efforts of the UN and a growing community of advocates, including Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and media in informing and educating on the importance of the nuclear-test-ban.
The General Assembly chose 29 August as the annual commemoration date since it marks the day in 1991 when Semipalatinsk, one of the largest test sites in the world and located in north-eastern Kazakhstan, was closed for good.
Mr. Ban noted that the Day is an important opportunity to call attention to the harmful and long-lasting effects of testing, as well as the continued danger posed by the existence of tens of thousands of nuclear weapons.
"Around the world, symposia, conferences, exhibitions and competitions are being held to raise public awareness and galvanize action to finally end nuclear tests," he stated. "To achieve this goal, States that have not yet signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) must do so without delay."
The CTBT, which aims to establish a verifiable, permanent global ban on all types of nuclear explosive tests, enjoys near-universal support but has yet to enter into force. The Secretary-General is the depositary of the treaty, which, as of today, has been signed by 183 States and ratified by 157.
Ratification by eight so-called Annex 2 States is required for the treaty to enter into force. They are China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, and the United States.
Pending the treaty's entry into force, Mr. Ban urged all States to uphold the current moratorium on all nuclear test explosions.
"However, while existing voluntary moratoriums on nuclear weapon tests are essential, they are no substitute for a total global ban," he reminded them.
The International Day against Nuclear Tests is being marked around the world with events to call attention to the dangers of nuclear test explosions, the threats posed to humans and the environment, and the need to ultimately eliminate all nuclear weapons and their testing.
Aug 29 2012 11:10AM
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012
UN ENVOY WELCOMES ELECTION OF SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT IN SOMALIA
UN ENVOY WELCOMES ELECTION OF SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT IN SOMALIA
New York, Aug 28 2012 6:10PM
The United Nations envoy to Somalia today applauded the election of the country's new Speaker of Parliament, welcoming the democratic breakthrough as a moment of progress and optimism for the war-torn African nation.
Professor Mohammed Osman Jawari was today overwhelmingly selected to represent the New Federal Parliament in an election held at the Police Training Academy in Mogadishu, the capital, in which some 230 people participated.
"This is a moment of progress and optimism. Today the Somali legislators have taken an important step on the road to restoring accountable and participatory governance," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, said in a <"http://bit.ly/MY4z9E">statement.
The election has 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 country's President, which Mr. Mahiga has insisted should take place within ten days.
"It is vital that a complete Parliament is seated as quickly as possible in order to ensure that the election of the President can be accomplished in accordance with the agreed timetable," the envoy said, urging the New Federal Parliament to be allowed to exercise its complete authority with "independence, transparency and free from undue influence and coercion."
After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country's transitional governing arrangements winding down with the implementation of the so-called Roadmap for the End of Transition.
The measures to end the transition included the drafting of a new Provisional Constitution, and the selection of the Members of Parliament by a group of 135 traditional Somali Elders, with the advice of a Technical Selection Committee.
The inauguration on 20 August of Somalia's New Federal Parliament marked the long-awaited end of the transitional period in the Horn of Africa nation. 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.
Aug 28 2012 6:10PM
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New York, Aug 28 2012 6:10PM
The United Nations envoy to Somalia today applauded the election of the country's new Speaker of Parliament, welcoming the democratic breakthrough as a moment of progress and optimism for the war-torn African nation.
Professor Mohammed Osman Jawari was today overwhelmingly selected to represent the New Federal Parliament in an election held at the Police Training Academy in Mogadishu, the capital, in which some 230 people participated.
"This is a moment of progress and optimism. Today the Somali legislators have taken an important step on the road to restoring accountable and participatory governance," the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, said in a <"http://bit.ly/MY4z9E">statement.
The election has 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 country's President, which Mr. Mahiga has insisted should take place within ten days.
"It is vital that a complete Parliament is seated as quickly as possible in order to ensure that the election of the President can be accomplished in accordance with the agreed timetable," the envoy said, urging the New Federal Parliament to be allowed to exercise its complete authority with "independence, transparency and free from undue influence and coercion."
After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country's transitional governing arrangements winding down with the implementation of the so-called Roadmap for the End of Transition.
The measures to end the transition included the drafting of a new Provisional Constitution, and the selection of the Members of Parliament by a group of 135 traditional Somali Elders, with the advice of a Technical Selection Committee.
The inauguration on 20 August of Somalia's New Federal Parliament marked the long-awaited end of the transitional period in the Horn of Africa nation. 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.
Aug 28 2012 6:10PM
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UN HEALTHY AGENCY: ERADICATION OF GUINEA-WORM DISEASE ON TRACK AS NUMBER OF CASES DROPS
UN HEALTHY AGENCY: ERADICATION OF GUINEA-WORM DISEASE ON TRACK AS NUMBER OF CASES DROPS
New York, Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
The United Nations health agency is <"http://www.who.int/dracunculiasis/en/">reporting a continuing decline in the number of guinea worm cases – one of two diseases, along with polio, that it says is slated for eradication.
The number of guinea-worm disease cases has dropped from 3,190 in 2009 to just under 396 cases during the first six months of 2012, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Guinea-worm disease is a crippling parasitic ailment caused by Dracunculus medinensis, a long thread-like worm, and is transmitted when people drink water contaminated with parasite-infected water fleas.
Cases of the disease, also known as dracunculiasis, occurred in only four countries in 2011 – Chad, Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan.
Gautam Biswas of WHO's Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases told a news conference in Geneva that 99 per cent of cases today occur in the world's newest country, South Sudan, which has committed to interrupting transmission by 2013.
Dr. Biswas added that aggressive public health and hygiene awareness among the communities where the disease is still endemic is vital to eradicating it.
"There is no vaccine needed to prevent or even there is no medicine available," he stated. "The key to eradication is first very good surveillance to detect every case and once the case is detected to try and contain the case so that they do not infect others through drinking water sources, provision of drinking water and the treatment of the ponds."
He added, "The only constraint that we see is insecurity which results in population movement from their villages or the access to the health services are problematic due to insecurity."
The WHO official also noted that after the detection of the last case, surveillance must be continued for three years to prove that there are no more cases.
Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
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New York, Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
The United Nations health agency is <"http://www.who.int/dracunculiasis/en/">reporting a continuing decline in the number of guinea worm cases – one of two diseases, along with polio, that it says is slated for eradication.
The number of guinea-worm disease cases has dropped from 3,190 in 2009 to just under 396 cases during the first six months of 2012, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Guinea-worm disease is a crippling parasitic ailment caused by Dracunculus medinensis, a long thread-like worm, and is transmitted when people drink water contaminated with parasite-infected water fleas.
Cases of the disease, also known as dracunculiasis, occurred in only four countries in 2011 – Chad, Ethiopia, Mali and South Sudan.
Gautam Biswas of WHO's Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases told a news conference in Geneva that 99 per cent of cases today occur in the world's newest country, South Sudan, which has committed to interrupting transmission by 2013.
Dr. Biswas added that aggressive public health and hygiene awareness among the communities where the disease is still endemic is vital to eradicating it.
"There is no vaccine needed to prevent or even there is no medicine available," he stated. "The key to eradication is first very good surveillance to detect every case and once the case is detected to try and contain the case so that they do not infect others through drinking water sources, provision of drinking water and the treatment of the ponds."
He added, "The only constraint that we see is insecurity which results in population movement from their villages or the access to the health services are problematic due to insecurity."
The WHO official also noted that after the detection of the last case, surveillance must be continued for three years to prove that there are no more cases.
Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
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UN PEACEKEEPER PRESENCE INCREASED FOLLOWING ATTACK ON CÔTE D’IVOIRE MILITARY CHECKPOINT
UN PEACEKEEPER PRESENCE INCREASED FOLLOWING ATTACK ON CÔTE D'IVOIRE MILITARY CHECKPOINT
New York, Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
UN peacekeeper presence increased following attack on Côte d'Ivoire military checkpoint
An attack by unidentified gunmen in Côte d'Ivoire has left four people dead and the presence of United Nations peacekeepers in the area of the attack has been increased, a UN spokesperson said today.
Addressing a <"http://www.un.org/sg/spokesperson/highlights/index.asp?HighD=8/28/2012&d_month=8&d_year=2012">news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, the spokesperson said that unidentified gunmen opened fire from a vehicle at an Ivorian armed forces checkpoint in the village of Iribo, 90 kilometres from Abidjan, on 25 August. One Ivorian soldier, two attackers and one civilian were killed in the ensuing gun battle.
The incident comes in the wake of the Security Council's adoption of <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/RES/2062(2012)">resolution 2062, in July 2012, in which it requested that the peacekeeping operation in the country – the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) – reduce its military presence by the equivalent of one battalion.
However, the recent outburst of violence has prompted the UN to examine the mission's deployment in the country, the spokesperson told reporters.
"UNOCI and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations are carefully re-assessing current threats and risks and operational requirements," the spokesperson said, adding that "based on this assessment, the UN Mission will develop a plan for the responsible reduction of its uniformed personnel to ensure that it can respond to the evolving situation and effectively implement its mandate."
This latest incident follows a series of recent attacks against military bases and installations in the country which have caused numerous casualties.
On 5 August, an unidentified armed group attacked the military camp of the Forces républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (known by the French acronym FRCI) in the Abidjan neighbourhood of Akouédo around 3:30 a.m. The attack left seven soldiers from the national army dead and seriously injured another dozen troops. The group reportedly took arms and ammunition from the armoury before leaving the camp.
The other attacks targeted a police station and a checkpoint in Yopougon, Abidjan, and an FRCI camp in Abengourou, in the east of the country. There were reportedly no casualties in Abengourou, but five FRCI elements were reportedly killed in the checkpoint attack in Yopougon.
UNOCI was established in 2004 by the Security Council to facilitate the peace process in the country, which was split by civil war in 2002 into a rebel-held north and Government-controlled south.
In the aftermath of the post-election violence that followed the 2010 presidential polls, the peacekeeping mission is assisting the West African country with a number of key tasks, including the restoration of law and order, national reconciliation, the holding of legislative elections, and economic recovery.
Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
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New York, Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
UN peacekeeper presence increased following attack on Côte d'Ivoire military checkpoint
An attack by unidentified gunmen in Côte d'Ivoire has left four people dead and the presence of United Nations peacekeepers in the area of the attack has been increased, a UN spokesperson said today.
Addressing a <"http://www.un.org/sg/spokesperson/highlights/index.asp?HighD=8/28/2012&d_month=8&d_year=2012">news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, the spokesperson said that unidentified gunmen opened fire from a vehicle at an Ivorian armed forces checkpoint in the village of Iribo, 90 kilometres from Abidjan, on 25 August. One Ivorian soldier, two attackers and one civilian were killed in the ensuing gun battle.
The incident comes in the wake of the Security Council's adoption of <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/RES/2062(2012)">resolution 2062, in July 2012, in which it requested that the peacekeeping operation in the country – the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) – reduce its military presence by the equivalent of one battalion.
However, the recent outburst of violence has prompted the UN to examine the mission's deployment in the country, the spokesperson told reporters.
"UNOCI and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations are carefully re-assessing current threats and risks and operational requirements," the spokesperson said, adding that "based on this assessment, the UN Mission will develop a plan for the responsible reduction of its uniformed personnel to ensure that it can respond to the evolving situation and effectively implement its mandate."
This latest incident follows a series of recent attacks against military bases and installations in the country which have caused numerous casualties.
On 5 August, an unidentified armed group attacked the military camp of the Forces républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (known by the French acronym FRCI) in the Abidjan neighbourhood of Akouédo around 3:30 a.m. The attack left seven soldiers from the national army dead and seriously injured another dozen troops. The group reportedly took arms and ammunition from the armoury before leaving the camp.
The other attacks targeted a police station and a checkpoint in Yopougon, Abidjan, and an FRCI camp in Abengourou, in the east of the country. There were reportedly no casualties in Abengourou, but five FRCI elements were reportedly killed in the checkpoint attack in Yopougon.
UNOCI was established in 2004 by the Security Council to facilitate the peace process in the country, which was split by civil war in 2002 into a rebel-held north and Government-controlled south.
In the aftermath of the post-election violence that followed the 2010 presidential polls, the peacekeeping mission is assisting the West African country with a number of key tasks, including the restoration of law and order, national reconciliation, the holding of legislative elections, and economic recovery.
Aug 28 2012 5:10PM
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