Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
**Ebola
Yesterday, you will have followed the briefing to the Security Council by the Head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), Anthony Banbury.
Mr. Banbury stressed the need to accelerate the response, saying that Ebola got a head start on us and is winning the race. He said that according to current projections, only 4,300 treatment beds will be available by 1 December, while 7,000 beds will be needed. He also said that only 50 safe‑burial teams are on the ground, while 500 are required.
This morning, a German aircraft arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, to be loaded with UN humanitarian supplies and equipment for delivery to Sierra Leone and Guinea later in the week. This is done under the coordination of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response. Items include high‑energy biscuits for people affected by the crisis and infrastructure equipment to set up the logistics chain for future aid delivery.
A flight from the World Food Programme (WFP) is also en route to Liberia, carrying 58 metric tons of supplies, including water tanks, washing units and generators.
In Liberia, at the request of the Government and the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme is doing groundwork for four Ebola treatment units in Monrovia with a total of 400 beds. Construction of two of the centres is expected to be completed by this weekend.
**Security Council
The Security Council will hold consultations at 3:00 this afternoon, beginning with discussions about the work of the sanctions committee dealing with Somalia and Eritrea.
After that, Council members will hear from Terje Roed‑Larsen on the implementation of resolution 1559, concerning Lebanon. Mr. Roed‑Larsen intends to speak to reporters at the Council stakeout afterwards.
**Central African Republic
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) reports that today a UN police patrol was ambushed by anti‑Balaka fighters in the Combattant neighbourhood (8th district) of Bangui. The peacekeepers returned fire.
The attack resulted in four peacekeepers being wounded: three by grenade and one by gunfire.
They were immediately transported to the Mission’s hospital and are currently receiving medical care.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
A United Nations report released today details serious violations of human rights committed against civilians by Congolese security forces in the context of Operation "Likofi" in Kinshasa between 15 November 2013 and 15 February 2014.
The report is based on investigations conducted by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It documents the killing of at least 9 civilians and the enforced disappearance of at least 32 civilians by agents of the Congolese National Police.
The total number of victims could be much higher since Human Rights officers faced various difficulties in their investigations into these violations.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, called on the Congolese authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.
The Head of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Martin Kobler, stressed that these violations show how urgent it is to accelerate security sector reform and to establish strong accountability mechanisms within the Congolese police force. The full report is available online.
Still on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our humanitarian colleagues report that a flare-up in insecurity in North Kivu has forced more than 35,000 people from their homes since 1 September. This climate of insecurity stems from a string of clashes between armed groups and between the armed groups and the Congolese Army.
Insecurity is also a concern for aid agencies who work in the area, as humanitarian needs remain high. Food and essential household items were distributed to more than 50,000 displaced people last month.
**Syria
Yesterday, nearly 1,500 refugees from Kobane arrived in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Since 25 September, 7,318 people have arrived. The majority of these refugees are traveling through Turkey, where there are now about 200,000 Syrian refugees from Kobane.
UN and non‑governmental partners are assisting the new arrivals at the Ibrahim Khalil border before they are transferred by the International Organization for Migration to the Arbat refugee camp in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.
Until yesterday, arrivals were transferred to the Gawilan refugee camp in Dohuk, which is now full with 5,400 refugees.
The UN Refugee agency estimates that between 10,000 to 15,000 people may cross into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq from Kobane in the coming days.
**Press Conferences
Immediately following this briefing at 12:30 p.m., there will be a briefing here on Africa Week at the UN General Assembly, which is taking place from 13 to 17 October.
And tomorrow, Robert Piper, the UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sahel will be here as the guest at the Noon Briefing.
That's it for me. Any questions? Okay.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Farhan, the Saudi authorities have sentenced Sheikh Nimr al‑Nimr to death, just for calling for elections for proper representation of the people. The United Nations have for a long time not issued anything regarding this cleric, who did not carry any weapons, who did not participate in any violent activity or anything.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, first of all, you're aware of our views against the death penalty. The General Assembly has also spoken out clearly in its resolution several years back about the need for the progressive abolition of the death penalty. And we continue to hold by that; and of course to insist that in all such cases involving capital punishment, due process would need to be followed and adhered to strictly.
Question: But in this particular case, wouldn't the Secretary-General call the Saudi authorities and tell them that they have to respect the human rights?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, you've seen the concerns about human rights regarding the cases in the region, including the death penalty cases in the region, that have been expressed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. So we would refer you to those remarks. If there's anything further to say, somewhere down the line, we'll add that. But we have that at this stage. Yes?
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask about Ebola, specifically the UN in Liberia. Yesterday, Under‑Secretary-General [Hervé] Ladsous said that UNMIL [United Nations Mission in Liberia] is, quote, working closely with Liberia security agencies to plan future security operations conducted in the context of the state of emergency. So I wanted to know: what are the guidelines for that? If previously the Liberian authorities quarantined the West Point neighbourhood of Monrovia, I think the UN had been critical of that. Would UNMIL participate in quarantining, curfews, martial law? What does it mean to say that the UN is coordinating with operations for a state of emergency?
Deputy Spokesman: Just what he said. I don't want to speculate on what the future will hold. You were just mentioning a number of hypothetical scenarios. You will be able to see what the activities of UNMIL are on the ground as they go about their activities, and we'll keep you updated on the activities of UNMIL as it proceeds.
Question: Also, the Staff Union has called for guaranteed medical evacuation. And I've received a complaint from the UN… I want to know what the current status of the rights of UN staff in Liberia for evacuation, if infected, are?
Deputy Spokesman: I believe we've mentioned our various policies. Of course, the question of medical evacuation regarding Ebola is a complex one and would depend upon the cooperation of different countries on the ground. So we'll have to evaluate this as cases come up.
Question: Is there a response by the Secretariat to the Staff Union? I think it was distributed right on your office or on the counter just outside your office just yesterday?
Deputy Spokesman: We're aware of that. There's no specific response to that letter. What we can say is, of course the Secretary General takes the health concerns of all staff very, very carefully and very seriously. And I believe earlier this week I detailed the sort of precautions that we're taking already with regard here in New York. But across the board, we'll continue to take the appropriate measures, including containment measures and others, to ensure the security and the safety of our staff. Yes?
Question: Hi. Recently in Hong Kong, 45 protesters were arrested for the work they were doing. Does the Secretary General have a comment on this that happened?
Deputy Spokesman: I don't have any new comment. You've heard what Stéphane [Dujarric] had to say about this situation just about a week or so ago. And his comment still applies. Yes?
Question: Yeah, the Israelis have routinely now are attacking the Al‑Aqsa Mosque, of course, instigating violence and causing a lot of concern in the Muslim world. Also, they have set fire to one mosque in Nablus. Both the Israeli authorities and the settlers, as well as ISIL, are destroying the human heritage in the region. And this has been done systematically for many, many years now. Does the United Nations have any stand against that?
Deputy Spokesman: I would just refer you to what the Secretary-General said while he was on the ground in Israel and Gaza in the last few days, where he talked about the need to respect the sanctity of holy sites.
Question: This is not just provocation. These are actions. Burning down mosques, destroying and occupying old mosques like these can trigger violence…
Deputy Spokesman: I'm well aware of your opinions and you're aware of what the Secretary-General had to say on this. Cara?
Question: Hi, you referred to a statement last week on Hong Kong. But this is actually the worst violence since the handover, I believe. Does the Secretary-General support the Hong Kong protestors and their request that Beijing not interfere in the city's affairs?
Deputy Spokesman: Like I said, you've seen what we had to say about this and about our hopes for the situation to be resolved through dialogue. I don't have anything new to add. Yes?
Question: Two months ago, a Japanese reporter in Korea wrote an article about the Korean — South Korean President. The article is about the situation seven hours after the Korean big ferry sank. And after he wrote that, a travel ban was imposed on him. And today, this morning, just today the travel ban was extended three more months. What is Secretary-General's position on that?
Deputy Spokesman: I believe the spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, actually made a comment on this some weeks ago. I would just repeat what he said, that the UN stands by the rights of all journalists to go about their work without hindrance.
Question: He said, you know, he answered like, you know, a general answer. And what is his, I mean, Secretary-General's comment on particularly this incident?
Deputy Spokesman: Just what I've said just now: that we stand by the rights of all journalists to go about their work without hindrance.
Question: He doesn't say any comment? Because he can’t talk on South Korea?
Deputy Spokesman: I would dispute that with you. That actually counts as a comment. Have a good afternoon, everyone… Okay, sure.
Question: Something else. Just on that, there's also reports from South Korea of increased surveillance of the Internet. The opposition party has said that its people are being surveilled and there's an attempt to edit out of the Internet, quote, "conspiracy theories" such as the one just mentioned. That, combined with this report to the GA [General Assembly] by Ben Emmerson about online surveillance being corrosive of privacy. Since that is a UN report by a UN Rapporteur on a matter of global interest, i.e. the Snowden revelations, is there a response by the Secretary-General to the seeming trend of online surveillance, not just of journalists, but of citizens?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, there would certainly be a concern if online facilities are used improperly in terms of people's basic freedoms. I believe Mr. Emmerson will be presenting his report at the General Assembly in the coming, I think in the next week or so, and I believe they can react to that once they hear, once the Third Committee hears from him.
Question: I just wanted to know if there's a response. In Sri Lanka, after a few years in which people were able to travel freely to the north where the conflict took place, the Government has now said that any foreigners, including Tamils who fled the country and who have now returned but with foreign passports, have to check in with… have to seek the permission of the Defense Ministry before traveling to the zone. So given I know that there have been statements about progress and the Secretary-General has met with President [Mahinda] Rajapaksa, is this… some people see this as turning back the clock. Is there a response to this at all?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I think we'll need to evaluate what this latest information is and we’ll have to see what this is and respond after that. Have a good afternoon. Oh, wait; one more! People have been slow with their hands today.
Question: We have a new report that Egypt is bombing Islamic militia positions in Benghazi and didn't know if there was a statement on this.
Deputy Spokesman: There is no statement. We've seen media reports, but we'll need to get more details about what exactly is going on there. Stefano, you had a question?
Question: I asked a question two days ago, because about yesterday, President [Barack] Obama repeated again that about Ebola, the world is not doing enough. Is there any way, knowing from the United Nations, who is not doing enough in this moment? I mean, pointing at some country that should do more and is not doing enough?
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage ultimately the question is making sure that every country does more. You're well aware that we have had an appeal that has not received much in the way of funding. And, indeed, what we need is not just concrete cash, but also concrete assets. I said at the start what Mr. Banbury was mentioning, that we need treatment beds. We need safe burial teams. We need vehicles in order to transport facilities. There's a lot of different assets that we need on the ground in Liberia, in Guinea, in Sierra Leone, and we need it right now. If we get this, the more quickly we get this, the more quickly we can bend the curve of infections downwards. And that is crucial so that we can bring this disease to a halt. The slower we are in responding, the more people will die. It's as simple as that. And we can't allow that to happen. Yes, Ayee?
Question: Just a follow-up to that, because there is a debate in like countries in South-East Asia, in the Philippines, for example, about responding to the appeal for help, for example, for health workers for Ebola. As much as many want to volunteer, does the UN have a system to ensure their safety so that the disease is not brought to countries that now do not have cases? Like, what's the system or assurance for countries who want to help but have that fear of getting Ebola?
Deputy Spokesman: I believe one of the purposes of the UN mission on the ground is precisely that: to make sure that the conditions will be set so that more assistance can be brought in, both in terms of material assets but also in terms of people. And as you know, there have been countries, such as Cuba, who have been contributing doctors. And that's a very, very valuable contribution. If more health-care workers can come in, that can help turn this disease around. But you're absolutely right. We need to make sure the appropriate precautions are in place and the mission is working on that very topic. Yes?
Question: On the same subject. Yesterday, Mr. Ladsous mentioned that 39 of the Liberian peacekeepers —
Deputy Spokesman: The peacekeepers in Liberia, not Liberian peacekeepers.
Question: — are in quarantine. If those were not kept safe, how can you guarantee the safety of volunteers?
Deputy Spokesman: Quarantine is a measure to make sure that safety is being pursued and that this situation can be contained. I'm not — we're not implying that they're all infected, that they're all in danger. What we're trying to do is make sure that if there's any chance of a problem, people are put under quarantine. That's just part of the procedure that needs to be followed in dealing with this disease.
Question: But two people from the mission, not from the mission, but one from Liberia also died because of that, so far.
Deputy Spokesman: And that underscores the dangers that are posed to the people on the frontlines, which is what your colleague Ayee was talking about. We're trying our very best to make sure that this disease can be contained, but we have to abide by very scrupulous procedures because of the nature of how it spreads. Yes?
Question: Also on Ebola, yesterday Tony Banbury said, among other things, we need motorcycles, we need cell phones, we need laptops, we need broadband. I wanted to know: Are these things that are within the UNMEER budget that was passed, or is this part of the wider appeal? And also what the UN system is doing on this issue of health-care workers in Sierra Leone and now Liberia that called for a strike because they're not being paid danger pay or they don't feel that they have the support that they needed? What's being done to raise funds to better compensate those on the ground providing medical work?
Deputy Spokesman: Those are parts of the discussion they're having with respect to Governments. We'll leave it to that. But we certainly hope that a resolution will be found so they can be at work, because they're very crucially needed. And regarding the assets that he was talking about, these are assets that are needed on the ground and should be part of the overall appeal for Liberia. Yes?
Question: Hello, Farhan. Also for Ebola, Russia announced that they are going to announce three vaccines in the next April. So how it is, the collaboration between United Nations and Russia for these vaccines?
Spokesman: I'm not aware of that. We'll have to check on what that — whether that offer is being coordinated through us or not. Yes, Anna?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Continuing the topic of Russia, it's been reported that President [Vladimir] Putin has ordered 17,600 of his troops which were allocated along the border with Ukraine to go back to their permanent bases. And this was considered as an act of good will ahead of his European diplomacy later this week in Milan. Does UN have a comment on that? Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: Anything that helps to bring down the temperature in the region, anything that can help reduce tensions is welcome. As you know, from the very start, we've urged the leaders in Moscow and Kyiv to be in contact with each other and to take steps to de‑escalate tensions. And the signs that they're doing so are very welcome. Have a good day.