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 Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary‑General.
**Ebola
Good afternoon. A couple of things: I think we just won’t go too much into the ECOSOC [Economic and Social Council] meeting. We just heard a fairly detailed analysis of what is happening in ECOSOC on the meeting on Ebola. Just to add that the Secretary‑General was there and stressed that the social and economic impact of the Ebola crisis has been broad and deep and would long outlast the outbreak itself. The Secretary‑General added that the three most affected countries have experienced significant development setbacks and that hard-won peace dividends are now being eroded. He added that the international response to date has been unprecedented in its speed and generosity, but much more will be asked once the emergency is over.
**Secretary-General Travels
The Secretary‑General, as he mentioned to you yesterday, will be heading off to Lima, Peru, to attend the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). And while in Lima, he will obviously hold meetings with leaders attending the event, including the President of Peru. However, he has a stop before going to Lima; he will be in Chicago on Monday, where he will attend the opening of the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, otherwise known as ICAO. This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the Convention, and he will also take part in an event with Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, spotlighting the efforts to promote energy efficiency in cities.
**Libya
Turning over to Libya, the UN Support Mission in that country (UNSMIL) has condemned in the strongest terms the recent air raids and the escalation of violence in Libya. As you know, the Mission had proposed to convene a new round of inclusive dialogue among Libyan stakeholders next week but it remains concerned that the violence might undermine the chances of dialogue. UNSMIL continues to call on all influential Libyans to do their utmost to ensure that this escalation ceases immediately and to give dialogue a chance to succeed.
**Ukraine
From Ukraine, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said today that fighting in eastern Ukraine this year has resulted in the displacement of more than half a million people, while hundreds of thousands have fled to Russia and other neighbouring countries. On November 7, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution providing for the transfer of state-run institutions and social payments from the regions not currently under Government control to Government-controlled areas. UNHCR says it is concerned that this provision will have unintended negative effects, such as increasing internal displacement. It also said that it lacks first-hand information about areas not under Government control, but that there are strong indications that the civilian population in these areas can face considerable hardship.
And in Russia, UNHCR has undertaken monitoring missions to observe the reception conditions and integration options for Ukrainians living in Vlakovostok and Khabarovsk.
**Central African Republic
Moving on to the Central African Republic, the Secretary‑General just concluded a meeting with the Head of State of the Transition for the Central African Republic, Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza. They noted that, despite some progress, the humanitarian and security situation remains fragile and the President expressed regrets at the losses suffered by the UN Mission in October. They agreed that urgent progress was needed on an inclusive political process and that the Secretary‑General expressed appreciation for the announcement, with the support of the international community, to convene a Bangui Forum as early as possible next year as well as to complete the election process before [August] 2015. The Secretary‑General commended Ms. Samba-Panza for her commitment and dedication and urged her to continue to show leadership to ensure that the transition is completed in a timely, successful, inclusive and transparent manner.
Also on the CAR, our humanitarian colleagues are stressing the continuing needs in the Central African Republic, one year after the anti-Balaka militia overran Bangui, in the capital. The Senior Humanitarian Coordinator, Claire Bourgeois, said that more than 2.5 million people still need urgent humanitarian assistance, including food, water, shelter, health care and education for children. I would urge you to look at both the UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] website and the UNHCR website for their announcement on the situation in the CAR today.
**Mali
And from Mali, the Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, David Gressly, said he was alarmed by the rise of attacks against humanitarian organizations in past weeks. More than 20 severe security incidents have been recorded since the beginning of the year in northern Mali. Half of them have occurred in the past two months alone, including a series of attacks on non-governmental organizations and humanitarian convoys. Gressly called on all parties to the conflict to do their utmost to ensure that these attacks stop immediately.
**Philippines
And from Geneva, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said today that Typhoon Hagupit, also known as Ruby, is expected to cross the centre of the Philippines over the weekend. Some 10 million people in the central Philippines are at risk of flooding, storm surges and strong winds, with more than 30 million people potentially feeling the impact of the typhoon. And both UNICEF and WFP [World Food Programme] have taken preventive measures to support the local population.
**Secretary-General Appointment
An appointment today: the Secretary-General has appointed Raisedon Zenenga of Zimbabwe as his Deputy Special Representative for UNSOM, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia. He will succeed Fatiha Serour of Algeria. And the Secretary‑General is grateful for her leadership, especially in support of the political process as well as human rights, rule of law and security institutions in the UN mandate. As you know, Mr. Zenenga is currently the Deputy Special Representative with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
**Syria
And I want to go back to the campaign that the World Food Programme has launched to feed Syrian refugees. It has now taken an unprecedented social media campaign to the next level with a new video supported by the chart-topping musician, Aloe Blacc. And as you know, Mr. Blacc has a song called “I Need a Dollar” which is exactly the point of the campaign to raise $64 million for about 1.7 million Syrian refugees who had their food vouchers cut.
And you can see the picture here — when we talk about food vouchers, what we are talking about is a pilot programme between World Food Programme and MasterCard which gives refugees a debit card which enables them to spend the money in the local communities, which helps both the dignity of the refugees as well as puts money into the host communities which are doing so much to help the refugees. And the social media hashtag is called #ADollarALifeline. Individuals, corporations, Governments around the world and hopefully a few journalists in this room have contributed so far $21.5 million in the first 24 hours of the campaign. The agency must raise an additional $42.5 million to ensure that all 1.7 million Syrian refugees do not go hungry this month. And the campaign is scheduled to end tomorrow.
**Mexico
Lastly, in response to a question we were asked earlier on Mexico — the Secretary‑General was deeply saddened by the recent violent events in Iguala, including the disappearances of the 43 Ayotzinapa students, the death of six persons and the wounding of at least 20 others. He extends his solidarity to the affected families and to the people of Mexico.
The Secretary‑General also wants to echo the expressions of solidarity and concern by the UN system in Mexico, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and three UN human rights special rapporteurs urging a thorough investigation on this and all cases of disappearances. He welcomes the steps taken by the authorities, the victims and their representatives to allow the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to support the ongoing investigations. The UN, through the High Commissioner for Human Rights, stands ready to support the Mexican Government to address current challenges. The Secretary‑General emphasizes the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the need to channel legitimate claims peacefully with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.
**Press Conferences Today
As soon as we are done here, there will be a press conference by the Permanent Mission of Hungary on the theme “strengthening the family for sustainable development”. And at 5:30 p.m. the Mission of Argentina added a press conference entitled "Modalities for the Implementation of Resolution 68/304, towards the establishment of a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes.” I believe the Permanent Representative of Argentina will be here for this event.
Khalas. Masood. Microphone, please.
**Questions and Answers
Question: On this WFP appeal that they are now trying to collect money for the uprooted Syrians, my question is, are the international financial institutions being approached or have they given, it's only $20 million, which is nothing [inaudible] nothing, I mean, it's a drop in the sea, so have the international financial institutions not stepped up at all?
Spokesman: I think it's a matter for everyone to step up. Obviously, donor Governments are being approached — the public. We're trying to raise money from the public, private corporations, but you know, the way it's set up, it's not a matter of, I think, the international financial institutions being able to write a check. It's really a matter for the funding structure of WFP. And I think the other thing that we do understand is the huge amount of money that is being asked of the international community to address humanitarian needs throughout the world. If I refer you to what the Deputy Secretary‑General said, I believe yesterday or Wednesday, he said, in the last 10 years, humanitarian appeals have risen nearly 600 per cent from $3 billion in 2004 to $17.9 billion today. So there are needs all over the world. But I think what we're seeing here is a relatively small amount of money that's needed to feed 1.7 million people as winter approaches. This is December. The humanitarian system will soon launch an appeal for the situation in Syria and Iraq — in the next week or so. So we hope that people, the world community as a whole steps up.
Question: Are you suggesting there is in fact donor fatigue that is affecting this?
Spokesman: I think it's clear that the needs… humanitarian needs have ballooned over the last 10 years. Some of it due to natural disasters but often, all too many times, to man-made disasters. The lack of a political solution in Syria shows clearly what happens. I mean, we see the refugee crisis as a direct result of the lack of a political solution in Syria. It's not a natural disaster. It's a man-made situation.
Question: [Off mic]
Spokesman: Well, I think obviously, there are needs all over the world that need to be met. Matthew.
Question: Sure. Sudan and Somalia — but I wanted to know whether you have any sort of prepared statement on this, the dismissal or dropping of the case against Uhuru Kenyatta. It's viewed as a major development in…
Spokesman: Obviously, we're still taking a look at the announcement that was made today. I think I would refer you in part obviously to the ICC's [International Criminal Court] own… prosecutor's own statement but the issue of accountability is one that remains very important for the UN system but we're still studying the decision.
Question: On Sudan, I wanted to, I tried to ask yesterday at noon, the meeting was still ongoing, but the Security Council meeting ended. Although DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations] didn't speak, others did. So I wanted to ask you two things that were left unclear. One is the status of the UNAMID [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur] or UN Human Rights Office in Khartoum. It was said by the Ambassador of Sudan that they never had permission for it and it should only be in Darfur and that's why it was closed. I have heard some talk that it was somehow directed at South Sudan. What was, what was the function of the office and is it true it was never…
Spokesman: It's not so much a human rights office. Since the beginning of the Mission there have been human rights staff in the liaison office in Khartoum. What was the other question?
Question: And the other was… has to do with… I was told that, that, that permanent member of the Security Council has raised to high levels of this building — whether that's 37 or 38, I don't know — the issue of the UNAMID November 9th press release, which said that there was no evidence of rape, that the people got along with the army and didn't mention that the soldiers were around. And since Mr. Ladsous in the Council said that soldiers were around, what now with that statement having been made by UNAMID which is now long, no longer true, is it going to be… I checked this morning; it's still on the website. Is that still the position of the UN? Or is it somehow…
Spokesman: I think our position is that we want to get access to the site as quickly as possible.
Question: But what does it say about… Sudan says the Mission is not credible. If the Mission, as the Ambassador of Sudan said, they should have complained then about the army but if they went and issued that and it remains outstanding, how does that impact the credibility of the Mission and the DPKO?
Spokesman: I'm not going to analyse the statements in your question, but I…
Question: Can you confirm that a permanent member has raised to the level of the Secretary‑General?
Spokesman: No, I cannot. Yes.
Question: Thanks. The Political Network for Values who is due to address us after this said they are planning on addressing a declaration on shared values in a letter to the UN SG sharing the concern on the need to strengthen the family as a driver for the development in the post-2015 agenda. Given the SG's pronouncements this year on equality for same sex couples, has he received a letter? Is there a response?
Spokesman: I'm not aware the letter's been received and if they're about to, I don't want to prejudge whatever is going to be in the letter. I think as I mentioned yesterday or the day before — I seem to have memory problems today — this week anyway, the Secretary‑General's strong commitment to inclusivity to supporting LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] rights, ensure that LGBT people enjoy the same human rights as everyone. Yes, sir.
Question: Going to follow up on the ICC, because Monday is a world away. In her statement, Prosecutor Bensouda said that “the Kenyan Government's noncompliance compromised the prosecution's ability to thoroughly investigate the charges”, but in June you stood at this podium and you said that, quote, “I think Kenya is continuing to cooperate with the ICC.” I'm curious with the SG and you still maintain there was cooperation?
Spokesman: Obviously the prosecutor has her opinion. The issue of cooperation between the Kenyan Government and the ICC is between the Kenyan Government and the ICC. As I said to Matthew, we're still taking a look at the decision while restating our principled position on the issue of accountability.
Question: Sure but you had grounds to make an assessment of their…
Spokesman: I understand. I have nothing… I have nothing to add at this moment. Masood.
Question: Do you have any comment on the [inaudible] that thousands of Indian women with slight disabilities are locked away for years with no way out and that, that that is a situation which is almost untenable and that Indian Government should do anything about it? Has the Secretary‑General taken note of this?
Spokesman: I have not seen this report, but obviously, I think…
Question: It's a very damning report.
Spokesman: As I said, I haven't seen the report. As a matter of general position, obviously, I think it is important that every human being be treated with the utmost dignity. Mr. Lee and then Ms. Fasulo.
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask this yesterday on Somalia. One, is there…was a Kenyan's, described as a Kenyan warplane that went down by Kismayo, which is a city in which the AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] is present. So I wanted to know, does either UNSOM [United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia] or the UN as, in its role of supporting AMISOM, what's the line between Kenyan warplanes and Kenyan peacekeepers, and was the plane shot down by Al‑Shabaab as they claim?
Spokesman: I don't know. I haven't received any information from the Mission. I'm not sure UNSOM would have the capacity to determine who shot what, but we'll look into the incident.
Question: And the other one just in case you have, there's, it's on the piracy front. There's been a decision by the European high Court of Human Rights that pirates or alleged pirates that were captured were held too long without a hearing, substantially too long without a hearing by France. They've been ordered to actually pay them damages. And I wonder since the UN is involved in sort of the rule of law component of the various antipiracy entities, is anything learned from that? What is the UN's reaction to…
Spokesman: We'll take a look. I don't have anything on that.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Going back to the issue of Ukraine, can you clarify a little bit about, you said, if I heard you correctly, that the Ukrainian Government has adopted a new financial policy that can result in increasing internal displacement and negatively… further negatively impact civilians living in areas… I guess, pro-Russian separatist areas. Do you have any further information about this?
Spokesman: If I understood correctly what our UNHCR colleagues are saying — and they're trying to get more information, but, there may be a policy where Government pensions are no longer paid in areas that are not under the control of the Government in Kiev. The deduction by UNHCR from that, is that it may force people who need to receive a pension to leave whatever area they are in if it's not under Government control and move to an area under Government control. So that's their point about increasing the… about increasing the issue of internal displacement.
Question: Is this policy something that the United Nations would agree with?
Spokesman: Well, no, I think what UNHCR is doing — they're expressing their concern at this policy but they're trying to get more details. Mr. Carpenter. And then… sorry.
Question: Hi, Stéphane. You said that the UN is taking preventive measures in the Philippines with the approaching typhoon. Can you give us more detail as to what these preventive measures are?
Spokesman: Sure. What I can tell you is that UNICEF has activated full preparedness mode to assist children and families in the impacted areas and its office in Tacloban which is, this is a place hit by Typhoon Haiyan, is now working closely with local government and partners should disaster obviously strike again in an area that's already been hard hit. They've prepositioned supplies including water, hygiene kits and school supplies that are ready to be deployed. And the World Food Programme has also put food stocks on standby.
Question: On a follow-up, is it anticipated that this approaching typhoon will be a major setback to the recovery efforts from the disaster last year?
Spokesman: You know, obviously, if it hits full force, one would assume that it would have a negative impact. But I think the point is that the UN agencies are doing what they can in prepositioning the needed supplies. But already millions of people have been evacuated from the areas. Mr. Ali, sorry.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Has the Secretary‑General taken note of the number of arrests being made in Pakistan under the country's blasphemy laws?
Spokesman: Under the country's what laws?
Question: Blasphemy laws, and has he taken this up with the Government to reform these laws?
Spokesman: Let me see if we get anything from our country team on that. Thank you. Yes, sir. Oleg.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. One more on Ukraine. Is there, are there any dates decided on the visit of Jeffrey Feltman to Ukraine? As I understand he was supposed to go this month.
Spokesman: As soon as we have something to announce, I will. Yes, Matthew, and then that will be it.
Question: Follow-up on Ukraine, then something on South Sudan. I just wanted to know on this question of the suspended pensions and other benefits, it was raised in the Council by DPA [Department of Political Affairs] just as a fact, and I believe Mr. Šimonović has some position or statement on it. I wanted to know since it seems like a clearly designed to get people to displace people intentionally and viewed as collective punishment, i.e. it's your fault if you live in an area that's separatist controlled. What is the UN, you know, you answered by saying well, UNHCR is talking about the impact of the policy, but what is the UN's position on such a policy of not paying either in, in order to drive people out of an area or to punish them for being in an area?
Spokesman: I don't have anything from the High Commissioner for Human Rights but as UNHCR said they're trying to get a little more information on it. Linda, yes.
Question: Just to follow up on Ukraine a bit more, how would you describe the status of UN, for example, UNHCR access in the pro-separatist areas?
Spokesman: I can't speak to that off the top of my head. We'd have to ask them. Yes, go ahead. Third, final.
Question: I wish this had been able to be revolved otherwise. There's a published report that UNMISS, despite its many good works in South Sudan, barred from entry people fleeing the conflict in Renk in November and its source to the Inter–cluster working group of humanitarian groups and I tried to ask OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs], Ms. Kang yesterday, and they ultimately came back and said this is a DPKO matter. So I wanted to ask you. Is it the case that UNMISS whether by error or by policy barred people from entering these civilian protection sites and if so, why did they do it?
Spokesman: As far as we have, our colleagues in the Mission have apparently looked into these reports and found that its personnel and rank have no information of civilians seeking protection at its facilities on or after November 10th. Have a wonderful weekend.