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.
Good afternoon. Sorry for the delay, we wanted to wait for the stakeout to be over.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
Starting with the Secretary‑General: this morning, he continues his visit to Peru. He was in Lima this morning where he took part in the high‑level ministerial meeting on climate action at the UN Climate Change Conference.
He stressed that climate action and sustainable development are two sides of the same coin — we cannot eradicate poverty without strengthening climate resilience and utilizing cleaner, safer sources of energy.
Right now, he and Madame Ban, together with the Peruvian President and First Lady, are visiting a reserve in the Andes to see first‑hand how local communities are adapting and bolstering resilience when it comes to climate change.
This afternoon, he will meet with the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, as well as with the environment ministers of Brazil, the Republic of Korea and Canada.
**Genocide
Back here, the Deputy Secretary‑General, Jan Eliasson, participated today in the launch of the Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes, a tool which has been developed by the Office of the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect.
The Deputy Secretary‑General described the Framework as an analysis and risk assessment tool which uses a specific set of risk factors, with related indicators, to help identify and prevent atrocity crimes. He said the Framework allows us to track how a situation is evolving over time and to analyse how to prevent a crisis from deteriorating or relapsing.
He added that the Framework of Analysis demonstrates that atrocity crimes rarely happen suddenly — they often evolve and develop over time. Therefore, well before tensions escalate to violence, there are many opportunities to take action. The Deputy Secretary‑General said that we must all be aware of those moments and act as early as possible. His full remarks are available online.
**Security Council
As you just heard, the Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for the Sahel, Ms. Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, briefed the Security Council this morning. Her remarks are available in my office, and she also took some time to speak to you just now.
**South Sudan
Turning to South Sudan, the Secretary‑General’s Special Representative in that country and Head of the UN Mission, Ellen Margrethe Loej, said today that the patience of the international community with both parties in the country is wearing thin. She added that the leaders must inject a new sense of urgency into the peace process in order to reach a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Ms. Loej said that she hoped that representatives of both parties at the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority for Development)-sponsored peace talks will return to the negotiating table with a heightened sense of responsibility and openness to compromise.
On the protection of civilians’ sites, Ms Loej said that more focus was needed on fostering a safe and secure environment outside of these sites. She also said the UN was doing its best to foster and promote safe returns of displaced people but that the ultimate responsibility for the protection of civilians remains with the Government.
She also said that while around 100,000 people are still seeking refuge in UN camps, around 1.5 million are internally displaced throughout the country.
She finally added that the overall humanitarian situation remains dire with an estimated 1.5 million people already experiencing crisis and emergency phases of food insecurity. And that figure could rise to 2.5 million in the coming weeks and months.
**Burundi
Turning to Burundi, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, participated today in a round table in Bujumbura, entitled “Progress, Challenges and Prospects”, organized by the Government and its main regional and international partners.
He said that the foundation for a new Burundi had been laid but that many observers have noted a growing reduction of the political space. It is for Burundians to show them that they are wrong, he added.
He encouraged the Government to maintain its efforts to guarantee credible and inclusive elections in 2015.
As you know, the Political Mission in Burundi is closing and the UN Electoral Mission in Burundi, to be known as MENUB, will start on 1 January.
**Somalia
In Somalia, Humanitarian Coordinator Philippe Lazzarini for that country warned today that the humanitarian situation in the country has significantly deteriorated this year, for the first time since the end of the 2011 famine — as a result of a combination of conflict, drought, floods, increasing food prices and limited aid access.
More than 3 million Somalis need humanitarian assistance urgently, including 1 million people who can’t meet their minimum food requirements — this is a 20 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.
Aid organizations need $863 million to help more than 2.7 million Somalis in the coming year.
**Middle East
A note from the Middle East: Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, visited Gaza today and said there that by the end of this month more than 20,000 homeowners are expected to be able to procure construction material for urgent repairs of their dwellings. He stressed that this can only be the beginning of an effective process to rebuild Gaza and much more needs to be done.
Unfortunately the operating environment continues to face many challenges, including a fragile and informal ceasefire which has not yet solidified, and a lack of empowerment of the Government of National Consensus in Gaza, with no control over the crossings. These difficult issues, coupled with insufficient financial assistance from donors, have only worsened the atmosphere in an already devastated Gaza.
Mr. Serry remains gravely concerned about the dire situation in Gaza. He intends to brief the Security Council next week on the need for all stakeholders and the international community to make good on their calls made at the Cairo Conference to give Gaza more than hope, to give Gazans material with which to rebuild their lives and to create conditions that will lead to the end of the blockade.
**Cereal
World cereal production will reach an all-time record of more than 2.5 billion tonnes — that is metric tonnes — in 2014, buoyed by bumper crops in Europe and a record maize output in the US.
That’s according to the latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report.
The record global cereal harvest in 2014 will outpace projected world cereal utilization in 2014/15, allowing stocks to rise to their highest level since 2000.
However, the report also warns that food insecurity is worsening in a number of countries due to civil conflict, adverse weather and the Ebola outbreak. Some 38 countries are at risk of food insecurity; 29 of them are in Africa.
**Ukraine
Our friend, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonovic, is in Ukraine. He arrived there today and will be there until 15 December to assess the human rights situation in the country.
During his visit, Mr. Šimonovic is scheduled to meet with a number of Government officials as well as representatives of civil society. He is also scheduled to visit the eastern region of the country.
He will hold a press conference in Kyiv on 15 December, launching the eighth monthly report of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
**Press Conferences
After we are done here, or you are done with me, I will be joined by Navid Hanif, the Director of the Office of the Economic and Social Council Support and Coordination in DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs). He will read out a statement about Ebola.
And also about Ebola, as you know, at 2 p.m. this afternoon I hope to see you here for a press briefing by our other friend, Dr. David Nabarro.
Mr. Lee?
**Questions and Answers
Question: I have some other questions, but I'd wanted to ask you again about this torture report, because reactions around the world continue to expand, and now the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez, has said clearly that the Convention against Torture requires prosecution. So I wanted to know, since you've said that — yesterday that the prohibition on torture is absolute and et cetera, does the Secretary‑General sympathize with the feelings or thoughts of Mr. Mendez and say that prosecution would vindicate the prohibition on torture?
Spokesman: I think I was pretty clear yesterday. The Secretary-General believes in accountability, believes people who have participated in acts of torture should be held accountable. As again this is the beginning of the process, I think this is the beginning of the process in this country and in others. We have seen the Convention against Torture is also clear in holding people accountable, and not just those who committed these acts but those who may have ordered them. And so I think it is only normal for the Special Rapporteurs to speak up, but they are doing so according to their mandate. But I think there is broad agreement across the UN system that, as you say, there is no, as I said yesterday, the prohibition on torture is absolute, and people need to be held accountable.
Question: So thanks for that. So, an approach that would say, as some say the Obama Administration is saying, “Let's look forward not backwards” is not consistent with this idea of accountability?
Spokesman: I think you can — it is up to the media to decide, to kind of compare and contrast. You see statements coming out from various people in this country, and around the world. The Secretary‑General's position is that accountability is key, that people need to be held accountable but again this is the beginning of a process. Others are saying other things. You may compare and contrast.
Question: This is the last thing I wanted to ask: Since the report came out, has anyone asked him a question? He himself, not through you.
Spokesman: If someone had, I think you would have seen it reported. And I will remind you he'll be holding a Press Conference here on 17 December. Mr. Carpenter? Then Mr. Abbadi.
Question: Stéphane, are there any plans for Mr. Šimonovic to do a press conference when he returns?
Spokesman: We are very happy to pass the request along, and we'll ask our friend Mr. Šimonovic to come down here. Mr. Abbadi?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. The Special Envoy to the Sahel this morning, as you indicated, spoke to the Security Council, and he said something very important. He said, "The persistent…"
Spokesman: She said.
Question: She said, "The persistent allegations that the Islamic State has set up training camps in Libya are particularly worrisome. If the situation in Libya is not quickly brought under control, many States in the region could be destabilized in the near future." This is a very serious warning. What preventive action is being contemplated in this respect?
Spokesman: Well, I think, as we've been talking about here, the activities of Mr. [Bernardino] Leon, the Secretary‑General's Special Representative for the UN Mission in Libya, has been criss-crossing the region and Europe to galvanize the political will, to try to find a solution to the current impasse in Libya. And I think he will — there will be a meeting convening next week, the start of a dialogue, to try to bring stability back to Libya, to try to bring political stability back to Libya. Any failed state can be a — is a threat to its neighbour, any State that may fail. And so it's important that a political solution be brought to Libya, and that stability be brought back to that country. Massoud, and then Nizar, and then Linda, and then Anna.
Question: This incident of killing of the Palestinian Minister yesterday, plus the fact that, which has been pointed out to you again and again, that it seems that the [cell phone ringing]…
Spokesman: Nice tone, Nizar. We've heard worse. Go ahead.
Question: It seems that the Israelis are being given a pass. I mean, they keep on — I mean, since the Gaza conflict, they've been given a pass. They can do whatever they want without condemnation from the international community. Why is that happening now? Why has Israeli been given — being treated with kid gloves? Why is that?
Spokesman: I think — I'm not going to qualify your analysis of the situation. I think the Secretary‑General was very clear in his statement yesterday. He was saddened by the death, and he called for an investigation. He called for an investigation into the death of the Minister. I think from this podium, and the Secretary‑General has also directly, he has condemned acts of violence, from whichever quarter, and I think if you look back at statements emanating from the United Nations, I'm not sure they're in line with your analysis.
Question: If these things keep on happening, the Peace Process, as we know, is undermined. Do you think at any point in time we'll reach that particular goal of having two States side by side in that region at all, Palestine and Israel?
Spokesman: You mean two States, not two Palestinian States?
Question: That's right, two States.
Spokesman: I think the tensions and the violence that we see should encourage all the parties, the two parties, to redouble their efforts to find a political solution to the crisis. Obviously, time is not on anyone's side in this issue.
Question: In view that Israel is not a law-abiding country, as it looks; they defy all international laws and continue, how does the Secretary‑General ask Israel to investigate where its security apparatus has perpetrated this crime? Why is not an independent investigation?
Spokesman: I think the primary responsibility lies with the Israeli authorities, and we trust that they will investigate this and investigate this thoroughly.
Question: Yeah, but they have a very long record. But they don't — they never investigated…
Spokesman: Nizar, I will leave it at that for the time being. Ms. Fasulo and then Anna and then Evelyn.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I'd like to go back to Ukraine. Last week, I believe you said that the Ukrainian Government was planning to withhold pensions to civilians living in the eastern part of the country, in pro-Russian areas, and that the UN objected to this. Can you tell me what the status of this policy is? Has the UN been able to put any pressure on the Ukrainian Government to not enforce this policy?
Spokesman: I don't have an update on that. I know it is — I'm sure it's one of the things Mr. Šimonovic will be looking at, will be discussing, because it is an important issue. And I think we have to wait for his press conference later this week. Anna?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I wanted to ask about a very sad but ubiquitous phenomenon of nowadays, hostages, hostages by ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and Sham], hostages by Al-Qaida and other extremist organizations. We all know that on Saturday there was a tragic situation when an American rescue mission, yet another one, failed military mission, and Luke Somers, American hostage, was murdered and along with him was murdered another person from South Africa, who was about to be released, Pierre Korkie. And because of this failure, lots of issues were raised. One of those is: Should U.S. or any other country who does military interventions to rescue people coordinate their actions with other countries who also have hostage situations? And, second, how do you think this type of situation should be handled? Because France and Spain, for example, they prefer to buy out their people, and save their lives at any rate. But U.S. and some other countries think that military operations unilaterally are the only way to do that…
Spokesman: I think I understand; I get your point. First of all, hostage‑taking is against all international law. It is a crime, and a crime that needs to be condemned. The issue of — I'm not going to get into the details of countries' military operations because we don't have — we're not party to these operations, obviously, and we're not — we were not — this kind of information is not shared with us in any way. What is key is that hostage‑taking should stop. Those who have kidnapped people should release them, and obviously Governments have a certain responsibilities for the safety of their nationals, but I think you make allegations on payments or something. Those are things I cannot comment on, because it's something I have no information about.
Question: Can I just add one more specific question? Do you think that military operations to save hostages unilaterally are the wisest choice in the situation?
Spokesman: Again, I think…
Question: I wanted to cite, if you'll let me, just one more thing — Gregory Johnson, he's a specialist in Al-Qaida in Yemen, he said there are plenty of other ways, like negotiating. You don't have to pay ransom…
Spokesman: I understand where you're going with your question. As I said, I think Governments feel they have a responsibility towards their nationals, and I'm not going to start commenting on these issues, except to remind people that hostage‑taking is a crime. Let's go for a round. Carla?
Question: Back to Ukraine. I know for a fact that the Government in Ukraine has implemented — has cut off all assistance to the people in the east, including banks, so that Ukrainians living here cannot transfer remittances to their relatives in Ukraine. People are starving. Where does responsibility to protect enter into this? In other words, the Government in Kyiv is not only not protecting its people, it's starving them. A large part of the country are starving because of their policies. Don't they have a responsibility to protect these people rather than…
Spokesman: You know, I think there are a lot of issues going on in the Ukraine right now. What is important is for the parties to reach a ceasefire, to respect the ceasefire and to find a political solution. What we're seeing, the end result is we're seeing that people are suffering, and as winter approaches, that suffering will only get greater if a political solution is not found. Thank you. Evelyn, we'll do first round and then we'll go to the second round.
Question: In Darfur, Sudan, Khartoum leaders keep making statements how they want UNAMID [African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur] out, and some of the newspapers say that UNAMID is contemplating exit strategies. Others say UNAMID is resisting. Do you have any more news on that? I have another question.
Spokesman: As you know, there's a strategic review that has been ordered by the Security Council, which is ongoing, which will be delivered in the first few months of next year. I think in February it's due to the Council. And it will look at the Mission holistically, and as well as an exit strategy, as mentioned in the relevant Security Council resolution, and that is ongoing.
Question: One more question?
Spokesman: Yes.
Question: The UN police in the Central African Republic captured a Chadian rebel leader who is one of the anti‑Balaka rebel leaders. How important is this man?
Spokesman: I think this is something we've been talking about yesterday. I think — that's okay. It's all very important. We've — a number of — about 230 individuals have been detained by MINUSCA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic) forces since they arrived in September. A couple of key leaders, including which we flagged yesterday and the fact that they have been detained also led to the volun… to others surrendering. This is part of the Mission's temporary, urgent temporary measures power, which they have under the mandate to support the efforts of the Central African Republic in the area of impunity and obviously in trying to bring peace back to the country. Mr. Carpenter?
Question: Hi, Stéphane. You said earlier that the Special Representative in South Sudan said that patience of the international community is wearing thin regarding both parties. To me that sounds like a warning, and is the UN the representative of the international community prepared to take action once patience completely evaporates?
Spokesman: We would have to see obviously what the Security Council decides to do. This is a Mission mandated by the Security Council. There's also been talk among Council Members of sanctions. I think what we're seeing — the crisis in South Sudan is a completely manmade crisis. It is violence due to a political struggle between two factions, and the people that are paying the price are the people. One hundred thousand people sheltered in UN camps, trying to get — trying to find a safe environment, 1.5 million people displaced, the risk of 2.5 million people being food‑insecure, all of these people are paying the price of the clashes between their leaders. And I think that's what the Special Representative was referring to. She has also encouraged them to redouble their efforts and commit themselves to the IGAD process, and to come out of this with a political solution. Mr. Lee?
Question: Thanks a lot. I want to ask about South Sudan and the so‑called Cromnibus Bill. But one follow‑up on this issue of hostage‑taking, because it's very specific. In Mali recently there was the last, the, quote, last hostage, Serge Lazarevic, was released. But human rights groups in the country very specifically are saying there's the release of four terrorists from Ansar al-Din absolutely tied, they were released before his release. Many Malians are saying that this kind of deal-making puts them at risk, terrorists being released in exchange for this gentleman. So what is the reaction of the Mission? Is there any knowledge of this? What is…
Spokesman: I don't believe the Mission has any knowledge of this. I know the Mission was not involved in any of this. So what we know is that this hostage, Mr. Lazarevic, I believe, was released, and we're happy that he was released, and we have no more information.
Question: Does the UN dispute these four known…
Spokesman: I have no information about the second part you mentioned.
Question: On South Sudan, I wanted to ask you, the SRSG's [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] speech was put online and it does say this thing of voluntary return, but then she says, quote, we recently closed down one of our compounds in Lake State capital of Rumbek after finding alternative living arrangements for the civilians who are still sheltered at that location. Because of the way it's phrased, it doesn't sound like they went home. It sounds like there was some sort of alternative living arrangement made for them. Is that the case?
Spokesman: Here I'm speculating, and I shouldn't be, but as you know, the UN camps were not designed to hold 100,000 people, and there's been a great effort since the beginning of this crisis to either place these people in camps that are or in surroundings that are better, where they are better served, they have better access to food, better sanitation and better environment, so that's what I assume she was referring to. But I will stop assuming and we'll check.
Question: Then finally on this Cromnibus, I just wanted to say that again, the Cromnibus, the bill that's pending says on page one thousand and some — it's 1003 — so I want to ask you, it has two provisions I wanted to ask about. One says that funding can be withheld if the UN doesn't have its whistle-blower protections in order and the other ones seems it's more specific. It says peacekeeping has go more transparent in terms of the discipline of people accused of sexual abuse. What's your response?
Spokesman: I think this is a bill that's making its way through the legislative process in the U.S. I think we'll have to wait and see what law is actually signed and put in place.
Question: Does the UN have a lobbyist in D.C.? Has the UN ever — not a lobbyist, but you'd think the UN would want to speak to a provision that could cost it $2 billion.
Spokesman: I think the UN's interlocutor in D.C. is the Department of State. Mr. Haider and then Ken?
Question: I mean, again on the Middle East, I just want to ask you: There is this so‑called Middle East Quartet created under the United Nations auspices, which is being funded of course by also four countries, at least. Is that — that particular Quartet, or that particular body, has not been able to do anything. Has the Secretary‑General of the United Nations thought that instead of Quartet — disbanding the quartet, creating a more, I think, formidable body to do this work?
Spokesman: The primary responsibility for finding a solution lies with the parties themselves. The international community has been working hard over the years to try to encourage them, but that's where it lies. We will have Mr. Serry here to brief the Security Council on Monday, and I'm sure he will provide an exhaustive update to the situation, and we will ask him to come either to the stakeout or to come here. Ken?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Do you have any comment on the latest development on the Hong Kong demonstration where barricades were removed and hundreds…
Spokesman: No specific — no specific comment at this time, just to reiterate obviously that people have a right to peacefully protest, and that any police action as anywhere should be done along — you know, according to international law. Anna?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I wanted to ask a question about migrants at sea. It's been reported since the beginning of this year, 348,000 people tried to cross different seas to get to better shores or died trying, most of them in the Mediterranean. UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Antonio Guterres, in Geneva criticized many European countries, stating that they tried to keep these people out and it caused much suffering, so on one hand we have this humanitarian issue that these people should be respected and should be accepted because they are mostly political refugees; but on the other hand these European countries are afraid that this is going to become a demographic and cultural disaster. Which is the long‑term solution you think to this issue? Thank you.
Spokesman: The issue of the death of migrants at sea is something we've been raising here repeatedly. We talked about it yesterday. I talked about it yesterday. We talked about the loss, in a sense, or the diminution of the tradition of rescuing people at sea. It is a huge problem. It is a multifaceted problem and one that involves ensuring that people have opportunities at home, so they are not forced to move. It is one that involves the issue of climate change, to ensure that people live in areas where there are enough — where they're not at risk from severe climate events. It involves the need for all people, all countries, that have signed on to the appropriate conventions to respect the rights of refugees, to respect the rights of migrants. It involves the issue of criminal enterprises who feed on — who feed on migrants and refugees. It is a multifaceted and global issue that needs to be tackled on all those fronts.
Thank you very much. We'll see you back here at 2:00 hopefully with Dr. Nabarro.