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.
**Burundi
Just an update on Burundi: obviously, we are following from here with great concern developments on the ground in Burundi.
The Secretary-General urgently calls on all parties to exercise calm and restraint. He reminds all Burundian leaders of the need to preserve peace and stability in a country that has suffered so grievously from previous bouts of violence.
We are evaluating developments. The situation is still very fluid. We are in contact with Special Envoy [Said] Djinnit, who is currently in Dar es Salaam for the Summit of the East African Community.
As we get more throughout the day, we will update you as much as possible.
**Pakistan
I have a statement on the attacks in Karachi earlier today.
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack today on a bus in Karachi, Pakistan, reportedly killing at least 45 members of the Ismaili community and injuring several others.
The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Pakistan to take all necessary measures to bring to justice the perpetrators of this despicable act. Taking note that a number of attacks against the Shia and Christian minorities have taken place in the recent past in Pakistan, the Secretary-General urges the Government of Pakistan to take swift measures aimed at effective protection of religious minorities in the country. Creating a climate of tolerance, understanding and respect will greatly contribute to achieving this objective.
Pakistan, as a responsible member of the international community, must uphold its obligations and commitments towards protecting its citizens, including all minorities.
The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Pakistan. He wishes a speedy recovery to all those who were injured.
**Yemen
Meanwhile, the Emergency Relief Coordinator of the UN, Valerie Amos, has welcomed the beginning of the humanitarian pause in Yemen, which should enable humanitarian agencies and their partners to step up the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need.
In a statement Ms. Amos issued last night, she called on all parties to the conflict to respect this vital pause in hostilities. This pause will provide a respite for civilians and allow for the delivery of food, medical supplies and other essential items to people who have been trapped in conflict zones.
Given the role of the United Nations in coordinating emergency relief activities in an impartial and neutral way, Ms. Amos requests that humanitarian assistance to Yemen be routed through existing UN and international humanitarian organization channels. It is essential that humanitarian assistance is not politicized.
An estimated 1 million people will be assisted if deliveries across the health, water, sanitation, shelter, household items, protection, nutrition and food go as planned during the pause. More than 3 million will benefit from the supplies that UN partners will distribute and preposition during the pause. This is if transportation plans proceed as planned in the country.
Meanwhile, we had a note to correspondents issued last night on the start of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed’s first visit to Yemen in his capacity as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General. The Special Envoy is holding broad consultations with all political entities and groupings, civil society as well as youth and women’s representatives in order to consider ways to resume political talks under the auspices of the United Nations as soon as possible.
**Syria
As part of the ongoing Geneva Consultations, the Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met with Randa Qasis, President and Founder of the Movement of the Pluralistic Society, today in Geneva.
He also continued meeting representatives of the civil society. These meetings focused on various perspectives and initiatives to support the Syrian people in their search for peace. They also discussed the deteriorating situation in Syria and the growing humanitarian concerns in the country.
Mr. de Mistura stressed that one of the purposes of the Geneva Consultations is to help the United Nations understand the full variety of ideas and perspectives on resolving the escalating conflict in Syria. He reiterated the urgency of finding a political solution and making every effort to alleviate the suffering of the people and save lives.
**Security Council
Back here, the Security Council heard an address from the Secretary-General during its debate on small arms and light weapons. He said that the diversion of weaponry, including from government stockpiles, is further fuelling conflict, allowing rebels, gangs, criminal organizations, pirates, terrorist groups and insurgents to bolster their firepower.
He added that civilians, including children, suffer the most from the direct consequence of such conflicts. He urged all Member States to accede and faithfully implement the Arms Trade Treaty, which entered into force recently. The treaty lays the foundations for a global framework of arms transfer controls, including for small arms and light weapons and ammunition.
The Council also heard from the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. And he said that small arms do not only take lives, they also kill economies, and the social bonds on which every kind of collective institution and progress is built. His statement is available online, as is the statement of the Secretary-General.
**Migration — Asia
I just wanted to flag the ongoing crisis in Asia regarding migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh. UNHCR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) says they are extremely alarmed at reports suggesting that Indonesia and Malaysia may have pushed back boats carrying vulnerable people from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
On Monday, the Indonesian navy stated that it had escorted a boat out to sea, although it is not clear if this represents a change in the Government’s policy. Yesterday, Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency announced that it would not let foreign ships dock unless they are unseaworthy and sinking.
As conflicts and persecution force more and more people to seek safety beyond international borders, UNHCR has been emphasizing the importance of saving lives on the high seas.
And I can add that the Secretary-General is concerned with the situation involving these migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh. As in the Mediterranean Sea, the priority must be to save lives and fulfil the humanitarian imperative.
The Secretary-General calls for a comprehensive solution to the problem, addressing root causes in countries of origin and transit, as well as viable protection solutions in destination countries.
He condemns the rise of criminal networks profiting from smuggling migrants, and calls on law enforcement authorities to prosecute them according to the law, including the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its protocol on the smuggling of migrants.
**Democratic Republic of Congo
A UN report published today reveals that grave violations of international humanitarian law were committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group from Uganda, in Beni territory, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, over a three-month period at the end of 2014.
These violations, which were both systematic and extremely brutal, may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the report. Between 1 October and 31 December 2014, at least 237 civilians were killed, including 65 women and 35 children, by ADF combatants in Beni. In total, villages ADF combatants attacked 35.
At least 300 people, including at least 33 members of the Army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been arrested in the course of the investigations conducted by the Congolese authorities into the Beni massacres.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, welcomed these initial steps towards justice, but urged the Congolese authorities to redouble their efforts to hold to account all those implicated.
On the same subject, the UN Mission today in the DRC reports it deployed two attack helicopters in support of the Congolese Army’s operations against the ADF in Beni.
As you will recall, a week ago, a Tanzanian convoy of MONUSCO’s (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) Force Intervention Brigade was ambushed by suspected ADF armed elements, which resulted in the death of two peacekeepers.
The UN Mission highlights that close cooperation protects the lives of civilians, as well as Congolese soldiers and peacekeepers, and emphasizes the need to resume full military cooperation between MONUSCO and the Congolese Army in the fight against the ADF, but also against the Forces Démocratiques du Rwanda, FDLR, and other armed groups.
**Darfur
From Darfur, the African Union–UN peacekeeping Mission (UNAMID) says it remains gravely concerned about the continued mobilization on both sides despite a temporary lull in the fighting between the Ma’alia and the Reziegat tribes. The Mission continues to exert around-the-clock efforts to mitigate the impact of the fighting on the civilian population in the area.
It says it is ready to assist the Sudanese authorities in the ongoing evacuation of more than 50 injured tribesmen from both tribes to Khartoum for treatment. It also provided East Darfur State medical authorities with medicines and other surgical equipment, which were apparently in short supply.
**Libya
Just to give you an update, because I know a number of you have been asking about Libya: following extensive consultations with Libyan actors over the past months, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Bernardino León, presented a draft agreement for a Government of National Accord to Libyan parties on 27 April. Official reactions have been received from most parties and both sides have maintained their commitment to engage in the dialogue. Mr. León expects to present parties with a revised draft once all the comments have been communicated.
In parallel, the UN Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) continues to interact with the parties to reach agreement on security arrangements and a ceasefire. The UN intends to convene a meeting on this issue soon, as well.
While the political process continues, the security situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Demonstrable progress on the political and security tracks is required as soon as possible in order to arrest the deepening chaos in the country and put Libya in a position to deal with the critical issues they face, including the growing terrorist threat.
**Nepal
Our friends at OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) say that aid delivery will be hampered once the monsoons begin in the coming weeks. Estimates indicate that 315,000 people live in areas where they cannot be reached by road.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said today that the earthquakes and continuing aftershocks in Nepal highlight the importance of the efforts that the country’s Health Ministry and WHO have had in place for more than a decade, so that key hospitals, health facilities and workers would be ready in an emergency or natural disaster.
**Health
Continuing on the health track, as you know, 2015 is the final year for the Millennium Development Goals and this year’s World Health Statistics — published today by the World Health Organization — assesses progress towards the health-related goals in each of the 193 countries for which data are available.
Results are mixed: by the end of this year, if current trends continue, the world will have met global targets for turning around the epidemics of HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and increasing access to safe drinking water. It will also have made substantial progress in reducing child malnutrition, maternal and child deaths, and increasing access to basic sanitation.
However, despite great advances in reducing child deaths before the age of 5, less than one third of all countries have achieved or are on track to meet the target by the end of this year.
Similarly, the number of women who died due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has been cut in half between 1990 and 2013, but this rate of decrease won’t be enough to achieve the targeted reduction of 75 per cent by the end of the year.
**Pesticides
Lastly, I want to flag a new training guide developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to engage with rural communities in order to reduce children’s exposure to toxic pesticides used in farming.
Nearly 100 million boys and girls between 5 and 17 years old are engaged in child labour in agriculture, many in direct contact with toxic chemicals while working on the farm. More is available on the FAO’s website.
**Press Conferences
Tomorrow at 11 a.m., press conference here by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) on the launch of the UN Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2015.
**Questions and Answers
Sir, go ahead.
Question: Steph, given reports of the coup in Burundi, is the UN now ready to say that it might have been a bad idea for President [Pierre] Nkurunziza to seek a third term?
Spokesman: I think we're obviously, as I said, following these developments very closely. I think on a more general note, I think I would refer you back to the Secretary‑General’s, I think, very direct language that he used at the — in a recent African Union Summit, where he said people around the world have expressed their concern about leaders who refuse to leave office when their terms end. And he says: I share those concerns.
Madame, then monsieur, then monsieur?
Question: He shares those concerns, but I thought the UN is not usually partial to coups. And if you look at the language in the 27 March readout of the Secretary‑General’s phone call with the Burundian President, he urges him to respect the Arusha agreements and to consider the consequences of seeking a third term. So you don’t usually recognize coups, but—
Spokesman: I don’t think — you know, I don’t think anybody is welcoming or recognizing a coup, which is an unconstitutional change of power. I think as… what we know now is that the situation remains very fluid. We’re trying to get more details as to what’s actually going on on the ground in Bujumbura. Again, in more general terms, the Secretary‑General has stressed time and time again, and not just for African countries but for other countries, the need for leaders to listen to their people and to respect democratic institutions. Obviously, as I said, the situation in Burundi is ongoing and we’re keeping an eye on it.
Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I actually have some questions on Burundi but I want to ask you this first. As I think that you know, there was a press conference held this morning across the street at the Ford Foundation about — largely about the Central African Republic rapes and Graça Machel, a long-time expert in the field, said that things, that UN peacekeeping’s response to these events is becoming worse than it was in the past, and there was a call for a Commission of Inquiry with subpoena powers, including specifically with regard to Mr. [Hervé] Ladsous and his e-mails, was made. And I wanted to know what does the Secretary think of that? The reason I’m asking is that one of the questions made clear that Mr. Tony Banbury of DFS (Department of Field Support) actually briefed some reporters before this event, and I wanted to know…I just… I wanted to ask you about it. Since questions have been asked here repeatedly over the last week about this, what is — and you said you’ll seek answers from peacekeeping operations. Do you seek them, or are the answers given selectively to… to some journalists?
Spokesman: I seek—
Question: How did that happen?
Spokesman: I seek answers, and I share them, I think, in a very public way in this briefing room, which is open to all journalists, which is webcast to all those who want to have any interest.
[inaudible]
Question: But obviously, between your office and briefing… Obviously, it wasn’t a background briefing because he was named by DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations), basically trying to spin selected journalists. What’s your—
Spokesman: I don’t—
Question: What’s your response to that?
Spokesman: I think journalists have access to who they need to have access to, and we encourage that kind of access.
Question: Is there a transcript of what Mr. Banbury said?
Spokesman: To go back to what you were saying, obviously, we’re aware that there was this, this press briefing today. We welcome, obviously, any efforts to help us combat sexual abuse. DPKO and other parts of the house have been engaged with AIDS‑Free World and we’ll continue to engage with them. I think this is a fight that — where everyone is on the same side. We’re trying to get to the complete and total elimination of sexual abuse by any UN personnel. I think our track record, if you look back over the last decade or so, has greatly improved in terms of lowering number of cases, in terms of increased transparency of reporting of cases, and I think we — this is one of these issues where we could always do better, and we always strive to do better.
Question: So you’re saying that — I won’t go back to what Graça Machel said. There was a statement there that DPKO needs to be much more transparent, i.e., release the nationality of cases, the disposition of cases — do you agree with that?
Spokesman: I think DPKO has and the UN as a whole has increased its transparency but I think the fight against sexual abuse by — you know, by peacekeepers, by UN peacekeepers, is a fight that Member States also need to be fully engaged in, and we work with them, and we work with NGOs.
Question: What’s the status of a commission of inquiry? What’s the status of the Secretary — are you opposed to one that would actually have subpoena power?
Spokesman: I don’t know what subpoena — I don’t know what subpoena powers means in the UN context. What I’ve said repeatedly here on this specific case against the French soldiers in the CAR is that there’s a criminal investigation going on in France, which we are fully cooperating with, and we very much hope that those who committed these heinous crimes are brought to justice. And at some point, there may be a need to take a look at how the whole issue is handled in‑house.
Sir?
Question: Yemen. Can you please confirm that the news reports that the… finally, that the date has been set for the peace talks in Geneva by the end of this month?
Spokesman: No.
Question: And—
Spokesman: No, which think we’re still working for… on a date. I think there are a lot of dates floating around right now, but as, as with other issues, these things will float around until we’re ready to announce an official date.
Question: Can you confirm that the Special Envoy is going to Tehran in the coming days?
Spokesman: No, again, I think we’ve… obviously, Iran is a critical player in the Yemen crisis. We will engage with all relevant regional actors, and when we’re ready to announce a travel date for him or his presence there, we will.
Question: Finally, on Yemen, can you tell us what role the United Nations is going to play in Riyadh conference?
Spokesman: We will be present at the Riyadh conference, and we will participate, but it is not being led by the UN.
Yes, sir?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I have a related question about Yemen. And there is a, an Iranian ship that’s… I don’t know if this question was asked before. I just came in — Iranian ship that Iranian authorities say it’s an aid that’s headed toward Yemen and there’s a lot of tension about this. The US expressed that this ship should go to Djibouti and should be coordinated through the United Nations. What is the position of the United Nations on this? Are you in contact with the Iranians?
Spokesman: We very much hope that all aid that countries are generously providing will be coordinated through the United Nations and through the international organizations we work with. I think it’s — as in any crisis, it’s very important that aid be coordinated, so there’s no overlap and there’s no wastage and also to ensure that it’s done through the impartial activities of the UN and that no aid is politicized.
Question: Follow‑up on that. Is the UN coordination with Iranian authorities?
Spokesman: We’ve been in touch with the Iranian authorities, yes, we have. Evelyn.
Question: Yes. On Yemen again. There are reports of sporadic violence on both sides and some more airstrikes. Do you have any update on that?
Spokesman: We’ve seen those press reports of some — you know, some sporadic violence, as you say, but as far as we’re concerned, the reports that we’re getting, it seems to be basically… the pause seems to be basically holding. You know, it… so we’re… we’re continuing on that basis.
Question: Do you know how many aid staff have gone back in now? You were saying yesterday senior staff would be going back.
Spokesman: Yesterday there were about 12 going back in, international staff. We’ll try to get an update. Obviously, it’s very much on a day‑by‑day basis as the security situation is analysed quite often.
And then we’ll go to round two.
Question: On Yemen, too: Do you have any update regarding the aid, how the operation is going? It was supposed to start yesterday.
Spokesman: Yeah, I mean, I think yesterday we highlighted everything that had been pre-positioned. It’s going on now. I think there’s a bit of a time lag. We’re putting a lot of pressure on our colleagues on the ground to report back, but they also need to actually do some work. So we often get the reports a little later in the day, at the end of their business day, to see what they’ve been able to achieve. So we hope to — as soon as we get an update from OCHA, hopefully, we’ll get one this afternoon, we’ll put it out.
Question: On Pakistan, has the SG put in a call to the President of Pakistan regarding this incident?
Spokesman: No, the question was whether the Secretary‑General has spoken to the Pakistani Prime… President. No, he has not, but I think he’s made his position exceedingly clear through the statement I just read out. Signore?
Question: Two questions about Libya. The first, is there any time frame for the proposal of the revised draft by Mr. León? And the other is, as you know, the European Union is considering the option for the intervention there, most likely it will be approved on Monday, and, according to the draft there, the operation possibly on the ground and Libyan territorial water. Would you consider that illegal if there is not a UN resolution on Friday?
Spokesman: Yeah, I think — on your first part, there is no hard deadline that we have set. We’ve heard from a large number of the parties. Mr. León is waiting to hear from everybody before presenting a draft. Obviously, the sooner the better. I think the… you know, the security situation is not getting any better, and if we have an agreement on a political framework, we very much hope that will have positive impact on the security situation.
On your second question, there is debate going on in the Council, and we will refrain from speaking out as that is going on. I think the Secretary‑General, as well as his Special Envoy on Migration, Mr. [Peter] Sutherland, I think, have made their positions clear in terms of how to deal with the migrant issue within the Mediterranean and that focus needs to be on saving lives and also addressing the root causes.
Round two. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask, on Burundi, just for the UN perspective, and I’m sorry if I was… if I missed you saying it. Is Mr. Djinnit in the country?
Spokesman: He’s in Dar.
Question: There’s some reports that the President, obviously, or the deposed president — however you refer to him — was also there, that the military or new leaders of Burundi, however you choose to refer to them, have tried to block people from coming back into the country, including the President. Is that something Mr. Djinnit is aware of? Is he trying to get back into the country?
Spokesman: He’s right now in Tanzania, obviously, having contacts with various leaders of the East African community and their foreign ministers, who are in Dar.
Question: Has he been asked to brief the Council?
Spokesman: There may be some Council briefing at some point. You’ll have to wait for the presidency and I’m sure if he's requested, he will obviously brief.
Margaret?
Question: Can you ask Mr. Djinnit if he could do a phoner with us, maybe?
Spokesman: Would love to.
Question: Thank you.
Spokesman: Behind you. Sangwon?
Question: There are reports that the US might be considering sending Navy ships or military in the South China Seas to patrol some of the Chinese claims to the islands. And I’m just wondering if… what is the UN’s position on that? Do you think that would be something that escalates tensions further in North-East Asia? Just what’s the SG’s position on that, too?
Spokesman: I think, you know, the Secretary‑General in… has spoken on the issue of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea and has encouraged all the parties to cooperate in a spirit of mutual understanding and avoid any tensions around these territorial claims.
Yes, sir?
Question: On Syria, there are new allegations of use of chlorine gas and even VX. I wonder whether you have any comment on that.
Spokesman: No, we’ve seen the reports and we know our colleagues of the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) are looking into them, but obviously, those kinds of reports are of increasing concern to us.
Evelyn?
Question: That’s exactly what I was going to ask.
Spokesman: Excellent. Yes?
Question: On Yemen, the Riyadh conference, who will represent… Do you know who’s going to represent the United Nations? Is Ismail [Ould Cheikh] Ahmed going to be there?
Spokesman: Yes.
Question: And Turkey sent an aid ship to Yemen. Was that coordinated through the United Nations?
Spokesman: I’m not aware of the ship from Turkey but I think again we would ask that all aid be coordinated through the UN and its international organizational partners.
Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. I wanted… given what’s happening in Burundi, I wanted to ask you a question actually about Togo. There are a number of civil society groups that are saying that since the election was, took place and the votes were counted in late April that a number of internet sites have been blocked ever since then. They were blocked during the counting. They remain blocked. Some are alleging that Mr. [Mohammed ibn] Chambas was somehow… his role was to essentially bless a contested election. So I wanted to know, I saw… I’m searching through my e-mail. The last… The Secretary‑General welcomed the results on 26 April. Who’s been following it since then? Is there any comment by the UN system-wide on the internet being blocked—
[inaudible]
Spokesman: I’ll see if I can get an update.
Question: Okay. And also, I wanted to ask you, you often do the announcement of the roll call of payers. It’s been announced in Australia that the 2015 budget involves a 43 per cent cut in funding to UN system entities. And so I wanted to know: obviously, every country’s free to do or not. What do you think of that? Is there some kind of a competing or parallel list that you’re keeping of… What do you think of a country cutting its aid by 40 per cent?
Spokesman: No, I think… every… obviously, as you know, broadly, the UN is funded in two ways. One, it is through assessed contributions, and every time a Member State pays its contribution in full, we flag it here. We haven’t had one in, I think, over a week, so we hope to have some more soon.
Obviously, Member States are free to decide on the size of their voluntary contributions to UN agencies. We very much hope that those are not on the decrease, but these are sovereign decisions made by Member States.
Evelyn?
Question: You might have mentioned this, but are the victims of rape in the Central African Republic getting any help from UN agencies or anyone else, psychological or anything else?
Spokesman: It’s a very valid question. I will check with the mission to see what is being done.
Okay. Thank you, all. See you tomorrow.