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 Vannina Maestracci, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
**Syria
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has condemned what he called the “devastating” air raids yesterday on a market in the town of Duma. Attacks on civilian areas with aerial indiscriminate bombs, such as vacuum bombs, are prohibited under international law, he said. Hitting crowded civilian markets, killing almost 100 of its own citizens by a Government is unacceptable in any circumstances.
Mr. de Mistura said that this latest attack is yet another illustration of the brutality of the ongoing conflict, stressing the need for a political solution to the crisis. Also speaking out against yesterday’s attack was UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien, who wrapped up a three-day visit to Syria today. Speaking to reporters in Damascus, he said that he was absolutely horrified by the total disregard for civilian life by all parties in this conflict.
In his meetings with the Foreign Minister and other senior officials, Mr. O’Brien discussed how to strengthen humanitarian operations. He also expressed his admiration for the courageous humanitarian workers who are staying and delivering assistance despite the numerous challenges that they face. Mr. O’Brien also visited Lebanon today, where he met a Syrian family who had fled violence, and also with Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs. Both the statements by Mr. de Mistura and Mr. O’Brien are available online, and the Secretary-General of course echoes the condemnation of the airstrikes yesterday on the market in Duma.
**Deputy Secretary-General — South Sudan
An update from the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, who is in Addis Ababa, representing the Secretary-General at the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD)-PLUS summit on the situation in South Sudan. He has met with President Silva Kiir as well as with Riek Machar. He has also had discussions with the Mediators of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, as well as with the African Union High Representative for South Sudan, Alpha Oulma Konare.
Before you ask me, we have seen the reports on a failing of an agreement, then on the signing of an agreement, we are unable to confirm as of now, but as soon as I have an update from Addis and the Deputy Secretary-General, I will let you know.
**Burundi
I have a statement attributable to the Spokesperson, on Burundi. The Secretary-General condemns the assassination of Colonel Jean Bikomagu, the former Army Chief of Staff, by unknown assailants in Bujumbura on 15 August. He conveys his condolences to the family of the deceased. The Secretary-General is troubled by the trend of politically-motivated violence in Burundi. He welcomes the government’s decision to carry out investigations, and arrests and trials of the perpetrators behind the recent killings.
The Secretary-General reiterates his calls to all Burundians to resume an inclusive dialogue without delay to peacefully settle their differences. He also reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support the efforts aimed at consolidating peace and stability in the country.
**Central African Republic
The United Nations [Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization] Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA, says it is determined to investigate fully all allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by its forces in the country and to hold perpetrators of such acts to account.
Investigations into recent allegations of sexual assault on a minor and killings by UN forces in Bangui are ongoing. Information gathered by the Human Rights and Child Protection sections, and the Police of the UN Mission, has been handed to the internal oversight body of the United Nations, OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services], which is mandated to investigate cases of alleged misconduct by UN forces, identify perpetrators and ensure accountability for victims.
The investigation is complicated by the large number of nationalities of police and military personnel involved in the operations launched in the “PK5” area of Bangui on 2 and 3 August. MINUSCA will not publish preliminary findings that may be prejudicial to the ongoing investigation. The mission is determined to ensure that acts of misconduct, including sexual violence by its personnel should not go unpunished, hence the importance of protecting the integrity of the investigations and the confidentiality of victims and witnesses.
MINUSCA has adopted a position of transparency when its forces have committed abuses, believing that its own forces should be held to the same high standards that is expected of others. MINUSCA believes that it should be accountable to the people of the Central African Republic and the wider international community. MINUSCA reiterates its utter determination to enforce the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation or abuse by its personnel. And MINUSCA Child Protection Section, with UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund], is offering appropriate support to the victim of the alleged sexual assault.
**Central African Republic — UNICEF
And in a statement issued over the weekend, the Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund, Anthony Lake, said that UNICEF colleagues in the Central African Republic have met with the young girl. Mr. Lake said that it is clear that the child had endured a most brutal ordeal. He said that UNICEF is offering her, and her family, every possible help — including medical assistance, support to deal with the psychological impact of the assault, and legal advice. Mr. Lake voiced hope that the process of healing for this young girl can now begin. He also stressed that it is important that she is afforded absolute privacy so she does not suffer any further distress. And there is more on this is available on UNICEF's website.
**Mali
And on Mali, the UN [Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization] Mission there, MINUSMA, has condemned the violation of the ceasefire, following armed confrontations today and over the weekend, in the Kidal region. An observation and verification team is on its way to establish the facts. The Mission says it is worried about the increasing numbers of such violations and urges all the parties on the ground to stop this fighting. The Mission is continuing its good offices with the parties concerned to re-establish the respect of the ceasefire. There is more information in a press release by the Mission.
**Pakistan
And last night, we issued a statement on Pakistan, in which the Secretary-General condemned the bomb attack in the country’s Punjab Province. The Secretary-General reiterated that nothing justifies terrorism and that he continues to hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice swiftly. And that statement is of course available online.
**Afghanistan
And again, UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) over the weekend signed an agreement to work together to eradicate polio in the country. Through this partnership, UNICEF and the ACB will collaborate on campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination, as well as to promote health education for children. As you know, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. On 16 August, that’s yesterday, Afghan authorities and partners launched a three-day nationwide polio vaccination campaign.
**World Health Organization
And ahead of World Humanitarian Day, which will be observed on 19 August, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new figures on attacks on health workers around the world. In 2014 alone, there were more than 370 attacks in 32 countries on health workers, resulting in over 600 deaths. The organization says that similar incidents have been recorded this year so far. This World Humanitarian Day, WHO will launch an online campaign to recognize the efforts of health workers, and to remind Member States and parties to conflict to uphold their commitments to protect health workers and the broader health system. More information is available on WHO’s website.
**World Humanitarian Day
And as I just said, Wednesday, 19 August, is World Humanitarian Day. And tomorrow evening, starting at around 5:30 p.m., the Secretary-General will attend an event together with humanitarian workers, media innovators and musicians in the Economic and Social Council Chamber. There is also more information on that in the office.
**Security Council
And just to let you know that the Security Council will meet this afternoon at 3 p.m. on Syria. That was quite long. Just give me two seconds. Edie, please.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Thank you, Vannina. There was a report over the weekend that AT&T had allowed the… all internet traffic from the United Nations to be tapped. I wondered if you can comment on that and what the United Nations is doing about debugging, especially when it's reportedly being done by the UN's carrier.
Associate Spokesperson: Yeah. We have seen the report in The New York Times, and obviously, as we've said here before, the inviolability of the United Nations is well established under international law, and we expect Member States to act accordingly and to respect and protect that inviolability. The United States authorities had previously given us assurances as to the fact that they are not and are not monitoring our communications.
Question: And does the United Nations take any steps on its own to ensure that its communication system isn't being bugged?
Associate Spokesperson: Well, right now we're, we're looking how best to respond to this latest report.
Question: Does the United Nations…?
Associate Spokesperson: Hey, hey, hey. What's going on?
Question: Can I follow up? Does the United Nations has capability to… as Edie said, to do something on its own to prevent these or to protect what has been going on in that direction?
Associate Spokesperson: Well, you know, we obviously have security and safety measures in place including through our OICT, our information and technology department. So, you know, we are looking at this and how best to respond. But as I said, the US authorities had previously given us assurances to the fact that we are not and would not be monitored in our communications when this… similar allegations had happened before.
Question: Just one quick follow‑up on that, please. But, what… yes, for the United States, but what about others? Can anybody else take the advantage, if I can put it like that, on the situation?
Associate Spokesperson: Well, I just think, you know, surveillance at the United Nations is not something that's new, unfortunately. And we are doing everything we can to make sure that the inviolability… it's really hard for me to say that word; this is when my French kicks in… inviolability of the United Nations is protected and respected.
Question: Yeah, follow‑up on that. I wanted to ask, because I mean, the articles and the underlying documents say that AT&T voluntarily provided… I mean or provided all of this information to the United States and AT&T does have these outstanding procurement division contracts with the UN, P.S22875, so I'm wondering, would it violate the procurement contract between the UN and AT&T for AT&T to be secretly providing all emails to the US Government that are sent from this building, including over the WiFi right in this room?
Associate Spokesperson: I do not know what the procurement contract entails, but as I said, we're looking at everything and how best to respond to these latest allegations.
Question: Sure. Would it be fair to assume that UN contractors paid by the UN are assumed not to be spying on people inside the UN?
Associate Spokesperson: I'm sorry. What?
Correspondent: No, I mean, like, you're saying you don't know what it entails. I can't imagine…
Associate Spokesperson: I don't know what the procurement contract entails, and I don't like assuming as a general rule. Oleg.
Question: Can we get a copy of the contract?
Associate Spokesperson: I doubt it. Oleg.
Question: Why not?
Question: Did you… did the UN try to contact AT&T after this story was published? Do you plan to do that or do you still rely on the assurances you received from the US Government? The Government is one thing, but the companies…
Associate Spokesperson: My understanding is that there will be contacts with AT&T. Yes, Nizar.
Question: On Taiz, after the Hadi‑led forces took over that city, there were a lot of atrocities committed including burning people alive, cutting them alive, putting bodies in the streets, and so on. Is the United Nations in touch with Mr. Hadi regarding what his forces are doing there? And we have not received any denunciation from him regarding those atrocities. The internet, the social media, is littered with videos and pictures about that.
Associate Spokesperson: Okay. Nizar, on this, the Secretary‑General is concerned by the media reports of incidents of human rights violation and crimes against captured combatants in the town of Taiz. The United Nations cannot independently confirm these reports, but unequivocally condemns any such abuse. The Secretary‑General reminds all parties to the conflict in Yemen of their obligation to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law. And he also reiterates the fact that the suffering in Yemen cannot be brought to… can only be brought to an end through political process, of course, and calls on all the parties to work with his Special Envoy to that end.
Question: Would you ask Mr. Hadi, I mean, to condemn that or to start an investigation into what…?
Associate Spokesperson: The Secretary‑General just made, expressed his concern by these, by these media reports. I don't think it's for me to tell Mr. Hadi what to say. Yes.
Question: Yes. Thank you. US intelligence agencies reportedly have evidence that, in the past two weeks, ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham] used mustard agent chemical weapon in Syria against Kurdish forces and also in Iraq. Is the… and also a senior US official told The Wall Street Journal that this could be a pattern. Has the Secretary… is Secretary‑General aware of this reports and what he thinks about it? And also, does he think that the Security Council should address this?
Associate Spokesperson: On the use of chemical weapon by ISIL in Iraq, yes, the Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by the press reports regarding the use of chemical weapons or toxic chemicals in Iraq, and he's obviously monitoring such reports very closely. As you know, the use of chemical weapons or toxic chemicals constitutes a war crime, and that obviously cannot be tolerated. And the continuing allegation of the ongoing use of chemical weapons in the region as a whole are not only alarming but are contributing to further instability in the region, and the Secretary‑General notes that Iraq is a state party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is implemented by the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons].
Question: Just a follow‑up on that? Has the UN been… any casualties been reported to the UN…?
Associate Spokesperson: I don't think we have any way to, to confirm casualties, so my points are on the general use of chemical weapons… here in Iraq and in the region. Oleg, please.
Question: Thanks again. Any reaction to what happened in Thailand? Dozens of people killed.
Associate Spokesperson: You know what, I feel like we did. We've seen the reports, and I think we'll have something for you a little bit later on. Carol, yeah.
Question: I just wanted to come back to Central African Republic. You mentioned a large number of nationalities involved in the PK5 search operation. Do you know how many countries have been notified that their soldiers…?
Associate Spokesperson: No, what I gave you… what I read out are the details that we have so far, and as much as I can and as much as possible, we'll be reading those out from the podium and making sure that they're shared with you. But what I read out — and I'm very happy to give you a copy of it — is what I have. There's nothing more. Okay?
Correspondent: If I could just on that. We don't know yet who the soldiers are that are responsible for the alleged rape.
Associate Spokesperson: I mean, basically, the part I read we're not going to share any information that could be detrimental to anyone…
Question: So, you know, but we don't know?
Associate Spokesperson: You interpret that like you want. Yes, Matthew.
Question: Sure. Also on that, you did… you read out… two things. You read out on UNICEF that they purport to be providing legal advice to the victim. And I guess I just wonder, given that the… that the legal problem is caused by the UN system's own invocation of immunity, what advice are they giving, to sue those responsible or… it just seems like… isn't it kind of a conflict for the UN system to be the one providing, purporting to provide legal advice to a person victimized by the UN system who can't get justice because of UN immunity. So, what's the advice, I guess I'm saying…?
Associate Spokesperson: I'm not sure what the advice is because I'm here, not with UNICEF in the [Central African Republic], but I think they are showing all the possible avenues that she has and what she can do. I mean, I think it's fairly… people might not know what these avenues are. And it's important…
Question: Can't she sue UN?
Associate Spokesperson: Can I speak? And it's important for people to raise awareness and to make sure that they do know where to go.
Question: Where should she go? I mean, I'm just saying it seems… it's a contradiction because if she tries to sue…
Associate Spokesperson: And where…
Correspondent: …she's told that it's immune, that the UN is immune.
Associate Spokesperson: That's not true. There's an investigation going on. And that, you know, it is going on. Why don't we let it go on and see what it comes up with?
Correspondent: That's the second question I wanted to ask.
Associate Spokesperson: You are so not interested in the answers.
Question: Yeah, I am interested.
Associate Spokesperson: Erol, please.
Correspondent: I wasn't getting an answer. That's the problem.
Question: Vannina, Kosovo, which is not full of members… as you know, Member State of the United Nations has applied actually for the membership at UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]. For week or so, Serbia is saying… which is full member and one of the founders of the… through Yugoslavia of the United Nations saying that we'll do everything to prevent Kosovo to become members… Member State… full members of the UNESCO saying that we'll ask you and to do so to prevent it. My question is actually general and very specific. General, what does the UN has to say? What is the voice of UN in those cases when somebody outside of the membership of United Nations is applying for membership of UNESCO? That's one. And, number two what, if anything, US, and indeed, Secretary‑General done regarding the request of Serbia?
Associate Spokesperson: I think when it came up a little bit earlier, we had said that this is obviously in UNESCO's hand. It's not… the membership of UNESCO is obviously with UNESCO's members and UNESCO itself. Carol, please.
Correspondent: Brigitte Bardot has apparently… Yes, I know.
Associate Spokesperson: That's a change.
Correspondent: Yes, it is… sent an appeal to the Secretary‑General…
Associate Spokesperson: She sent a…?
Question: An appeal to the Secretary‑General to take a stand against trophy hunting following Cecil the lion. So, I was wondering if you knew about it and if you had a reaction, and is there a UN position on big game hunting?
Associate Spokesperson: You saw my face, so obviously, I do not… I do not know about it. I will check. I will check, and I'll try to get something for you, okay? Matthew.
Question: Sure. Just for the record, the answer I was asking for is what legal advice UNICEF gave. But, I hear… since you said to wait, I wanted to ask you this. In 2012… I don't know if it was in this room or a previous UN briefing room… there was discussion of the rape of two girls in the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] by three… they believe they're from Uruguay but three peacekeepers in the DRC. This was alleged by Dr. Victoria Fontan of the UN University of Peace in Costa Rica. It was said there would be an investigation, but nothing has ever been said of either the peacekeepers being held responsible or the SRSG [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] of the Mission at the time or DPKO [Department of Peacekeeping Operations]. So, I wanted to know… I'm asking you, I don't expect you necessarily to know from the podium, but this is an answer I'm extremely interested in — what happened?
Associate Spokesperson: I don't know about the specific case obviously from 2012. But, I think you've heard what the Secretary‑General has been saying all of last week and what he's, what he's been pushing when it comes to both misconduct and… including… sorry, misconduct including sexual exploitation and abuse. I mean, he's been very strong. He has shown his resolve to push this forward and to make sure that there is, you know, institutional accountability, responsibility, but also that Member States provide us with the information that we ask because, as you know, there is a limit, some things are up to Member States. But, obviously, he's very determined to make progress in this, in this area for the victims of misconduct.
Question: But, what happened in this case?
Associate Spokesperson: I don't know. I just said that.
Correspondent: I'm asking, can you ask DPKO? The two victims’ names were Gisele and Esperanz…
Associate Spokesperson: Sure. Why don't you send me an e-mail rather than saying everything here. Oleg.
Question: Vannina, is the Secretary of the UN or Secretariat…
Associate Spokesperson: Sorry. I can't hear you because Matthew's still talking.
Question: Is the UN Secretariat following or in any way involved in the negotiations on the possible future Convention on cybersecurity… security in the cyberspace, which is undergoing right now? There was a report that's being worked out or possibly it is out already. There's some disagreement on Article 51. There are some compromises on it.
Associate Spokesperson: I'll check. It's possible… I really don't know so I'll need to check on that, Oleg. Okay? Edie, please.
Question: Vannina, has the Secretary‑General seen the report, an article, an opinion piece by Martin O'Malley, one of the democratic candidates for President, asking the United Nations to take responsibility for the cholera epidemic in Haiti? And if so, what… what's his reaction?
Associate Spokesperson: I do not know if he's seen it, but on cholera, I would just refer you back to what we have said many times from this podium. Yes, go ahead, please.
Question: Thank you. Going back to Central African Republic, when UNICEF is saying that the girl has been through the most brutal ordeal, does that mean that UNICEF is confirming the fact that she has been raped?
Associate Spokesperson: I'll read it again. Mr. Lake said it is clear that the child has endured a most brutal ordeal. That's it. Yes, Matthew.
Question: Sure. I'd like to ask… I saw there was an article in The Buffalo News saying that the Secretary‑General had gone to Buffalo and given a speech in front of 150 people in the M&T Bank headquarters for a couple of reasons. One… I'm interested because M&T Bank has a bank merger that's been stalled out for three years due to allegations of money-laundering and lending discrimination, but mostly I wanted to know, did he give such a speech? Can we get the text of the speech? Why wasn't it given in advance? And did he raise these issues about lending fairness and money laundering in his discussions with the CO of the bank?
Associate Spokesperson: So this was mainly a private visit. He went to visit Buffalo and Niagara Falls, actually, and he was invited by someone he's known for a long time to address this… this group of people that you've mentioned. We didn't put it out, again, because it was mostly, mainly, largely, a private visit. He was with his family over the weekend.
Question: Were the people there all employees of the bank? Was…
Associate Spokesperson: No, I think it was community leaders from all over Buffalo, if I understand correctly.
Question: Do you have the remarks?
Associate Spokesperson: I'll check, but, again: mainly private visit and I don't think we'd be sharing them. Anything else? Great. Have a good afternoon.