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.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary-General, as you know, attended commemorative events in Beijing, marking the seventieth anniversary of the Second World War. At a meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier today, the Secretary-General commended China’s strong commitment to multilateralism and its contributions, including to peacekeeping operations, Ebola response and mediation efforts, notably in South Sudan, Iran and the Korean peninsula.
The Secretary-General also met with the Premier, the Vice-Premier and the Foreign Minister of China. He thanked China for its efforts to address climate change, both through its actions and policies, and its instrumental role in helping to reach the sustainable development agreement. The Secretary-General called for continued support from China for building momentum ahead of the Paris Climate Change Conference and the implementation of the new sustainable development agenda. The Secretary-General also highlighted China’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, as we mark 20 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Various readouts were shared with you earlier today with more detail.
**Yemen
Regarding Yemen and humanitarian issues, at the beginning of August 2015, in response to a request from the Government of Yemen, the Secretary-General agreed that the United Nations would set up a verification and inspection mechanism to increase the flow of commercial goods into Yemen by sea. The United Nations, the Yemeni Government and the Coalition have now reached agreement on the mechanism. The UN Verification and Inspection Mission, UNVIM, is now being established in accordance with Security Council resolution 2216 (2015). UNVIM will apply only to commercial imports. Shipments from UN humanitarian organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will not be subject to verification.
A steering committee which includes the UN, the Government of Yemen and the coalition will be established to oversee the work of the Mechanism, which will be established by UNOPS [United Nations Office for Project Services]. Funding is open to all Member States. Meanwhile, aid agencies are providing medical supplies to hospitals treating people wounded by yesterday’s mosque bombing in Sana’a. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 32 people were killed and about 100 wounded in the attack. I do expect a statement a bit later on.
**Central African Republic
Turning over to the Central African Republic, you will have seen that earlier today, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, issued a statement from Bangui, the capital of the [Central African Republic]. He announced that UN staff in the country learned on 30 August that a girl was allegedly sexually abused around a year ago by a member of the French military force, known as Sangaris. The girl, who is believed to have been in her mid to late teens at the time of the alleged abuse, gave birth to a child in April. The High Commissioner said this was the latest in a series of appalling allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by foreign troops in the Central African Republic.
Although this particular case did not involve United Nations peacekeepers, there have been a number of other cases in [the Central African Republic] — and elsewhere — which have, he noted. He added that Governments of troop-contributing countries have an obligation to investigate all these cases in a timely manner. The High Commissioner said that the French authorities have been informed of the latest allegation. UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund], through its partners, provides psycho-social support and legal assistance for the girl and her family.
And on a related note, the Central African Republic Independent Review Panel, that appointed by the Secretary-General to look into the UN response into alleged sexual misconduct by non-UN command foreign military forces, has asked the Secretary-General for an extension of its deadline. Given the volume of work remaining, the Panel foresees that it will be in a position to submit its final report and recommendations in November.
**Democratic Republic of the Congo
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Team of International Envoys for the Great Lakes of Africa emphasized yesterday its support to the country in its path towards elections, which are critical to the [Democratic Republic of the Congo’s] continued development and security. These elections, with the support of the international community, should be transparent, credible and inclusive, the Envoys said. That statement is available online.
**South Sudan
In response to questions that were asked at the briefing on the situation in South Sudan, I can say that the UN Mission [in South Sudan] (UNMISS) is reporting that two attack helicopters were firing rockets in the direction of the west bank of the River Nile in Malakal in Upper Nile State yesterday. Heavy explosions, including mortar shells, as well as heavy artillery and small arms fire were also heard coming from Malakal towards areas located on the west bank. UNMISS also reports instances of firing in Malakal earlier today.
UNMISS condemns these violations of the Compromise Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict that, as you recall, came into force on 29 August and calls on the parties to take all necessary steps to meet their obligations. The Mission continues to protect civilians in Malakal, including at its Protection of Civilians site and through regular patrols in the town and airport.
**Sudan
From Sudan, in Darfur, our humanitarian colleagues say today that many of the international NGOs [non-governmental organizations] working in the region are scaling down their operations or facing closure because of lack of funds. Several organizations have ended vital lifesaving operations this year, mostly in the health sector, or have handed services over to the government and local communities which often lack the resources and capacity to deliver services. The global appeal for Sudan is only 39 per cent-funded in 2015, like almost every one of our global appeals, and OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] says humanitarian organizations urgently need more resources to help millions of people in need.
**UNICEF
Just to flag the report that UNICEF put out today: surging conflict and political upheaval across the Middle East and North Africa are preventing more than 13 million children from going to school. That’s according to a new report called “Education under Fire” by UNICEF, which looks at the impact of violence on schoolchildren and education systems in nine countries that have been directly or indirectly impacted by violence.
In Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya alone, nearly 9,000 schools are out of use because they have been damaged, destroyed, are being used to shelter displaced civilians or have been taken over by parties to the conflict. In Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, more than 700,000 Syrian refugee children are unable to attend school because the overburdened national education infrastructure cannot cope with the extra student load; 700,000 young people unable to attend school.
**Syria
Our friends at UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine [Refugees in the Near East], say today they established a health point in Yalda, Syria, treating 240 patients over the course of the day. This included 10 suspected cases of typhoid and three suspected cases of scabies. The Relief and Works Agency also provided 200,000 water purification tablets to the community, generously contributed by UNICEF.
**Ebola
Today, the World Health Organization declared Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission in the human population, as 42 days have passed since the second negative result of the last lab-confirmed case of Ebola. Liberia now enters a 90-day period of heightened surveillance. As you might recall, the transmission had been declared over previously in May, but that the disease had re-emerged.
**Myanmar
The FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization] is today cautioning that without swift assistance to Myanmar’s farmers, the availability of food will be severely limited. That’s due, of course, to the heavy storms, floods and landslides across nearly all of the country’s provinces that we have seen recently.
**Appointment
Almost lastly, today the Secretary-General appointed Ms. Rachel Kyte of the United Kingdom as his Special Representative for the Sustainable Energy for All. She succeeds, as you well know, Kandeh Yumkella. The Secretary-General noted Ms. Kyte’s extensive leadership experience in sustainable development and also her roles as the World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for Climate Change.
As co-chairs of the Sustainable Energy for All Advisory Board, the Secretary-General and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim believe that this announcement marks a new chapter in the Sustainable Energy for All initiative. As you know, the Sustainable Energy for All initiative will be based permanently in Vienna, thanks to the support of the Austrian Government. A press release was already issued.
**Exhibit
Lastly, the closing ceremony of the "My Planet from Space" exhibit in the GA Visitors' Lobby will take place next Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. You are all invited; the Secretary-General will deliver remarks. The exhibit coordinated by the European Space Agency and realized in close partnership with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, shows some spectacular satellite images and videos, and I would encourage you to take a look. That’s Tuesday.
**Press Conference
After we are done here, about 1 p.m., we will be joined, as I previously mentioned, by Richard Curtis, the renowned filmmaker will be here along with Amina Mohammed, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Agenda and Cristina Gallach, the Under-Secretary-General for Public Information. They will talk to you about the Global Goals Campaign, which aims to bring together public figures, companies, NGOs and others to inform the entire world about the new Sustainable Development Goals. They will show you some new logos and some very interesting and powerful videos. Khalas.
**Questions and Answers
Question: Yeah. On the attack yesterday on the mosque in Sana'a, also coincided with many aerial attacks from air. Thirty-two people were killed in the mosque and more than 90 by suicide bombers. Do you have any statement on that?
Spokesman: No, as I said, we would have… we expect a statement from the Secretary‑General. But, obviously, these types of attacks are to be condemned in no uncertain words. Attacks on civilians are barbaric. I think attacks on holy sites are even more so, and I think we've seen the… we've seen what's happened, the sort of pattern with these attacks where there is already one… there's a bomb that explodes inside the mosque and then a second one explodes shortly after, in order to wound or kill as many first responders. So, as I said, we should have an official statement soon, but obviously, we condemn the attack very strongly.
Question: Yeah. Obviously in the areas claim to be under the control of Hadi Government, Da’esh or ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Sham] are… and other Al‑Qaida groups are really helping themselves to tombs, to monuments, and destroying them. Also assassinations against other activists, especially in Aden and other areas. How does the United Nations view such empowerment of Al‑Qaida in south Yemen?
Spokesman: The empowerment of terrorist groups and other armed groups is a direct result of a lack of a political process and a lack of a political solution. I think it's… we're seeing increased violence, increased targeting of civilians, civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and other issues. We've been calling for the humanitarian ceasefires for a long time now. The Secretary‑General's Special Envoy, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, is continuing his shuttle diplomacy. He was, as you will recall, in Muscat not too long ago to talk with representatives of the General People's Congress, as well as… and he is now in Jeddah, also continuing his meetings. So, I think the destruction of Yemen and the downward spiral that we're seeing just should encourage all concerned to redouble their efforts and join the political efforts.
Correspondent: I'm sorry, I…
Spokesman: I will come back to you. Carole?
Question: Also on Yemen, Stéphane, can you… the mechanism that you announced for inspection of commercial ships, how quickly will that be set up and when can we expect that to start?
Spokesman: Well, the first part of setting up such a mechanism is the money. All right? So we're waiting for funding from Member States. Once the money is set up, it's a matter of weeks. It's not very long to set up. But, the first step is to set up the funds.
Question: How much money? Sorry, did you say?
Spokesman: We're talking about somewhere under $10 million. Masoodji, then… why am I calling you William?
Correspondent: [Inaudible].
Spokesman: We won't go that far. Yes, Masood?
Question: Yeah. About this migration crisis which is now going… I mean, going to one extreme, especially in Hungary, what's happening in Hungary and so forth. There is… the Russian President said that the Security Council is going to consider a resolution which deals basically with the migration crisis in the Mediterranean. But, now, since this in Europe, this is, I mean, coming to a head, do you think there should be a holistic sort of a solution to this, as a whole?
Spokesman: I think, Masood, as we've talked about here, the current crisis, refugee crisis and migrants to a certain extent, is, indeed, a global crisis. We saw a ship full of migrants sink off the coast of Malaysia earlier today. We're seeing these horrific pictures out of Hungary. I think we've all seen the picture of the young boy whose body was washed up on the beach in Turkey. All of this is… should focus the world's attention, Member States' attention on how to find… how to deal with this crisis, which involves, on the longer term, managing the flows of refugees, managing the flows of migrants, ensuring that there are proper and well‑organized avenues for people to take, so that they don't have to sell their life belongings and put themselves in the hands of smugglers. We've seen the results of that across the Mediterranean. We need to ensure that people are treated correctly with dignity, with the right… with the rights that are incumbent to them under international law and the Refugee Convention. The Secretary‑General has called for a side event meeting on the side-lines of the GA which will look at the more longer-term issues and bring together the Member States in order to really initiate the dialogue and look for solutions. But, underneath all what we're seeing right now in Europe is really the violence in Syria and in Iraq and in Afghanistan. And we need to deal with the root causes of that violence and find the political solution.
Question: Most… the thing is that Hungary is now blaming Germany for precipitating the crisis and that… and the migrants are Syrians, in some cases Afghans and Pakistanis. That's what they're saying. This… does it need a holistic approach?
Spokesman: Of course, it needs a holistic approach. Of course, it needs a holistic approach. But, everything needs to be dealt with at different times. Right now, the focus needs to be on saving lives in Europe, ensuring that people are treated with dignity. I think the scenes we've seen in certain places in Europe are horrific. And people need to be treated with dignity. Migrants have rights. Member States obviously have to step up to the plate. They have to take whatever measures they need to take to ensure things are done orderly, but we need to treat people with dignity.
Question: [Inaudible]?
Spokesman: I'll come right back to you. Matthew, go ahead.
Question: Okay. I'll ask you about… I wanted to ask you about this new allegation of sexual abuse in the Central African Republic. First, I mean, this… obviously, the panel thing that you've now just said is being delayed by it seems like it's at least seven weeks, if it's into November, and it was supposed to be a 10‑week process was triggered by French troops, by… by allegations against Sangaris. So, I wanted to know and I asked while he was there, did the Secretary‑General inquire into these cases, into the… to French legal proceedings in the first series of rapes while he was in France with any of the officials that he met with? And I also wanted to ask you, there's a reference in Prince Zeid's press release about a paternity proceeding. And I wanted to know, are peacekeepers, including UN peacekeepers, are they immune from that or is that something that can… that can proceed? And my final question on this has to do with the waiving of immunity for testimony. I've seen that the UN has waived immunity for its staff to testify in the [Laurent] Gbagbo case. This is a document that's just come out showing that. And I know from this podium in May, you said that the UN didn't waive immunity in looking into the Sangaris cases, that it wasn't somehow necessary. What is the status of UN individuals being able to be called as witnesses?
Spokesman: I think, as we said, if… immunity is not there to prevent justice. If people need to testify in court cases and there's a need to lift the immunity, the cases are looked at and routinely immunity is lifted. There was… the issue… and it will be obviously looked at by the panel of the immunity having to be lifted by… in order for the investigator to… the human rights investigator to talk to French authorities is moot. There was contact, and the questions were answered. On your first part, I have said this about three times already. The judicial process in France is such that an investigation is launched by an investigative judge and, once that investigation is over, it is passed on to a prosecutor, to other authorities. It is not up to anyone to ask or to inquire from the judge to where the issue is.
Question: But didn't… I mean, in his various meetings while he was in Paris, you would think he might ask what step has the French military or Sangaris in particular…?
Spokesman: Obviously, the situation in the Central African Republic came up, and we expect the French, as we do all troop contributors, to take whatever measures indeed are necessary to make sure these cases never happen again.
Question: And is Mr. [Hervé] Ladsous there? You said a couple days ago…
Spokesman: He's on his way. I think I jumped the gun already. I think he arrives… he may leave tomorrow or arrives this weekend.
Question: And is this the kind of case that MINUSCA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic] will be announcing in the future or it's just a fluke that Prince Zeid was there that this allegation…?
Spokesman: Yeah, I think Prince Zeid was there. It also was not… these did not involve peacekeepers but he was obviously briefed by the mission staff. He was there. Just it's a coincidence, so I think he found it was incumbent on the chief Human Rights Officer. I will…
Question: Why was the panel delayed? The final thing I want to ask is…
Spokesman: What they're basically telling us is they have a large volume of work and they need more time. And it's their prerogative. Yes. And then we'll…
Correspondent: Thank you. Follow‑up on the question about the issue of refugees, not migrants actually from Syria: You mentioned the cause is, of course, the violence of Syria and Iraq and how the authorities in Europe dealing with this but it seems though with the case, it seems also the neighbouring countries of Syria, there's a broken system there. For example, in Turkey… I mean, the case you mentioned of this boy, like, I have a picture of him, human rights picture. This is not just heart-breaking picture. Their family actually rejected… their asylum was rejected by Canada because UN didn’t register them as refugees because Turkey… they stayed in Turkey. And they wanted to just get out of Turkey. Turkey didn't give them exit visa. So, they were trapped…
Spokesman: Majeed, I'm well aware. I just need to hear a question.
Correspondent: That's my point — so there only was Mediterranean… Mediterranean Sea. So, my point is do you think there should be a review of the whole system in the neighbouring countries on how to deal with this…
Spokesman: First of all, I think the story you mention is obviously tragic. I spoke to my colleagues at UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] before the briefing. They're looking into the case. This is not a family that had been registered with them because, as you said, the refugees that are coming into Turkey are being registered by the Turkish authorities and that's sometimes the system that we work with. I think no one could say that the neighbouring countries — Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq — have not done enough to help the Syrian refugees. They have done tremendous amount of work. They have carried a much higher share of the responsibilities than they should have. Others need to share, not the burden, but the responsibilities of caring for refugees. The system that's broken is the war in Syria. That's what needs to be fixed. Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon are dealing with a huge number of people coming across the border and they're doing the best they can. But, I think all those systems are stretched beyond limit, which goes back to my first… my second point, which was we need to address the root causes.
Question: Well, my question is how the UN, sorry, [inaudible] to, like, address this?
Spokesman: You know, the UN is doing its best to address it. Our humanitarian appeals are all underfunded. Our humanitarian system is stretched in trying to deal and care for the close to 5 million Syrian refugees. We work… UNHCR works with the Turkish authorities. The refugee system is such in Turkey that the majority of them are registered by the Turkish authorities. They're doing it according to international law, according to their responsibilities. I think the way to fix it is obviously to work with national institutions to make sure things are handled better. Things can always be improved. But, the way to fix it is really to address the root causes. Mr. Abbadi and then we'll come to the front.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. Regarding the same question, the migrants in the Mediterranean, yesterday Ambassador [Vitaly] Churkin mentioned that the European Union wants to limit the discussion of this issue to the high seas. Now, to my knowledge, high seas is the mandate of the inter… Law of the Sea Conference… Convention. These migrants are dying by the thousands and they originate from countries with conflicts or wars. Does the Secretary‑General see any relationship of this question, of migrants to international security?
Spokesman: Of course. The issue… the… basic answer is that this crisis of refugees that we're seeing is the direct result of peace… of crises of peace and security in Syria, in Iraq, in other places. The fact that there are no… not enough official avenues for refugees and for migrants pushes them into the hands of international criminal gangs, which is a threat to global security. So, it's all interlinked. I mean, it is an issue that is… that touches upon everything, from health issues to security to human rights to development. It's all interlinked. Yes, sir?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. A quick follow‑up on the… also the Syrian refugees, and you said that the Secretary‑General has called for a side event during the general debate. Do you have a date for that?
Spokesman: 30 September.
Correspondent: 30 September. My question is about the UNHCR and whether it is involved in the process of registering the Syrian refugees in Hungary, since the Prime Minister of Hungary came out today with a very strong statement…
Spokesman: UNHCR… it's a valid question. And I… again, I spoke to him a short while ago. They have a small operational presence in Turkey on the border. They're trying to do some registration. They're also trying to work with the authorities in Hungary in trying to find some shelter at the border. They have been in touch with the municipal authorities in Budapest and offered help. To this date, that help has not been accepted. But, obviously, you know, the UN works at the request and the full cooperation of host governments. But we are in touch, obviously, very… UNHCR is very much in touch with the authorities in Hungary.
Correspondent: On the same subject, the Foreign Minister of Lebanon wrote to UNHCR three letters, at least, asking them to register the new births as a Syrian, not just as refugees, because there… in Lebanon, for example, you have between 40,000 to 50,000 new births every month from the Syrian refugees. And these are not registered as Syrians. They are registered…
Spokesman: My friend, a question mark.
Question: The question is why UNHCR refusing to demand that they…?
Spokesman: Listen, I don't think UN… frankly, it's a question for UNHCR. For letters addressed to UNHCR, I would address the question to them. They have an office here or you can get in touch with them in Geneva. But, there's a whole body of international law having to do with refugees and their rights, and I'm not familiar with it in the detail that I maybe should be, but it's a question you should refer to them.
Question: Yeah, but in principle, shouldn't they be registered as citizens…
Spokesman: I think in principle, you should ask UNHCR. Oleg?
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. In the days before and during the visit of Ban Ki‑moon to Beijing, there was a number of statements from… statements from Tokyo from the Japanese authorities asking for Ban Ki‑moon not to go there. And the latest, I believe, was today by the head of the cabinet of ministers of Japan, who basically pointed that — to the lack of impartiality by the UN that they pay attention to some pages of the history while ignoring the others. He said that they are really disappointed by the decision of Ban Ki‑moon to…
Spokesman: You know, you think this question has been raised before. The Secretary‑General has attended the events in China. He has also attended other commemorative events in Moscow, in Kyiv, and in Poland to mark the end of the Second World War. Obviously, it goes without saying that the Second World War was a momentous event in the recent history of the world, and it led to the direct… led to the creation of the United Nations. So, it's only normal the Secretary‑General of the United Nations be there. I think he was very honoured to be in China for this commemoration. And as he said, I think the commemoration of the end of the Second World War is a chance to obviously look at the past, but also to look towards the future. Yes, Oleg.
Question: As a follow‑up, do you think that there would be a chance to, you know, not high… not so high tensions if Ban Ki‑moon visited the commemorations in Hiroshima or Nagasaki?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary‑General has been in the past to Hiroshima. This year he was represented by one of his senior-most advisers, the acting head of the Office of Disarmament Affairs, Kim Won‑soo, who delivered a message on his behalf. Yes, sir?
Question: Sure. I want to ask about South Sudan, but just as a follow‑up, you've been… the last two days, you've been asked about the case of Turkey locking up these two… two British VICE News journalists and their Iraqi translator. You said that you were harvesting more facts. Two of the… the two British journalists have been released. The Iraqi translator remains detained. Have you harvested the facts necessary to…?
Spokesman: Obviously, we've seen the release of the two VICE News journalists, which is obviously good. We hope that the person who's with them is also offered due process, and we continue to look into the facts.
Question: I guess I just wanted… the one thing… it seemed like it's basic that journalists covering a conflict have to speak with both sides. It seemed… I don't know if you found different, but the basis of the charges against all three was simply that they… they reported on the other side…
Spokesman: As I said, it is vital that journalists be able to do their work freely, especially in war zones. Nizar?
Question: Yesterday, the Greek authorities have seized a ship laden with weapons going from Turkey to Libya. Obviously, this is… contravenes the embargo… arms embargo on Libya. Did they report that to the United Nations? And what's the position on this…
Spokesman: I think you'd have to… obviously, the Secretary‑General would expect Member States to abide by the relevant Security Council Resolutions but that, in terms of reporting on the sanctions, that's up to the Security Council. Mr. Lee, and then we'll put an end to this torture.
Question: Okay. I mean… On South Sudan, I'm glad that UNMISS was able to confirm at least some of the shooting in Malakal, but there's a pretty troubling allegation that maybe you have something on or ask them about, it has to do with 17 bodies dumped in a stadium in Juba, Gudeli Football Ground. These are considered to be executions, and many people see it as coming from the Government side. And I'd like to know, it seems like it's a big… it's a large volume. Does UNMISS… is UNMISS aware of this? Do they…?
Spokesman: I will check. Okay. Thank you. At 1 p.m. Richard Curtis, Amina Mohammed. I encourage you to be here. Thank you.