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.
**Security Council
Earlier today, the Secretary-General addressed the Security Council’s open debate on security, development and the root causes of conflicts. He began by offering his condolences once again to the Government and people of France, following the terrorist attacks last Friday. The Secretary-General said in the aftermath of other terrorist bombings in recent days, notably in Beirut and Baghdad, and the apparent bombing of a Russian airplane, the world is seeing the continuing peril of terrorism and the mounting threat from Da’esh. No grievance or cause can justify such acts.
Turning to the recent G20 Summit in Turkey, the Secretary-General said he was encouraged by the shared resolve to combine security-based counter-terrorism measures with preventive steps. He also welcomed the consensus to uphold the rule of law, and to avoid being ruled by fear and inflaming tensions further still.
He expressed concern over reprisals or further discrimination against Muslims, especially Muslim refugees and migrants, adding that this would only exacerbate the alienation on which terrorists feed. The Secretary-General stressed the need for greater focus on prevention, human rights as well as to strengthen coherence. His full remarks are available in my office.
At 1:15 p.m., the UK Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, who is chairing today’s meeting, will speak to reporters at the Council stakeout. I also wanted to flag that the Secretary-General will head to the French Permanent Mission this afternoon to sign the condolences book.
**Libya
And today, Martin Kobler started his job as the new Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya. Stressing the need for dialogue and unity, Mr. Kobler said that he is determined to work together with all Libyans to achieve the peace that Libyan people desperately need and truly deserve. He said that the tireless efforts exerted by the Libyan parties over the past year have come a long way in bridging differences, adding that continuity of the dialogue process and building on what has been achieved to date is the way forward.
Mr. Kobler is now in Tunis and is expected to listen to the members of the political dialogue and the proposed Presidency Council, as well as other Libyan partners, and finalize the remaining outstanding issues, in the coming days — more information on the UN Mission’s website.
**Central African Republic
Turning to the Central African Republic, our colleagues at the UN Peacekeeping Mission there (MINUSCA) tell us that they launched an operation yesterday in Bangui as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure security in the capital, restore freedom of movement and protect civilians. The Mission reports that during the operation a grenade was launched by unidentified individuals towards the Mission’s peacekeepers who were removing barricades in the Fatima neighbourhood in the 6th district. The attack resulted in four UN police officers being wounded and six suspected anti-Balaka fighters killed.
The operation will continue over the next few days and is supported by Sangaris forces and members of the Central African Republic’s gendarmerie. Also on the same country, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Central African Republic, Aurélien Agbénonci, has strongly condemned repeated attacks on sites for internally displaced people.
Following recent inter-communal violence, including attacks last week in Batangafo, Bambari and Bangui, he said it was urgent that the international laws and conventions are respected and that all parties to the conflict take immediate action and responsibility to respect the humanitarian space and secure the rights of the civilian population. Our humanitarian colleagues say that the increasing insecurity makes humanitarian efforts even more challenging. However, humanitarian workers are committed to staying and delivering.
**Syria
And you would have seen yesterday, Stephen O’Brien, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the Security Council on Syria, and he said that the pace of displacement there remains relentless. In Aleppo, at least 50,000 people are confirmed to have been displaced since early October following an escalation of the fighting between non-State [armed] opposition groups and the Government of Syria. Meanwhile, Da’esh attacks in eastern rural Homs in late October have led to the displacement of an estimated 25,000 people. Further displacement is expected to continue at a similar rate unless there is a reduction in violence.
**Refugees
And UNHCR [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] today expressed its shock and horror at the recent Paris attacks and the killing of so many people. But the agency also stressed that refugees must not be turned into scapegoats and become the secondary victims of the tragic events. UNHCR voiced concern about reactions by some States to end the programmes being put in place, backtracking from commitments such as relocation made to manage the refugee crisis, or proposing the erection of more barriers. It said that it is deeply disturbed by language that demonizes refugees as a group. This is dangerous and it will contribute to xenophobia and fear.
**Climate Change
And the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in a statement today that the Paris climate change conference offers the world an important opportunity to not only reach a strong international agreement but also to protect the health of current and future generations. WHO considers the Paris agreement to be significant, with the potential to save lives worldwide.
**Press Conferences
And right after you are done with me, Dan Thomas [Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly] will be here to brief you on the work of the Office of the President of the General Assembly.
Tomorrow at 11:15 a.m., in this very room, there will be a press briefing on the launch of the new report by the Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB). And I will be joined at noon, rather around 12:30 p.m., by Dr. David Nabarro, the Special Envoy on Ebola, who will be here to provide an update on the Ebola outbreak, but also speak in his capacity as Chair of the Advisory Group on Reform of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Work in Outbreaks and Emergencies. And he will brief you on the recommendations of that working group. Mr. Lee?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Sure. Some other things, but there was just a press conference at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) mission, and there their minister, Ri Hung Sik, asked about the Secretary-General's possible reported trip, said he's heard nothing about it at all and that there are many rumours on the internet. He also said that this South Korean national security law that makes it illegal for South Korean citizens to speak positively of the DPRK… that's how he described it… should be looked at by the UN. So I wanted to know, what is the Secretary-General's view of that law? And if that's an accurate description, is he bound by it?
Spokesman: I'm not aware of the law. As far as Ban Ki-moon, he is the Secretary-General of the United Nations and is doing his duty as such. Pam?
Question: Steph, there was a conversation between the Secretary-General and [Staffan] de Mistura. Can you give us a readout at all? Did it discuss any of the ceasefire monitors or anything? Thank you.
Spokesman: The Secretary-General met this morning by video conference with his Special Envoy, Mr. de Mistura, and other senior UN officials. They were taking stock of the outcome of the Vienna talks and, obviously, very much focusing on the tasks given to the United Nations following the two Vienna meetings. Yes, Carmen. And then Nick.
Question: [inaudible]
Spokesman: Your microphone, please. I'm…
Question: There are hundreds of Cuban migrants who are in Costa Rica right now under quite dire humanitarian distress, because Nicaragua is impeding their transit north. How does the Secretary-General view this?
Spokesman: I haven't seen those particular reports, but I think what we've been saying here for months as it relates to migrants and refugees in Europe and Asia applies worldwide, is that those people who are trying to move, whether they're refugees or migrants, need to be treated with humanity, with dignity, and respect of their human rights and respect of their rights under international law. Mr. Bryant?
Question: Steph, over half of America's governors are saying that Syrian refugees should not be allowed into their states. I wonder if the SG has got any thoughts on that.
Spokesman: It's clear that the world as a whole has responsibilities to take care of refugees, especially to take care of Syrian refugees, as we see, and no refugee, whether Syrian or other, should be discriminated against on the basis of religion. Yes, please? Rhonda.
Question: Yeah. One thing… another thing mentioned at the press conference that Matthew just mentioned was that Prince Zaid was supposed to… was invited at some point to go to the DPRK and that there had been some efforts to have some technical advice from the UN… the UN office. Do you know if there's any plans for the High Commissioner to go?
Spokesman: No, I would encourage you to talk to my friend and colleague André-Michel [Essoungou] in the Human Rights Office here, and I'm sure he'll be able to share whatever information he has for you. I see Farhan making his way here with some… what could be breaking news.
Correspondent: [inaudible]
Spokesman: I don't know. This could be your lucky day. Thank you. And I do have a statement on Cambodia. The Secretary-General is following with concern the increasing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition in Cambodia. The arrest warrant issued against the opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, on 13 November and earlier incidents against opposition parliamentarians and leaders are worrisome developments. The Secretary-General urges the Cambodian People's Party and the Cambodia National Rescue Party to resume their cooperation and dialogue and encourages all political players to refrain from violence, intimidation, and harassment. A non-threatening environment of democratic dialogue is essential for political stability and a peaceful society. Evelyn?
Question: Yes. I was also going to ask about the Republican governors going berserk here. UNHCR hasn't said anything about it that you've seen, no?
Spokesman: Well, I think they… I don't think they've addressed that issue pretty clearly… specifically, but I think if I look at what my colleague Melissa Fleming said today about ensuring that refugees are not made scapegoats in the fight against terrorism, I think, is pretty clear. Also, I think if you look back at what the Secretary-General said… that, when we react to the latest terrorist acts, we should not target Muslims and we should ensure that there's no anti-Muslim bias.
Question: And I may have missed that, but the head of WHO in Thailand was accused of extreme abuse against the housekeeper. Well, his wife was. And they've settled out of court. But I don't know… I might have missed whether he still represents WHO.
Spokesman: I don't know. You should check with the WHO office here. Great. Matthew?
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you, again, on Burundi, it seems overnight there were these raids on a number of neighbourhoods thought to be anti-third term – Musaga, Sitabo… Cibatoke, et cetera, and people, you know, led out. So I'm wondering, with all this talk about UN presence on the ground, does the UN have any readout on these mass arrests?
Spokesman: Obviously, we're continuing to watch the situation through our country office there. And, as I mentioned yesterday, Jamal Benomar is on his way… is on his way to the region.
Correspondent: I saw him on 42nd Street this morning.
Spokesman: Well, if he's heading… he's probably heading…
Question: Maybe he was walking to the airport…?
Spokesman: …towards the airport. There you go. Thank you, all. Have a great day.