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 Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Good afternoon, one and all.
**Finland
As we speak, the Secretary-General is on his way back to Paris from Finland, where he participated in the commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of that country’s UN membership. In remarks there, he said that over the last six decades, Finland, the Finnish people and the United Nations have developed a rich history and a fruitful partnership. The Secretary-General also welcomed Finland’s measures to prevent social exclusion and foster dialogue and understanding across religious and cultural lines, and he applauded its work to promote human rights, equality and democracy. He added that as the world faces the refugees and migration crisis, development assistance has never been more important. That is why we must not divert resources from development to humanitarian aid.
In the afternoon, before leaving the country, the Secretary-General visited an asylum seekers’ centre close to the capital, along with the Finnish Interior Minister and the High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres. The Secretary-General stressed that integration takes time, resources and good will from all sides, and said that we needed strong leadership — and media engagement — in the fight against rising xenophobia and discrimination.
While in Finland, the Secretary-General also met with several senior officials, including President [Saulo] Niinistö, with whom he held a joint press conference. All his remarks, transcripts of his press encounters and readouts of his meetings are online or should be very soon.
**Central African Republic
The UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) reports that the electoral code of conduct of political parties and candidates was signed in Bangui today. The Mission appealed to all candidates to campaign peacefully and called on the supporters of the rejected presidential candidates to avoid any actions that could jeopardize the electoral process.
The Mission says that following the decision by the Constitutional Court, alleged anti-Balaka groups erected barricades in several locations of Bangui yesterday and in Bimbo in Ombella Mpoko prefecture. MINUSCA dismantled the barricades in the 8th district this morning. Peacekeepers on patrol were also fired upon yesterday by alleged anti-Balaka fighters in the same district. The peacekeepers returned fire; no casualties were reported.
**South Sudan
On South Sudan, the UN Mission there, UNMISS, reports that gunfire continued yesterday in Yambio town in Western Equatoria State. The Mission says it received reports that the fighting that erupted the previous day between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers and armed youth was triggered by the arrest of individuals suspected to have connections with the armed youth.
The Mission continued its patrols in Yambio and surrounding areas today and observed closed shops in the main market. Normal activity has however resumed in the Marsia area, located west of the Mission’s compound. Peacekeepers also saw several burned houses in Hai Kuba area. Meanwhile, displaced persons who took refuge at the non-governmental organization (NGO) compound close to the Mission's Yambio base yesterday have begun returning to the town this morning.
**Sahel
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that aid organizations in the Sahel region today launched the regional humanitarian appeal for 2016, calling for nearly US$2 billion to provide vital assistance to millions of people affected by crises in nine countries across the Sahel. In 2016, some 23.5 million people — almost one in six — will not have enough to eat. Of them, at least six million will require emergency food assistance, and acute malnutrition will threaten the lives and development of 5.9 million children under five. There is more information in a press release.
**Ukraine
Recent months have seen a significant reduction of hostilities in parts of eastern Ukraine, but serious human rights concerns persist, including torture and an absence of rule of law. That’s according to the latest report — the 12th — by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. The report said that more than 9,000 people have died in the conflict.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said that the absence of the rule of law and legitimate authorities in territories controlled by armed groups, coupled with continuing presence of foreign fighters and sophisticated weaponry, have left people in hardship and with no real protection and no access to redress and justice.
The High Commissioner said that civilians in the conflict-afflicted eastern parts of Ukraine end the year as they began it, in a very difficult humanitarian and human rights situation. The High Commissioner urged all sides to fully implement the Minsk Agreements and to actively work to ensure the application of the rule of law and international human rights norms everywhere in Ukraine. The full report is available online.
**Mongolia
The High Commissioner for Human Rights today hailed the end of the death penalty in Mongolia, calling it a welcome step in the fight for the human rights of all. Last week, Mongolia became the 105th country to abolish the death penalty in law, while another 60 States have moratoria or have not carried out executions in the last 10 years. The High Commissioner said the move by Mongolia is very encouraging and a clear example of positive progress in the fight for human rights for all, including people convicted of terrible crimes. We must not allow even the most atrocious acts to strip us of our fundamental humanity, he said.
**Yemen
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched an interagency appeal for $94 million to provide protection and assistance over the next year to refugees, returnees and migrants fleeing the conflict in Yemen.
An estimated 80 per cent of Yemen’s population requires protection and assistance, including 2.3 million people who are internally displaced. Meanwhile, around 170,000 Yemenis, refugees and third-country nationals have fled to Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and some Gulf countries.
The interagency appeal aims to give nine participating agencies and 48 partners the capacity to continue delivering food, shelter, water, sanitation, protection, emergency education and other assistance to people arriving in the Horn of Africa from Yemen. It anticipates 164,000 arrivals by December 2016.
**Genocide
Today is the first-ever International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. In a message, the Secretary-General says that this is an ideal time to reaffirm our commitment to prevent this serious international crime, honour the memory of the victims, and reaffirm the right to remedies and reparation, as recognized in international law.
He notes that across the world today, intolerance and xenophobia are on the rise. A dangerous “us versus them” dynamic is often being exploited to justify the exclusion of communities based on different forms of identity such as religion, ethnicity or other, and to deny assistance, restrict human rights and perpetrate atrocious acts of violence.
Also echoing the need for understanding was Adama Dieng, the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, who said that the Day is both about the past and the future. Remembering the victims of genocide and the crimes committed in the past must contribute to our understanding of the present and guide our actions in the future. And both of these statements are available in our office.
**Security Council
The Security Council this morning adopted resolution 2250 (2015), on youth, peace and security. That resolution is the first one by the Council to focus entirely on the role of young men and women in peacebuilding and countering violent extremism. Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, said that the resolution is a major breakthrough in collective efforts to change the predominantly negative narrative on youth and recognize the significant role of young people in peacebuilding.
He said that youth have for too long been cast away as either the perpetrators of violence or its victims. With this resolution, he said, the Security Council recognizes the important contributions that young people make in countering violent extremism and supporting peacebuilding efforts around the world.
**Press Conferences
And in line with that, tomorrow, at 12:30 p.m., right after this briefing, there will be a press conference with Ahmad Alhendawi as well as Oscar Fernandez Taranco, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support; and the Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations, Dina Kawar. And they will brief on the adoption today of Security Council Resolution 2250, and that will be in this room.
Also tomorrow at 10 a.m. there will be a press briefing on the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2016 report. Speakers will include Lenni Montiel, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, and Hamid Rashid, the Chief of the Global Economic Monitoring Unit at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. And that's what I've got. Yes?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I have some other questions, but I wanted to ask you about Burundi. There's a published report and, in fact, photographs of… the public report says that police shot five people at point‑blank range in the Cibitoke neighbourhood of Bujumbura, and the photographs show just that. And what I'm wondering is, what is the UN's response? It was said by someone yesterday that Mr. [Jamal] Benomar is in Brussels, but what… the team that's on the ground, what… what are they doing as this… as these events take place?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, our team is being built up. This is the office supporting the work of the Special Adviser, Jamal Benomar, and he is continuing with his work while we also await, of course, any further response by the Security Council to the recommendations made by the Secretary‑General. As for the violence, of course, we have continued to be concerned by the violence caused by various groups in Burundi. As you know, we have been reporting on that sporadically as we get the information, but the Secretary‑General has weighed in. He has also, as you know, spoken in the past with President [Pierre] Nkurunziza, and we'll continue our contacts with the parties on the ground.
Question: Is it possible… I mean, given that there's photograph and footage of the victims that are supposedly, you know, shot at point‑blank range by the police, i.e., extrajudicial execution, I'm wondering, how fast does this reporting take place? Has the UN gone to the site and seen these… either who's responsible or… that's what I meant by "What's the response?"
Deputy Spokesman: Well, this is a team, like I said, that's still being built up, and it's starting with its work. It will pick up the pace as it's able to do so. But it will report as much as it can once it's available on the ground, as well. Yes?
Question: Thanks, Farhan. A question on the Security Council briefing on Western Sahara yesterday: We weren't able to get a readout of those discussions. Are you able to talk about where the peace process being led by the UN stands today and what sort of recommendations Mr. [Christopher] Ross made to the Security Council? Did he seek support? Just give us some insight, please.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, the Security Council has been very supportive of Christopher Ross and his mission. As you know, he did visit the region recently, and he will continue with his work. The basic standoff concerning Western Sahara, as you know, has remained largely unchanged, but he is continuing with his proposals to the various parties and he'll keep up with the discussions, and he's very pleased with the support given by the Security Council for his work. Yes?
Question: Can I follow up with a question on Western Sahara first?
Deputy Spokesman: You first, then.
Question: Christopher Ross is being prevented from visiting Western Sahara. He's the Special Envoy to Western Sahara; yet he cannot visit Western Sahara. What kind of a mission he's still holding?
Deputy Spokesman: We have repeatedly stressed that Christopher Ross has the ability and should have the ability to visit Western Sahara and any part of the region that is needed for his work. His work is mandated by the Security Council. The Security Council supports his work, and all parties should abide by that. Mr. Ross, of course, uses his own professional judgment in terms of choosing where he will visit, but it's very clear that he's entitled to visit the entirety of the region and that should be respected by all parties. Yes?
Question: Thank you. Farhan, the leaders of India and Pakistan decided to hold a comprehensive dialogue to address peace and security issues in Jammu and Kashmir. This was decided during the current visit by the External Affairs Minister to Pakistan. How does the SG [Secretery-General] see these developments?
Deputy Spokesman: As you know, we always welcome the efforts by the leaders of India and Pakistan to resolve any of their differences bilaterally and through negotiations, and we hope that that proceeds. Yes. Anna?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Just a little follow‑up on your height joke. I just wanted to state the obvious. It's about somebody's personality size, brain power size, and humanity size, not the physical height or any other size. Just the obvious. [Laughter.] And since this is Genocide Prevention Day, I could not refrain from asking about the situation in Sudan. UNICEF [United Nations Children’s Fund] itself reported the dire situation with children… more than 16,000 children have been recruited. The ones who resisted, they have been mutilated, castrated, gang‑raped. Horrific things happened. And since the Government of Omar al‑Bashir failed to come to some conclusions of peace with the rebels, they say the fighting season is going to be open in Sudan pretty soon. What UN is doing… is going to do about this situation in Sudan to prevent yet another genocide from breaking out? Like, any practical steps?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we do continue with our work to deal with the Government in Khartoum and the various parties. As you know, we have an envoy, Haile Menkerios, who's been involved in working to… with the Government to make sure that we can deal with the situation on the ground and that it does not deteriorate once more. Meanwhile, and this bears repeating, there continues to be an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant in this case and we have enjoined upon all states to respect the work of the International Criminal Court, which, again, is the result of a Security Council mandate, and to abide by the work of the court. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Staffan de Mistura will meet on Friday in Geneva with the representatives of Russia and the United States for consultations on Syria. Can you please tell us what will be on the agenda?
Deputy Spokesman: Yes. What Mr. de Mistura has conveyed is that these talks will happen in a few days from now, and those are in line with the preparations for the next meeting of the International Syria Support Group.
Question: And what will they discuss?
Deputy Spokesman: That's as much as he would like us to say on this at the time. It's a preparatory meeting, and this is a sign that the work of the International Syria Support Group will continue. Yes, Oleg?
Question: Somewhat related question. Thank you. Any updates on the meeting in New York on 18th, possible meeting?
Deputy Spokesman: You're aware of what Secretary of State John Kerry of the United States said yesterday, and as you know, the Secretary‑General welcomed Mr. Kerry's initiative. We'll have to see whether all arrangements can be in place for a meeting on the 18th. But other than that, if it happens, we're prepared to participate.
Question: And there is some critique about holding a meeting right now because not all of the outcomes of the previous Vienna meetings were implemented. So what is this reason to hold another meeting? Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: The work in terms of implementing the results of the previous Vienna meetings is going on right now, and we hope that as much of it can be accomplished as soon as possible so that we can proceed with the next round of meetings. Ultimately, the important thing is to get a meeting going so that we can proceed to what the Secretary‑General's key goal is: to try to get talks between the parties and a ceasefire as soon as next month. Yes, Majeed?
Question: Yes, Farhan, two questions. One is follow‑up on that. Yesterday the Russian ambassador said they want the meeting… they prefer it to be held in Vienna, not in New York. And he didn't cite any reason. Was that… is that suggestion under consideration by the UN, and has the Secretary‑General been… this suggestion been sent to him by the Russians?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, this is not really a decision solely for the United Nations to take. There's a number of parties who are discussing this, and we hope that they'll agree on all of these issues. Beyond that, arrangements are in place, and I don't really have anything to add to what was said by Mr. Kerry and the Secretary‑General yesterday.
Question: Second… My second question is about Iraq. Today… actually, yesterday, Iraq time, the Iraqi forces took over… took back a large area of the city of Ramadi from ISIS in a military operation. Did you get any updates from UNAMI [United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq] about this, any information?
Deputy Spokesman: The only basic thing to say is, of course, we continue to encourage international solidarity against Da’esh, but at the same time, of course, you're aware of our longstanding concerns to make sure that any military operations against Da’esh and in the areas which they control will be conducted in accordance with human rights and international humanitarian law. Yes?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I have a couple of questions. On Western Sahara, Inner City Press has obtained and published the briefing by Mr. Ross. And I wanted to ask you, he said, "To add his own"… of Ban Ki‑moon, "To add his own weight to the process, he is planning to visit the region as early as January." And I was also told by a permanent representative yesterday that the… the Secretary‑General had been scheduled to go November 25th through 27th and cancelled, this permanent representative believes, in order for a DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] possible visit that was cancelled. Is he going to go in January? And what did Mr. Ross mean when he said that he needs clarification in order to… to go to Western Sahara himself?
Deputy Spokesman: I don't have anything to add to what Mr. Ross told the Security Council. He made it very clear what his course of action was and that he is seeking clarification. Regarding the Secretary‑General's intentions, the Secretary‑General has made it very clear that he believes it's important to visit Western Sahara, and he does intend to do that as soon as is practicable. As you are all well aware, in line with our standard procedures, we don't have anything to announce until travel plans are finalized. So there's nothing further to say on this for now. Yes, Joe?
Question: Yeah, this is just a matter of procedure. Is there a date confirmed for the Secretary‑General's end‑of‑year press conference? We were told it would be sometime next week but…
Deputy Spokesman: It will be sometime next week. We're trying to lock it down, but for your planning, I think what we'll try for is Wednesday, 16 December. So I hope you're all available then. Yes, in the back, Carla?
Question: The latest word I heard yesterday evening was that Mr. [Jack] Lew and Mr. Kerry confirmed that they will be here on the 18th. So what would be the obstacles to the meeting being held here?
Deputy Spokesman: You would have to talk to the various ambassadors here about what their views are on this. We're aware that there remain some differences, and we hope they'll be resolved. Yes, Abdelhamid?
Question: In leaked recording, the Prime Minister of Israel, [Benjamin] Netanyahu, was quoted as saying, "Israel easily can destroy al‑Aqsa Mosque but that will go contradict… will contradict everything Israeli stands for." That's what he said. So it's not because it's illegal. It's not because it's occupied, just because the Israeli principles are preventing the destruction of Aqsa Mosque. Why such a controversial statement, a very inciting statement, does not register on the 38th floor and some kind of reaction would come from the Secretary‑General?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, first of all, it's not for us to comment on leaked documents by the… or leaked recordings of the Israeli Prime Minister. What is clear is our standpoint on the al‑Aqsa Mosque and our hope that the historic status quo remains. We received the commitments on this by the Government of Israel, and you'll have seen what we said on this in recent weeks. Yes?
Question: It's a technical question. I haven't seen the release on the Sahel. But what does the United Nations… which countries does the UN consider part of the Sahel? Technically, it's Ethiopia to Mauritania. But surely, the report doesn't cover all of that.
Deputy Spokesman: No, the report focuses on a smaller number of countries in the Sahel. You're aware of Mali, Niger, I believe Chad and a few others. I think there's about five or six countries in there. But it's clear in the report. [He later informed the correspondent that the Sahel humanitarian appeal 2016 is based on response plans and appeals of the nine Sahel countries facing food and nutrition crises, natural disasters and violence: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia.] Yes?
Correspondent: Sure. Thanks a lot. I'll try to go fast. I want to ask you about South Sudan, DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and AIDS‑Free World.
Deputy Spokesman: Okay. Well, first of all, if… you can ask one and then if anyone has question…
Correspondent: Absolutely, I don't mind. That's absolutely fine with me.
Deputy Spokesman: You don't have to do the list.
Correspondent: I just want to make sure, as with yesterday, you don't try to leave as I'm asking about a question.
Deputy Spokesman: I answered your question.
Correspondent: No… well, I'm glad that you did.
Deputy Spokesman: Yeah.
Correspondent: Okay. So that's why I'm just saying. You can call on anyone else now. I just want to make sure I can ask these questions.
Deputy Spokesman: Yeah, okay. Just as long as you don't try to sneak a jump on your colleagues. Okay.
Correspondent: Not at all.
Deputy Spokesman: Ask your question.
Question: On South Sudan, and thanks for the additional report on Yambio. What I wanted to ask you and it's really because the reports have become somewhat troubling there. You'd said that the… they were triggered by arrests of people connected with… I guess you said youth gang; some people use the term "arrow boys". But I wanted to ask you is, I asked you about this former commissioner of Western Equatoria State, Angelo Bakote. And why I'm asking you is, since his arrest, there's been a broadcast by the caretaker governor of the state on Radio Yambio FM saying Mr. Bakote will be dealt with. And people there say this is something UNMISS has heard; even the troika people in Juba have heard. And I wanted to know, what steps is UNMISS taking to ensure at least fair treatment and not being physically taken care of of the former governor and viewed as an opponent of Salva Kiir, who was arrested yesterday?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, as I said, the details we have on this is that the Mission's belief is that the fighting was triggered by the arrest of individuals suspected to have connections with the armed youth. That's as much as we have on that for now. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. I wanted to ask… again, I know this has been discussed before, but there was some more information about Russian jet that was downed by Turkish forces. There was a leaked letter which was addressed from Ankara to UN, and it was published, by the way, by Al Jazeera also, which said… which stated basically that the intrusion, that they considered the intrusion, lasted only 17 seconds before one of the jets, Su‑24, was shot down, while officially Turkish Government claimed that they were Russian planes ten times during a period of five minutes, which, like, completely contradicts, you know, the… the version that is in this letter that was addressed to UN. Is UN… is Ban Ki‑moon going to do something about this information, and is the justice going to be restored?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we had something we said just about… in reaction to this incident when it first happened, and, of course, we… in line with the information we received, we don't actually have anything further to say. At this point, we continue to hold out the hope that the nations involved will work matters out with each other peacefully.
Question: Just for the record, isn't it big difference between 17 seconds and 5 minutes?
Deputy Spokesman: In this room, 17 seconds feels like 5 minutes. Yes?
Question: I'll try to go very fast then. The… this is just a… this is… in a sense, it's a status check. The Lubumbashi office of OCHA [Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs], which I know that you've said that UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] is doing an investigation of previous disputes about… what I'm told is actually quite a… it's a lot of money, but the people there are now saying that the office is essentially closed, that only guards remain and only international staff or national staff have been removed. So they're concerned that the… whatever the investigation is, there's no one remaining there. Is this a security move? What… what is the status of actually addressing the claim that they've raised and camped out in front of the OCHA office about actually bringing it to a close? And what's the status of the office?
Deputy Spokesman: I believe our office is still functioning there, and it's continuing to go about its work, although we can check on whether there's been any particular change in the last day or so. [He later said the Lubumbashi office remains open.] Beyond that… hold on one second. So… yes, as the UN Development Programme administers our staff in field locations, the UNDP legal office has begun an investigation process into the allegations at question. The national staff member is not currently present in the office or carrying out duties. No further comment will be made until the inquiry has been completed and due process has been afforded. Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo encourages Government efforts to pursue its own investigation into the situation, and it's met with representatives of the provincial authorities several times to keep them updated.
Question: If you don't mind, only on AIDS‑Free World. Don't… these are not my words. This is… AIDS‑Free World, as you may have seen, has done a second open letter on this question of the makeup of the panel for Human Rights Day. And they Asay, "We now take issue with your Deputy Spokesman's claim that the UN tried to have other guests who were women," quote, "but some were not available to attend at the last minute. Surely, it is not felt this disingenuous evasion would be taken seriously. We ask you, through the Office of the Spokesperson, to provide the names of the women who were invited but were not able to attend." So I guess… you know, I'm saying this is a group that I've heard from this podium, people say they respect the group, AIDS‑Free World. They are behind the Code Blue campaign. Stephen Lewis is now an adviser on… on… so what is… can you… in light of this open letter, can you name which women were asked to participate and didn't?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, first of all, I'm not part of the human rights team, so I can't say definitively. What I can say is that I was informed that those included the U.S. and the Nigerian ambassadors — that they'd reached out to them, but they were not able to get them. Have a good afternoon, everyone.