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.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary-General met in Davos today with the Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akıncı and his Special Adviser, Espen Barth Eide, in his first meeting with both leaders together. He said afterwards that he encouraged the leaders to continue working tirelessly towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, for the benefit of all Cypriots. And he also called on all interested parties to do their utmost to facilitate and support the leaders in their quest for overcoming the division of Cyprus.
In a meeting earlier this morning, the Secretary-General announced the establishment of a High-Level Panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment, which will be co-chaired by President Luis Guillermo Solís of Costa Rica and by Simona Scarpaleggia, CEO of IKEA Switzerland. The Panel will make action-oriented recommendations on how to improve economic outcomes for women in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote women’s leadership in driving economic growth, and galvanize political will.
At the same time, the Secretary-General announced the establishment of the Every Woman Every Child High-Level Advisory Group, which is designed to place the Every Woman Every Child initiative into the new context of the 2030 Agenda. Its members are leaders from governments, the business community, philanthropy and civil society. President Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia will serve as co-chairs.
In a different event, the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, jointly announced their intention to form a new panel to mobilize urgent action towards the Sustainable Development Goal for water and sanitation and related targets. The panel will be co-chaired by the Presidents of Mauritius and Mexico. The Secretary-General also spoke at an event preparatory to the World Humanitarian Summit. We have the various announcements, as well as readouts of the Secretary-General’s meetings, available in our office.
**Equatorial Guinea/Gabon
I also have the following statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the trilateral ministerial meeting with the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Gabonese Republic. The Secretary-General welcomes the holding of a trilateral ministerial meeting on the dispute between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Gabonese Republic on 19 January at United Nations Headquarters in New York. He congratulates both parties for their demonstrated political will to instill new momentum in the process and to finalize a special agreement for submission to the International Court of Justice.
The Secretary-General notes the progress made to date and the parties’ willingness to do their utmost to come to a mutually agreeable solution to this long-standing dispute before the end of his mandate. He reiterates his readiness to provide good offices to help resolve this dispute. We have that statement in English, French and Spanish available in our office and online.
**Israel/West Bank
A statement we issued last night expressed the Secretary-General’s concerns about reports of the Israeli Government authorizing the declaration of 370 acres in the West Bank, south of Jericho, as so-called "state land". If implemented, this declaration would constitute the largest land appropriation by Israel in the West Bank since August 2014. The Secretary-General reiterates his call for substantial policy changes on the ground by Israel that will improve the lives of Palestinians. Settlement activities are a violation of international law and run counter to the public pronouncements of the Government of Israel supporting a two-state solution to the conflict.
**Syria
The heads of the UN’s main humanitarian branches, as well as leaders of major humanitarian non-governmental organizations, came out with a joint appeal on Syria today, asking governments and citizens around the world to add their voices in urging an end to the carnage there. More than ever before, they say, the world needs to hear a collective public voice calling for an end to this outrage.
Until there is a diplomatic solution to the fighting, the joint appeal says, there needs to be unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarian organizations to bring immediate relief to all those in need inside Syria. The groups also called for humanitarian pauses and unconditional, monitored ceasefires; a cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure; and freedom of movement for all civilians and the immediate lifting of all sieges by all parties.
**South Sudan
On South Sudan, a new report by the United Nations Mission [in South Sudan] (UNMISS) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) shows that widespread human rights violations and abuses have been committed by all parties to the conflict since December 2013, including hundreds of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, forced recruitment and indiscriminate attacks against civilians. The report says that “very few places in areas of conflict have been safe, as the parties have intentionally attacked traditional safe havens, such as places of worship, hospitals and, from time to time, United Nations bases.”
The new report adds that the attacks reveal a shocking disregard for civilian life, with an increasing number of armed groups and communities being involved in the violence. It says that, since the middle of 2015, a new pattern emerged, particularly in the central and southern counties of Unity State, with entire villages being burned down, food crops destroyed and livestock looted. And also on South Sudan, the Mission there, UNMISS, says that fighting broke out in Yambio town, in Western Equatoria State, earlier today reportedly between the Sudan People's Liberation Army and a group called the South Sudan National Liberation Movement.
As a result, approximately 2,000 civilians are estimated to have sought protection at an NGO compound adjacent to the Mission’s Yambio base. The Mission carried out a number of patrols into Yambio town today and reported it as deserted with all businesses closed.
**Afghanistan
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, has condemned the suicide attack against media workers in Kabul yesterday. An estimated eight civilians were killed and another 24 were injured during the attack targeting a minibus transporting staff of the Tolo media organization. The Mission has called on all parties to the conflict, including the Taliban, to rescind any threats against the media, adding that civilians, including journalists, should never be the object of attacks or threats. More information is available on UNAMA’s website.
**Colombia
I was asked yesterday about the Secretary-General’s position on the joint communiqué issued by the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army, and after the briefing, we issued a statement welcoming that communiqué. The Secretary-General also welcomed the parties’ request to the members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to contribute international observers to the mission to be established by the United Nations. The Secretary-General congratulates the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army on yet another significant step toward the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict. He reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support their efforts in the search for peace.
**Safety
At least 51 United Nations and associated personnel were killed in 2015 in the line of duty, according to the Standing Committee for the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service of the United Nations Staff Union. Among those killed were 27 peacekeepers, including two police officers, and 24 civilians, including contractors, in deliberate attacks.
**Honour Roll
And finally, our thanks go to Luxembourg, as it becomes the tenth Member of this year’s Honour Roll, having paid its regular budget dues in full. That's it for me. Are there any questions? Yes?
**Questions and Answers
Question: Sure. Some questions about stuff that you read out, but I wanted to ask you this just because I'm trying to cover it, and I know that you'd said yesterday that the Special Adviser, Jamal Benomar, is in Burundi in part of the trip. So what I wanted to ask you is, I've seen documents that show that the… the… the… tomorrow, the meeting with the President, [Pierre] Nkurunziza, will involve a demonstration of “community work”, i.e., people have been asked to go and I don't know if it's to show how happy they are — Gitega and Karuzi. Does the Special Adviser… not the Security Council, does the Special Adviser of the Secretary‑General believe that this type of… of… of show is the right one and will they be meeting with UPRONA and other opposition groups or prisoners currently in jail?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, we'll be able to provide details of the meetings once they've taken place. As you know, the expectation is for the members of the Council to meet with President Nkurunziza. That hasn't happened so far, but once that's happened, we'll see what the circumstances are and what the views of Mr. Benomar are. Yes?
Question: Thanks, Farhan. My question is about the UN staff union's press release about these 51 UN personnel that have died in the line of duty in 2015. It calls on the Secretary‑General to establish a high‑level panel to review evolving and emerging threats against the Organization. I wonder what his response would be to that call, given the recent review of peacekeeping operations that was conducted. I think the report was released in July last year. And in addition to that, the 51 people that have died, has there been any accountability for their deaths? Has justice been served on the perpetrators in any of those instances?
Deputy Spokesman: In some, yes, and in some, no. I mean part of the problem, of course, is that they're targeted by different groups in different areas. In many cases, what we try to do is get national jurisdictions to take care of finding accountability for whoever the perpetrators are. And that is what we try to do across the board. And like I said, in some cases, it worked… it's moved more swiftly than in others. But, regarding a review of safety, the Department of Safety and Security continually does try to review conditions in field offices and the UN sites around the world. So, what they're trying to do is precisely to figure out how the new nature of threats against staff plays out in the field and what adjustments need to be made.
Question: Will… are you able to, just off the cuff, refer to any examples of where justice has been served? Do you… I mean, can you remember any?
Deputy Spokesman: Over the years, yeah.
Correspondent: Last year, it was 51.
Deputy Spokesman: We've mentioned different cases where we have tried to seek action against the… those who have killed UN staff. It varies from case to case. I don't have a precise number for you about this, but you've seen we've provided sometimes after attacks on our people…
Correspondent: Right. You seek action. Has action been served is the question…
Deputy Spokesman: In different sites, it has been, but not across the board, no. Yes?
Question: Yeah, so, on that question, what has been done in terms of MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission] in Mali, which has obviously been hurt the most? So is the UN actively engaged with the Malian Government to prosecute, investigate these cases?
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, it actively works with the Government of Mali trying to make sure that justice is done in the case of threats against its staff. As you know, there have been a large number of attacks against peacekeepers and civilian personnel there. Yes, Go, and then Abdelhamid.
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Staffan de Mistura said in interview with CNN that this Geneva talk could be delayed for a couple of days. He mentioned, at least, it could be delayed for couple of days. And even from some Syrian parties, some say that it could be delayed for weeks or months. Do you have any update on that?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, at this stage, of course, today, we are well aware is 21 January itself. So 25 January is four days from now. It's likely that the date of 25 January might slip by a few days, simply for practical reasons. However, we're still aiming for that date. It's still our target. And we will, in any event, assess progress over the weekend and see what happens after that.
Question: Sorry, just a follow‑up on that. Couple days ago, the Spokesperson in Geneva said this talk would be… on the day one would be the ministerial talk, and then this should be followed by the Syrian talks, which may last a week or even more. Is this what you still expect?
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage, I don't want to say too much about the format while we're still trying to get the arrangements done. Mr. de Mistura is involved in intensive consultations with various parties, and we'll have to see what kind of arrangement we can get. Like I said, he'll make any further evaluations over the weekend, and if we have anything further to say at that point, we'll let you know. Yes?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. In fact, I was about to ask the same question, but maybe a little bit of details. It said… I think de Mistura said that the conference will start at proximity talks. Is that… do you confirm that?
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn't confirm what the arrangements are just yet. Like I said, with these consultations that he is undertaking, we're trying to see what arrangements can be made that will work the participants. What we intend is to have meaningful talks. And in order for them to be meaningful, we want to make sure that all the parties can agree to them and can show up.
Question: My second question is about the statement of the Secretary‑General on the grabbing of 370 acres of Palestinian land in which he only expressed concern, that he found it doesn't need deploring or condemning, taking 370 acres of Palestinian land. And the second, why when he used the words "West Bank", he doesn't use the words "occupied West Bank"?
Deputy Spokesman: We have repeatedly referred to the occupied West Bank, and that's a term… it's not necessarily… just because it doesn't show up in a statement, it does not mean that it ceases to be used throughout the system. But, regarding that, I would like to point out that, beyond expressing concern, he does, once again, make clear our position that settlement activities are a violation of international law and run counter to the public pronouncements of the Government of Israel supporting a two‑State solution. Yes?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. I wanted to ask a follow‑up on the report of the 51 personnel killed. The recommendation for a high‑level panel also says that… that… that… that the panel should review if compensation is adequate of the families who died for the Organization including the family of officer Louis James Maxwell, killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan 2009. And I know that in this case then‑Chief of Staff [Susana] Malcorra visited his family. There was a lot of focus on it at the time. But, does the UN feel that… that… one, the compensation and two, the accountability, was the issue ever really pursued with the Afghan Government in terms of who shot him and… given that there was footage of who did it?
Deputy Spokesman: We repeatedly, over the years, have pursued the question of accountability with the Government of Afghanistan, including through not one, but several heads of the Department of Safety and Security over the years. Beyond that, I would refer you to the Government itself. But, we have continued in a fairly intense dialogue with them.
Question: And I wanted to… the same report talks about the… sadly, the end of the year these two UN police that were killed in Haiti that, I believe, were from Rwanda. It was said that the UN [Stabilization Mission in Haiti], MINUSTAH, was going to work with the Government to try to find out… this report says that they were apparently shot by unidentified assailants. Has there been any progress in finding out who killed them and why?
Deputy Spokesman: We're not aware of who… of the identity of the attackers. It seemed to be an attack in the home, in the residence, of these two peacekeepers, and we need to know what the circumstances are. But, the UN Mission, MINUSTAH, is investigating. Yes?
Question: Follow‑up on that question about last night's statement. It says in the statement that… it refers to the reported land seizure. We, in this room, often ask questions about press reports, and the answer usually is: We don't refer to press reports. So, my question is, is there any…?
Deputy Spokesman: That's not a policy. There's many times when we've talked about press reports, if we have any reason to believe… you've seen many, many statements which talk about reported death tolls, for example.
Question: That's why I want to complete my question, and that is, is there any confirmation — UN confirmation — since the UN has quite a lot of presence on the ground, that this is actually occurring or at what stage it is in the legislation or what is this… I mean, what is the UN in… independent confirmation of the report?
Deputy Spokesman: Our people on the ground are the ones who brought this matter to the attention of the Secretary‑General, which is what occasioned that report… that statement.
Correspondent: But, as far as you're concerned, it's only a report, as of now.
Deputy Spokesman: I stick by the language of the statement, but the statement…
Correspondent: Which says "reported".
Deputy Spokesman: …expresses concerns about what could happen in the future.
Correspondent: No, it expresses concern about the reported situation.
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, it does. And I stick by the wording of the statement. Yes? You will see, by the way, what seems to be too little for you seems to be too much for your colleague.
Correspondent: It’s not a question of too much…
Deputy Spokesman: Yes. Poor Sherwin is stuck in the middle between you gentleman.
Question: No, no, no, it's just, Farhan, I have so many questions… so many times I've asked questions about reports, and the answer was flat‑out… even when the reports were very credible, was flat‑out… “We don't refer to press reports.” This was a press report that…
Deputy Spokesman: This is not simply a press report, but also things that are indicated by our staff on the ground. Yes?
Question: Farhan, I just want to make here a very short comment about the language. The language that was used on last statement which we spoke about, the Special Representative in the West Bank, he used the word "strongly condemn", and he said nothing justified killing a woman in front of her child; but also he didn't find something to justify also having a settler going out of his way to run over a young Palestinian in the West… occupied West Bank. So, that is what I was referring to, the double standard when it comes to similar incidents. But, I want to ask my question about the US ambassador in Israel, Dan Shapiro, criticized the legal double standard in the West Bank. That kind of language is not… or these kind of practices are not seen by the UN hierarchy and the Secretary‑General’s office?
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn't have any comment about remarks made by a US official. Yes?
Question: Ask about… something about South Sudan, but first, I guess I just want to see if you have any response. Now the second of the people indicted in the John Ashe case for… for not… having, you know, bribed… bribery in connection with obtaining, it seems, UN documents about that conference centre has pled guilty, Sheri Yan, the CEO of the Global Sustainability Foundation. And since… this is now somebody higher up in the group, and the found… the founding of the organization took place on the 4th Floor with one of the senior advisers of the UN… of the Secretary‑General very much present. What does — what does the UN think about the development of the case? Have there been contacts with the Secretariat? And is… what's the status of… of the audit of the UN's interactions with Global Sustainability Foundation and Sun Kian Ip Group?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, the audit by the Office of Internal Oversight Services is continuing. I don't have anything really to say on it until it's completed. As you know, we've done also a separate audit that's being finalized by the Office of South‑South Cooperation, and we expect that that audit will be public sometime in March. Beyond that, I wouldn't have any comment on the latest proceedings. We certainly hope that all the facts are… come out as a result of this particular judicial process.
Question: Okay. And thanks… on South Sudan… and thanks for the Yambio readout. I have one just sort of factual question. In that… can you confirm that the NGO compound that people have fled to is the A‑D‑R‑A, or ADRA, compound? And is it that the UN base in Yambio isn't large enough or set up to be the type of protection for civilians’ facility that's done elsewhere in the country?
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn't speculate on why civilians choose to go to one place or another. The… remember, they are the ones who are estimated to have sought protection at the NGO compound. I don't have the identification of that particular compound there.
Question: And it may… and this maybe… may or may not… I don't know if it's related, but there's a report in Radio Tamazuj that, in the UN base in Melut County in Upper Nile State, people don't have food. Maybe your… your… that… that… since the beginning of the year, none has been delivered, and so there seems to be a… I know it's difficult to take care of this number of people, but is there some problem with… with actually… is there some snafu or breakdown in the delivery of needed supplies to these camps?
Deputy Spokesman: I'm not aware of any particular problems at any individual compound that the UN Mission in South Sudan has. We try to provide food and assistance for all of those who are seeking shelter in the UN compounds, and I'm not aware of whether any population is underserved at that point. Yes, Carmen?
Question: Thank you. I'm sorry I got late… I came here late. And I wanted to know, what would the involvement of the Security Council be regarding the framework of the agreement reached in Havana for Colombia, please? Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage, the text of the joint communiqué was forwarded over to the Security Council for their consideration. You… you've seen the statement that the Secretary‑General has put out, and it… and we'll see how the Council responds and whether they approve of any particular mission to be dispatched to Colombia. Okay. Good afternoon.