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. A couple of statements to start off for you.
**Noon Briefing Guests
And just to let you know that we will be joined right after I’m done by the Executive Director of UN-Women [Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka] and we will also be joined by Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women [Bureau] and who is also the Permanent Representative of Brazil, if I’m not mistaken. And they will be here to brief you on the forthcoming sixtieth session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which starts on 14 March.
**Darfur
I have a joint statement by the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Darfur. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission [Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma] and the Secretary-General of the United Nations condemn Wednesday's attack on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by an unknown armed group, in which one South African peacekeeper was killed and another wounded. The attack took place about 40 kilometers south-west of Kutum, in North Darfur, while the peacekeepers, on patrol, were travelling from Kutum to Djarido.
The Chairperson and the Secretary-General express their sincere condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and the Government of the Republic of South Africa. They wish the wounded a full and speedy recovery. The Chairperson and the Secretary-General call on all the parties to the conflict in Darfur to respect the integrity of the United Nations peacekeeping force. They urge the Sudanese authorities to investigate the attack promptly and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
**Iran
I also have a statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the missile launches that you have been asking about. With the achievement of the Implementation Day pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), Security Council sanctions previously imposed on Iran have been terminated. In that resolution, the Secretary-General notes, the Council called upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear weapon, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.
The Secretary-General also notes that it is for the Security Council to examine information regarding resolution 2231 (2015). At the same time, the Secretary-General urges all concerned to act with restraint. In the current political atmosphere in the Middle East region, and so soon after the positive news of the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the Secretary-General calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to act with moderation, caution and the good sense not to increase tensions through any hasty actions.
**Security Council
And turning back to here in the Security Council - the Secretary-General earlier today briefed the Security Council on the measures being put in place to end the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable people by some of the United Nations personnel sent to protect them. He said that sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel demands nothing less than decisive, bold action. He also noted that in his latest annual report to the General Assembly on Special Measures on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which was issued recently, he proposes strong new initiatives to end impunity, and to help and support victims; and strengthen accountability.
The Secretary-General stressed that to end impunity, greater transparency is critical. And this year, for the first time, in his report names the countries of alleged perpetrators and country-specific information is publicly available on a UN website. He also said that the UN was finalizing the establishment of a trust fund that will provide victims with the medical, psychosocial and legal services they need. The Secretary-General asked Member States to support that trust fund, notably with the transfer of payments that will be withheld in substantiated cases of sexual exploitation and abuse. Concerning accountability, he said that this requires uniformly high standards of investigation. He urged Member States to adopt the standard of concluding investigations within six months at most, and to cooperate with the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) in the conduct of investigations.
The Secretary-General also said that accountability demands that Member States live up to their responsibility to bring to justice to those who have committed crimes while serving with the United Nations. We expect them to impose sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the offence, he stressed. He asked Member States to establish on-site court martial proceedings, and to ensure that domestic legislation applies to sex crimes committed by their nationals while they are serving with United Nations peacekeepers. The Secretary-General said he was committed to working with Member States to confront this criminal conduct, and to ensure that the United Nations remains a beacon of hope to the most vulnerable.
**Fukushima
And tomorrow, the UN will mark the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, which took place on 11 March 2011. In his message for the day, the Secretary-General once again extends his condolences to the people of Japan. He stresses that after Fukushima, it became clear that we are in a new era in which technology and natural disasters can combine to create danger on a previously unimaginable scale. He commends Japan for showing the world how important it is to pause for reflection, to examine the lessons learned from past calamities and to raise public awareness on the importance of prevention and mitigation. The full message is online.
**Asia-Pacific
And I want to flag also related to disasters, a new report by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) which was released today says that the Asia-Pacific region continued to be the most disaster-prone region in the world in 2015. More than half of the world’s 344 disasters in 2015, resulting in over 16,000 deaths and affecting some 59 million people, occurred in the Asia-Pacific region. The cost of economic damage to countries in the region was more than $45 billion, although that figure would be much higher if indirect losses were also factored in. South Asia was the hardest hit, including 52 disasters and over 14,000 deaths, with most deaths attributed to the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal in April of last year.
**Zika Virus
After a three-day consultation on Zika research and development, international experts, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), have agreed on top priorities to advance Research and Development for Zika medical products. As of 2 March, 67 companies and research institutions were already working on a number of products which are at various stages of early development. No vaccine or therapy had yet been tested on humans though. According to Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant Director-General in charge of Research and Development at the World Health Organization, while product development is at an earlier stage than for Ebola, coordination among partners is much more advanced, largely thanks to the lessons learnt during the Ebola epidemic — more information online.
**Lebanon
I just want to flag that our colleague the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, visited a range of social and economic projects in southern Lebanon today and said afterward that the UN partnership with Lebanon aims to promote stabilization and sustainable development. She emphasized that stability and security are built on sound socioeconomic foundations for human rights
**South Sudan
I was asked yesterday about South Sudan and Pibor and I can tell you that on Pibor, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that the situation there has stabilized since 25 February. The Mission and humanitarian partners estimate that approximately 2,500 internally displaced persons are in the Mission’s team site protection area in Pibor. The Mission is working with local authorities and community members to stabilize the situation through dialogue and to improve confidence among those displaced to allow them to return home. Regarding the situation in Nassir, the UN Mission reports hearing small arms fire coming from the direction of the Sobat River on 8 March; that was Tuesday. The situation is reportedly calm today.
**Press Conferences
Tomorrow, I will be joined by Ivan Šimonović, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, who recently returned from a trip to South Sudan, along with David Marshall of the Human Rights Office here in New York, who headed a human rights assessment team, sent to the country by the High Commissioner.
**Honour Roll
Today, we thank our friends in Slovakia, who have paid up in full and on time becoming the…? Oh, you guys are all pathetic. [Slovakia became the forty-ninth Member of the Honour Roll.] I'm not going to take questions today. That's it. All right. Lou?
**Questions and Answers
Correspondent: Thanks, Stéphane. Since you've responded to the Iran missile test, I wonder if you have anything to say about North Korea's launch of more missiles overnight.
Spokesman: Yes, I do. The Secretary‑General obviously remains gravely concerned by the situation on the Korean Peninsula. He once again calls on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to return to full compliance with relevant Security Council resolutions and cease destabilizing acts, such as today's launch of two missiles. We are also closely following developments and staying in touch with all interested parties, and we reaffirm the Secretary‑General's commitment to work for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Fathi and then Masood.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. A little… back on Iran. The Secretary‑General's statement is a little bit perplexing for my understanding. Does Iran now in violation of UN resolution or the Secretary‑General just issuing an appeal on a moral ground rather than a resolution?
Spokesman: I think the Secretary‑General is appealing, as I said, to the Iranian authorities calling on them to act with moderation, caution, and the good sense not to increase tensions through any hasty actions. As said in the statement, the Secretary‑General also notes that it is for the Security Council to examine information regarding resolution 2231 (2015). Masood?
Correspondent: Yes. On this inter‑Syrian peace talks…
Spokesman: Your microphone, please.
Question: Oh, sorry. On this inter‑Syrian peace process that Mr. Staffan de Mistura is optimistic about, which is supposed to begin on Monday, can you please tell… tell us why is he saying the sustainable peace process is the only way? And what makes him so positive that this peace process can go forward?
Spokesman: Well, I don't really know how to answer your second question. Obviously, for the United Nations and de Mistura, the peace process is the only way. That seems to me a statement of fact. You know, Mr. de Mistura has been at the heart and the engine of these UN‑led discussions. I think the Secretary‑General very much looks forward to progress and fully supports his work.
Question: My second question was, what is it that makes him feel so? Because the other peace processes have fallen apart. Now, as far as Syria is concerned…
Spokesman: You know, I think to… in order to work to as a Special Envoy for Syria, as Mr. de Mistura has done, and to have gotten the process to where it is, I think one does need to have a healthy dose of optimism every day. Yes, sir?
Correspondent: Thank you. [Inaudible].
Spokesman: If you could use your microphone, please.
Question: Sorry. My name is Nikolos Paniotos and I represent a Greek Cypriot online newspaper. I appreciate if you let us know whether the Secretary‑General and the United Nations can turn us towards a direction that will push Turkey to withdraw their troops and facilitate the negotiation process. We are aware of the Secretary‑General's sensitivity as regards to the refugees. Shall we expect the same sensitivity for Cyprus and its 200,000 refugees who are waiting to return to their homes since 1974? And if you allow me a secondary question on the same subject -- could I?
Spokesman: Please.
Question: Thank you. During the German Media Award ceremony in Baden‑Baden, where the Secretary‑General had been awarded at his speech, he congratulated Ms. [Angela] Merkel for her compassion and solidarity towards refugees. On the other hand, all these thousands of Greeks who exceed themselves and despite their country's difficulties, they have not received the credit they deserve. That's what we believe. I will appreciate to have your comment on this. Thank you very much.
Spokesman: I'm going to try to unpack your questions. On your first part, on the issue of Cyprus, as you know, the sec… the issue on the future of Cyprus, the Cyprus talks is led by Mr. [Espen Barth] Eide, the Secretary‑General's envoy on the issue. I think the discussions are proceeding. They seem to be proceeding well, and the Secretary‑General very much looks forward to a comprehensive agreement that will lead to deal with all the outstanding issues regarding to Cyprus. On your first part, I think the Secretary‑General was in Germany, I think, again, saluted Ms. Merkel's courageous stance on refugees. That does not mean that we don't fully appreciate what Greece… the Greek people and the Greek Government have been doing in welcoming and in dealing with this humongous influx of refugees and migrants on their shores, with the situation in Greece being made much more complicated and much worse with the closure of the Balkans route. And that's why the Secretary‑General, since the beginning, has been calling for a comprehensive solution to this, one that takes into account, obviously, the needs of the receiving countries, the needs of the transit countries, the needs of the countries that are… from which the refugees and the migrants are coming for and, most of all, puts the dignity and human rights of these people who are on the move at the centre of the solution. Behind you.
Question: Thank you. It's in the same context. The Greek Cypriot representative sent a letter to SG [Secretary-General] protesting the project that will bring water to the islands. And while the peace talks are proceeding well, do you think… what does the Secretary‑General think? Do you think that the… those kind of protests letter help in any way the positive momentum reached in the talks?
Spokesman: I haven't seen the letter. Obviously, the Secretary‑General receives letters daily…
Correspondent: It's been distributed to the Security Council.
Spokesman: No, I…
Correspondent: Okay. I'm sorry.
Spokesman: It's okay. I don't doubt the veracity the letter's been sent. Obviously, letters are being answered. It may have been… I haven't seen the letter. So, let me take a look at the letter. I will respond. Abdelhamid, then Mr. Lee.
Question: Yesterday, there was a statement by Mr. [Nickolay] Mladenov, the Special Envoy to the peace process in the occupied Palestinian territories. And, again, this statement failed to see the Palestinian victims. Only statements issued when non‑Palestinian victims are fallen. I have been, again and again, notifying these spokesmen about Palestinian children who were killed. I spoke about the young Yasmin al‑Zaru who was killed… she was 14. I spoke about the lady, [imaudible]. She's 15. She was killed in Jerusalem. And many others. And Muhammad Challen, who was an American. Muhammad Challen was killed on 1 March by a sniper. And none of these had ever came out in a statement. Why statements only issued when non‑Palestinian victims are fallen but not when Palestinian victims…? And I just want to note…
Spokesman: I beg to…
Question: I just want to say one thing. There are more than 200 Palestinians already killed compared to 34 Israelis. The SG should be at the same distance with all the victims. Thank you.
Spokesman: I think the Secretary‑General mourns the loss of every civilian life, from wherever they come. We have… if you look back, we have issued statements on many occasions. We've issued statements recently on the massive demolitions of homes of Palestinians. I think the Secretary‑General takes… is saddened by all loss of life and would like to see all civilians being protected. Mr. Lee?
Question: I have several questions, so I'm going to try to ask them quickly. One has to do with the meeting that just took place about sexual abuse and exploitation. It's been suggested that the resolution… the draft resolution be expanded to include, not only UN peacekeepers, but also associated forces like the Sangaris force in the CAR [Central African Republic], which committed the first… or reported round of rapes there. What does the Secretary‑General think about the need for… for… for the same type of name and shame? And does he think that the French authorities, given the months and months and more than a year that's gone by, have acted fast enough in that case?
Spokesman: You know, the judicial process, as I understand it, in France is continuing. Judicial… the investigation is ongoing. The Security Council will decide whatever it puts… wants to put in its resolution. It's not up to the Secretary‑General to comment. But, obviously, I think whether peacekeepers are operating with a UN helmet or any other colour helmet need to be held to all the same high standards and all need to be held accountable.
Question: And I wanted to ask you, the… when you called in, it was definitely useful, when you called in from Paris about Western Sahara. It might seem like a strange thing, but I've looked at the transcriptions, the UN transcriptions of the noon briefing that day in English and French. And in English, there's a whole… your whole Q&A about Western Sahara, and in French, it's just not there. And I'm wondering, is there some… they're both working languages, et cetera. What's the reason for that?
Spokesman: I don't… I'm not sure we put out a transcript in French of my…
Correspondent: No, in English… in the English noon brief…
Spokesman: I'm not sure we put out a transcript; I'll check.
Question: Okay. I'm looking at it. Okay. Very quick… If you don't mind, I'm going to ask a Sri Lanka and a related question. One has to do with Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has said openly that there will be no foreign judges involved in the accountability mechanism, which is, I know, something that the Secretary‑General has returned to again and again. Now this… this is a Government minister saying it. What is the Secretary‑General's position?
Spokesman: I have no guidance on Sri Lanka. If I find something, I will share it.
Question: Okay. Finally, as quick as I can, yesterday, your deputy, Farhan Haq… I'm going to just… I want to ask you this because it really constrained me. There was a meeting in Trusteeship on UN Security Council reform. It was a closed meeting, but it's the kind of meeting that a journalist can stand outside and stake out and get quotes. I'm no longer able to do that. I cannot go through that glass turnstile. He said from this podium that I have the same rights as everyone else. It wasn't true. And I wasn't able to cover the meeting. And I wanted to know, one, do you retract… does your office retract this claim that I have the same rights as anyone else? And two, what's the justification for there being two classes of journalists here, those who can cover such meetings and those who can't?
Spokesman: I think there's always been resident correspondents who have an office and non‑resident correspondents. That's the pass you have. And that's the access you have.
Correspondent: But, it's not about having an office. It's about being able to cover a meeting… [Cross talk]
Spokesman: Matthew, that's the access you have, and I think…
Question: Then why does Ms. [Cristina] Gallach claim that I have total access if I don't?
Spokesman: Matthew, inasmuch as we can continue this discussion about you and your accreditation process, it should be had with DPI [Department of Public Information]. Thank you.
Correspondent: It's the ability to cover and claims made from this podium, which were false. False claims.
Spokesman: Thank you. Abdelhamid. And then we'll go to our guests.
Correspondent: Sorry. One more time, since the current wave of violence which started 3 October 2015, there were about 60 statements issued by either the SG or his Special Envoy. All these six, I could list them, related to victims or non‑Palestinian victims. I know he issued a statement about house demolition and confiscation of land, but none of these statements in relation to innocent victims, the young children…Spokesman: Abdelhamid, I… you know, we can all go through accounting procedures. I would also encourage you to look at the Secretary‑General's periodic reports to the Security Council that are presented either by heads…
Correspondent: No, I'm talking about statements.
Spokesman: …which are public statements and sum up the month's… his observations for the month. Masood and then we'll go to our guests.
Question: Yes, I just… just a follow‑up on this question. Do you have any idea… there was a time the United Nations used to have a figure of how many Palestinian prisoners, especially children, women and children, are incarcerated by Israel.
Spokesman: I don't have those numbers off the top of my head. If they exist, I will share them with you. I'll be right back.