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.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary-General arrived in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon and spoke at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council in the evening. The Secretary-General gave the audience an overview of what the United Nations is doing to meet today’s global challenges, from humanitarian crises to climate change to sustainable development. He stressed that in his talks with world leaders he has encouraged them to show greater solidarity to refugees — not just through relief, but through resettlement and other legal pathways. He said that, when managed properly, accepting refugees is a win for everyone.
This morning, the Secretary-General will receive an honorary doctorate from Loyola Marymount University. He also intends to meet and talk to a group of students from the University’s Asian and Pacific Studies Programme. Later this evening, the Secretary-General will travel by road to Santa Barbara to attend the “ECO:nomics” conference, which brings together a diverse group of global CEOs, top entrepreneurs, environmental experts and policy makers. The conference is being organized by the senior editors of The Wall Street Journal.
**Security Council
The Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, briefed the Security Council this morning on the situation in Darfur. He called on the members of the Council to impress on all parties to the conflict that a political solution remains the only viable option. Mr. Ladsous also reiterated the Secretary-General’s call to the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid to immediately cease hostilities in Jebel Marra, and commit to peaceful negotiations, without preconditions. He said that the escalation of fighting in Jebel Marra has led to large-scale displacement, especially from mid-January to late March – with humanitarian organizations estimating that at least 138,000 people from Jebel Marra had been newly displaced by 31 March.
He added that due to the Government's access restrictions, the exact number of civilian casualties from the recent wave of fighting could not yet be ascertained, and that these had prevented the African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and humanitarians from responding to the protection and humanitarian needs of the displaced. Mr. Ladsous said that with the new outbreak of fighting in Jebel Marra, the mission focused its efforts on ensuring the protection of the civilian and displaced populations. He noted that UNAMID had established protective areas near displacement sites, reinforced its military and police presence, and intensified day-and-night patrols in order to maintain security and law and order near these areas. His remarks are available in our office.
**Libya
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Ali al-Za’tari, has expressed concern over the loss of life of four migrants from Sub-saharan Africa in a detention centre in Al-Zawiya. He has called for an independent, impartial and full investigation into their deaths. According to the UN Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL), the four detainees sustained fatal gunshot wounds and 20 more were injured during and in the aftermath of an apparent escape attempt from the detention centre, where conditions are reportedly inhumane, with severe overcrowding and shortages of food and other basic necessities, including medical care. More information is available on UNSMIL’s website.
**Yemen
The Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, concluded a two-day visit to Brussels yesterday, where he met with senior officials from the European Union and the Government of Belgium. We issued a note yesterday afternoon with details of his meetings. At the end of his visit, the Special Envoy issued a statement commending the work of the European Union. He added that he is positive that the political will of the Yemeni parties, supported by the international community, will enable a political solution and a way out of the present conflict in Yemen.
**International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia
The prosecutor of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague, Serge Brammertz, announced his decision to appeal the trial judgment against the Serbian politician Vojislav Šešelj. Mr. Šešelj was acquitted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) of all charges, including crimes against humanity, on 31 March. Mr. Brammertz said in a statement that for the victims of the crimes, the forthcoming appeal is of the utmost priority.
**Ukraine
The UN refugee agency says that it has provided 5 million Ukrainian hryvna (approximately $193,000) to support internally displaced people in the region of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city. The money is supporting a regional project for community based initiatives, vocational training, social counselling and internet services at the community centres run by UNHCR’s [Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] partner NGO [non-governmental organization], “Station Kharkiv”. More can be found on the UNHCR regional site in Ukraine.
**Technology
Atefeh Riazi, the UN’s Chief Information Technology Officer, is announcing today that in July the UN will host what is expected to be among the largest open source technology events in the world. Called "Open Camps @ UN 2016", this event will bring together as many as 6,000 developers from open source communities, private sector technology companies, academic institutions and Member States to collaborate on open source technology solutions that support the Organization’s mission. Attendance at Open Camps @ UN 2016 is open to all, but advance registration is required and copies of a press release with more details are available in my office.
**Diabetes
Ahead of World Health Day tomorrow, the World Health Organization (WHO) is issuing a call for action on diabetes. According to its first “Global report on diabetes”, 422 million adults live with diabetes, mainly in developing countries — a number that has almost quadrupled since 1980, driven by a rise in overweight and obese people. Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General, stressed that if we are to make any headway in halting the rise of diabetes, we need to rethink our daily lives: to eat healthily, be physically active and avoid excessive weight gain. She added that even in the poorest settings, Governments must ensure that people are able to make these healthy choices and that health systems are able to diagnose and treat people with diabetes. The full report is available online.
**Alliance of Civilizations
Here, at Headquarters, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations’ Group of Friends is holding a briefing today on the preparations for the Alliance’s Seventh Global Forum, which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan between 25 and 27 April. For details, check the Alliance of Civilizations’ website.
**Press Conferences
For press conferences, immediately after my briefing, at 12:30 p.m., there will be a briefing here by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on the Civil Society Hearing for the 2016 high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS and the future of the HIV global response. Speakers will include Javier Hourcade Bellocq of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and Marama Pala, an indigenous woman from New Zealand living with HIV.
And then, as I mentioned, tomorrow is World Health Day. The guest will be Dr. Nata Menabde, Executive Director of the WHO Office in New York. She will brief you on the first WHO Global Report on Diabetes, which I just mentioned. And then at 2:15 p.m., there will be a briefing sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See on the Role of Pope Francis, the Holy See and the Santa Marta Group in Ending Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery by 2030. That is it for me. Any questions? Yes, Lou.
**Questions and Answers
Correspondent: Thanks, Farhan. I wondered if you might have an update on negotiations between Morocco and the UN on restoring MINURSO [United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara] to the status that it was before the recent crisis began. And I wondered if you had anything for me on a question that I asked… yesterday, I'd asked for an update on the review of South‑South News' status here and whether you'll be following the recommendations of OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services] in the audit for improved due diligence and whether this would also cover the funding sources for media organizations accredited at the UN. Thanks.
Deputy Spokesman: Okay. That's a variety of different questions. So, first, on Morocco, yes, a number of UN officials, including our head of political affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, have been in dialogue with the Moroccan side in recent days, and we'll continue with that dialogue. I think that's moving ahead. Regarding the need for due diligence, of course, we are going to follow any of the relevant recommendations of the Office for Internal Oversight Services, and we'll see how that gets implemented as we explore the recommendations in greater detail. Regarding South‑South News, there's nothing I have to say at this stage beyond the fact that their accreditation is being reviewed.
Correspondent: The World Harmony Foundation…
Deputy Spokesman: Hold on. Yes, Ali?
Question: Thank you. Is Mr. Christopher Ross taking any part in these negotiations between the UN and the… and Morocco? And what does the Secretary‑General think now about implementing Security Council resolutions in this regard? Also, a follow‑up on the Lou question… question about media. Is there anything that you're going to do regarding journalists or media people who are accredited to the UN regarding their source of money and whether they're accepting bribes or not? I think Evelyn asked this yesterday, and we haven't had an answer. Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage, I think it's premature to see what kind of steps we can have. You know what the existing accreditation process is. If there's any need to alter it in any way, of course, we'll need to do that in dialogue with the journalists who are here. But, certainly, the end goal is, of course, to make sure that all of us can go about our work in an atmosphere that is free of any taint of corruption. How that happens, it's hard to determine at this point. But, certainly, we'll look at whatever the relevant recommendations are. Regarding Morocco, I wouldn't call this any sort of negotiation. These are discussions that we've been having. And, of course, many of us… many officials have had discussions with the Moroccans and the other relevant nations for many years, including, of course, Christopher Ross. And he will continue to play a part in this, as well. Hold on. Yes?
Question: I just wanted to clarify on the same topic, Farhan. You said that South‑South News, you're reviewing the accreditation based on the audit, which pointed to questionable funding, financial funds. Now, I mean, does that mean that that's becoming a criteria for UN accreditation — to make sure that the journalists who are working are transparent about who's paying their salaries?
Deputy Spokesman: Obviously, the goal of greater transparency is one that we would certainly like to have. How that's implemented, again, is something that we'll need to see how that can be considered as we approach this. But, certainly, in light of the information that we've received, that's relevant in terms of reviewing South‑South News' credentials.
Question: Same topic. Same topic. I guess I want to… first, I mean, because, you know, you've often cut off questions that I've asked, but I want to ask this question. Can you confirm…?
Deputy Spokesman: That's not true.
Question: No, I mean that you said that you don't ask about… I'm going to ask today whether a letter to Mr. Ban Ki‑moon from the Government Accountability Project, which says that the treatment of Inner City Press was a “crude high‑handed treatment tantamount to a repudiation of Article 19”, has been received by Mr. [Edmond] Mulet. And I also want to ask you this. Will you acknowledge that the South‑South case involves $12 million given to a news organization, which, in turn, paid bribes to the UN? What they're charged with is paying bribes to the UN, including an organization three… of whose members you've just entertained questions from. So, I'd like you to describe what exactly it is within the audit, which is not yet released, the Secretariat is reviewing. Is it reviewing funding of Mr. Ng Lap Seng to South‑South News, which has nothing to do with the UN, or is it reviewing South‑South News as a vehicle to purchase services from the PGA [President of the General Assembly], from a member of the UN Secretariat, from a Kenyan UN official? Which side are you… are you looking at this? And are you looking, as these gentlemen and lady have just asked, at monies received from South‑South News by an organization whose office is one floor above us?
Deputy Spokesman: At this stage, the detail I have about the review of South‑South News is simply that its accreditation is being reviewed. Once we have further details to give, I'll provide that. Some of the things you've just said are highly misleading. I don't know, frankly, whether you've just made allegations against some of your fellow reporters in the room, but that's…
Correspondent: No, I'm saying…
Deputy Spokesman: That's really an issue for you… you know, for someone who talks about cutting off, you talk over me an awful lot. But, that's really an issue for you to take up with your colleagues. We are not the policing entity of all the journalists in the world…
Correspondent: You entertained three questions in a row about accreditation, so I'm asking one.
Deputy Spokesman: And I've entertained questions from you, and people have questioned you, as well.
Question: What about the letter from GAP? What about the letter from GAP?
Deputy Spokesman: That's a whole different question. The… let me make it very clear for all the reporters here; this is a press briefing. I will entertain questions from journalists about questions concerning the UN. I do not handle internal housekeeping matters among journalists. I do not resolve disputes that journalists have with other journalists. That's not the use of this briefing.
Correspondent: So, the first three questions were okay, but mine is not.
Correspondent: Farhan, if you're…
Deputy Spokesman: I've answered your question and I've answered the question part of your question.
Question: What about the letter from GAP? The letter from GAP, can you confirm receipt by Mr. Mulet? It's a letter to Ban Ki‑moon from the same organization that respected… that represented Mr. [Anders] Kompass, and it accuses the UN of violating Article 19 and asks for an immediate reversal of Cristina Gallach's order. And I'd like to know if you got the letter.
Deputy Spokesman: I'll check whether we've received the letter. Regarding your situation, as you know, that's not in our hands. Yes?
Correspondent: Farhan, if you'll just indulge me for a moment to make a short statement, given a lot of my colleagues do that. Matthew, you see us every day. You have never come to the UN Correspondents Association with any of your allegations for comment. I can tell you right now the UN Correspondents Association is not corrupt. Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: Again, Michelle… as with Matthew, please take these disputes outside of this briefing. This is a press briefing. I understand that you're responding to something that happened earlier in this briefing. But, please, from here on out, let's just ask questions about the work of the United Nations. All right? Abdelhamid?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. In the last 24 hours, Israel demolished seven Palestinian homes. Is that tantamount to collective punishment or not? If not… if yes, why the UN does not voice their objection openly in a statement, a special statement, not in the monthly report… why there is no statement to condemn or to object or to express concern about demolishing seven homes in 24 hours?
Deputy Spokesman: I don't have a statement for you on this particular incident, Abdelhamid, but in recent weeks, you'll have seen that we have made clear our concerns about housing demolitions. And that has come out through statements. And this is something we continue to be concerned about. Joe?
Question: I want to ask a couple questions about the Secretary‑General's remarks to the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles. First of all, he said, “refugees have a right to asylum, not bias and barbed wire”. Since words have consequences, I'd like to know whether he's essentially saying all refugees, which could include economic migrants, have a right to asylum, or is he… is he still acknowledging that there is a distinction that not everybody who claims to be an asylum seeker is granted asylum?
Deputy Spokesman: Joe, what is he trying to suggest is that everyone who claims to be a refugee has the right to have their claim to asylum heard and evaluated fairly. Yes, not everyone who claims asylum necessarily is found or determined in the end to be a refugee, but this is something that everyone who has fled at least has the right to have those claims heard.
Question: I think it's a matter of interpretation of the word "refugee", the definition, because refugees sometimes are used more broadly than just in the category of asylum seekers. That's what I'm trying to see whether he's using them interchangeably. That's my first question on this.
Deputy Spokesman: If the question really is, does the Secretary‑General still appreciate there's a distinction between refugees and migrants, yes, of course, he does. He knows that there are some people who are migrating for reasons that are not the same as the reasons for refugees.
Question: Okay. So, he's equating the word "refugees" and "asylum seekers". All right. My second question in the speech… and I've asked you this before in other contexts… he singles out North Korea and its violations of Security Council resolutions, including missile tests. He doesn't mention, again, Iran, which has allegedly violated a series of Security Council resolutions in the past and also allegedly the current one, with its continued missile tests. Is there any reason why he continues to intentionally avoid pointing out Iran's transgressions, as well as North Korea's? Thank you.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, those are two different situations. And you'll have noticed that they have had different trajectories in recent months. The Secretary‑General has mentioned any potential violations by Iran as they've arisen. So, he has done that. It's not a question of doing that in every speech. So, the fact that it doesn't come up in last night's speech is not especially relevant to his overall treatment of the issue. Yes?
Question: Thanks, Farhan. The self‑declared Government in Tripoli has announced that it is stepping down. Does the Secretary‑General have any comment on this?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, certainly, it's a positive development. It can contribute to the peaceful handover of power to the Presidency Council. Obviously, we've been encouraging all Libyan parties to support the Presidency Council and the implementation of the Libyan political agreement and will continue to do that. And the UN, as you've seen, is ready to continue providing support to this process, and that's something that Martin Kobler highlighted during his visit to Tripoli yesterday. Yes, Benny?
Question: Two questions. One on Morocco, on Western Sahara. Do you expect the report on Western Sahara to be on Friday?
Deputy Spokesman: Whenever people ask about precise dates of reports, I will never pin us down to a full date, because you know how that happens. It might be Friday or around that region. We'll have to see.
Question: Wait, wait. There's a second question. So, I wasn't here, so maybe you addressed this, but there's a couple of things that came up with that exhibition "Stand With Us Israel" and… who deemed three panels to be inappropriate and, therefore, not… asked not to be exhibited? And was the department of Palestinian inalienable rights in DPA [Department of Political Affairs] involved?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I mean, we dealt with this a few days ago, so I can probably give you further detail afterward regarding this. It's not a question of three panels. I believe it was a question of just two panels. But, ultimately, the main department that is engaged in dialogue with Member States who are putting up exhibitions is the Department of Management, and then it gets advice from other parts of the system as needed.
Question: So, the department of inalienable rights for the Palestinians, was it involved or not?
Deputy Spokesman: It may have been, depending upon whether it was felt… what happens is the Department of Management deals with the issue, and then it deals… sends any information or review through substantive departments as needed. Yes, Edie?
Question: Farhan, on the shooting of these detainees, is there an investigation going on, and is the UN… you talked about UNSMIL, but is… is there any UN involvement, and is anybody investigating to basically make sure that this kind of incident doesn't happen again?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, what we've done is we've called for an independent, impartial and full investigation into their deaths, so that's what we're trying to see. And the UN Support Mission for Libya will try to follow up depending upon whether an investigation is mounted or not. Yes, Dulcie?
Question: Yeah. Yesterday, the General Assembly meeting on sex abuse cases in CAR [Central African Republic], there was a recurring theme that a lot of these cases are occurring in remote areas where there are sort of just one troop contributing contingent, which sort of creates this atmosphere of, you know, lawlessness. So, the UN has yet to really clarify what is causing all these sex abuse allegations. Is that sort of the main problem that the UN or peacekeeping department is focused on? Because it's the first I heard that this is really what's behind the problem. Thanks.
Deputy Spokesman: We need to determine what the factors are that give rise to this. Certainly, what we're trying to do is ensure greater accountability among the troop contributing contingents. As you'll have seen, Jane Holl Lute is beginning her travels now to the Central African Republic, and so she's going to try to gather some relevant information about how we can best put a stop to this, and she was one of the people, as you know, who spoke up at that meeting. Yes, Sara Britney and then Olga?
Question: Thank you, Farhan. I caught the tail end of your statement regarding the WHO and the alarming rise in diabetes. There is data to support a direct improving correlation between Monsanto, GMOs [genetically modified organisms], aspartame and diabetes. So, my question is: why does the UN support the efforts of the WHO on one hand but not disparage the scourge of GMOs and Monsanto on the other? And isn't it a bit cavalier to say that we should make healthier food choices when, in the United States, we don't have that option other than to eat all imported food?
Deputy Spokesman: That's a good question, and luckily for you, tomorrow, the noon briefing guest will be the Executive Director of the World Health Organization office in New York, Dr. Nata Menabde. And she will be here to talk about diabetes, so she can talk at greater length about that. Olga and then Carla.
Question: Thank you, Farhan. Some groups of Syrian oppositions said earlier that they received a letter from Staffan de Mistura saying that the new talks of… a new round of intra‑Syrian talks in Geneva would start on 13 April, not on 11 April. Can you confirm that?
Deputy Spokesman: I can't confirm a date yet, but what we've been saying is we expect the talks to resume the week of 11 April, so sometime next week, in other words. Carla?
Question: Farhan, since the issue of corruption has come up here and I gather there are certain people who are impeccably pure and others who are the topic of a witch‑hunt, I would like to ask whether the UN has anything to say about the Panama Papers. The Prime Minister of Iceland, I believe, has just resigned. And, you know, it's not clear how far this is going to go. So, is there any comment about this and where it's leading?
Deputy Spokesman: I made a general comment on this yesterday. We don't have a first-hand role in this at this stage, but we are monitoring with bated breath, just like everyone else in the world, what will come up in these reports. The bottom line is, ultimately, anything that can help to improve transparency and efforts against corruption around the world is something that needs to be followed up on. Okay. A few questions, and we have only a few more minutes before we have to go to the guests. So, let's go to the people who haven't asked first and then down the line. Linda, then Abdelhamid, then Matthew, then Evelyn.
Question: Thank you, Farhan. I have a question going back to the whole refugee matter, which is very complex, I think. I just wanted to ask you a question. Is it the UNHCR that is making the determination if refugees are truly asylum seekers or they're economic migrants? And if a determination is made that they're economic migrants, what's the procedure? Are they sent back to their home country? Is there pressure put on the home country to accept them back or, generally, what happens?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, just because someone's an economic migrant doesn't mean that they can't stay in a country. There are many countries where people who are economic migrants can find a place to stay. Determinations of refugee status are made by governments. UNHCR sometimes can have a role to play in this, but ultimately, what we at the United Nations system as a whole are trying to do is make sure that anyone who is fleeing has their claims heard and heard fairly and that all of those who are fleeing, whether they're refugees or migrants, have their basic dignity and their basic rights respected.
Question: I'm sorry. I guess I was really referring to the flow to Europe in terms of, you know, millions or people who are going there, just to get a sense… because I gather now that only about half or perhaps a little more than half of the refugees going to Europe are from Syria. So, I was just wondering what the status is of the others.
Deputy Spokesman: Well… and, of course, there are many refugees fleeing conflicts or disarray in their home countries who are not coming from Syria, so we're not saying that with prejudice for any particular group of refugees. Obviously, there's a number of people who have… are entitled to refugee status. But that is ultimately to be determined by the appropriate authorities on the ground and wherever they may be. Abdelhamid?
Correspondent: Thank you. I will ask about Libya, but I want to say that the definition of a refugee is defined in the 1951 Convention on Refugees, so there's not left to the Member State.
Deputy Spokesman: Yes.
Correspondent: If they are a member of this Convention…
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, and of course, you're right. And of course, we implore all Member States to abide by their responsibilities under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Question: But, my question is about General Khalifa Haftar in east Libya. It seems that he is obstructing the meeting of the parliament to endorse the national accord Government. In… on Friday, Agilah Saleh called for all members to attend Monday's meeting, and yet not enough members arrived. And another development, as a military unit, 152, in the beginning, they said they are loyal to the national accord Government. Now they said, only we take instructions from General Khalifa Haftar. Is the UN monitoring his behaviour? Do they see that he's obstructing the whole operation of national peace and reconciliation? And would they place him maybe in future development on sanctions, on the sanctions committee?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, I don't have any specific comment on Mr. Haftar to make at this stage beyond saying, as I'd mentioned before, we do encourage all Libyan parties to support the Presidency Council and the continued implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement. Yes?
Question: I have a few… I guess I'm… I'll focus on this one. First, do you have… you'd said yesterday that you'd looked to see whether Ng Lap Seng's or David Ng's World Harmony Foundation is still a member of the Global Compact?
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, we've checked with the Global Compact. Yes, it is.
Question: Is that… what steps are being taken given that this indictment came out in October?
Deputy Spokesman: It will be up to them to determine what sort of follow‑up steps are needed.
Question: Okay. I wanted to ask about… in the Security Council this morning, the ambassador of Sudan, in the middle of saying a number of things about hidden agendas of UNAMID, held up his cell phone and said we have video evidence, which he didn't show in the meeting, but what I'm wondering is, the same thing happened at the stakeout with the Moroccan ambassador, saying he had evidence that he wanted to show Stéphane [Dujarric] to disprove what he was saying about Western Sahara and MINURSO. So, I wanted to know, in each of these two cases, what does the UN do when a Permanent Representative of a Member State says publicly, “I have the evidence”? Did Stéphane ever contact Omar Hilale and ask to see the evidence about Western Sahara? And is Mr. Ladsous going to contact the Sudanese ambassador to prove or disprove what he's holding up as his phone?
Deputy Spokesman: We do follow up with the relevant people, and in the case of the Moroccans, I'm aware that we have been in touch with Mr. Hilale.
Question: Did you see the evidence that he was talking about? Did he characterize it?
Deputy Spokesman: I have not. No. Evelyn?
Question: Yeah, I was interested in Sudan also. I mean, UNAMID has had a history of over‑cooperating with the Sudanese Government, and yet there are restrictions on them all over the place, in getting humanitarian aid, in the last rape scandal being invest… allowed to interview the victims without the government there. Is there any pressure being put on Khartoum? This is not just a hidden information, because usually UNAMID is more than cooperative, in fact, reaches… in fact, has been criticized for being too cooperative with Khartoum.
Deputy Spokesman: Yes, I'm aware of the criticisms, but the mission does try to bring these matters and is in constant dialogue with authorities in Khartoum. It continues with those efforts. On that, I will get to our guests.