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.
Welcome.
**Central African Republic
I will start off with a statement by the Secretary-General on the death of a peacekeeper in the Central African Republic.
The Secretary-General condemns the killing of a peacekeeper from the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 17 April in the town of Rafai. The incident occurred when a UN Peacekeeping patrol was dispatched to Rafai in response to an attack on the nearby village, Agoumar, by alleged elements of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). A Moroccan peacekeeper was shot by unknown assailants and succumbed to his wounds later in the afternoon.
The Secretary-General reiterates that attacks against those who are working towards peace and security in the Central African Republic are unacceptable. He calls on the newly elected Government of the Central African Republic to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Secretary-General offers his sincere condolences to the family of the victim and to the Kingdom of Morocco.
An update on the Central African Republic and the issues of sexual exploitation and abuse: the United Nations continues with the investigation process regarding incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse in Kemo prefecture. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2015 and involve troops from the previous African Union-led mission (MISCA), the UN Peacekeeping Mission and the French Sangaris operation. Each report is being assessed and treated with the utmost seriousness, whether it is linked to UN or non-UN forces.
As the investigation process moves forward, the Mission expects the number of potential victims to fluctuate — through testimonies being cross-checked and facts being ascertained.
Just to remind you of the sequence of events: The incidents were first reported to UNICEF, which received information on sexual exploitation and abuse involving 98 women and girls. UNICEF shared this information with the UN Peacekeeping Mission on 23 March. Following this, a joint team composed of MINUSCA and the UN Country Team deployed to the area from 27 March to 4 April in order to gather further information and assess the needs of victims. In its preliminary assessment, the integrated team talked to 59 individuals who volunteered their testimony, some duplicating previous incidents reported to UNICEF.
The reporting from these preliminary assessment teams has been handed to the Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The OIOS team will be on location on Thursday to follow up with investigations to corroborate the reports, confirm the number of victims and identify the perpetrators. The United Nations is in touch with the relevant UN troop-contributing countries (Burundi and Gabon) to coordinate the investigative processes. It has also been in touch with the French authorities on information received involving the French Sangaris troops.
Victims are being provided psychosocial and medical assistance by the UN humanitarian agencies on the ground.
The UN Peacekeeping Mission and its leadership remain fully committed to the zero-tolerance policy of the Secretary-General and are determined to help bring perpetrators to justice.
**Secretary-General’s Travels
The Secretary-General will be off to Vienna between 26 and 29 April to chair the formal session and retreat of the UN System Chief Executives Board (CEB), which is on 27-28 April.
On 27 April, the Secretary-General will also participate in a high-level panel commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The panellists will also discuss the importance of the CTBT and the role the UN has to play in advancing the entry into force of the Treaty.
On 28 April, the Secretary-General is scheduled to address the Austrian Parliament. He will also be meeting in Vienna with senior officials from the Austrian Government, including the President and the Chancellor.
During his visit, the Secretary-General will also meet with local UN staff and attend an event hosted by the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna.
On 28 April, he is expected to speak to the media at Palais Coburg.
On 29 April, the Secretary-General will be in Geneva, where he will participate in the Ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and the Olympic Cup Award to the UN in the presence of the Olympic Flame. The Secretary-General will make remarks at the ceremony and will later speak to the press along with the President of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), Thomas Bach.
The Secretary-General will then go to Lausanne to visit the Olympic Museum and then will return to New York that evening.
**Security Council
This morning, back here, as you will have heard, the Secretary-General briefed the Security Council this morning on the Middle East. He said that for over six months, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory have been gripped by a surge in violence, triggered by individual terrorist attacks by Palestinians. Some 30 Israelis and two hundred Palestinians have been killed, with most of the Palestinians killed while reportedly carrying out knife, gun or [car]-ramming attacks.
The Secretary-General welcomed the joint Palestinian-Israeli efforts that have contributed to a reduction of tensions in recent weeks. However, he warned, these latest killings have only deepened the divisiveness, hatred and grief. And he added that Israelis and Palestinians need their leaders to elevate public discourse above mutual accusations, and engage in a constructive dialogue that can rebuild trust that has all but evaporated.
**Yemen
Meanwhile, as you may have seen, the start of the Yemeni peace negotiations that were scheduled to begin today in Kuwait has been delayed. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, said that he is working to overcome the latest challenges and asks the delegations to show good faith and participate in the talks in order to reach a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The Special Envoy thanked the delegation of the Government of Yemen for its commitment and arrival on time. He hopes that Ansarallah and the General People’s Congress do not miss this opportunity that could save Yemen the loss of more lives and put an end to the cycle of violence that has engulfed the country.
**Syria
As you may have seen, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says it is greatly alarmed by the desperate humanitarian consequences being inflicted on civilians since 6 April as a result of armed conflict between extremist armed groups inside the Yarmouk camp in Damascus. Civilians in Yarmouk are facing starvation and dehydration, as well as the heightened risks of serious injury and death from the armed conflict.
The fighting has been intense, and is taking place in the most densely populated areas of Yarmouk, with the use of heavy weapons, explosive devices and weapons of indiscriminate effect. Without humanitarian access to the camp, it is impossible to be precise about numbers of fatalities and injuries.
Inside Yarmouk, we estimate that up to 10,000 civilians are trapped in their homes, where they are hunkered down to avoid being hit by bullets and shrapnel. Whatever supplies of food and water they had have long been exhausted.
**Libya
You will have seen that over the weekend, Special Representative Martin Kobler held his first press conference in Tripoli, Libya.
He said that he remains encouraged that the Presidency Council will move forward with the road map based on the Libyan Political Agreement. He travelled to Tobruk today to urge all members of the House of Representatives to decide on and endorse the Government of National Accord.
**Burundi
On Burundi, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, warned today of a sharp increase in the use of torture and ill-treatment in Burundi.
He said at least 345 new cases of torture have been reported since the beginning of the year, a clear indicator of the widespread and growing use of torture and ill-treatment by Government security forces. Perpetrators have so far enjoyed impunity, he added.
The High Commissioner said he recognized the efforts made by the Government in releasing at least 45 demonstrators following the Secretary-General’s trip in February but added he was deeply concerned about the reported existence of secret detention facilities across the country.
Zeid also [deplored] the increase in attacks by unidentified armed men, reportedly linked to rebel groups, and condemned the targeting of members of the ruling party, including the assassination of a local official who was shot in his home on 13 April.
**South Sudan
From South Sudan, the Secretary-General, as you may have seen, spoke yesterday with President Salva Kiir, as well as the First Vice-President, Riek Machar. They spoke by phone, in separate phone calls.
The Secretary-General called for the expeditious implementation of the security arrangements envisaged in the peace agreement and the withdrawal additional SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) troops from Juba.
The Secretary-General underscored the need to quickly form the Transitional Government of National Unity, as a crucial next step in the peace process. He reaffirmed the readiness of the UN to assist in all efforts to bring peace to [South] Sudan. Full readouts are online.
**Ecuador
Yesterday, we also issued a statement expressing the Secretary-General’s condolences to the Government and people of Ecuador following an earthquake. The Secretary-General also wrote a letter to President [Rafael] Correa.
The UN [Emergency] Relief Coordinator deployed a Disaster and Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) team in Ecuador and yesterday, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) delivered 20,000 water purification tablets to the area worst impacted by the earthquake, Pedernales.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is readying preparations for a major aid airlift, expected in the next 48 hours, while UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) opened a special donations line to collect international funds for the victims, upon request from the Government. UNDP is also deploying a team of experts to provide support in three areas: rapid assessment of damage and needs, recovery coordination and debris management.
**Japan
We also issued a statement early this morning from the Secretary-General sending his deepest condolences to the people and Government of Japan and all the communities impacted by the powerful earthquakes that occurred in that country.
He also sent a letter to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday, saying that the UN stands in solidarity with Japan.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that an estimated 42 people have died and 1,095 have been injured, according to local authorities.
**Antimicrobial Resistance
A high-level dialogue on “Antimicrobial resistance” is taking place right now in Conference Room 1.
The event is co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health. WHO along with its partners is bringing attention to the fact that thousands of people around the world are dying because common infections become untreatable. Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public threat and that’s why a public commitment and national action plans are needed.
**Press Encounters
Just a few more words: at 1 p.m., so very shortly, the President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, will be here to brief you on the high-level week, which is today through Friday, including the Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tomorrow my guest will be Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He will be here to brief you on the Special General Assembly meeting on the World Drug Problem.
And that will be followed by Selwin Hart, Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team, which was rescheduled from last week.
**Questions and Answers
Yes?
Question: On Ecuador, Stéphane, Ecuador has received about 200,000 Colombian refugees, and they also have refugees from other places. Does this situation concern the Secretary‑General? Besides, of course, the basic needs, health, surge of people, but now we have a situation with refugees that are guests in this country which is facing this.
Spokesman: Of course, we very much appreciate the efforts that Ecuador has made in housing refugees from neighbouring countries. It only complicates the issue. I will admit to you I’m not sure exactly where these refugees are housed, if they’re near the earthquake zone. But, obviously, you know, people will receive aid regardless of who they are, and as mentioned, the UN is already deploying a number of different agencies and aid packages. Lou?
Question: Thanks, Stéphane. The opposition has asked Staffan de Mistura, UN envoy in the Syria talks, to postpone the talks. They're accusing him of bias. Does the Secretary‑General have any response to this? Are there any plans for any kind of shakeup, ask for the resignation of the Special Envoy?
Spokesman: Not at all. I mean, I think the Secretary‑General is very pleased with the work that the Special Envoy has been doing. He has his full confidence, will continue to have his full confidence. I think Mr. de Mistura is operating in an extremely complex diplomatic situation. I think whenever you have these kinds of talks, it is not surprising that one side or another will say things as they are, because they believe them. We have no complaint with what… obviously, they’re saying what they believe. I believe Mr. de Mistura has or will be briefing the press shortly, so there may be more information moving forward.
Question: But just a quick follow‑up. If a key member of the talks is accusing the person who’s supposed to be the neutral broker of bias, it does obviously create difficulties.
Spokesman: I think the… even before those comments were made, the atmosphere and the situation around the talks was complicated and difficult. Again, I think what matters in these discussions is really what is being said inside the discussions. I can’t say anything more than how thankful the Secretary‑General is with the work that Mr. de Mistura has been doing to date. Mr. Lee?
Question: Sure. Thanks a lot. Questions on Western Sahara and South Sudan. But given how little time we have, I want to be sure to ask you this question, particularly now that my files were moved out onto First Avenue on Saturday. My question is as follows: My question is, as… in the UN OIOS (Office of Internal Oversight Services) audit and in the whole discussion since the indictments in October, it’s been said that this is an audit of NGOs (non-governmental organizations), South‑South News… didn’t actually… Global Sustainability Foundation, Sun Kian Ip foundation. And as you… I would trust that you know, in the Panama Papers, McClatchy has reported that, in fact, Ng Lap Seng’s South‑South News was, in fact, a for‑profit entity incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven. And so, one, how can it be that a UN audit into this doesn’t… didn’t reflect on this? What does it change in terms of it being… there was a press conference here in which civil society said there’s been a corporate, you know, invasion of the UN, and I would say… tie it to the Ban Ki‑moon era.
Spokesman: What’s the question?
Question: My question is, now that it’s clear from the Panama Papers, a major global scandal, that Ng Lap Seng, who paid bribes to get into the UN, in fact, used offshore corporations to do it…
Spokesman: What is the question?
Question: Okay. The question is, isn’t this audit a little more than a cover‑up, in that it doesn’t… [inaudible]
Spokesman: No.
Question: How can UN auditors not find [inaudible]…
Spokesman: There is a criminal investigation going on, which, as we said, we would work with and cooperate with whatever… and, obviously, look at the requests from the US Federal authorities. As I mentioned, the audit is a first step. Other investigations are going on. And South‑South News’s status is being reviewed here. I will say, for the record, that your files were not moved out on First Avenue. From what I gather and from watching the live broadcast over the weekend, you refused to provide an address for them to be shipped.
Question: Because I don’t trust them.
Spokesman: Well, that’s… but that’s your choice.
Question: Why would I? Would you?
Spokesman: That’s your choice. I don’t want you to portray that they’ve been moved or thrown out.
Question: They were thrown out onto First Avenue. Ban Ki‑moon…
Spokesman: I’ll come back to you. Anna, please.
Question: Thank you, Stéphane. I raised this issue before, and I wanted to go back to it because there were some developments. I’m talking about Azerbaijani forces’ sadistic crimes against Nagorno‑Karabakh Republic’s population, peaceful civilians, and soldiers also. Red Cross mediated exchange of the bodies, and actually all the 18 bodies were… which were given by Azerbaijani side to Nagorno‑Karabakh Republic were heavily mutilated, like in a sadistic manner. The heads were cut off, ears, eyes, limbs, anything. And even Red Cross workers were shocked by this, while Azerbaijani bodies were completely intact. So my question is… and all… most of these wounds…
Spokesman: I’d like to hear question mark.
Question: … they were inflicted by… during lifetime of these people. So these people were tortured.
Spokesman: I understand. What is the question?
Question: Main question is, since UN is a champion of human rights in the world, what is UN going to do about this? And I’m very well informed that a special folder was submitted to UN and other global bodies defending human rights on these horrific violations by Azerbaijan.
Spokesman: First of all, I think my colleagues in the human rights office have expressed their concern about the situation, so I would refer you to that. I don’t have the details of what you mention, but obviously, we would expect that any two countries involved in a conflict would abide by the Geneva Conventions and by the expected rules of war.
Question: Just a little follow‑up.
Spokesman: I’ll come back… [inaudible]
Question: It transcends two countries. It’s human rights violations. [inaudible]
Spokesman: Joe?
Question: My question is, after the Secretary‑General delivered his remarks to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, it was announced that there was a terrorist attack on a Jerusalem bus, presumably by a suicide bomber who blew himself up. There were multiple casualties. Will the Secretary‑General have any specific comment on that incident?
Spokesman: We’re obviously looking at the situation. The last information that I had and maybe out of date is that the police had not yet ruled on whether or not this was a terror attack. So we’re obviously very much aware of the situation, following it, and I’m waiting to get some updates. So until we know more, I’m not… I won’t say anything. But we’re looking for more details. Evelyn, then Abdelhamid.
Question: On Burundi, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has pointed out that torture’s rising, that they’re tit-for-tat killings. Is there any chance of police force… a UN police force would help or an AU (African Union) police force? And is this completely rejected? Is it rejected totally now?
Spokesman: No, the Secretary‑General, as you know, submitted a number of options to the Security Council on a deployment of a UN police presence. He gave, basically, three options going from 3,000 to a monitoring presence of about 228 to a much lighter presence, an assessment of 20 to 50 police officers. Those are options for the Security Council. I understand they will be discussed this week. And Mr. [Jamal] Benomar’s just come back. But, obviously, there is a need for a much stronger presence within Burundi.
Question: And is there any chance Burundi would accept them?
Spokesman: Well, I think, obviously… we understand there is an agreement in… there was a welcoming of the resolution, and we will wait for the Security Council to now make its decision. Abdelhamid?
Question: Yes. Thank you, Stéphane. I’m referring to the speech by the Secretary‑General, and he blamed the current wave of violence squarely on Palestinians only. He said “triggered by Palestinian individual terrorist act”. The second, he condemned also four things which they committed by Palestinians. He skipped the three things. And this my question: Why he skipped extrajudicial killing, which the ambassador of the US spoke about, and excessive use of force and the violence of the settlers, which is very obvious; why these things are missing from his speech? My second question about the Golan Heights, the Secretary‑General mentioned that. Of course, he said Israel should abide by resolution 242 and 479, but that is a major development in world history, to have a State clearly and openly decide to confiscate land that it acquired by force, which is in violation…
Spokesman: Abdelhamid, I will ask the question again. Where’s…
Question: Why there’s no… why there’s no control? [inaudible]
Spokesman: On your last point, I think we can differ as to the Secretary‑General’s reaction, but the Secretary‑General did speak to it and, I think, very clearly. I would encourage all of you to…
Question: Is it worth a statement… [inaudible]
Spokesman: I would encourage all of you to look at the Secretary‑General’s statement in the Security Council this morning as a whole. Obviously, different people will not be happy with different parts of it. But it reflects the Secretary‑General’s thinking at the time and the UN’s position. Some of the issues that you’ve mentioned, the Secretary‑General… we have raised in the past. But, again, I would encourage you to look at it as a whole.
Question: I just want to… on my point, the… according to a breaking news report of Times of Israel, the police have confirmed an explosive device was on the bus.
Spokesman: Joe, it’s not that I don’t trust you, because I do, but let me get back to my office just as a… because, again, it’s asymmetrical warfare when you guys get to look at your Twitter feed and I don’t. Carla?
Question: Thank you. Stéphane, has the UN any comment upon the move to impeach the Brazilian President? And the impeachment move is being made by base… well, they’re claiming she’s corrupt based upon allegations by… by… by members of the Government who are notoriously corrupt. Now Dilma Rousseff has called this a coup d’état of a democratically elected Government.
Spokesman: So, obviously, we're following these developments very closely. I think Brazil has a very solid democratic tradition, very strong state institutions. The Secretary‑General trusts that the country’s current challenges will be resolved through those institutions and in accordance with the constitution and the legal framework.
Question: Also, she was scheduled to be here for this meeting. Is she still going to attend?
Spokesman: I do not have an update. That would probably be best checked with her… the Brazilian Permanent Mission. Oleg?
Question: Thanks, Stéphane. Any updates on this letter from the Czech Republic on the naming issue?
Spokesman: No, I had not seen anything. But I will check. Matthew and then, unfortunately, that will have to be the last question because the PGA’s (President of the General Assembly) waiting.
Question: Sure. I wanted to ask you… well, I’ll limit it to this one. On Western Sahara and this issue of… I’d asked you and I’d asked Farhan [Haq] about the documents that have emerged of the UN’s knowledge of fraud at the hotels used by the mission. Omar Hilale had said that there was never a written request from the UN to clarify that, and I’ve seen a document that purports to be a UN — Kim Bolduc to the minister in charge from Morocco. So what… can you say what is the UN’s position… what is the status of that inquiry that began more than a year ago between the UN and Morocco about fraud in the mission?
Spokesman: I don’t have any updates than what Farhan may have given you. What is clear is that if we’ve written… I can only speak for letters that we sent. I can’t speak for those to whom the letter is addressed. Thank you…
Question: But she did write to Hamid Perez, you can confirm that Kim Bolduc wrote to Hamid Perez more than a year ago. [inaudible]
Spokesman: I can only talk about what letters we sent. Linda and then we really have to go.
Question: Thank you, Steph. Regarding Japan, do you know if there’s been any discussion between Japan and the UN with the UN providing technical assistance?
Spokesman: I think we’re obviously ready to offer… I think in a country like Japan, you’re dealing with a country that is highly advanced in dealing with these types of disasters. Not only have they had a lot of experience within their own country, but they’ve also been a leader in helping others, notably on policy terms through the Sendai framework. So obviously ready to assist Japan in any way we can, but I have not heard of any requests from Japan. Thank you.