Central African Republic

The Secretary-General’s report “Reinvigorating the AIDS Response to Catalyse Sustainable Development and United Nations Reform” was presented today at the General Assembly.  The Deputy Secretary-General, in presenting the report, said that “the AIDS pandemic is far from over”, and stressed that countries “need to do a better job of reaching young women and adolescent girls”.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is appealing for urgent safe passage and admission for 41 Syrian refugees stranded in dire circumstances on the remote Algerian-Moroccan border since 17 April.  Both Algeria and Morocco consider the group not to be in their respective territory.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today that it is concerned by the recent prosecution, arbitrary arrest, detention and ill-treatment of men perceived to be gay in Indonesia.  In the past two months, more than 150 men were reportedly arrested in Aceh, Surabaya and Jakarta and subjected to public humiliation.

The Secretary-General spoke today at the Security Council’s open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.  He noted that despite efforts, civilians continued to bear the brunt of conflict around the world, and outlined three clear ways to improve their protection.

On 12 May, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held informal consultations in connection with the progress update of the Panel of Experts and a briefing by the United Nations Mine Action Service in assisting the Central African Republic authorities in the management of weapons and ammunition.

The Secretary-General welcomed the return of calm in Côte d’Ivoire following the unacceptable acts of violence committed by soldiers of the Forces Armées de Côte d’Ivoire over the past few days.  He commends the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for its efforts to address the unrest and restore security.

On 17 May 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic approved the following individual as subject to the measures imposed by paragraphs 5 and 12 of resolution 2339 (2017):

The United Nations refugee agency reports from Yemen that continuing fighting in Taizz has displaced nearly 50,000 people since the beginning of 2017, in addition to the 3 million already uprooted since the conflict started, of whom 2 million remain displaced and 1 million have returned home to precarious conditions.

Intense violence in the city of Bangassou in south-eastern Central African Republic since Friday sparked by an assault by unidentified gunmen in Tokoyo district, home mainly to the Muslim population, has forced more than 3,000 people to flee their homes.  Two flights carrying emergency relief supplies are scheduled for Tuesday.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):