Central African Republic

The United Nations human rights office today urged Cambodian authorities to release five human rights defenders who have been in pretrial detention for one year, and whose detention was just extended for an additional six months by the investigating judge.

On 31 March 2017, members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic were briefed by the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic in connection with the Panel’s work programme for 2017-2018.

The Security Council strongly condemned violence by armed groups in the Central African Republic today, expressing particular concern over ongoing clashes around Bambari in Ouaka prefecture and Bakouma in Mbomou prefecture.

Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien told the Brussels Conference on Syria today that humanitarian workers cannot stop indiscriminate attacks, sieges and forced displacements, but will continue to provide a lifeline to millions in need, including through regular programmes, cross-line, cross-border and air operations.

The Secretary-General took notice with disappointment and alarm of the decision by Israel to build a new settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  He condemns all unilateral actions that, like the present one, threaten peace and undermine the two-State solution.

As the possibility of famine looms, more children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, cholera or acute watery diarrhoea in Somalia and the number receiving food aid more than doubled in January and February from the same period in 2016, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

This week marks two years since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said last night.  Yemen is now on the brink of famine, with nearly 19 million people — more than two thirds of the population — in need humanitarian aid.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and the Government of Uganda jointly appealed urgently today for massive support for the thousands of refugees from South Sudan who continue to arrive in Uganda daily.  Uganda already hosts more than 800,000 South Sudanese refugees, including 572,000 new arrivals.

The Secretary-General spoke at the General Assembly’s meeting this morning commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  He expressed concern that migrants have become convenient scapegoats and that, far too often, hate speech, stereotyping and stigmatization are becoming normalized.

The President of the Central African Republic briefed the Security Council today on the latest developments in his country, detailing a national reconciliation plan to expand his authority and move the nation towards rebuilding its security sector, restoring justice and reaching out to armed groups.