Meetings Coverage

Expressing regret that individuals affiliated with the Government of Sudan and armed groups continued to perpetrate violence against civilians in Darfur, the Security Council today decided to extend until 17 February 2013 the mandate of the Panel of Experts that monitors the arms embargo and sanctions imposed on those impeding peace in Sudan, while tightening the measures involved.

Wrapping up what its Chairperson described as “another tough and highly intense” session, the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today adopted its draft 2012 report and took action on a number of outstanding matters.

Strongly condemning continued widespread and systematic human rights violations by the Syrian authorities, the General Assembly today voted overwhelmingly to call on both the Government and allied forces and armed groups “to stop all violence or reprisals immediately”. Adopting an Arab-backed resolution by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to 12 against, with 17 abstentions, the Assembly expressed grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Syria.

On the heels of his visit to the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that he would “spare no effort” in helping Israelis and Palestinians arrive at a new and better future, as he opened the 2012 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

Expressing outrage at the Syrian Government’s violent 11-month crackdown on opposition protesters, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights told the General Assembly today that credible reports of “serious violations” — including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, arbitrary detention and torture — pointed to possible crimes against humanity and required an immediate international response.

Concluding its fiftieth session today, the Commission for Social Development recommended seven draft resolutions for adoption by the Economic and Social Council, covering topics that ranged from the mainstreaming of disability into the international development agenda, to the priority theme for the next session.

The President of the Economic and Social Council today outlined the arrangements for the 54-member body’s annual Philanthropy event set to take place Monday, 27 February.

In a brief meeting today, the Commission for Social Development considered a proposed programme of work for the Division for Social Policy and Development for the biennium 2014-2015, which was to be “more precise, transparent, and measurable” than in previous years.

Fragile calm had been restored in Kosovo following the 2011 clashes over crossing points and other issues, but real political progress demanded a thorough re-examination and better cohesion among all international efforts as the European Union stepped forward in a leadership role, a senior United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council today.