The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan briefed the Security Council today on the elections in that country. He said that the way the two presidential candidates and the country’s leadership manage the events that are unfolding will be vital to Afghanistan’s unity and stability.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq released new casualty numbers today saying that more than 1,000 people have been killed in June so far. At least 757 people were killed and nearly 600 were injured due to the conflict in Nineveh, Diyala and Salah al-Din Provinces. The number includes verified summary executions and extrajudicial killings.
The Secretary-General is concerned by recent court decisions in Egypt, particularly the confirmation of death sentences for 183 people and the sentencing of journalists to lengthy jail terms. The proceedings clearly appear not to meet fair trial standards, particularly those resulting in the imposition of the death penalty, and are likely to undermine prospects for long-term stability.
Speaking at the Asia Society, the Secretary-General presented his priorities for the way forward in Syria: end the violence; protect the people and their human rights; start a serious political process; hold accountable perpetrators of serious crimes; conclude chemical weapons destruction; and address the conflict’s regional dimensions.
The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq reports that the deteriorating situation in Mosul and surrounding areas continues to cause more displacement. UNICEF reports that at least half of the people displaced, an estimated 250,000 of them, are children. Many need water and sanitation support, immunization against polio and measles, and protection services.
The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations briefed the Security Council on the situation in Mali. He noted the general insecurity in northern Mali and said there had been little progress towards a real, substantive dialogue. He added that this had led to the sharp deterioration of the security situation in Kidal, where armed groups had now assumed effective control of the town.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan strongly condemned today the continued targeted killings of election workers in the wake of the second round of the presidential election. Victims include two employees of the Independent Election Commission in the southern province of Helmand. Eight Commission workers were also killed by a remote-controlled improvised explosive device.
The Secretary-General congratulated the Afghan people for exercising their right to vote in the Presidential run-off. He added that, moving forward, it is critical that Afghanistan preserves the unity, optimism and spirit of inclusiveness reflected in Saturday’s vote.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has expressed extreme alarm at the dramatic deterioration of the situation in Iraq, including reports of summary executions and extrajudicial killings, and the UN Refugee Agency is concerned about the shortage of shelter as the displacement numbers increase.
The Secretary-General condemned the upsurge in violence in Iraq at the hands of terrorist groups. He said that terrorism must not be allowed to succeed in undoing the path towards democracy, and urged the international community to unite in showing solidarity with Iraq as it confronts this serious security challenge.