The United Nations in Myanmar has welcomed the release of 68 children and young people from the Myanmar armed forces. Today’s development follows the release of 42 children and young people exactly one month ago and is the fourth under an action plan agreed between the UN team on the ground and the Government.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General spoke this morning at a Security Council open debate on cooperation between United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. He said that regional and subregional organizations have deep knowledge, unique insights and strong local networks, while the United Nations adds to this equation its universal membership and legitimacy.
The Secretary-General, in an interactive dialogue, said today that his Youth Envoy was working with the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development to bring all parts of the Organization together under an action plan for youth. For the first time, the UN system will have a common strategy for youth development.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said claims that armed opposition groups in Syria killed dozens of Government soldiers captured after a battle in Khan Al-Assal in July are deeply shocking. She urged a thorough, independent investigation to establish whether war crimes had been committed.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said today that more than 1,000 Iraqis were killed and more than 2,300 wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in July. Acting Head of the Mission says he has not seen such numbers in more than five years, and he urged immediate and decisive action to stop the bloodshed.
A message of the Secretary-General delivered by the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Mary Robinson, expresses concern at continuing reports of serious human rights violations and calls on all armed groups to fully disarm, and on all parties to fully respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Security Council wrapped up its scheduled work for July today by extending the mandates of three United Nations missions: the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur until 31 August 2014; the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire until 30 June 2014; and, by a 13-0-2 vote, the UN Force in Cyprus until 31 January 2014.
Meeting with Tzipi Livni today, Israel’s Justice Minister and Chief Negotiator, the Secretary-General voiced strong support for the resumption of talks to achieve the two-State solution and encouraged further positive steps by both sides.
Today in South Africa, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay joined Archbishop Desmond Tutu to launch the United Nations Free and Equal Campaign, aimed at raising awareness of homophobic violence and discrimination, and promoting respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The Secretary-General met with United States Secretary of State John Kerry this morning. In remarks to the press before that meeting, he reported that the head of the chemical weapons investigation team and the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs had just met with senior officials of the Syrian Government to discuss the modalities of the investigation. He would have a report shortly.