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.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
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.
According to the United Nations refugee agency, thousands have fled Mosul, Iraq, with an estimated 100,000 people entering Erbil and another 200,000 in Dohuk. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says resources are extremely limited, with only 10 per cent of the required $103 million in donor funding received.
The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the serious deterioration of the security situation in Mosul, Iraq, where thousands of civilians have been displaced in the recent violence. He urges all political leaders to show national unity against the threats facing Iraq, which can only be addressed on the basis of the Constitution and within the democratic political process.
The Secretary-General today, speaking at the General Assembly event on human rights and rule of law in the post-2015 development agenda, said they are central to eradicate extreme poverty and close social and economic gaps — both as a means and an end. He said all human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.