The Secretary-General spoke today at the Security Council’s open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. He noted that despite efforts, civilians continued to bear the brunt of conflict around the world, and outlined three clear ways to improve their protection.
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Noon Briefings
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, expressed serious concern today at the mass hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons that began 38 days ago and has yet to be resolved. He is especially alarmed by reports of Israel’s punitive measures against the hunger strikers.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attack in Manchester last night, and expresses his profound sympathy and solidarity with the people and Government of the United Kingdom. He hopes that those responsible for this despicable attack will be swiftly found and brought to justice.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned following the military escalation at the Brak al-Shati air base in southern Libya. He calls on all parties to exercise restraint and restore calm, and said that the continued insecurity in the country is a reminder that there is no military solution.
Almost 3,000 migrants were rescued yesterday, after trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration, which said several ships were involved in more than a dozen rescue operations. The total number of casualties is not yet known.
Medical experts are racing the clock to contain the Ebola outbreak in the remote Likati Health Zone area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo bordering the Central African Republic, the World Health Organization said today. The Zone is 1,400 kilometres from Kinshasa and 350 kilometres from Kisangani, the nearest major town.
The Secretary-General welcomed the return of calm in Côte d’Ivoire following the unacceptable acts of violence committed by soldiers of the Forces Armées de Côte d’Ivoire over the past few days. He commends the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for its efforts to address the unrest and restore security.
The United Nations refugee agency reports from Yemen that continuing fighting in Taizz has displaced nearly 50,000 people since the beginning of 2017, in addition to the 3 million already uprooted since the conflict started, of whom 2 million remain displaced and 1 million have returned home to precarious conditions.
Intense violence in the city of Bangassou in south-eastern Central African Republic since Friday sparked by an assault by unidentified gunmen in Tokoyo district, home mainly to the Muslim population, has forced more than 3,000 people to flee their homes. Two flights carrying emergency relief supplies are scheduled for Tuesday.
United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix is expected shortly in Bangui, Central African Republic, where he will participate in a memorial ceremony for the five peacekeepers killed during the attack in Bangassou this week, joining the President of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister and Cabinet members.