The Special Envoy for Yemen briefed the Security Council this morning and said that what the country is witnessing today contravenes commitments made by the parties to the United Nations to peace. He said that the security situation is dire, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate despite efforts of the humanitarian agencies.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
At a Security Council debate today on cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, the Secretary-General spoke about the International Criminal Court and noted concerns about the Court’s work, including the idea that it has convicted only Africans despite evidence of crimes in other parts of the world.
The Secretary-General is appalled by reports of attacks that killed students and teachers in a school complex in Haas village, Idlib governorate, Syria, on 26 October. He calls for immediate and impartial investigation of this and other similar attacks against civilians in Syria.
The Secretary-General condemned the recent outbreak of violence in the Central African Republic, which resulted in the deaths of at least four civilians and the injuring of a further nine. He reiterated that the UN Mission will take all measures, in line with its mandate, to protect civilians and foster stability.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned today that rising ethnic rhetoric, hate speech and incitement to violence against certain ethnic groups in South Sudan could result in mass atrocities if not reined. He urged President Salva Kiir and other leaders to condemn the incitement and defuse tensions.
As the United Nations turns 71 today, Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a proclamation this morning declaring 24 October as UN Day across New York City and recognizing the Organization “for the indelible impact it has made in our great city and our world”.
The Secretary-General urged all parties concerned to extend their full cooperation with the Syria Board of Inquiry, which will begin its work on 24 October to ascertain facts of the incident involving a United Nations–Syrian Arab Red Crescent relief operation in Urum al-Kubra, Syria, in September.
Humanitarian partners continue aid deliveries to devastated areas in Les Cayes, in Haiti and access to remote communities is improving. On Wednesday, the World Food Programme distributed more food to affected families and the World Health Organization and partners brought medical kits to the remote village of Randell.
For the first time since 25 September, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy is on its way to deliver much-needed aid to Duma, a besieged town in East Ghouta, in rural Damascus. The convoy is carrying food, health, water and other emergency supplies for 35,000 people.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, announced a plan for the resumption of a Cessation of Hostilities, which would enter into force 19 October. The Special Envoy had received assurances from all Yemeni parties to their recommitment to the April Cessation of Hostilities agreement.