The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, welcomed the decision by Pfizer to prevent the use of its drugs for executions. He said it is heartening to see companies helping to further the trend towards ending use of the death penalty, and urged States not to seek the drugs from questionable sources.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The United Nations refugee agency launched a new global campaign today called “Nobody Left Outside”, which aims to overcome a half-billion-dollar deficit in funding to provide shelter for refugees under its care, and thereby tackle one of the largest global displacement crises since the Second World War.
Special Representative Ján Kubiš strongly condemned terrorist suicide bombings today that targeted Baghdad’s north-eastern Shaab neighbourhood, Sadr City and the southern Al-Rasheed neighbourhood, killing or wounding many civilians, including women and children. More attacks were reportedly foiled by security forces.
United Nations and humanitarian partners say that more than 118,000 people have fled conflict in Afghanistan the first four months of 2016. The Common Humanitarian Fund has allocated $20 million towards providing emergency trauma services, as well as lifesaving aid for displaced communities.
Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Atul Khare and Special Coordinator on Improving the United Nations Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Jane Holl Lute briefed a General Assembly meeting today on the subject, saying more resources were needed to help victims and citing progress in some areas of support.
About 80,000 people have been newly displaced by escalating armed conflict in Iraq since the beginning of March, as military operations by Iraqi security forces and allied armed groups intensify against Da’esh. New displacement has occurred in the Anbar corridor, the Mosul corridor and in northern Salah al-Din.
Winding up a visit to Madagascar today, the Secretary-General met with the President to discuss the country’s political situation and encourage continued dialogue and national reconciliation. He also addressed a joint congress, urging parliamentarians to fight corruption and endangered species’ trafficking.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today expressed concern about alleged violations committed by Turkish military and security forces in the south-east over the past months, including a deadly fire that killed 100 people in shelters. He urged authorities to give investigators full access to the area.
The Office of the Special Envoy for Yemen confirmed that the parties had resumed discussions today at the working group level. Talks in the three working groups dealing with political issues, security issues and prisoners are ongoing in Kuwait and being held under United Nations auspices.
The Secretary-General today established the United Nations Zika Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund to finance critical unfunded priorities in response to the Zika outbreak. The Fund will provide a rapid, flexible and accountable platform to support a coordinated response from the United Nations system and its partners.