Security Council

4725^th Meeting* (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS WESTERN SAHARA MISSION UNTIL 31 MAY,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1469 (2003)

The Security Council this afternoon extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 May.

Economic and Social Council

2003 Organizational Session

6^th Meeting (AM)

MEMBERS OF ECOSOC NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE APPOINTED; WILL MEET 26 MARCH

TO CONSIDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN UN, WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION

FOREIGN MINISTER OF FRANCE TO COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS:

WORLD IS LIVING DRAMATIC EVENTS WITH IRAQ CRISIS

Commission Continues to Debate Right of Peoples to Self-Determination

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 24 March (UN Information Service) -- Dominique de Villepin, the French Foreign Minister, this morning told the Commission on Human Rights that the world was living dramatic events with regard to the crisis in Iraq.

EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT WORLD UN STAFF FACE THREATS, ASSAULTS, ABUSE

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY DAY

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, observed 25 March:

‘GARDEN OF EDEN’ IN SOUTHERN IRAQ LIKELY TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY

IN FIVE YEARS UNLESS URGENT ACTION TAKEN

UNEP Says Post-War Rehabilitation Should Include

Marshlands of Mesopotamia for Sake of People and Wildlife

(Reissued as received.)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TAKES UP DISCUSSION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 24 March (UN Information Service) -- The Commission on Human Rights began this afternoon its annual discussion of racism and racial discrimination, hearing a number of requests from national delegations for more vigorous efforts to implement the Declaration and Programme of Action of the Durban World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BEGINS WITH SAFEGUARDING HEALTH OF EVERY CHILD,

SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL ON WORLD HEALTH DAY

Following is the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on World Health Day, which is observed 7 April:

Healthy children are crucial to sustainable development.  That is why this year's World Health Day carries the theme “Shape the Future of Life:  Healthy Environment for Children”.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS MASSACRE OF 24 KASHMIRI HINDUS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms as a cowardly act of terrorism yesterday’s massacre of 24 Kashmiri Hindus, including women and children, that took place near the town of Shopian in Kashmir.  He sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

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COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERS REPORT OF HIGH

COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

High Commissioner Urges All Parties in Iraq

Conflict to Respect Human Rights Norms at all Times

(Reissued as received.)

UNFPA PREPARES TO AID PREGNANT IRAQI WOMEN

(Reissued as received.)

NEW YORK, 21 March (UNFPA) -- To protect the health of pregnant women displaced by the war in Iraq, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has put essential medical supplies and equipment in place inside the country and at sites in neighbouring countries where refugees are anticipated.