Dec 14, 2016 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council today .... South Sudan teeters on the brink of disast
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UN Daily News Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Issue DH/7306
In the headlines: • Security Council ‘strongest when united,’ says
• Northeast Nigeria: 400,000 children could suffer
• Central African Republic: Arbitrary killings, sexual
• More than 5 per cent of world’s oceans now
Secretary-General as he bids farewell
violence cited in new UN human rights report
• Syrian Government ‘palpably failing’ to ensure safety of its people – UN human rights chief
•
UN rights chief urges establishment of hybrid court for atrocities in South Sudan
from malnutrition – UN
protected with more commitments underway – UN Environment
• UN agency reports growth in wood production;
demand for bioenergy, as housing markets recover
• Gambia: UN chief 'dismayed' at military takeover of electoral commission
Security Council ‘strongest when united,’ says SecretaryGeneral as he bids farewell 14 December – In its farewell to the outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Security Council today acknowledged his contribution to international peace, security and development, in particular his exceptional efforts to solve international problems in economic, social, environmental and cultural fields. Adopting a resolution by acclamation, the Council also acknowledged his endeavours to meet humanitarian needs and to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. “As Secretary-General, you have succeeded in ensuring that the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) speaks at a ceremony to Organization took advantage of the technological advances and unveil his official portrait, as his tenure draws to a close at the end of prepared itself to meet the challenges of continued globalization, the year. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe technological change and emerging new threats,” said Román Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain), President of the Council for December, underscoring that today’s world was very different from that of ten years ago. Quoting Miguel de Cervantes, he added: “Good deeds never lack a reward.” Mr. Marchesi went on to highlight Ban’s remarkable successes, namely the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the establishment of the Human Rights Council and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN-Women, along with the appointment of the first Special Envoy on Youth. In a similar resolution earlier this week, the General Assembly paid a tribute to Mr. Ban for his “never-tiring service to
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humanity” over the past decade. In response to today’s Council action, Mr. Ban expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served the United Nations over the past ten years. He spoke of the Council’s successes, including its decision to establish the Force Intervention Brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the integral role of the United Nations in securing peace in Nepal – particularly during its 2008 election, as well as creating greater stability in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. My deepest regret on leaving office is the continuing nightmare in Syria He also highlighted a stronger partnership with the African Union and mainstreaming women, peace, and security into the Council’s agenda – particularly with regards to its decision to address sexual violence in conflict. “I encourage the Council to continue its very important work in this regard and I know that my successor, António Guterres, will be a most determined ally,” said Mr. Ban, who will step down on 31 December. He emphasized that “the Council is strongest when it is united,” citing examples of successful initiatives including the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria and the UN’s emergency response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Mr. Ban noted, however, that a lack of unity has proven to be profound, even catastrophic in the case of South Sudan. “However,” he said, “my deepest regret on leaving office is the continuing nightmare in Syria. I once again plead with all of you to cooperate and fulfil your collective responsibility to protect Syrian civilians.” Throughout the day, Mr. Ban participated in events to commemorate the end of his tenure, including a town hall meeting with UN staff from around the world, and the unveiling of his portrait by the Korean artist Lee Won-Hee that will hang alongside those of his predecessors in the Secretariat lobby.
“I have come to understand our values as a unique and precious well – the more one draws from it, the deeper it gets. Above all, I thank all the partners who have made the past ten years full of meaning and purpose. I salute each and every one of them for the picture they are painting every day – of a world with more justice, more dignity, and more opportunity for all,” he said during the unveiling of his portrait.
Central African Republic: Arbitrary killings, sexual violence cited in new UN human rights report 14 December – Central African Republic: Arbitrary killings, sexual violence cited in new UN human rights report Violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law in the Central African Republic (CAR), which include arbitrary killings, sexual violence and inhuman treatment, continue to plague the country, according to a United Nations report published today.
Displaced children seek safety with their families in a churchyard in Kaga Bandoro, Central African Republic. Photo: UNICEF/Daniel Timme
During the period covered, which includes the final six months of the Transitional Government, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINU SCA) recorded 1,301 cases of human rights violations and abuses affecting at least 2,473 victims throughout the country, including 1,000 men, 261 women, 91 boys and 67 girls, with a further 808 unidentified adults and 246 victims whose age and gender could not be fully verified.
“Notorious criminals and killers must be brought to justice, no matter what group they belong to, both to halt their UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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depredations and to provide deterrence,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on 4 September 2015 in Bangui in a statement featured at the beginning of the “Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Central African Republic from 01 June 2015 – 31 March 2016.” The report describes violations and abuses, such as arbitrary deprivation of liberty, destruction and confiscation of property, and restrictions on the right to freedom of movement. It confirmed that the main perpetrators continued to be armed elements from the Anti-Balaka, ex-Séléka, the Front démocratique du peuple centrafricain, Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and Fulani affiliated with Retour réclamation et réhabilitation and the Révolution et Justice. During the reporting period, the LRA increased its criminal activities in the southeast CAR. Government security and defence forces were also responsible for arbitrary killings, ill-treatment and arbitrary arrest and detention. The report highlights that the protection of civilians was hampered by the very limited presence of State institutions, particularly outside of Bangui. This situation has had a negative impact on the fight against impunity, as those responsible for grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law have not been held accountable. The report, which MINUSCA released during a time of marked escalation of violence by armed groups in the eastern, central and western parts of the country, makes recommendations to the authorities and international community to strengthen the fight against impunity in the country. Since August 2016, the UN Mission has recorded an alarming increase in the number of incidents of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by the different factions of the ex-Séléka, the Anti-Balaka, and their affiliates, which have resulted in at least 100 killings, forced civilian displacement and the destruction of property. The incidents have particularly affected Kaga Bandoro and Bria. In addition to their violent attacks, armed groups throughout the country have continued to occupy schools, establish illegal checkpoints, and arbitrarily deprive civilians of their liberty. Despite peaceful elections and a legitimate government, civilian protection continues to be hampered by limited State authority, particularly in the areas affected by the recent escalation of violence. Perpetrators of grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law continue to benefit from widespread impunity. MINUSCA and members of the international community will continue to support the extension of State authority and to end impunity through the establishment of the Special Criminal Court.
Syrian Government ‘palpably failing’ to ensure safety of its people – UN human rights chief 14 December – Expressing shock at the apparent collapse of a deal enabling evacuation of thousands of civilians from eastern Aleppo, the United Nations human right chief said today that the resumption of extremely heavy bombardment by Syrian Government forces and their allies on civilian-populated areas “is almost certainly a violation of international law and most likely constitutes war crimes.” “The way this deal was dangled in front of this battered and beleaguered population – causing them to hope they might indeed live to see another day – and then snatched away just half a day later is also outrageously cruel,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein said in a statement issued by his Office (OHCHR). A woman and her children wait for transportation in Aleppo, Syria. Photo: OCHA/L. Tom
“Any evacuation of the civilians in eastern Aleppo must be carried out in compliance with international law. The Syrian Government has a clear responsibility to ensure its people are safe, and is palpably failing to take this opportunity to do so,” he added, citing UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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that the buses ferrying evacuees were reportedly blocked by pro-Government militia. The agreement was there, the buses were in place, the first convoy had set off and was then reportedly blocked by proGovernment militia. In the statement, the top UN human rights official also emphasized the obligation of the Syrian Government to provide medical assistance to all sick and wounded people – civilians and fighters alike. Also today, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria said that numerous reports of human rights violations perpetrated by pro-Government forces continue to emerge, including summary executions, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and forced conscription. In a statement today, the Commission said the “Syrian Government in concert with allied forces now exercise effective control over eastern Aleppo, and therefore bear the primary responsibility for preventing such violations, including possible acts of reprisals.” “Commanders within their ranks must ensure discipline of their troops, as well as hold transgressors to account,” it stressed. It added that it also received allegations of opposition groups, including the terrorist group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and Ahrar al-Sham preventing civilians from leaving as well as opposition fighters embedding themselves within the civilian population, thus heightening the risk to civilians of being killed or injured. The Commission further added the “unrelenting bombardment” over eastern Aleppo since July had devastated all remaining pockets held by armed groups. “Health facilities have all but vanished due to airstrikes, often targeted in order to devastate civilian infrastructure. Severe shortages of food and plunging temperatures have additionally contributed to the loss of civilian life, particularly amongst infants,” it noted. Underscoring the need to discourage the “illusion that military victory is still possible,” the Commission emphasized: “All States with influence over the warring parties are aware that a return to political negotiations is critical to prevent further massive loss of innocent lives.”
UN rights chief urges establishment of hybrid court for atrocities in South Sudan 14 December – The United Nations human rights chief today urged the African Union to quickly establish the hybrid court for South Sudan to investigate and prosecute those bearing criminal responsibility for the atrocities. “The knowledge that accountability structures exist and will be deployed against the perpetrators of mass atrocities can have real preventive impact,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, told the Human Rights Council during its 26th special session.
Thousands of internally displaced people gather at Emmanuel Church Compound in Yei, South Sudan. Photo: UNHCR/Rocco Nuri
Convening a special session requires the support of one-third of the 47 members of the Council. A letter requesting the session by a core group of States reads “a special session is needed because of the importance and the urgency of this situation.”
The hybrid court – which will combine elements of both domestic and international law and be composed of personnel from South Sudan and abroad – is envisaged in the peace agreement signed by warring parties in August 2015. UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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Expressing support from his Office (OHCHR), Mr. Zeid said that the tribunal should have a strong focus on command responsibility for atrocities, including conflict related sexual violence and ethnically based violence. Mr. Zeid noted that the people of South Sudan have by now endured three full years of wanton conflict. “Killings, sexual violence, ill-treatment, abductions, forcible recruitment and the looting and destruction of homes and villages are taking place on a massive scale across many parts of the country,” he said, adding that many fear conditions are in place for the conflict to take on a stronger ethnic dimension and escalate into massive and generalised violence. Regarding sexual violence, he said that gang rape on such a scale is not the act of a few “rogue elements” as the authorities frequently imply. All armed actors in the country appear to be responsible, he added, urging close examination by relevant mechanisms of issues of command responsibility within both Government forces and the SPLA. “With the beginning of the dry season, South Sudan teeters on the brink of disaster,” he said, explaining that weather conditions mean unidentified armed groups, militia and bandits can roam more swiftly across the landscape and there is high potential for clashes between Government forces and armed group fighters on multiple fronts. Many South Sudanese have lost faith in the peace process, but when some local leaders have intervened to halt hate speech, this has led to decreasing threats of violence, he added. “In other words, there may still be some space for consequential action to pull the country back from a worst-case scenario – and this Council has the opportunity for real impact,” he said, urging the 47-member body to use all possible means within its remit to discourage violence and push for peaceful dialogue in South Sudan. Also addressing the Council was Adama Dieng, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, briefed on his recent visit to the country. He said what he saw and heard there confirmed his concerns that there is a strong – even imminent - risk of violence escalating along ethnic lines, with the potential for genocide. “With the stalling of the implementation of the peace agreement […], all of the ingredients exist for a dangerous escalation of violence. There is both motivation and the means,” he warned, calling on the international and regional community to take robust measures to address the situation. “Genocide is a process; it does not happen overnight. And because it is a process, and one that takes time to prepare, it can be prevented. There are steps that should be taken now, without delay,” he said. The Chairperson of the Council-mandated Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, Yasmin Sooka, also delivered a statement. At the meeting, the Council adopted a resolution condemning the violations of human rights and
international humanitarian law in South Sudan by all parties.
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Northeast Nigeria: 400,000 children could suffer from malnutrition – UN 14 December – With about two-thirds of health facilities in parts of Nigeria’s restive north-east region either completely destroyed or partially damaged, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has estimated that 400,000 children there could suffer from severe acute malnutrition over the next year. “If they do not receive the treatment they need, 1 in 5 of these children will die. Cases of diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia are on the rise, further endangering children’s lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake in a statement today.
A 7 month old boy is assessed for malnutrition by a UNICEF Nutrition Officer at a UNICEF-supported health clinic at Muna Garage IDP camp, Maiduguri, Borno State, northeast Nigeria. Photo: UNICEF/Katerina Vittozzi
“These figures represent only a fraction of the suffering. Large areas of Borno state are completely inaccessible to any kind of humanitarian assistance. We are extremely concerned about the children trapped in these areas,” he added.
According to UNICEF, in the worst affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, farming has been disrupted and crops destroyed, food reserves depleted and often pillaged, and livestock killed or abandoned. The impact on children is devastating […] what is already a crisis can become a catastrophe UNICEF head Anthony Lake Mr. Lake added that UNICEF programmes on vaccinations, safe water and sanitation, and treatment for acutely malnourished children are making a difference in the areas it is able to reach but these are “nowhere close to enough.” “Without adequate resources and without safe access, we and our partners will be unable to reach children whose lives are at imminent risk,” he warned. Meanwhile, the UN health agency reported that of the 743 health facilities in Borno state, 35 per cent are completely destroyed, 29 per cent partially damaged and only 34 per cent intact. Of the 481 health facilities not destroyed, 31 per cent of them are not functioning, mostly as a result of lack of access due to insecurity. Almost 60 per cent of health facilities have no access to safe water (32 per cent have no access to any water at all) and 3 out of 4 facilities do not have enough chlorine stocks to decontaminate the water used in the facility. “High insecurity, difficult terrain and lack of health workers, medicines, equipment and basic amenities such as safe water are making access to essential, lifesaving health care extremely difficult for people in this conflict-affected area,” said the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Wondi Alemu, in a news release. In response to the crisis, WHO along with its partners has been supporting the Nigerian government to provide essential lifesaving health services, gather and analyse key health information, and prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks. Additionally, about 100 temporary health facilities have been set up to support the response, of which 49 are emergency clinics for displaced people living in camps. However, the UN health agency said that more resources are needed. “The UN and partners need $94 million to provide health services to 6 million people, more than half of them children,” it noted in the release, adding: “Of this [we] need $31 million to deliver on [our] response plans in 2017.” UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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More than 5 per cent of world’s oceans now protected with more commitments underway – UN Environment 14 December – Since April, an unprecedented 3.6 million square kilometres of ocean – an area larger than India – have been designated as marine protected areas (MPAs), meaning for the first time, more than 5% of the world’s oceans are now protected. “The establishment of so many new protected areas is tremendous news and should give those fighting tirelessly to conserve the world’s oceans and seas an enormous sense of achievement,” announced Erik Solheim, head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
By absorbing much of the added heat trapped by atmospheric greenhouse gases, the oceans are delaying some of the impacts of climate change. Photo: WMO/Olga Khoroshunova
Meanwhile, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is meeting this week in Mexico, is calling for the world to protect 10 per cent of its coastal and marine areas by 2020. That goal is part of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and has now been exceeded.
Thanks to the recent creation of five “mega MPAs,” off the coasts of Chile, Palau, Hawaii, and the Pitcairn Islands and St. Helena’s in the South Atlantic, the global total percentage of protected seas is now 12.7 per cent. Mr. Solheim urged stakeholders to remember that “the Aichi Biodiversity Targets also call for countries to focus their conservation efforts on the areas of greatest biodiversity. It is not just about the size of the area under protection, but also about where these zones are located and how strong that protection really is.” As part of the effort to emphasize the importance of protecting the Antarctic seas, during the conference, UNEP Patron of Oceans and endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh announced his campaign, Antarctica 2020, which aims to secure MPAs in vulnerable areas of Antarctica over the next three years. The campaign builds off the momentum of the recent Ross Sea victory, which together with the three targeted areas would bring the total protected area in the Antarctic to nearly 7 million square kilometres – an area the size of Australia. “We have entered a new area of uncertainty, with many hard-fought conservation achievements now under threat. It’s time to build on our recent success in the Ross Sea. With public support, I believe we can achieve the most ambitious ocean protection plan in history,” said Mr. Pugh as he spoke from Antarctica’s Bellingshausen Sea, where he is undertaking a swim in freezing waters to bring global attention to oceanic protection. During the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cancun, Mexico pledged to preserve an additional 650,000 square kilometres of land and sea – roughly 25 per cent of its territorial waters. The commitment includes establishing the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve, an area of 57,000 square kilometres. Rafael Pacchiano Alamán, president of the conference, hailed the country’s decision: “Mexico wants to send a clear signal on the urgency to meet the Aichi Targets by taking unprecedented actions to preserve marine and terrestrial ecosystems.” He added that the country had “surpassed its commitment to achieve the Aichi goals for marine areas and is on track to achieve land protected areas.” Other pledges from the conference included Cambodia’s commitment to nearly double its number of protected areas, which now include one-third of the country’s land. The United Arab Emirates also indicated its intention to declare 18 new protected areas, four of which are marine. According to new figures released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, today there are 14,859 MPAs covering 18.5 million square kilometres of ocean and sea. UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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However, both organizations warned that there is an unequal representation of ecosystems and areas rich in biodiversity; according to the 2016 Protected Planet report, only one third of the world’s marine ecoregions offer more than 10 per cent of their areas protection. More than three billion people depend on marine and coastal diversity for their livelihoods. When managed correctly, MPAs can boost the abundance of fish and increase biodiversity.
UN agency reports growth in wood production; demand for bioenergy, as housing markets recover 14 December – According to new data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global production of wood products has been increasing for the past six years, while wood trade saw a slight decline. “Our data registers a healthy growth in the global production of wood products and a rapid growth in production and trade of relatively new products […] indicating that the forest industry is adapting to changes and has huge potential to become a key player in emerging bioeconomies,” said Mats Nordberg, FAO Senior Forestry Officer. The data also suggests that the growth in the production volume ranged from between one to eight per cent, and was mainly triggered by the continuous economic development in Asia, a recovering housing market in North America, and expansion of the bioenergy targets.
Workers stack wood cut at a processing facility near Kisumu, Kenya. Photo: World Bank/Peter Kapuscinski
In addition, FAO reported a small decrease in global trade value of wood and paper products from $267 billion in 2014 to $236 billion last year. The wood pellet production in Europe has grown in the last decade, due to a high demand for bioenergy, reaching 28 million tonnes, which represents an eight per cent increase from the previous year, and 47 per cent increase from 2012. According to the agency, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania produced and exported 3 million tonnes of pellets in 2015, overtaking Germany and Canada. The global markets of wood pellets were dominated by Europe and North America, with the US and Canada accounting for over one-third of global pellet production, and the UK, Denmark and Italy accounting for some 80 per cent of global pellet imports (UK alone 52 per cent). FAO has also incorporated global figures on Oriented Strand Board (OSB), a type of wood panel commonly used in construction, in its statistical database. “Increased use of modern wood-based building materials and energy assortments can contribute to lower net carbon dioxide emissions,” said Mr. Nordberg. The numbers have also shown a fall in production of graphic paper for publishing and writing from 2.3 per cent or by 3 million tonnes in just one year, reaching its lowest level since 1999. This decrease reflects a widespread global shift towards electronic media and mobile technology. “FAO’s database on wood production provides a crucial tool in the context of measuring progress towards targets set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, since it can help countries enable sustainable forest management and scale up forestry's greenhouse gas mitigation potential,” added Mr. Nordberg. The FAO’s wood products statistics from 1961 onwards are now available in a new and more user-friendly format in the FAOSTAT database. UN News Centre • www.un.org/news
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Gambia: UN chief 'dismayed' at military takeover of electoral commission 14 December – Expressing dismay at the takeover of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) premises by the military in Gambia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the security forces to immediately vacate the Commission and to refrain from any further acts that could jeopardise efforts towards the peaceful transfer of power. “This action violates the independent status of the Commission under the Gambian constitution, and could compromise the sensitive electoral material under the IEC's custody,” said Mr. Ban, according to a statement issued by his office. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Mark Garten (file) “He condemns this outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people and defiance towards the international community at a time when a high-level Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation was in the country to broker a peaceful transfer of power,” the statement added.
It further noted that the UN chief reiterated his call for a peaceful, timely, and orderly transfer of power, in full respect of the will of the Gambian people as expressed in the presidential election. On Saturday, Mr. Ban as well as the UN Security Council had expressed concerns at the outgoing Gambian President's rejection of the outcome of the election and had urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from violence and remain calm. The UN chief had, in particular, urged the country's defence and security forces, to refrain from any statements or actions that may lead to violence or unrest.
The UN Daily News is prepared at UN Headquarters in New York by the News Services Section of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information (DPI)
