UN Daily News Issue DH/7117 Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Transcription

1 For updates and alerts, visit UN NEWS CENTRE at UN Daily News Issue DH/7117 Wednesday, 16 March 2016 In the headlines: UN Women chief, Canadian Prime Minister spotlight need to build global movement for gender equality Deploring airstrikes in Yemen, Ban urges conflict parties to cease all military activities, begin dialogue On eve of migration summit, UN rights expert urges EU countries to revisit border controls UN agency launches food voucher scheme for families in Yemen On visit to Central African Republic, UN rights expert urges support for new Government In Greece, UN envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt shines light on emergency response for thousands of refugees Myanmar: UN chief welcomes election of first civilian President in more than 50 years UN Women chief, Canadian Prime Minister spotlight need to build global movement for gender equality News anchor Sade Baderinwa (centre), moderates a dialogue on gender equality between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada (left), and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women. UN Photo/Mark Garten 16 March During a conversation on how to achieve gender equality on the sidelines of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the Prime Minister of Canada and the head of UN Women the United Nations entity tasked with promoting gender rights highlighted that the movement needs to involve everyone in society, not just women. We tried a lot of things. We know what works, we know what doesn t work, we know where we need to go, and this is the time to act, the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka, told hundreds of participants at the high-level event, which includes a panel discussion on action needed for equal pay. Thousands of women representing hundreds of non-governmental organizations have been at UN Headquarters in New York since Monday for the 60th session of CWS, an annual two-week event which is this year focused on women s empowerment and its link to sustainable development. At the conversation moderated by journalist Sade Baderinwa, of ABC News New York, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said collaboration between UN Women and Prime Ministers like Justin Trudeau could help more women access leadership positions. Today, only 22 per cent of the world s parliamentarians are women. Those who have authority and power especially, they must lead from the front. The Prime Minister [Justin Trudeau] was able to appoint a cabinet. It s not in his power to have a Parliament that is representative but he has authority to appoint a cabinet that is representative. So, leaders must use the authority that they have because you re there for a reason, to For information media - not an official record

2 UN Daily News March 2016 make the world better, and UN Women insists on that she said. Mr. Trudeau said one of the reasons why people have been paying attention to him is because he s just one of the first leaders from a younger generation to take the stage. I m going to keep saying loud and clearly that I am a feminist until it is met with a shrug, he exclaimed. Why [is it that] every time I say I m a feminist the twitterverse explodes and news and media pick it up it shouldn t be something that creates a reaction. It simply is saying I believe in the equality of men and women, and I believe we still have an awful lot of work to do to get there. Mr. Trudeau told the audience that his commitment to gender equality comes from the way he was raised, by a father who had a deep fundamental respect for rights and freedoms, and a mother who struggled with bi-polar disorder, later becoming an activist on mental health issues and women s rights. One of the highlights of the event was Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka officially inviting Mr. Trudeau to be a leading actor of the HeForShe movement, launched by UN Women more than a year ago to mobilize people of every gender identity to unite and craft a shared vision of a gender equal world. I take this as a challenge to step up even further, the Prime Minister said, after Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka pinned his jacket with the movement s official logo. Concluding the conversation, the Executive Director stressed that in 2016, it s time for the next United Nations Secretary- General to be a woman, while Prime Minister Trudeau said that next year at CSW, the space to have these discussions should be bigger in order to include more men in addition to a large female turnout. Deploring airstrikes in Yemen, Ban urges conflict parties to cease all military activities, begin dialogue This building in Yemen was destroyed by airstrikes. Photo: OCHA/P. Kropf 16 March Condemning the airstrikes that hit a market in northern Yemen yesterday, reportedly killing and wounding scores of civilians, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has underscored that attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, including populated markets, are strictly prohibited. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban condemned the airstrikes that hit al-khamees market in Mastaba district in the Hajjah province of Yemen yesterday. This incident is one of the deadliest reportedly killing and wounding scores of civilians, including women and children since the start of the conflict. This is the second major incident of this kind in just over two weeks, said the statement. It went on to say that the Secretary-General underscores to all parties the utmost necessity to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights laws, including the fundamental rules of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, including populated markets, are strictly prohibited, said the statement, adding that the UN chief stressed that any intentional attack against civilians or civilian objects is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Mr. Ban in the statement also noted that it is critical to carry out prompt, effective, independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of serious violations.

3 UN Daily News March 2016 The Secretary-General continues to urge all parties to the conflict to cease all military activities and to start to resolve all differences and outstanding issues in a new round of peaceful negotiations facilitated by his Special Envoy for Yemen, said the statement. Finally, Mr. Ban expressed his sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. On eve of migration summit, UN rights expert urges EU countries to revisit border controls 16 March Making Turkey the gatekeeper does not absolve Europe from its responsibility of welcoming migrants, a United Nations human rights expert today, warning that the only way for Europe to secure its borders is to offer safe and regular channels for mobility. European member states once responsible for drafting key legislation on human rights and humanitarian protection are about to abandon their obligations. In the midst of the greatest migration crisis in Europe since world war two, they are passing their responsibility off to a third-country for political expediency, said the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau. He was speaking on the eve of the European Union migration summit, where leaders from the 28-country bloc will discuss a new agreement with Turkey to readmit all migrants crossing irregularly to Greece. Syrian refugees on the border of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia They were among the last group of people allowed to cross from Greece, before the Serbian and other borders along the Balkan route were closed. Photo: UNICEF/Suzie Pappas- Capovska Mr. Crépeau said he is deeply concerned about proposals that ignore the principle of non-refoulement, a principle of international law that forbids sending victims of persecution, often by a State actor, back to his or her persecutors. Closing borders would increase the suffering of migrants and likely motivate them to take riskier journeys with smugglers, he noted, speaking out against dominant anti-immigration nationalist populist discourse. The only way to reduce migrant smuggling is to take over the market by offering regular, safe and cheap mobility solutions, with all the identity and security checks that efficient visa procedures can provide, he insisted. In his statement, Mr. Crépeau also noted that Greece and other countries on the frontline lack the adequate support to cope with the streams of refugees. This burden must be shared by all 28 EU States it should be mandatory that EU nations either relocate people themselves or financially support States who are taking in asylum seekers, he said. The UN expert also voiced concern about reported violence targeting migrants, including physical assaults and expropriation of property by law officials. Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

4 UN Daily News March 2016 UN agency launches food voucher scheme for families in Yemen 16 March The United Nations food relief agency has begun distributing vouchers to assist nearly 120,000 people living in Yemen s capital, Sana a, with plans to reach one million people across the country by the end of Each food voucher provides a family of six with a one-month supply of wheat grain, pulses, vegetable oil, salt and sugar as well as Wheat Soya Blend (WSB) a protein-rich blended food provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) through the local supplier, the agency said today in a press release. Oum Ahmed, who moved to Sana a with her family after her neighbourhood was destroyed by airstrikes eight months ago, now clean people s homes to be able to feed her children. I was very happy when they gave me this voucher with my name on it, she told WFP. Yemeni women collect food vouchers in presence of WFP Representative and Country Director, Purnima Kashyap (right). Photo: WFP/Fares Khoailed The voucher scheme will speed up the delivery of food assistance in Yemen, enabling WFP to reach vulnerable people faster through a local retailer who will supply food commodities to families in exchange for vouchers, as well as help revive commercial activities and markets in the country. Food vouchers ensure the rapid and regular delivery of assistance across Yemen to families who rely almost entirely on external assistance to secure their essential food needs, and also boost the local economy as we work with local suppliers to provide food to vulnerable people, said WFP Representative and Country Director Purnima Kashyap. The United Kingdom has contributed 5.9 million ($8.6 million), through its aid agency, to fund the programme. WFP will gradually replace conventional food distributions with voucher assistance in areas where markets are functioning. By the end of 2016, WFP aims to reach one million with food vouchers. The conflict has worsened Yemen s already poor food security situation, adding more than three million people to the ranks of the hungry in less than a year. According to the UN s 2016 Humanitarian Needs Overview, 7.6 million people in Yemen are severely food insecure a level requiring urgent, external, food assistance.

5 UN Daily News March 2016 On visit to Central African Republic, UN rights expert urges support for new Government Polling station in Bangui for the second round of elections in Central African Republic, February UN Photo/Nektarios Markogiannis 16 March The United Nations independent expert on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) today called on the international community to support that country's newly elected President Faustin Archange Touadéra, and the government he will form, as he takes measures to meet the high expectations of the population. These include a return to security, disarming groups, strengthening the rule of law and fighting impunity, encouraging national reconciliation, and providing urgent services, such as education and health. Speaking from Bangui during her sixth visit to CAR, Marie-Thérèse Keita-Bocoum, also shared some concerns coming from civil society, which seeks greater protection of civilians, assistance for victims of sexual violence and of violence based on witchcraft accusations. All the actors of the civil society I met deplored the absence of the criminal justice system, the lack of access to justice and the lack of measures to protect victims and witnesses, the expert said. Ms. Keita-Bocoum noted also the challenges from humanitarian needs, which said remain high, with international aid often being the only way to meet the health, nutritional and sanitation basics for the population. The country is emerging from nearly three years of fighting between the mainly Muslim Séléka and mainly Christian anti- Balaka groups. The UN has played a major role in seeking to restore peace in the CAR, with military and police units from the 11,000- strong UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the country (MINUSCA) joining soldiers from the French Sangaris force and local security teams last 30 December at polling stations to ensure a peaceful presidential vote. After nine months of improved stability in CAR, a new wave of inter-communal violence erupted in September of last year, killing at least 130 people, injuring 430 others, and triggering an 18 per cent increase in the number of internally displaced persons to 447,500. The election of President Touadéra, who won the presidential run-off on 14 February and will be sworn in on 25 March, is being seen as a new chapter in the country's political history despite numerous significant challenges that remain. In her comments today, the UN expert noted some improvement in security, especially in the capital city of Bangui, but expressed concern about violence in the regions in the country's centre, east and north-east. In addition, she cautioned against putting in power any individuals with human rights abuses. She stressed the importance that elected officials are men and women who truly have willingness to represent the interests of the Central African people, with integrity and respect for human rights. The UN expert today also thanked the transitional government, led by Prime Minister Catherine Samba-Panza and her transitional government, for their cooperation and expressed her gratitude for their commitments and efforts in the initiatives for peaceful dialogue, national reconciliation and the democratic process, and in particular the holding of the Bangui Forum, the strengthening of women's leadership and the organization of free and peaceful elections.

6 UN Daily News March 2016 Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work. In Greece, UN envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt shines light on emergency response for thousands of refugees 16 March Angelina Jolie Pitt, the United Nations refugee agency s special envoy, is today visiting Greece, which has become the main entry point to Europe for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing Syria and other strife torn countries. I am here to reinforce efforts by UNHCR [Office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees] and the Greek government to step up the emergency response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, she said. I look forward to meeting authorities, partners and volunteers working on the ground to improve conditions and ensure the vulnerable are protected. Ms. Jolie-Pitt is highlighting the humanitarian situation of thousands of refugee families in Greece, most of whom were forced to flee Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Nearly 85 per cent of all the refugees and asylum seekers who have arrived in Europe landed in Greece since January A mother holds her crying child, as her three other daughters sit by the fire outside their makeshift tent in Idomeni, Greece. Photo: UNICEF/Tomislav Georgiev Her first trip to Greece on behalf of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees comes the day after her visit to Lebanon, on the fifth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, where she stressed the need for leadership and coordinated international action to address the root causes of the global refugee crisis. The Special Envoy's visit comes on the eve of a critical meeting between European Union Member States and the Government of Turkey that will potentially affect thousands of refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, according to UNHCR. In Greece, she expressed her appreciation for the support and solidarity Greece has shown the hundreds of thousands of refugees and asylum seekers who have landed on their shores after dangerous and difficult, sometimes deadly, journeys. Ms. Jolie-Pitt also focused on access to adequate reception conditions and protection, including those legal pathways available to refugees and asylum seekers, such as the EU relocation programme. She has highlighted challenges and constraints facing the emergency response, as well as ways UNHCR could further support the Government and communities in Greece, and promote support for refugees with specific vulnerabilities, such as women-headed households, unaccompanied children, disabled, or those who have been exposed to sexual or gender based violence. UNHCR has set up eight field offices with hundreds of staff and significant resources to support shelter, water and sanitation, health and protection services among other priorities. There are more than 40,000 people in Greece who have arrived during the past weeks, who desperately need protection and humanitarian support, but efforts are not meeting all the needs on the ground and the situation is deteriorating daily, according to UNHCR.

7 UN Daily News March 2016 Myanmar: UN chief welcomes election of first civilian President in more than 50 years 16 March Following the historic national polls last 8 November, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Htin Kyaw, who was elected today by the Myanmar Parliament as the first civilian President in more than five decades. He welcomes this as a significant achievement towards advancing the democratic reforms ushered in by the outgoing Government, indicated a statement issued by Mr. Ban s spokesperson. The Secretary-General hopes the people of Myanmar will continue steadfastly on the path of democracy and national reconciliation and, at this defining moment of transition, calls upon President-elect U Htin Kyaw, as well as all other significant stakeholders, to work inclusively towards a smooth and peaceful consolidation of unity and stability in the country, it added. Women selling vegetables in a market in Pyapon, Myanmar. Photo: World Bank/Markus Kostner The UN chief also reaffirmed the readiness of the United Nations to continue to support efforts to advance peace, development, human rights and the rule of law for the benefit of all the peoples of Myanmar. The Organization has long been involved in Myanmar s transition after more than 50 years of military rule, appointing a Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the issue. In 2007 Mr. Ban set up the Group of Friends of the Secretary- General on Myanmar, a consultative forum of 14 countries to assist him in his efforts to spur change in the South-East Asian nation. 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)