UN Daily News Issue DH/7066 Tuesday, 5 January 2016

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1 For updates and alerts, visit UN NEWS CENTRE at UN Daily News Issue DH/7066 Tuesday, In the headlines: Fresh allegations of sexual abuse made against UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic Haiti: UN chief calls for delayed elections to be resolved as soon as possible Ban calls on Israel and Lebanon to maintain cessation of hostilities following attacks In Saudi Arabia, senior UN officials discuss regional tensions and needs Yemen: civilian casualties top 8,100 as airstrikes and shelling continue, UN reports Ban names former UN humanitarian official as Special Adviser on 2016 refugee and migrant summit UN envoy for Iraq condemns attacks on mosques in Babylon Province Fresh allegations of sexual abuse made against UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic Peacekeepers serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on patrol in Bambari. UN Photo/Catianne Tijerina 5 January - The United Nations is investigating new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse and other misconduct by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR), this time by forces under the world body s flag, the top UN official there said today, as further steps are being put in place to combat the scourge. The blue beret or the blue helmet you wear represents hope for the vulnerable population of the CAR," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon s Special Representative Parfait Onanga- Anyanga said, laying out new measures to help identify perpetrators and deter new cases, as well as renewing his commitment to protect whistle-blowers. The allegations are the latest to have been made against UN peacekeeping missions in recent years. Mr. Onanga-Anyanga met in Bangui, the capital, with the military and police components of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA), which he heads, stressing that there will be no complacency for perpetrators or accomplices of such crimes which tarnish the UN flag, the peacekeepers identity and their country s honour. Today s meeting follows Mr. Ban s pledge last month to urgently review recommendations of an independent panel which found that the UN did not act with the speed, care or sensitivity required, when it uncovered information about crimes committed against children by soldiers who were not under UN command. In the spring of 2014, allegations came to light that international troops serving as peacekeepers had sexually abused a number of young children in exchange for food or money. The alleged perpetrators were largely from a French military force known as Sangaris, which was operating under authorization of the Security Council but not under UN command. Reaffirming his commitment to Mr. Ban s policy of zero tolerance, Mr. Onanga-Anyanga stressed that all international personnel and units will be held accountable to the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. There is no place in UN peacekeeping for those who betray the trust of the people we are here to help, he said. For information media - not an official record

2 UN Daily News He announced on-going discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to carry out joint actions as part of the reinforcement of MINUSCA's ability to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. Other measures include the establishment of a Police-Force joint brigade to identify sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrators and deter the occurrence of new cases. He underlined the need to conduct patrols in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in close collaboration with internal CAR security forces. The Mission continues to investigate each and every allegation of misconduct, and a fact finding mission is currently underway. The National Authorities have been informed in Bangui and the Troop Contributing Countries in question have been informed officially in New York. Mr. Onanga-Anyanga called on them to conduct their own national investigations immediately and the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services will also be involved as appropriate. The entire UN family is collaborating in addressing [sexual exploitation and abuse] in the broader context of upholding highest standard of conduct and discipline within the organization, MINUSCA said in news release. Over the past week, UNICEF staff (UN Children s Fund) from the office in Bangui have undertaken four visits to meet with four alleged minors victims. UNICEF is working with a local partner to help the girls receive medical care, and is assessing their psychosocial needs. The girls were also provided with clothes, shoes and hygiene kits, it added. The nearly 11,000-strong MINUSCA, set up in 2014 after fighting between the mainly Muslim Séléka and mainly Christian anti-balaka groups erupted in early 2013, killing thousands of people and driving hundreds of thousands more from their homes, played a major role in providing security last month for the first round of presidential and legislative elections. Haiti: UN chief calls for delayed elections to be resolved as soon as possible 5 January - For the second time in two weeks United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon has again voiced concern at political developments in Haiti over the ongoing electoral process, urging the authorities and all political actors to resolve outstanding issues as soon as possible. Jovenel Moise from the governing party and former government executive Jude Celestin, the two top vote getters in the first round of presidential elections on 25 October, were set to face each other in a run-off on 27 December but that was postponed until further notice, according to media reports. The Secretary-General recalls that Parliament has not functioned since January 2015, a statement issued by Mr. Ban s spokesperson said today. He underlines the importance of inaugurating the new legislature within the constitutional time frame to ensure the renewal of democratic institutions and consolidate political stability in Haiti. Voting in the second round for the senatorial and parliamentary elections and the first round for a new president in Haiti s capital Port au Prince, 25 October Photo: UN/MINUSTAH/Igor Rugwiza He called for the electoral process to be concluded as soon as possible in a transparent, inclusive and credible manner. Mr. Ban s Special representative in Haiti, Sandra Honoré, and the so-called "Core Group" Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, the United States, the European Union as well as the Organization of American States yesterday called on State institutions and political actors to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected president by the constitutionally mandated date of 7 February. In his earlier statement, Mr. Ban took note of efforts by all stakeholders, including the establishment of an electoral evaluation commission to address the concerns of opposition parties and ensure the successful and timely conclusion of the presidential elections and stressed the responsibility of all political actors to discourage violence and encourage a spirit of unity throughout the country.

3 UN Daily News He reaffirmed the commitment of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the entire UN system to continue supporting the Haitian people in the fulfilment of their democratic aspirations. The Mission, set up in 2004, has more than 4,500 troops and police deployed in Haiti with a mandate that has evolved over the years from supporting a transitional government to embracing earthquake recovery and facilitating the political process. Ban calls on Israel and Lebanon to maintain cessation of hostilities following attacks 5 January - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned yesterday s attack against two Israel Defense Forces vehicles in the general area of the Sheba a Farms south of the Blue Line, which was claimed by Hizbollah. The Blue Line, the boundary between Lebanon and Israel, near the water-rich Sheba a Farms. Photo: Hugh Macleod/IRIN Council resolution. The Secretary-General expresses his concern at the retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces across the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), said a statement issued today by his spokesperson in New York. The so-called Blue Line, or Line of Withdrawal, was established in the year 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon in conformity with a Security Meanwhile, UNIFIL and the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, have taken immediate steps through contacts with the parties to help restore calm in the area. In a statement issued yesterday, they urged both sides to exercise utmost restraint to prevent any escalation. UNIFIL is investigating the circumstances of the incident in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces, added the statement, noting that Mr. Ban calls on all parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities and to ensure full respect for Security Council resolution 1701, which imposed a ceasefire and the Israeli-Hizbollah war of In Saudi Arabia, senior UN officials discuss regional tensions and needs Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric. UN Photo/Evan Schneider (file) 5 January - Two senior United Nations officials arrived in Saudi Arabia today to discuss the effects of regional tensions on the Syrian crisis as well as ways to ensure stability and security for neighbouring countries. Speaking at the daily press briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, met today in Riyadh with Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, and the High Negotiation Commission of the Revolutionary Forces and the Syrian Opposition. Mr. de Mistura said after his meeting that there is a clear determination on the Saudi side that the current regional tensions will not have any negative impact on the Vienna momentum and on the continuation of the political process that the UN, together with the International Syria Support Group [ISSG], intend to start in Geneva soon, noted Mr. Dujarric. Mr. de Mistura also reportedly stressed the importance of not losing this momentum, despite what is going on in the region. Since the end of October, the ISSG comprised of the Arab League, the European Union, the UN, and 17 countries has been negotiating a solution to end the five-year conflict. Similarly, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, arrived in Riyadh today and met with senior officials, including the Foreign Minister and the Deputy Foreign Minister.

4 UN Daily News This is part of her ongoing consultations with regional stakeholders to discuss Lebanon s stability and security as well as efforts to support Lebanon s critical humanitarian and developmental needs, explained Mr. Dujarric. Meanwhile, the Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran and its Consulate General in Mashhad, which it said resulted in intrusions into the diplomatic and consular premises, causing serious damage. In a statement, the members of the Security Council recalled the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, and the obligations on host Governments to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomatic and consular premises against any intrusion or damage, and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of these missions or impairment of their dignity. In this context, the Council called on Iranian authorities to protect diplomatic and consular property and personnel, and to fully respect their international obligations in this regard. The Council also called on all parties to maintain dialogue and take steps to reduce tensions in the region. Yemen: civilian casualties top 8,100 as airstrikes and shelling continue, UN reports 5 January - Civilians are suffering a terrible toll in the fighting tearing Yemen apart, with casualties now topping 8,100, nearly 2,800 of them killed, amid Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, shelling by Houthi groups and other clashes, the United Nations reported today. Airstrikes have continued into the New Year, with around 11 strikes taking place in the capital Sana a on Sunday and Monday (3 and 4 January), and further airstrikes are reported to have been carried out in the early hours of this morning, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Rupert Colville told the regular news briefing in Geneva. Boys hold a large piece of twisted metal near homes that were destroyed in an air strike, in Okash Village, near Sana a, the capital of Yemen. Photo: UNICEF/Mohammed Hamoud He put civilian casualties recorded between 26 March and 31 December, 2015 at 8,119 people, 2,795 of them killed and 5,324 wounded, noting that at least 62 civilians were reported killed by airstrikes attributed to coalition forces in December, more than twice the number of November. We have also received alarming information on the alleged use of cluster bombs by coalition forces in Hajjah Governorate, he added, reporting that an OHCHR team found remnants of 29 cluster submunitions near banana plantations in Al-Odair village in Haradh District. According to witnesses, several other villages in the same area have also been affected. Our team also documented the use of cluster submunitions in several other districts, including Hairan and Bakel Al-Meer, and interviewed two patients who had reportedly been wounded, in separate incidents, after stepping on unexploded submunitions. During December, at least 11 civilians were allegedly killed by shelling attributed to members of the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis, a significant decrease compared to 32 reportedly killed by them in November, Mr. Colville said. The UN has been trying to broker an end to the fighting but these efforts have been stymied by violations of the ceasefire required to get the process under way. In December UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed adjourned peace talks until mid-january to allow for bi-lateral in-country and regional consultations to achieve a ceasefire. Mr. Colville voiced particular concern at the situation in the central city of Taiz, scene of virtually uninterrupted violent clashes for more than eight months, where strict control of all entry points by Houthi-affiliated Popular Committees has limited access to essential items, including food, and made conditions extremely difficult for the civilian population. The health situation in Taiz governorate has also continued to deteriorate, with Al-Rawdha Hospital, one of the largest still operating, forced to turn patients away.

5 UN Daily News The prison system has been heavily impacted, he added, with over 40 prisoners reportedly killed and 10 others injured by airstrikes or indiscriminate shelling. More than 4,300 prisoners have reportedly escaped from facilities across the country, including those in Sa ada, Al Dhale e and Aden, after they were hit by airstrikes or breached in armed clashes. Prisoners are increasingly vulnerable. Food, electricity, water and fuel shortages have been reported in many detention facilities as well as the spread of contagious diseases, such as scabies. Many detention facilities are also severely overcrowded. As most courts are no longer functioning, there have been delays in the review of detainees cases -- and, in some cases, in their release and many detainees have been unable to receive visits from their lawyers and relatives. Ban names former UN humanitarian official as Special Adviser on 2016 refugee and migrant summit 5 January - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Karen AbuZayd of the United States as Special Adviser for an upcoming UN summit on managing large-scale movements of migrants and refugees. The Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants is scheduled in the UN General Assembly for 19 September, one day before the opening of the Assembly s 2016 General Debate. Karen AbuZayd. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras According to a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson, Ms. AbuZayd will work with UN entities and undertake consultations with world body s Member States and other relevant stakeholders in the lead up to the Summit. This will include overseeing the Secretary-General s report on large movements of refugees and migrants, to be submitted to the General Assembly in May. Ms. AbuZayd has extensive United Nations experience in humanitarian and human rights work in numerous countries. Since 2011, she has served as a Commissioner on the Independent Inquiry Commission on Syria. In 2005, Ms. AbuZayd was appointed Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and served in that position until The new Special Adviser also worked for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for 19 years, including as Chief of Mission in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, as well as positions in Sudan, Namibia and Sierra Leone. She also served in UNHCR s Geneva headquarters, as Chef de Cabinet to the High Commissioner and as Regional Representative for the US and the Caribbean. UN envoy for Iraq condemns attacks on mosques in Babylon Province 5 January - The most senior UN official in Iraq has condemned attacks which took place against three Sunni mosques in Babylon Province on Sunday evening, as well as other acts of violence. These attacks are an attempt to stoke sectarian tensions in Iraq and the region, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Mr. Ján Kubiš, said in a statement. Worshippers gather at a mosque in Iraq. Photo: UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi (file) "Those behind the attacks attempt to exploit the current regional circumstances and weaken the unity of Iraq and its people. They serve ultimately the interests of the terrorist ISIL, he added. Mr. Kubiš recalled the recent appeal of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon for calm and restraint in reaction to the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-nimr last Saturday by Saudi Arabian authorities. Mr. Ban also appealed to all regional leaders

6 UN Daily News to work to avoid the exacerbation of sectarian tensions, voicing deep dismay over the recent executions by Saudi Arabia of 47 people, including the Sheikh. I urge all Iraqis, all Iraqi political forces and representatives and the media to demonstrate their commitment to the unity and solidarity of Iraq and its people and to show restraint including in their statements, the UN envoy further added, calling on the Iraqi authorities and the Security Forces to prevent and counter attempts to incite violence and divisions. 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)