HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
THURSDAY, 15 MARCH 2012
SECRETARY-GENERAL MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SYRIAN UPRISING
- In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General said that, one year ago today, Syrians emboldened by the changing tide of history in their region stood up in the streets of Damascus to appeal for their universal rights and freedoms.
- Peaceful popular protests started a few days later in Deraa and spread to many other locations across the country. The Syrian authorities responded with brutal repression, which has continued unabated.
- Its consequences are tragically unfolding before the world's eyes. Well over 8,000 people are dead as a result of the government's decision to choose violent repression over peaceful political dialogue and genuine change.
- It is urgent to break the cycle of violence, stop military operations against civilians and prevent a further militarization of the conflict in Syria. The status quo in Syria is indefensible.
- The Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the people of Syria and their legitimate aspirations to dignity, freedom and justice. He calls for all violence to end, and for a resolution of the crisis through peaceful means.
- He urges the Syrian Government and opposition to cooperate with the efforts of the Joint Special Envoy, and appeals to the international community to offer its determined and unified support to stop the bloodshed and find a political solution that responds to the will of the Syrian people and ensure respect for their fundamental rights.
- Kofi Annan, the UN-League of Arab States Envoy for Syria, will brief the Security Council by video link on Friday.
- That briefing is in consultations, behind closed doors.
U.N. HUMANITARIAN CHIEF CALLS FOR UNHINDERED ACCESS IN SYRIA TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AID
- In a statement issued today, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, says that as intense fighting continues in Syria, and people are caught up in the violence, it is increasingly vital that humanitarian organizations have unhindered access to identify urgent needs and provide emergency care and basic supplies. There is no time to waste.
- She says that last week the Government of Syria said that they needed more time to consider her proposals. The Syrian authorities have now informed her that a Government-led mission will visit the governorates of Homs, Hama, Tartous, Lattakia, Aleppo, Dayr Az Zor, Rural Damascus and Deraa, starting this weekend.
- A number of United Nations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation technical staff will accompany the mission and take the opportunity to gather information on the overall humanitarian situation and observe first-hand the conditions in various towns and cities.
- Ms. Amos repeats her call to the Government of Syria to allow humanitarian organizations unhindered access, so that they can help people in need, in a neutral and impartial manner.
SECRETARY-GENERAL TO TRAVEL TO ASIA
- The Secretary-General will depart New York this Sunday for a trip that will take him to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Republic of Korea.
- In Indonesia, the Secretary-General will meet with the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih.
- While in the Indonesian capital, he will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Jakarta International Defense Conference.
- The Secretary-General will also give a lecture at the Indonesia Peace and Security Centre.
- The Secretary-General will then travel to Malaysia, where he will meet with the Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, as well as the Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman. While he is in Malaysia, the Secretary-General will visit the Malaysian Peacekeeping Training Center.
- He will also attend an event to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day and give a public lecture at the Institute for Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR).
In Singapore, the Secretary-General will hold talks with the President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam. While he is there, the Secretary-General will deliver the Inaugural Fullerton Lecture of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
- The Secretary-General will also visit Singapore’s major water management site which is part of the country's sustainable urbanization efforts.
- The last stop on the trip will be the Republic of Korea, where the Secretary-General will take part in the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit and hold a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of that event.
ATTACK ON SOMALI GOVERNMENT BUILDING CONDEMNED BY U.N. ENVOY
- The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, has condemned in the strongest possible terms yesterday’s attack at the entrance of Villa Somalia, the seat of the Transitional Federal Government, in Mogadishu.
- Mr. Mahiga noted that Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. He has called on the insurgents to “cease immediately all attacks that continue to cause extraordinary suffering to the civilian population in complete disregard of the value of human life.”
- Mr. Mahiga said that such acts of terrorism will not derail the peace process.
- He also called on the Transitional Federal Government to provide assistance to the victims and stressed the importance of strengthening the Somali National Security Forces.
U.N. MISSION SAYS PROGRESS MADE IN TACKLING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN D.R. CONGO
- Asked about Peter Karim, a former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who surrendered to the Congolese army, the FARDC, in 2007, the Spokesperson said that the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo advocates strongly with the Congolese army to hold accountable all those who are suspected to have committed human rights violations.
- Some progress has been made in this regard, often with the support of the Mission, including the recent arrest of three FARDC officers of the Congolese army last month in Province Orientale on several charges including the use of children in the military and allegations of rape.
- However, the Mission says that much more needs to be done in this regard.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
CYPRUS PROPERTY ISSUE DISCUSSED: The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities continued their discussions on property. Their next meeting will be on Thursday, 22 March.
U.N. ENVOY FOR SOUTH SUDAN BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL: In a closed session on Thursday morning, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, briefed the
Security Council on developments in South Sudan. Ms. Johnson spoke to reporters at the stakeout. The Council also discussed the situation in Haiti.
N.G.O. REPORT ON PALESTINIAN DETAINEES: Asked about a report by a non-governmental organization on the alleged mistreatment of children detained by Israeli Forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has spoken clearly about his concerns for Palestinian detainees and that this also applies to children.
SPECIAL ADVISER ON AFRICA POSITION CONFIRMED: Asked about the Special Adviser on Africa and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the Spokesperson confirmed that these will be two separate positions. Mr. Cheick Sidi
Diarra is still the High Representative and the Secretary-General appointed Mr. Maged Abdelaziz as Special Adviser on Africa on 8 March.
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