Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
We are witnessing a wave of demonstrations around the world, from the Middle East to Latin America and the Caribbean … from Europe to Africa and Asia.
Disquiet in peoples’ lives is leading to anything but quiet in streets and city squares.
Every situation is unique.
Some protests are triggered by economic issues – including rising prices, persistent inequality or financial systems that benefit elites.
Others stem from political demands.
And in some cases, people are reacting to corruption or different forms of discrimination.
Yet there are commonalities that span the continents – and that should force all of us to reflect and respond.
We need to think about the underlying factors.
It is clear that there is a growing deficit of trust between people and political establishments, and rising threats to the social contract.
The world is also wrestling with the negative impacts of globalization and new technologies, which have increased inequalities within societies.
Even where people are not protesting, they are hurting and want to be heard.
People want a level playing field – including social, economic and financial systems that work for all.
They want their human rights respected, and a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
As I already said in my statement two weeks ago, I am deeply concerned that some protests have led to violence and loss of life.
Governments have an obligation to uphold the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and to safeguard civic space.
Security forces must act with maximum restraint, in conformity with international law.
And I call on protestors to follow the examples of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. and other champions of nonviolent change.
There can be no excuse for violence – from any quarter.
Above all, I urge leaders everywhere to listen to the real problems of real people.
Our world needs action and ambition to build a fair globalization, strengthen social cohesion, and tackle the climate crisis.
Those are precisely the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
With solidarity and smart policies, leaders can show they “get it” – and point the way to a more just world.
Thank you for your attention.
Question: Thank you, Mr. Secretary‑General. We see how the situation in Lebanon has escalated, and your Special Representative in Beirut is meeting the leaders in the country. What is your main message to the President of Lebanon and the Government? Thank you.
Secretary-General: My message is very simple and is always the same, and I would say that our Mission there has been also quite active in dialogue with all parties. It's a message that the country must solve its problems with dialogue, and I urge maximum restraint and no use of violence, both from the side of the Government and the side of the protesters.
Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary‑General. You met with the Foreign Minister of Bolivia this morning. Does the United Nations support the Organization of American States and the European Union in calling for a runoff election for President?
Secretary-General: The OEA and the Government have confirmed to us that there will be a, an audit done by the Organization of American States. We fully support that audit, and we are at the disposal of the Organization of American States if they will need any kind of expertise that we can provide. I appeal, at the same time, to both the Government and opposition to keep the maximum restraint, and I hope that these initiatives will help, hopefully lead to a positive conclusion.
Question: Thank you, Mr. Secretary‑General. Betul Yuruk with the Turkish News Agency, Anadolu. We have seen so many developments and discussions about the north‑east of Syria over the past two weeks, and I was wondering what you have to say about the discussions, let it be safe zone or internationally controlled security zone, about the future of the foreign ISIS fighters. What do you have to say about these developments?
Secretary-General: Well, we've been accompanying very closely everything that has happened, in contact with all the parties. Our main objectives were very simple. No escalation in conflicts, and I'm happy that we have no information of any conflict taking part at the present moment in northeastern Syria, no escalation in conflict, this escalation, as it has happened, full respect for international human rights and international humanitarian law, and effective protection of civilians, and, hopefully, the end of confrontation will allow it now to be seen positively.
And, at the same time, it is clear to me that what has happened in northern Syria shows that it's time to start seriously discussing the end game. And, if that is the case, the political process became more important than ever, and our total commitment now is to make sure that the Constitutional Committee will start its work in Geneva as a first step for a political solution that, hopefully, will lead to the end of this tragic chapter in the life of the Syrian people.
Question: Foreign ISIS fighters, Mr. Secretary‑General?
Secretary-General: In relation to that, the last information we have is that, indeed, there was a limited number of fighters that managed to flee. And we, of course, ask all the parties involved to make sure that everything is done for that not to happen more. And we believe the international community needs to find a solution for those that have committed crimes to be effectively made accountable, and we know that this is not an easy question. There are several discussions taking place. We'll do everything possible to help create the conditions for that accountability to become a reality.
Question: Mr. Secretary‑General, do you see any role for the Security Council to play vis‑à‑vis these demonstrations, which turned bloody? For example, in Iraq, today alone, five people killed in the south, three in Nasiriyah, two in Baghdad – the total more than 160 Iraqis lost their lives, and it's due to external intervention in Iraq, interference and through militias’, pro‑Iran militias’, actions inside Iraq. Do you see a role? Because it’s no longer an internal affairs between Iraqis or their government.
Secretary-General: Our mission has been very active in relation to this. We have issued a report just three days ago with some preliminary findings, and we have, of course, been systematically appealing for non‑violence and for restraint in relation to the authorities and the other actors that are involved. We deeply regret the number, the large number of people that have been killed in these circumstances. And, according to our preliminary findings, there were, indeed, substantial violations of human rights that took place and need to be clearly denounced and condemned.
Thank you.
PROTESTS
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) today called for dialogue between national authorities and citizens in light of all the protests that have been taking place around the world. OHCHR said that while is difficult to identify a common solution to the various protests, the first step should be dialogue in a genuine, meaningful and inclusive way.
OHCHR also called on States to draw a distinction between peaceful protestors and those who used violence.
Regarding the protests in Bolivia, OHCHR said it is concerned by reports of violence and excessive use of force in following the elections last Sunday. It reminded Bolivian authorities that the use of force during demonstrations should only be applied in exceptional circumstances and urged demonstrators to express their grievances peacefully, without resort or incitement to violence.
In Iraq, OHCHR urged calm on all sides following the violence during protests in Baghdad over the past three weeks. It emphasized the need for a carefully calibrated and proportionate response by security forces in full accordance with international standards, so the terrible toll of life and property during the protests at the beginning of the month are not repeated. OHCHR added that it is concerned with the continued blocking of social media and intermittent blocking of the internet.
In response to the protests in Guinea, OHCHR said it has been closely following the situation and said it was encouraged by the Government’s announcement of an investigation into killings and allegations of excessive use of force and said its office there will continue engaging with authorities.
Regarding the ongoing protests in Lebanon, OHCHR said that by and large, the conduct of security forces has been proportionate except during the night of 19 October when the UN documented over 100 cases of detention and ill-treatment. Most or all of the detainees have since been released, the office said, adding that it continues to monitor the unfolding events and has reminded the Government of the inalienable rights of people to assemble and protest freely and peacefully.
CHILE
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, today said that her Office will deploy a team of three human rights officers to the Chile from 28 October to 22 November to examine allegations of human rights violations during the recent protests.
The team will meet with various actors and gather information on measures taken by the Government to address the situation. The mission team will be based in Santiago but will be visiting cities throughout the country.
During the visit, the team will seek to meet with Government officials, civil society representatives, victims, the National Human Rights Institution and other stakeholders to collect first-hand information on the events. In conjunction with our Regional Office in South America, the team will also look into the root causes of the protests, including issues relating to the enjoyment of economic and social rights in Chile.
SECURITY COUNCIL/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
At the Security Council this morning, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic, Mankeur Ndiaye, said the implementation of the Peace agreement is leading to encouraging progress, including an increased presence of the State throughout the country.
He said regional officials are now in place in all prefectures, with twice as many government officials deployed throughout the country compared to 2015. The Special Representative added that close to 600 combatants have been disarmed and that the first mixed security unit, an important element of the peace agreement implementation, is now operational.
However, despite a decrease by half this year, Mr. Ndiaye said that human rights violations continue with an especially tense situation in the country’s northeast. Increased risks of violence linked to the upcoming transhumance and the persistence of illegal taxation are reminders of the necessity to redouble efforts to ensure that all signatory parties fully implement the peace agreement. The upcoming presidential and legislative elections will also present opportunities and challenges.
With the mission’s mandate about to be renewed, the Special Representative called on Council members to ensure that the UN has the proper resources and capacity to fully support Central Africans to transform the dream of peace, prosperity and development into a lasting reality.
This afternoon, the Security Council is holding a meeting on the situation in Somalia.
SECURITY COUNCIL/SYRIA
Yesterday afternoon, the Security Council held an open meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ursula Mueller said that the escalation in the conflict in the northeast compounds an already dire humanitarian situation. Of the 3 million people in the area, 1.8 million of them were already in need of some form of aid even before the recent developments.
She also noted that humanitarian workers on the ground continue to deliver despite facing serious challenges, including fighting. The UN and its partners continue to deliver aid to millions across Syria, having reached some 6.3 million people every month through the first half of this year.
Also speaking at the meeting was Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations.
He noted that the security situation in Syria remains extremely volatile. Nevertheless, he said, over the past weeks, we have seen an encouraging surge of diplomatic activity on the northeast, though some uncertainties remain.
For her part, Agnés Marcaillou, Director of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), said that, while the full scale of contamination is not known, preliminary findings for the 2020 Humanitarian Needs Overview indicate that 2,563 communities are contaminated with explosive ordnance, affecting some 11.5 million people. This is a dramatic increase from the 2019 figures, when 10.2 million people were estimated to be at risk in 1,980 communities. So far, 2019 recorded an average of 184 explosive incidents per day.
IRAQ/SYRIA
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says that more than 10,000 Syrian refugees have crossed into Iraq seeking safety, the majority of them women and children.
Last night alone, more than 900 Syrian refugees arrived at the Bardarash camp, bringing the camp’s population to nearly 9,700. UNHCR and its partners continue to provide life-saving assistance to them.
UNHCR stresses the importance of freedom of movement for fleeing civilians and that the borders remain open so that refugees can seek safety and protection. UNHCR and other humanitarian partners are working with authorities of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and are committed to supporting their response to the latest refugee influx.
In Syria, some 180,000 people have been displaced across the country’s north-east according to the latest UN estimates. As part of inter-agency response inside Syria, UNHCR is providing emergency aid and protection services to thousands of people to ensure as much safety and dignity as possible for displaced families.
YEMEN
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, met with the Deputy Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. They discussed ways to support the political process in Yemen and efforts towards the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement.
Mr. Griffiths highlighted the efforts of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to implement agreement on the prisoners and detainees exchange. He also stressed the importance of making progress in this agreement, which affects the lives of thousands of Yemeni families. He urged all parties to show the flexibility needed to start a comprehensive exchange of prisoners and detainees as soon as possible.
The Special Envoy also briefed the Deputy Minister on the progress achieved in the implementation of the Hudaydah Agreement, in particular the activation of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and its positive impact on protecting civilians, strengthening humanitarian action, and creating a conducive environment in support of confidence-building measures.
NIGERIA
Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock has visited Borno northeast Nigeria, to review the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
He noted that ten years of conflict and violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups have devastated communities.
Renewed violence, mostly perpetrated by Boko Haram insurgents, has sparked an upsurge in forced displacement in Borno, with more than 140,000 people forced to move this year alone. Many farmers have missed multiple planting seasons and more than 3 million people are food insecure.
More than 7 million people currently need humanitarian assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The UN and humanitarian partners have supported the humanitarian response in north-east Nigeria since the beginning of the crisis. In 2019 alone, they have so far provided critical and lifesaving assistance to more than 3.8 million people.
Mr. Lowcock received assurances from the relevant authorities that the suspension of the activities of Mercy Corps and Action Against Hunger announced in September will be lifted in the next few days.
ZAMBIA
In support of the Government-led response in Zambia, the UN and its partners have launched a 7-month Humanitarian Response Plan of $90 million to help 2.3 million people following the poorest rainfall season since 1981 in the southern part of the country.
The failed rains have hit food production hard in Zambia, with the production of maize – a staple food – declining some 16 per cent.
More than 2.4 million people out of total population of some 17 million are expected to be severely food insecure during the lean season from this October till March 2020.
An assessment has also found an increase I severe acute malnutrition levels. In response to this crisis, the UN and international NGOs are seeking nearly US$90 million to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and early recovery support for 2.3 million people for seven months.
APPOINTMENT
The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of David McLachlan-Karr of Australia as his Deputy Special Representative in the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where he will also serve as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator.
Mr. McLachlan-Karr brings to the position 26 years of development and humanitarian experience with the UN, having served in a wide range of emergency field assignments including Somalia, the Caucasus, Kosovo, Darfur, Timor Leste and Iraq.
ARAL SEA SUSTAINABILITY
Today, there is a conference taking place in Uzbekistan to discuss the future and sustainability of the Aral Sea Region.
In a video message, the Secretary-General highlighted that the disappearance of the Aral Sea is one of the greatest ecological catastrophes of our lifetime and recalls the shock he experienced when visited it in 2017. He stressed the effects of the crisis have been disastrous for the environment, the fishing industry, agriculture, and human health, with climate change adding further pressure.
The Secretary-General pointed out how critical transboundary cooperation is along with new technologies, new investments and comprehensive strategies.
MIGRATION
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided an update on the number of migrants and refugees who have entered Europe by sea this year. Through 23 October, nearly 83,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe by sea. This is a 15 per cent decrease from the nearly 98,000 arriving during the same period last year.
Over half of all arrivals this year (45,105) have landed in Greece, while almost one quarter (20,036) have landed in Spain. Others have arrived in smaller numbers to Italy, Malta and Cyprus.
Deaths recorded on the three main Mediterranean Sea routes are at 1,080 individuals – or almost half the 1,971 deaths confirmed during the same period in 2018.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, a three-year-old boy died, and a man went missing when a boat in which 34 people were travelling collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel on 23 October. This terrible accident happened off the coast of Kos, Greece. Thirty-seven per cent of those who died in 2019 in the Eastern Mediterranean were children, with 26 child migrant deaths documented on this route.
CONTRACEPTION USE
A new study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 36 countries found that two-thirds of sexually active women who wished to delay or limit childbearing stopped using contraception for fear of side effects, health concerns and underestimation of the likelihood of conception. This led to one in four pregnancies being unintended.
Whilst unintended pregnancies do not necessarily equate to pregnancies that are unwanted, they may lead to a wide range of health risks for the mother and child, such as malnutrition, illness, abuse and neglect, and even death, the Agency says.
Unintended pregnancies can further lead to cycles of high fertility, as well as lower educational and employment potential and poverty, challenges which can span generations.
According to this report, unintended pregnancies remain an important public health issue. Globally, 74 million women living in low and middle-income countries have unintended pregnancies annually. This leads to 25 million unsafe abortions and 47 000 maternal deaths every year.
