Noon briefing of 15 December 2023

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

FRIDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2023

This morning, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the General Assembly meeting marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as this year’s UN Human Rights Prize.
He reminded us that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a clarion call to act in accordance with a fundamental truth: that each of us is an equal member of a single human family.
Seventy-five years on, he said, the world must recall that wisdom, and act on it.
The Secretary-General told delegates that last year, almost 450 human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists were killed. Forty percent more than in the previous year.
The human rights defenders, he said, are lights in the darkness, but, as you know, their job is extremely dangerous.
The recipients of the prize this year are:
Julienne Lusenge from the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
Julio Pereyra from Uruguay;
The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies;
The Human Rights Center “Viasna”, working in Belarus;
And the Global Coalition of civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, social movements and local communities for “the universal recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment”.
For his part, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the prize is an opportunity to celebrate human rights defenders and the enormous value they bring to societies all over the world. Speaking about today’s recipients he noted their extraordinary work changes the world for the better, day by day. He called on Member States to ensure human rights defenders are protected and able to do their work in safety.

GLOBAL REFUGEE FORUM
Also this morning, speaking via video conference to Geneva, to the Global Refugee Forum, the Secretary-General noted that the Forum comes at the close of a year of intense political division, conflict and climate catastrophe. And a year in which record numbers of people are being pushed from their homes, fleeing violence, insecurity and danger.
The Secretary-General pointed out that resources to support refugees are under enormous strain — especially in the global south, which continues to host and welcome the overwhelming majority of refugees. He stressed that protection and help for refugees should not be a lottery, or a disproportionate burden that falls on a few countries and communities based solely on their geographic location. It is an obligation shared by all of humanity.
And also today, UNHCR said that the Forum closed with over $2.2bn in pledges to improve the lives of refugees and hosts. States also pledged to resettle 1 million refugees by 2030, while governments and foundations launched a pledge backed by a new global sponsorship fund to help 3 million refugees access third countries through community sponsorship.

GAZA
In response to questions about Kerem Shalom, the Spokesman said that we welcome the announcement today that the border crossing at Kerem Shalom will be open for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The fast implementation of this agreement will increase the flow of aid.
A humanitarian ceasefire will increase the distribution of that aid across Gaza even more.

OCHA [UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] says that many parts of Gaza remain flooded after the heavy rains that you have all seen – that have been taking place in the past few days, that is, of course, compounding already extreme human suffering.
There have been clashes, also according to OCHA, in the vicinity of Al Awda Hospital in Jabaliya in northern Gaza, with 250 doctors, patients and their family members reportedly trapped.
Communications are back after being down for several hours yesterday evening. The shutdown of communications, of course, severely impacts the ability of emergency workers and humanitarian workers to do their jobs and, of course, has a negative impact on the population as a whole.

URWA is telling us now that nearly 1.3 million displaced people are sheltering in 155 UNRWA installations. The average number of internally displaced people in UNRWA facilities, shelters, located in the middle and southern Gaza is 12,387, more than four times their capacity.
Eight out of 22 UNRWA health centres are still operational in the Middle and Southern parts of Gaza and UNRWA continued to provide health care to internally displaced people at shelters through 97 medical teams. Each team is composed of about one to two doctors and a nurse; 591 health workers in health centres and shelters provided support to some 12,000 patients.

SUDAN
Humanitarian colleagues are telling us that all humanitarian field missions within Al-Jazirah State have now been suspended until further notice.
They are warning that the clashes that erupted outside Wad Medani today in Al-Jazirah state, which is known as Sudan’s breadbasket, threaten tens of thousands of civilians already displaced by the conflict. It’s also a critical hub for our humanitarian operations.
Wad Medani, to give you some context, is about 136 kilometres southeast of Khartoum, the capital.
Mr. Martin Griffiths, our Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, is calling for an end to the fighting after eight months of war in Sudan.
Just to provide a little bit more information, Al-Jazirah state already hosts more than half a million men, women and children who have fled the fighting since April 15th.
Shops and markets in Wad Medani have reportedly closed due to the fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. A key bridge has also been partially closed.

UKRAINE
In Ukraine. We, along with our humanitarian partners, are scaling up support for civilians in need as winter approaches. Today, an inter-agency convoy delivered 3 tonnes of humanitarian assistance for nearly 3,000 people who remain in Beryslavska – one of the front-line communities in the Kherson Region, in southern Ukraine.
Our humanitarian colleagues note that this small community has been severely impacted by the war, with more than 80 per cent of its residents having fled. Those who stayed are among the most vulnerable and subjected to constant bombardments that damage homes and decimate vital services, including access to electricity, gas and basic supplies.
Today’s convoy brought solar lamps, hygiene kits and repair materials that residents can fix damaged homes with.
This winter assistance is, of course, essential, with ongoing attacks putting millions of people at risk as temperatures drop.
Today, not far from where we delivered those supplies, an attack in Kherson City killed one person and damaged homes and the local market. Humanitarian organizations responded with critical assistance.
Across the Kherson Region, over the past [two] months, more than 50,000 people have received winter assistance, including cash support for energy needs and the provision of winter clothing and heating.
In total, as mentioned yesterday, we and our partners have already provided 800,000 people in Ukraine with support for the upcoming winter months.

MYANMAR
Fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and various groups persists across much of the country.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that more than 660,000 people are estimated to have been newly displaced since the escalation of armed conflict on October 27th. The situation remains fluid, with some people having been displaced multiple times and others starting to return home.
Currently, a total of 2.6 million people are displaced across Myanmar.
Our colleagues say that the current situation has resulted in civilian casualties, arbitrary arrests, exploitation, extortion, forced recruitment and forced labour.
Food, safe shelter, hygiene kits, basic health services and protection support remain priorities for humanitarian workers. There are reports of shortages of essential supplies in many areas due to commercial and humanitarian transport being blocked.
Despite the insecurity, access, and telecommunication challenges, humanitarian assistance continues to be provided where possible. For example, our partners have now reached more than 80 per cent of those who were displaced in northern Shan State.
We and our partners continue to seek access to more people impacted by the conflict. An inter-agency mission was completed to the state of Wa earlier this morning, with another set to deliver aid to displaced people in southern Shan.
Despite surging needs, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which calls for $890 million, or almost that, is just 29 per cent funded at $257 million, with just over two weeks left in the year. We urgently need an injection of cash.

GUYANA/ VENEZUELA
In response to questions about the Guyana/Venezuela talks, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General welcomes the commitment of the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela to settle their differences through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement of 1966. He trusts that the commitments reached yesterday in Argyle, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, will result in an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a return to good-neighbourly relations.
The Secretary-General commends the role played by the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who is also the Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, otherwise known as CELAC; the Prime Minister of Dominica, who is also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community – otherwise known as CARICOM, and Brazil; and also for the support provided by regional countries to facilitate the discussions by President Irfaan Ali and President Nicolas Maduro.
The Secretary-General welcomes the parties’ plans to meet again, in Brazil, in the coming months.
He recalls that the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela is before the International Court of Justice and that he does not take a position in relation to ongoing judicial proceedings.

SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning, the Security Council held an open debate on addressing the threats posed by diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition to peace and security.
Our good friend, Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, noted that in his most recent report, the Secretary-General laments the deteriorating security environment, the escalation of armed conflicts and the related surge in civilian casualties. In addition, she said, we have seen a continued rise in global military expenditure, and the costs of small arms and light weapons for peace, security and sustainable development.
Ms. Nakamitsu stressed the need to fully integrate small arms and light weapons considerations throughout the Security Council’s work.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the 141^st Member State to pay its regular budget dues in full.

GUEST
Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director General of Operations of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), briefed reporters on the occasion of International Migrants Day, which is observed on 18 December.