HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2021
SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFGHANISTAN
In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest terms today’s horrific attack at a mosque in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan. He noted that this is the third attack against a religious institution in less than a week.
The Secretary-General stressed that attacks that deliberately target civilians exercising their right to freely practice their religion are violations of fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators must be brought to justice.
The Secretary-General expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.
AFGHANISTAN
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today said that the UN family in the country is deeply concerned by reports of very high casualties in an attack today in a Shia Mosque, in Kunduz. The UN Mission said that initial information indicates that more than 100 people were killed and injured in the suicide blast inside the mosque.
The Mission noted that today’s incident is part of a disturbing pattern of violence, which is the third deadly attack this week apparently targeting religious institution.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
In a statement, the Secretary-General congratulated
Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov on being awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. He said that no society can be free and fair without journalists who are able to investigate wrongdoing, bring information to citizens, hold leaders accountable and speak truth to power.
However, the Secretary-General noted that anti-media rhetoric and attacks against media workers continue to rise, while technology is being used to mislead public opinion. He called for a reaffirmation of the right to press freedom, recognizing the fundamental role of journalists, and reinforcing efforts at every level to support a free, independent and diverse media.
GABON/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The national investigation on the sexual exploitation and abuse allegation concerning the Gabonese contingent in the Central African Republic is underway, jointly with the Office of Internal Oversight Services and with the support of the Senior Victims’ Rights Advocate in the country.
Thirty-two victims, including eight children, have been identified through preliminary investigations. Incidents allegedly took place at various points in time from 2014 to this year. The allegation involves a total of 51 alleged perpetrators, the identities of whom are still unknown, pending the result of the investigation.
A total of eleven paternity claims have been recorded with this allegation, where either the child has been born or the victim is currently pregnant.
Ensuring victims well-being and assistance is the UN utmost priority. All identified victims have been referred for assistance according to UN protocols.
The Mission and the Senior Victims’ Rights Officer are on site assisting with the investigation and ensuring victims’ rights and dignity are upheld.
Meanwhile, 410 Gabonese troops and their leadership were repatriated, and the last 40 remain to safeguard and pack up the contingent’s equipment.
MYANMAR
On Myanmar, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) today said that it is gravely concerned over the recent substantial deployment of heavy weapons and troops by the Myanmar military in several parts of the country.
This comes as the military is intensifying attacks in these areas, apparently to seek out people in the armed resistance and as reprisals against villages perceived to be sympathetic to people’s defence forces or ethnic armed groups.
The UN Human Rights Office has received credible reports of mass arrests, as well as torture and summary executions, and urges the international community to speak with one voice to prevent the commission of further serious human rights violations against the people of Myanmar.
For its part, the UN Children’s Fund continues to work to help the people of Myanmar. After more than 100,000 people were displaced by flooding in recent months, UNICEF and its partners provided water and sanitation supplies to tens of thousands of people in Rakhine and Kayin states.
UNICEF is also helping more than 120,000 internally displaced people in Kachin, Northern Shan and Rakhine states.
As a note related to the region, regarding the upcoming ASEAN-UN Ministerial Meeting, which is a regular occurrence, the Secretary-General has requested that the ASEAN-UN Ministerial Meeting be postponed. We are liaising with the Chair of ASEAN in further consultations on the format of the meeting.
LIBYA
The 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) has just concluded a three-day meeting at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
They agreed on, and signed a comprehensive Action Plan, which will be the cornerstone for the gradual, balanced, and sequenced process for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libyan territory.
Ján Kubiŝ, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL),welcomed the signing of the Action Plan, describing it as “another breakthrough achievement by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission.”
He said that today’s agreement responds to the overwhelming demand of the Libyan people and creates a positive momentum that should be built upon to move towards a stable and democratic stage, including through the holding of free, credible and transparent national elections on 24 December of this year.
LIBYA/REFUGEES
On Libya, the UN Refugee Agency today said that it is increasingly alarmed about the humanitarian situation for asylum seekers and refugees. This comes after a large-scale operation by Libyan authorities in the past week, with arrests and raids targeting areas in Tripoli where asylum seekers and migrants are living.
UNHCR says that at least one person was reportedly killed and 15 injured. More than 5,000 people have been arrested and held in several detention centres in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. This includes several people who had been prioritized for evacuation or resettlement flights out of Libya.
UNHCR also renewed its appeal to Libyan authorities to allow the resumption of humanitarian flights out of the country, which have been suspended for almost a year.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Earlier today in Geneva, David McLachlan-Karr, the Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), briefed Member States on the situation there.
He said that insecurity and outbreaks, such as Ebola, malaria and measles, combined with limited access to basic services continue to have an impact on the humanitarian situation in the DRC, notably in the east.
More than 27 million people are facing high levels of food insecurity. This, he said, is the highest figure ever recorded by the Integrated Phase Classification worldwide.
From January to August this year, there were 215 security incidents directly affecting humanitarian personnel or assets. Five humanitarian workers have been killed, and several others were abducted, particularly in Ituri, North and South Kivu.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
Tomorrow is World Post Day. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General says that as we continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the resilience and commitment of postal workers are an inspiration.
He notes that the theme for this year, “Innovate to recover”, highlights how the postal sector is adapting to new realities and redefining itself, taking on new roles founded on digitalization, e-commerce and financial services.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Sunday is World Mental Health Day. In a message for the Day, the Secretary-General notes that around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a terrible toll on people’s mental health, and stresses that without determined action, the mental health impact may last far longer than the pandemic itself.
The Secretary-General calls on all to commit to work together with urgency and purpose to ensure quality mental health care for all people, everywhere.
MENTAL HEALTH ATLAS
The World Health Organization (WHO) today published its latest edition of the Mental Health Atlas. The report paints a disappointing picture of a worldwide failure to provide people with the mental health services they need, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting a growing need for mental health support.
The Atlas shows that none of the targets for effective leadership and governance for mental health, provision of mental health services in community-based settings, mental health promotion and prevention, and strengthening of information systems, were close to being achieved.
The Weeknd
The World Food Programme (WFP) have announced a new Global Goodwill Ambassador. The Weeknd is teaming up with WFP as an advocate for ending global hunger.
WFP said that Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye has been a passionate advocate and generous supporter of humanitarian causes throughout his career, with over $3 million in donations to various organizations in the past year. Most recently, he donated $1 million to the World Food Programme’s relief efforts in Ethiopia.
