HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
TUESDAY, 1 MAY 2018
  
UPDATE ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN THE U.N. SYSTEM

• An update was provided on cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in the UN system, in line with the Secretary-General’s initiative on increasing transparency on these allegations.
• For the first three months of this year, from 1 January to 31 March 2018, we have received 54 allegations for all UN entities and implementing partners. Not all allegations have been fully verified, and many are in the preliminary assessment phase.
• Out of the 54 allegations, 14 are reported from peacekeeping operations and 18 from agencies, funds and programmes. 21 allegations are relating to implementing partners and 1 to a member of a non-UN international force.
• Of the 54 allegations, 17 are categorized as sexual abuse, 34 as sexual exploitation, and 3 are of an unknown nature.
• The allegations involve 66 victims – including 13 girls (under the age of 18) and 16 victims whose age remains unknown.
• With regard to the status of the allegations, 2 have been substantiated by an investigation; 2 were not substantiated; 21 are at various stages of investigation; 27 are under preliminary assessment; and 1 investigation’s result is under review.
• With over 95,000 civilians and 90,000 uniformed personnel working for the UN, sexual exploitation and abuse are not reflective of the conduct of the majority of the dedicated women and men who serve the Organization. But every allegation involving our personnel undermines our values and principles and the sacrifice of those who serve with pride and professionalism in some of the most dangerous places in the world. For this reason, combating this scourge, and helping and empowering those who have been scarred by these egregious acts, continue to be key priorities for the Secretary-General in 2018.

 

• The Security Council delegation visiting Myanmar today travelled in the morning to Rakhine State, flying from Naypyidaw to Sittwe. From Sittwe, the team flew by helicopter to visit two villages, one reception centre and one transit centre, and the delegation met some returnees to Rakhine State. They also met separately with the Rakhine Government and civil society representatives.
• Upon returning to Naypyidaw, the Security Council mission held a press conference before heading back to New York.

 

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stressed today that a population of around 500,000 Rohingya still live in Rakhine, facing continued discrimination and marginalization, including around 130,000 men, women and children who are trapped in appalling conditions in camps.
• Severe restrictions on their freedom of movement persist, grossly restricting their access to healthcare, education and livelihoods. This is the reality that must be changed if refugees are to be reasonably expected to return.
• Regarding the situation in Kachin State, in Myanmar’s north-east, our humanitarian colleagues also stress that since 1 April, more than 5,000 people have been displaced by an escalation in fighting between the Government and the Kachin Independence Army.
• The United Nations calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to end the violence.
• Lastly, in Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh, funding is urgently needed to prepare for, and respond to, the onset of the early rains, cyclone and monsoon season starting this month.
• Up to 200,000 Rohingya refugees are at risk of landslides and flooding in what could become a disaster on top of the current emergency.
• The Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis (JRP) is seeking US$951 million for both Rohingya refugees and vulnerable members of the host community until December 2018.  To date, it is only 10 percent funded. 

 

• The UN refugee agency said today it is grateful to Indonesian and Malaysian authorities for rescuing and disembarking three boats carrying a total of 140 Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar by sea in April.
• The three boats set sail from the central townships of Rakhine State in Myanmar. The refugees are safe and in generally good condition.
• From preliminary reports, as many as 10 other refugees have perished at sea. Since the beginning of the latest Rohingya refugee crisis in August 2017, over 200 lives are estimated to have been lost in the Bay of Bengal, mainly in the crossing from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
• UNHCR has access to the recent arrivals in Indonesia and has received assurances from Malaysian authorities that it will soon be granted access to those in Malaysia as well.
• UNHCR is concerned by the accounts of some of the recently disembarked refugees that their vessels were intercepted by authorities who did not disembark them to the nearest place of safety. Such practices not only put the lives of refugees at risk, but may also contravene international maritime law.
• UNHCR reiterates its calls on the Government of Myanmar to take measures to address the root causes of displacement, in line with the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.

 

• The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) reports that the situation in Bangui is tense and evolving, with violence and casualties being reported in the capital’s 2nd and 3rd districts.
• This follows an exchange of fire earlier today between Central African internal security forces and the armed criminal gang “Force” which operates in the PK5 area of Bangui.
• MINUSCA immediately deployed patrols to protect civilians and secure key points in Bangui, in close cooperation with the authorities.
• The Mission condemns the violence and calls for calm.

 

• Staffan de Mistura, the Special Envoy for Syria, travelled yesterday to Washington D.C. to meet with senior United States officials, with whom he had had in-depth discussions on Syria. His meetings included discussions with Secretary of Defense James Mattis, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and Ambassador Nikki Haley.
• The Special Envoy afterwards went to New York to meet with senior United Nations officials. Mr. de Mistura will now travel to Brussels to participate in the Laeken Dialogue 2018, on “A critical conversation between Asia, Europe and the United States: fixing the cracks and finding the next fault lines in the global order”. The Special Envoy is to attend the opening ceremony and to hold discussions on the margins of the Dialogue with key high-level officials.

 

• This evening, the Deputy Secretary-General will depart New York for London to attend meetings on 2 May of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, the United Nations Joint Steering Committee to advance Humanitarian and Development Collaboration, and the session of the Chief Executives Board taking place on 3 and 4 May. The Deputy Secretary-General will also be meeting with senior UK officials.

 

• Italy has paid in full its dues for this year’s regular budget. The Honour roll is now at 88.

 

• At 1:45 p.m. in the Secretariat Circle, the Secretary-General will be speaking at the event to celebrate International Workers’ Day. The Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed will also be there.