Noon briefing of 15 August 2011

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING

BY FARHAN HAQ, ACTING DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

MONDAY, 15 AUGUST 2011

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACKS ACROSS IRAQ

• The Secretary-General strongly condemns the series of bomb attacks in several cities across Iraq today that reportedly killed dozens of people and wounded many others. This is a particularly heinous act as it takes place during the holy month of Ramadan.
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• The Secretary-General appeals to the people of Iraq to reject these attempts to incite further violence in the country. He calls upon all Iraqi political leaders to continue to work together towards achieving peace through national dialogue and reconciliation. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes speedy recovery to those injured.

BAN KI-MOON URGES STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN ADDRESSING POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE

• The Secretary-General returned to New York on Sunday evening from his trip to Japan and the Republic of Korea.
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• To the extent that it's possible for him to do, the Secretary-General intends to have some time off this week. Earlier, this morning, he was at work at UN Headquarters, where he met senior advisers.
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• The Secretary-General spent Sunday visiting the village where he was born in Eumseong County and speaking to high school students at his old high school in nearby Chungju. The Secretary-General told students at his old high school that they enjoyed far greater prosperity, security and opportunity than his generation, and he urged them to engage in addressing poverty, hunger, climate change and other threats. He also paid respects at his father's tomb.

U.N. REPORT: WAR CRIMES MAY HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IN SOUTHERN KORDOFAN

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has released today its report on alleged violations of international law in Southern Kordofan, Sudan. The report covers the period between 5 and 30 of June, 2011.
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• The office says that, if substantiated, the violations could amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes. Reported violations included extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention, enforced disappearances, attacks against civilians, looting of civilian homes and destruction of property, as well as massive displacement. The report also describes aerial bombardments on civilian areas in Kadugli and elsewhere in Southern Kordofan.
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• The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, is calling for an independent, thorough and objective inquiry with the aim of holding perpetrators to account. She also expressed concern about continuing violence in the six weeks since the end of the period covered by the report and asked for unhindered access for human rights monitors, as well as for humanitarian actors.
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• The report also notes that the former UN Mission in Sudan, UNMIS, was treated with disregard of its status as a UN body and presents a long list of attacks and harassment of UN staff.
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• Asked about differences between the report and an earlier draft which had been leaked to the press, the Spokesperson noted that the leaked version was an internal draft which was still undergoing revision at the time it was leaked.
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• The published report is shortened and qualitatively in line with UN standards. Haq said that the United Nations erred on the side of caution and removed unsubstantiated elements from the report.
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• Prior to its official release today, the Spokesperson said, the report was shortened, and carefully reviewed by legal and other experts. Most importantly, the report was brought in line with the standards of the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights for public reporting, including the use of appropriate human rights language.
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• The Office went to great lengths to try to cross-check the substance of the report. For example, when allegations were based on one witness account, this was made clear.
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• Asked whether there would be further investigation, the Spokesperson said that the High Commissioner wishes to carry out a thorough human rights investigation in Southern Kordofan, based on her general mandate, as contained in General Assembly resolution 48/141. However, the Sudanese authorities have not granted access for such an investigation.
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• Haq added that the High Commissioner would benefit from the support of the Security Council to carry out an investigation into the recent events in South Kordofan and to ensure ongoing human rights monitoring in the area.

SYRIA: U.N. GRAVELY CONCERNED BY ATTACKS IN PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMPS IN LATAKIA

• The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, said it was gravely concerned about the heavy gunfire from Syrian security forces in and around the Palestinian refugee camp situated in Latakia.
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• The Agency received reports from the camp yesterday of incoming fire from tanks which had encircled the area, as well as fire from ships at sea.
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• The Relief and Works Agency condemned all harm to civilian life and called on the Syrian authorities to order their troops to exercise maximum restraint in accordance with international law and ensure that Palestinian refugees and all civilians are unharmed.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED THEFT OF FOOD AID IN SOMALIA

• In response to reports of food aid being stolen in Somalia, the World Food Programme says through its monitoring systems, possible theft of food has been uncovered and is being investigated. WFP adds that it will investigate all alleged incidents and suspend any parties found responsible.
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• The World Food Programme has put in place strengthened and rigorous monitoring and control in Somalia. However, given the lack of access to much of the territory due to security dangers and restrictions, humanitarian supply lines remain highly vulnerable to looting, attack and diversion by armed groups.
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• WFP condemns all parties who would use the desperation of the hungry in Somalia to block, attack, or divert life-saving humanitarian supplies for their own benefit.
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• In response to further questions, the Spokesperson said that, based on the evidence presented to WFP by the Associated Press, WFP rejects the scale of diversions that is alleged in an AP report.
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• He added that donor governments are aware of the risks of working in Somalia, but emphasized that food assistance from WFP and other humanitarian agencies is providing a vital lifeline to the people of Somalia.
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• Meanwhile, the Security Council also issued a statement on Somalia earlier today, welcoming the recent improvements in the security situation in Mogadishu. The members of the Security Council reiterated their grave concern at the famine affecting Somalia. They welcomed the mobilisation of the international community so far, urged Member States to contribute to the United Nations Consolidated Appeal for Somalia and expressed serious concern that the Appeal is not fully funded.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. ENVOY FOR LIBYA IS IN TUNISIA: Asked about the travels of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Libya, Abdel-Elah al-Khatib, the Spokesperson said that he has arrived in Tunisia to hold consultations with Tunisian officials. Mr. Khatib has met with the Prime Minister and he is scheduled to meet later with the Foreign Minister. On the sidelines, he may meet with Libyan personalities residing in Tunisia.

U.N. TO CAREFULLY ASSESS DEVELOPMENTS IN GLOBAL FINANCE: Asked about the global economy, the Spokesperson said that consensus building within countries and between nations to implement stabilizing economic policies will be important to calm markets and support the global recovery. He said that the United Nations will carefully assess the developments in the global financial market.