Noon briefing of 25 June 2012

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
MONDAY, 25 JUNE 2012

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER NEW APPROACHES TO PROTECT CIVILIANS

• The Secretary-General presented his latest report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict to the Security Council, in an open meeting on Monday morning. The Secretary-General said that too many people are dying, in too many places. Sometimes they are caught in the crossfire; frequently they are targeted.
• He detailed attacks on civilians in places ranging from Afghanistan to Somalia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• He added that, as we speak, the city of Homs and other areas in Syria are being shelled. United Nations observers have risked their lives to report to the world on what they have seen.
• They have reported armed assaults on civilians, execution-style killings and opposition forces firing from inside hospitals.
• The Secretary-General urged the Security Council and Member States to consider new approaches to prevent and respond to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and ensure that the protection of civilians receives the attention it demands.

U.N. WELCOMES CONCLUSION OF EGYPT’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS

• In a statement issued on Sunday, the Secretary-General welcomed the conclusion of Egypt’s presidential election process and commended the Egyptian people for the peaceful atmosphere in which these elections were held.
• He congratulates Dr. Mohamed Morsy on his election and trusts that the President-elect will spare no effort in ensuring the people of Egypt realise their aspirations for greater democracy, the promotion of human rights, and a more prosperous and stable Egypt for all of its citizens.
• The Secretary-General notes that the imminent handover of power to the elected President marks the end of one important phase of Egypt’s transition to greater democracy.
• He stresses the need to strengthen and build strong, independent institutions and to allow civil society to flourish and to play its role fully and freely.

U.N. CALLS FOR PROSECUTION OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLENCE IN SOUTH SUDAN IN 2011 AND 2012

• The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) released a report on Monday on the findings of its in-depth investigation into the inter-communal violence that took place in Jonglei State in 2011 and early 2012.
• The UN Mission recorded 612 fatalities in the course of the attacks on Murle settlements and 276 deaths resulting from the attacks on the Lou Nuer and Dinka communities between 23 December last year and 4 February this year. In addition, children and women were abducted, tens of thousands of people were displaced and many homes were destroyed.
• The report calls for the prosecution of all those responsible for the violence. And the UN Mission calls on the South Sudanese Government to develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted plan for curbing violence in Jonglei and establishing a more protective environment for local residents.

OTHERS ANNOUNCEMENTS

U.N. SAYS IT’S UP TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO CHANGE MONUSCO’S MANDATE: Asked about the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the Spokesperson said that the Mission’s mandate is given by the Security Council and it would be up to the Council to change that mandate.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR GREATER PROGRESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS: Asked about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has repeatedly called for greater progress in the Middle East peace process.