HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE U.N. SYSTEM

FRIDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2016

**There was no noon briefing today.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN

• In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General condemned the two terrorist attacks today in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, reportedly targeting a Christian neighbourhood and a district court, respectively. He stressed the need to ensure accountability and to bring to justice the perpetrators of these terrorist attacks.
• The Secretary-General is saddened by the loss of life. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. He expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WRAPS UP VISIT TO SRI LANKA

• The Secretary-General is wrapping up his visit to Sri Lanka today.
• In a press conference concluding his three-day visit, the Secretary-General said that Sri Lanka was at a crossroads, and commended the Government and people’s bold decision to face the past and deal with the legacies of conflict. He stressed that the United Nations has also had to address the legacy of its actions in Sri Lanka, which did not meet the world’s expectations. We reviewed our involvement in the terrible events of that time and continue to take steps to ensure that human rights are at the centre of all our decision-making, he said.
• The Secretary-General said that reconciliation will not be accomplished overnight. It is a complex process that requires continuous nurturing. He commended the unity Government for taking steps to pursue truth-seeking and accountability mechanisms and to deal with the grievances of people in the North and the East. He also welcomed the establishment of an office of missing persons and the process to reform the constitution to achieve a political settlement. However, he noted that more needs to be done and that victims cannot wait forever. They deserve to have their voices heard, they deserve credible, transparent and solid transitional justice mechanisms, he concluded, welcoming the Government’s effort on widespread consultations on this matter.
• Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General visited Jaffna, in the North of the island, where he met with the Governor of the Northern Province, Reginal Cooray, the leader of the Opposition and of the Tamil National Alliance, R. Sampanthan, as well as Justice C.V. Wigneswaran, Chief Minister of the Northern Province. He also met with civil society and people living in resettlement sites to exchange views regarding the Government’s efforts to advance transitional justice and peacebuilding.
• He also addressed an event on SDG16 on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. This Sustainable Development Goal demands action against corruption and crime, and requires that institutions function in a transparent and efficient way, based on the rule of law, and that access to justice is guaranteed for all.
• He added that here in Sri Lanka, the world’s work for human rights faced one of its most difficult tests. Sri Lankans are deeply engaged in a process of reckoning and reconciliation and the United Nations has also engaged in self-scrutiny, building on the lessons from Sri Lanka.
• The United Nations has taken wide-ranging steps to strengthen our focus on human rights, particularly during times of political and humanitarian crisis, he said, stressing his determination to ensure that human rights are where they belong: at the centre of our decision-making.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO VISIT SOUTH SUDAN

• The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today announced the visit of a delegation from the UN Security Council to the country starting on 2 September, which follows the recent renewal of the mandate of the Mission.
• The delegation, co-led by the Permanent Representatives of the Missions of Senegal and the United States, will comprise representatives of all member states of the Security Council. It is expected to hold meetings with President Salva Kiir and other Transitional Government members to reinforce messages contained in Security Council resolutions related to South Sudan. The Council will also discuss how the UN Mission will continue to work with the government to improve the security and humanitarian situation in the country, including discussion of the Regional Protection Force, a key component of the Mission’s new mandate.
• While in South Sudan, Council members will take the opportunity to visit UNMISS Protection of Civilians sites in Juba and a protection area established adjacent to the UNMISS base in Wau to meet with internally displaced people and see for themselves the prevailing humanitarian and security conditions. They will also engage with civil society organisations, community leaders, women and youth groups to obtain first-hand perspectives on the security situation, on their needs, challenges, and the impact of the conflict on communities.

11 PEOPLE DYING EVERY DAY FLEEING ACROSS THE MEDITERRANEAN - UNHCR

• A year ago today a photograph of Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi’s small body washed up on a Turkish beach drew the world’s attention to the shocking danger and unfathomable loss experienced by thousands of refugees desperately trying to reach safety in Europe.
• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today said that since then, the dangers faced by those fleeing across the Mediterranean have only worsened. UNHCR estimates that since Alan’s death, 4,176 people have died or gone missing on the Mediterranean - an average of 11 men, women and children perishing every single day over the last 12 months.
• So far this year, the pace of drowning deaths has only increased, setting 2016 on course to become the deadliest year on record for those attempting to cross the stretch of sea. One person has died for every 42 crossing from North Africa to Italy, compared to one in every 52 last year, said UNHCR.
• UNHCR stressed the urgent need for States to increase pathways for admission of refugees, such as resettlement, private sponsorship, family reunification and student scholarship schemes, among others, so they do not have to resort to dangerous journeys and the use of smugglers.