Noon briefing of 12 February 2018

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2018

U.N. CHIEF TO ATTEND KUWAIT CONFERENCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ

• The Secretary-General will travel on Tuesday to Kuwait, where on Wednesday he will speak at the opening session of the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq. Prior to the start of the conference, the Secretary-General will meet with the Emir of Kuwait, who is hosting the event. The Secretary-General will encourage international support for Iraq’s reconstruction and expects to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other leaders gathered for the occasion.
• On Thursday, 15 February, the Secretary-General will then travel to Munich to attend the Munich Security Conference. On 16 February, he will deliver a keynote speech during the opening ceremony of the conference. He will also hold bilateral meetings with participating Heads of State and Government.

• The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) has received four allegations of misconduct, including three allegations of sexual exploitation. These allegations involve military peacekeepers from South Africa.
• According to information at this time, the three allegations of sexual exploitation involve adult victims, one of which includes a paternity and child support claim. These incidents allegedly took place in Sake, Beni and Goma (in North Kivu). The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has been engaged to ensure that victims are provided with immediate assistance.
• The fourth allegation refers to physical violence inflicted by military peacekeepers on a 17-year-old boy in Eastern Kasai. The victim was referred to UNICEF for immediate assistance and his protection is being monitored by the UN’s Joint Human Rights Office.
• Ensuring the provision of assistance to the victims is our priority. The UN Mission and UN agencies and partners with the support of the Victims’ Rights Advocate will continue to maintain the well-being of the victims and monitor their needs. MONUSCO will provide any additional assistance such as the collection of DNA samples.
• The UN has informed the Member State of these four allegations and has requested that National Investigation Officers be appointed within 5 days, and for investigations to be completed within the reduced 90-days timeframe, due to the serious concerns raised by these allegations, jointly with a team from the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
• The UN welcomes the South African Defense Army’s commitment to investigate the allegations as per their press release.
• The United Nations is gravely concerned over these allegations despite the efforts in partnership with Member States to prevent and address sexual exploitation and abuse and misconduct.

• Ali al-Za’tari, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, said today that the situation in the country has worsened since we had issued a call for a cessation of hostilities in 6 February. He said that we are witnessing some of the worst fighting of the entire conflict, with reports of hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries, massive displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities.
• Mr. al-Za’tari said that history will record failure to stop the fighting and will lay the blame on those responsible. We need to reach people in need with relief now not later.
• In a statement over the weekend, the Secretary-General expressed his concerns about the alarming military escalation throughout Syria and the dangerous spillover across its borders.
• The Secretary-General stresses once again that all concerned in Syria and the region have a responsibility and must abide by international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. He calls on all to work for an immediate and unconditional de-escalation of violence and exercise restraint.
• The Secretary-General further calls on the parties to move swiftly toward a political solution, in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, which is the only way to end the violence and the terrible suffering of the Syrian people.

• The Secretary-General, in a statement yesterday on the death of human rights advocate Asma Jahangir, said that we have lost a human rights giant. He said that she was a tireless advocate for inalienable rights of all people and for equality – whether in her capacity as a Pakistani lawyer in the domestic justice system, as a global civil society activist, or as a Special Rapporteur. The Secretary-General said that Asma was brilliant, deeply principled, courageous and kind, and that she will not be forgotten.

• Today, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, concluded a twelve-day visit to the Western Balkans – including Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• In the four States, the Special Adviser met high-level government officials, including cabinet members, heads of parliament and national prosecutors; religious leaders; representatives of civil society organizations as well as members of the diplomatic and UN communities.
• In his meetings with representative of the diplomatic community in the region, Special Adviser Dieng called for concerted and sustained efforts to prioritize reconciliation and prevention, particularly important in light of ongoing efforts by Western Balkan States to achieve European Union membership.

• Today is the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers. In a statement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba said that last year, more than 5,000 children were released from armed groups and reintegrated in to society, but she stressed that tens of thousands more children remain.

• The United Nations continues to be very concerned about the unfolding situation. The Organization is getting more information about the recent events, including the reported house arrest of the Sustainable Development Goals youth leader Safaath Ahmad. The UN reiterates its calls for the lifting of the state of emergency and a dialogue to solve the current crisis.

• Over the weekend, a statement was issued in which the Secretary-General expressed deep sadness over the tragic plane accident today in the Moscow region, in which all passengers and crew reportedly lost their lives.
• The Secretary-General conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of the Russian Federation.

• Mr. Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, will meet jointly with H.E. Mr. Nikos Kotzias, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, and H.E. Mr. Nikola Dimitrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, at the United Nations Office at Vienna on 13 February 2018. The meeting is part of United Nations efforts to assist the sides in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the “name” issue.

• Today, Sweden paid its dues in full. The Honour Roll now totals 48.