Noon briefing of 15 February 2011

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSED NEED FOR LEADERS TO LISTEN TO VOICES OF THE PEOPLE

• In response to questions on recent protests in Iran and Bahrain, the Spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General had repeatedly said that leaders in the region, and elsewhere in the world, must listen attentively to the voices of the people. He added that freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and of association as well as freedom of speech were rights that needed to be guaranteed. Nesirky also said that protests, when they take place, should be peaceful and violence should be avoided.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SPOKE OUT VERY STRONGLY ON NEED FOR PRESS FREEDOM

• Asked about the Secretary-General’s commitment to freedom of the press, the Spokesperson said that Secretary-General had consistently spoken out about the importance of press freedom, both in public settings and behind the scenes. He noted that it was very often the behind the scenes work that had helped to secure the release of journalists.

• Nesirky added that the Secretary-General had spoken out very strongly on the need for press freedom, including recently concerning the incidents in Egypt.

• He noted that the United Nations, and particularly UNESCO which has a mandate to look at the freedom of the media, liaised closely with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

• The Spokesperson also said that freedom of information and access to information were fundamental rights and that freedom of the media was an essential part of any democracy.

U.N. REFUGEE AGENCY HELPING MANAGE TUNISIANS INFLUX IN ITALY

• The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and its partners are in Lampedusa and several locations in southern Italy working with local authorities to manage the recent influx of Tunisians.

• UNHCR says that according to the Italian Government more than 5,200 people have arrived since mid-January, with the vast majority –more than 4,000-- having arrived during the past few days.

• The agency adds that the large number of people arriving over such a short period has put significant pressure on the small island of Lampedusa. A reception centre designed for 800 people is currently holding more than 2,000. And following a number of flights to relieve congestion in Lampedusa, other reception centres in Italy are also reaching capacity.

• UNHCR says that from its discussions with new arrivals, it is clear that while most are coming in search of employment, others are citing fear of violence and a breakdown of law and order in their home regions. The agency welcomes the Italian Government’s commitment to providing access to asylum procedures for those who are seeking international protection and urges solidarity with Italy as it faces this new chapter of mixed migration.

U.N. ASSISTS DISPLACED IN WESTERN COTE D’IVOIRE AND IVORIAN REFUGEES IN LIBERIA

• In western Côte d’Ivoire, the UNHCR started today on clearing ground for a new camp for displaced people. So far, the agency has registered 38,600 uprooted individuals.

• UNHCR is also looking for additional sites to accommodate more internally displaced persons – as many of the displaced had been surviving so far on the generosity of local families and charities.

• The agency also says that the continued tensions are driving some families to move closer to the border with Liberia while others were crossing the border to seek asylum. UNHCR has already registered more than 36,000 arrivals there.

• The agency says is preparing for up to 100,000 refugees in Liberia.

• UNICEF adds that the vast majority – 85% -- of the refugees in Liberia are children and women. The Children’s Fund is concerned about severe food shortages, inadequate shelter and the threat of disease outbreaks.

• In response to a measles outbreak that had killed five Liberian children in Nimba County, where 97% of the refugees were hosted, UNICEF is supporting a health campaign for children between the ages of six months and 16 years old. UNICEF has also distributed nutrition, health and HIV/AIDS medication to public health centers and partners.

SECRETARY-GENERAL WRAPS UP VISIT TO PERU

• The Secretary-General met with President Alan Garcia of Peru in Lima today.

• Speaking at a joint press conference with the President afterward, the Secretary-General said that Peru has seen considerable progress during the past decade in consolidating democracy and attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

• The challenge now, he said, is to spread these gains equally to all of the country's most vulnerable people, particularly in rural areas, where the majority of indigenous peoples live.

• This afternoon, the Secretary-General will speak at the National University of San Marcos. He will be talking about building a world that is more sustainable and equitable.

• The Secretary-General will be back in New York tomorrow morning.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED BY O.S.C.E. CHAIRMAN: The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Audronius Azubalis, who is also the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, briefed the Security Council this morning.

GAZA FLOTILLA INQUIRY PANEL AWARE OF NEED TO COMPLETE WORK SOON AND IN BEST POSSIBLE WAY: Asked about the deadline for the final report by the Panel of Inquiry into the Gaza flotilla incident, the Spokesperson noted the importance of receiving the reports of both Turkey and Israel. He noted that a subsequent report was submitted by Turkey just last week and that the Panel members would have to take this into account. He said that the Panel members were fully aware of the need to complete their work as soon as possible but also of the need to do their work in the best possible way.