MBN: THE MONTE BUBBLES NETWORK

 Feb 3

UN OFFICIALS URGE GLOBAL PUSH TO REVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

 New York, Feb 2 2007 8:00PM Top United Nations officials today called for international action to reverse environmental damage across the planet, stressing that the world body can play a key role in this effort. “Protecting the global environment is largely beyond the capacity of individual countries,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a video message to the Paris Conference for Global Ecological Governance in Paris. “The natural arena for such action is the United Nations.” Environmental degradation reverses many of the gains made by mankind in recent decades, Mr. Ban said, as it “is undercutting our fight against poverty” and “could even come to jeopardize international peace and security.” “We need clear objectives and strong ecological governance at the global level, a concept that continues to elude us,” said General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, who addressed the Conference. “Without radical change, we will all ultimately find ourselves in a situation of generalized precariousness,” she cautioned. Sheikha Khalifa asserted that the General Assembly is the best forum for the international community to work to combat climate change, induced by industrialization and other human endeavours. “We must, without further ado, agree on the definition of an institutional framework that will enable us to take more effective and efficient collective action,” she said. Her remarks come on the heels of the release of a UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report today, which states that global warming – manifested by atmospheric changes, melting glaciers, extreme temperatures and rising sea levels – is most likely caused by human activities. “Momentum for action is building; this new report should spur policymakers to get off the fence and put strong and effective policies in place to tackle greenhouse gas emissions,” said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme  2007-02-02 00:00:00.000

LEGENDARY ITALIAN COMPOSER PERFORMS AT UN IN SUPPORT OF ITS GLOBAL WORK

 New York, Feb 2 2007 8:00PM Renowned Italian composer and conductor Ennio Morricone performed a concert this evening at the United Nations entitled “Message for Peace” in support of the Organization’s global work. The concert, held in the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York, featured a 170-piece symphony orchestra and polyphonic choir performing pieces based on original scores which were composed, orchestrated and conducted by Mr. Morricone. Selections included the composition “Voci dal Silenzio” (“Voices from Silences”) which he wrote after the events of 11 September 2001 and is in memory of victims of all massacres throughout history. Mr. Morricone, who is set to receive an Honorary Academy Award this month to celebrate his many contributions to cinematic music, dedicated tonight’s performance to all UN staff. Mr. Ban paid tribute to Mr. Morricone and his musicians “for recognizing the valiant work carried out by our men and women around the world – for peace, for human rights, for the environment, for the Millennium Development Goals.” These targets, known as MDGs, were agreed to at a 2000 UN Summit and aim to slash a host of global ills such as poverty and illiteracy by the year 2015. “Maestro Morricone, all of us working on these formidable tasks deeply appreciate this gesture of solidarity,” the Secretary-General said. In his prolific career, Mr. Morricone has scored over 450 movies and television programmes. He is a five-time Oscar nominee for the music he composed for “Days of Heaven,” “The Mission,” “The Untouchables,” “Bugsy” and “Malena.” He also helped to define the spaghetti western genre, having collaborated with famed Italian film director Sergio Leone on such movies as “A Fistful of Dollars.” Other well-known Morricone scores include “Nuevo Cinema Paradiso,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and “The Legend of 1900,” for which he won a Golden Globe Award. Mr. Ban praised Mr. Morricone’s drama-filled compositions which have “been used to tell stories about people with big dreams,” but has also showed us “the good, the bad and the ugly,” borrowing the title of one of Mr. Morricone’s most famous films. “In other words, your music could serve as the soundtrack for my first few weeks in office!” joked Mr. Ban, whose tenure as Secretary-General began on 1 January. 2007-02-02 00:00:00.000

UN HUMANITARIAN ARM VOWS TO STAY IN DARFUR DESPITE RISING TIDE OF ATTACKS

New York, Feb 2 2007 8:00PM Despite the recent alarming surge in the number of violent attacks against relief workers in the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur, United Nations humanitarian officials pledged today to continue their work across the area, even if they have to modify operations. Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator Margareta Wahlström said Darfur is becoming one of the most dangerous areas in the world for aid workers, with many places and roads now either deemed “no go” or extremely insecure, making it difficult to reach those in need, especially in North and West Darfur. “Every day there are more people who need our help, yet our colleagues are being threatened by all sides,” she said in a statement. “We need all parties to stop the fighting and attacks. We finally need an effective ceasefire, after almost four years of relentless violence.” About 4 million people across Darfur, an impoverished region roughly the size of France, depend on 13,000 relief workers from UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for basic aid and services, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The situation continues to deteriorate: more than 2 million people are internally displaced, with another 25,000 added to that total last month alone. Fighting continues between Government forces, allied militias and rebel groups seeking greater autonomy, and officials have warned that the conflict threatens to spill over into neighbouring Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR). Ms. Wahlström said she was particularly concerned that the attacks were rising, despite repeated and clear appeals from the UN and NGOs that they should be spared. The attacks include hijackings of humanitarian convoys. Yesterday a civilian police officer with the AU peace monitoring mission in Darfur (known as AMIS) was killed at a camp in North Darfur for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and in mid-December armed groups launched a major attack against NGO compounds in the South Darfur town of Gereida. OCHA said it was also appalled by last month’s incident in which Government police and local security officials arrested and assaulted 20 UN staff members and NGO workers taking part in a social gathering in the town of Nyala. “We have been promised a full investigation into this terrible incident,” Ms. Wahlström said. “The Government has to ensure that the perpetrators will be held accountable, and send a strong message that it will not tolerate attacks against relief workers by its own officials or anyone else.” 2007-02-02 00:00:00.000

Feb 2

FACING RISING NUMBERS OF CITY DWELLERS, UN AGENCY LAUNCHES ‘URBAN FARMING’ CAMPAIGN

New York, Feb 1 2007 8:00PM The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization is launching a programme to promote urban farming across the developing world as projections show that the number of city dwellers in those countries will continue to surge dramatically. Nine African countries are participating in FAO’s “Food for the Cities” programme, where thousands of hectares of urban land are being transformed into allotment gardens to grow fresh vegetables. All the food is being grown according to quality agricultural practices to ensure the produce is fresh, safe and healthy, FAO said in a statement issued today at its headquarters in Rome. The gardens – especially those in slum districts – will also serve as valuable green spaces in often congested and polluted cities. Some of the allotment farmers have already signed contracts with local supermarkets to sell their produce or set up kiosks to market surplus products to the neighbourhood. In a related project in the Colombian cities of Bogota and Medellin, the FAO has launched a pilot scheme to support the production of vegetables by internally displaced persons (IDPs). The campaign has been established in response to the rapid rise of urban dwellers around the world; this year, for the first time in history, the world’s urban population exceeds the number living in rural areas. The rate of change is most acute in the developing world, where many new urban residents live in slums on the edge of cities. In sub-Saharan Africa, slum residents account for as much as three-quarters of the entire population of some cities. UN demographers expect the trend to continue, with two-thirds of the world’s peoples living in cities by 2030. “There will be a huge increase in urban populations,” said Alexander Müller, Acting Head of FAO’s Agriculture and Consumer Department. “Making sure they have the food they need will pose an unprecedented challenge.” The participating countries in the FAO project are the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Senegal, Gabon, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Egypt and Mali. 2007-02-01 00:00:00.000

END RECRUITMENT OF CHILD SOLDIERS NOW, UN ENVOYS URGE SUDANESE PARTIES

New York, Feb 1 2007 8:00PM The United Nations envoy on children and armed conflict and the deputy head of the UN Children’s Fund have urged all parties in Sudan to commit to ending child recruitment and to immediately release any children associated with their forces. Wrapping up a week-long visit to Sudan, including to strife-torn Darfur, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah called for increased resources to help former child combatants reintegrate into their communities. “Children should be seen as a bridge-head in the dialogue for peace,” Ms. Coomaraswamy said. “Protecting them is crucial to building a durable peace in this country.” Ms. Salah reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting national authorities in protecting all children, noting that they “dream of being free from a culture of war and fear, and we are ready to walk hand in hand with the people of Sudan to achieve this goal.” The Special Rapporteur and Ms. Salah also welcomed a series of commitments by the Government and armed groups to reinforce child protection. The Government of National Unity has pledged to adopt and implement national legislation to criminalize recruitment of child soldiers and also to set up a joint task force with the UN on sexual violence and abuse against children. The Government of Southern Sudan will undertake an audit of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and allied forces, in collaboration with the UN, to identify and release any associated children. It will also increase spending on the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of children. Rebel groups and non-signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), struck in May last year, have promised to cooperate with the UN on action plans to identify and release children associated with their forces and to set up a monitoring and verification system. Ms. Coomaraswamy and Ms. Salah also urged national authorities to accelerate the adoption of critical child protection legislation such as the Child Rights Bill and the Armed Forces Act, and to undertake rigorous investigation and prosecution for crimes against children, especially rape and other grave sexual violence against girls. Recent allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of children by UN peacekeepers were also addressed during the visit, with the delegation reiterating that such abuses are unacceptable and calling for the Secretary-General's “zero tolerance” policy to be vigorously enforced. 2007-02-01 00:00:00.000

Feb 1

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT WORKING GROUP NEARING AGREEMENT ON CRIME OF AGGRESSION

New York, Jan 31 2007 7:00PM The countries overseeing the structure and management of the International Criminal Court are making “very good progress” towards agreement on a definition of the crime of aggression, the head of a key working group told a press conference at United Nations Headquarters today. Christian Wenaweser, Liechtenstein’s Permanent Representative to the UN and the Chairman of the Special Working Group on the Crime of Aggression of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, said the definition – a long-running source of contention in international law – “is shaping up, to my mind, very clearly.” If a definition is agreed upon, the individual leaders of a State face potential prosecution for acts of aggression ranging from an invasion to a bombing campaign or armed blockade. But Mr. Wenaweser warned that several sticking points remain, both over the definition and what role the Security Council should play in determining whether acts of aggression by States have taken place, and the working group may not be able to agree before it is scheduled to wind up by the end of next year. The Rome Statute in 1998 that led to the creation of the ICC included the crime of aggression as one of the four categories of crimes over which it has jurisdiction (the others are genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes). But it said the Court cannot exercise its rights in the area until it has agreed on a definition, which it stated must also be consistent with the UN Charter. The working group, which has been meeting this week in New York, has been debating the question of a definition since 2002. Mr. Wenaweser said a General Assembly resolution from 1974 “which to some extent does define aggression” was proving central to the current discussions. That resolution listed many actions as fitting the definition, including armed invasions and attacks, bombardments, blockades and violations of territory. Mr. Wenaweser said it was not clear yet whether all of those acts would ultimately make the ICC definition, but he added it was likely to contain a threshold clause stating that any act of aggression must constitute a “manifest violation” of the UN Charter. Countries remain divided over whether there should be a higher threshold depending on the intended purpose behind the act of aggression, and also over whether the Security Council, the ICC or some other body should take the lead in determining whether acts of aggression have occurred. Mr. Wenaweser stressed that although the crime of aggression would apply only to the action of one State against another, it would entail individual criminal responsibility for one or more of the leaders of that State. The ICC can try cases involving individuals charged with crimes committed since July 2002, although any charges over the crime of aggression could only relate to events that take place after a definition is reached. The Security Council, the ICC Prosecutor or a State Party to the court can initiate any proceedings, and the ICC only acts when countries themselves are unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute. Only countries that have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute are classed as States Parties to the ICC and able to serve on the assembly and working groups overseeing the Court. There are currently 104 States Parties. 2007-01-31 00:00:00.000

CÔTE D’IVOIRE: UN FACILITATES BOOK DONATION TO BOLSTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

 New York, Jan 31 2007 7:00PM Pressing ahead with efforts to rebuild war-damaged educational institutions in Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations peacekeeping mission there today facilitated the donation of scores of books to a university library in the north. The University of Bouaké received some 150 law-school texts delivered by the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) from the Societé Lexis-Nexis in Paris. Côte d’Ivoire has been split between the rebel-held north and the Government-controlled south since 2002. Before the crisis the University of Bouaké library contained more than 15,000 titles. But during combat, the library was bombed and the entire campus was pillaged. The University of Bouaké re-opened in April 2006 and now has some 2,500 to 3,000 books in a storage area. The donation of a range of textbooks from “Code de Droit international des Droits de l’Homme” to “Droits des relations internationales” was the symbolic beginning of the refurbishing of the Law Library at the University of Bouaké, ONUCI said. The mission’s Chief Legal Adviser, Therese de Saint Phalle, presided over a ceremony in support of the library where speakers highlighted the importance of maintaining and developing the educational institutions in Côte d’Ivoire. 2007-01-31 00:00:00.000

NEW UN PEACEBUILDING TOOLS POISED TO HELP STATES CONSOLIDATE STABILITY – OFFICIAL

 New York, Jan 31 2007 6:00PM The top United Nations peacebuilding official today said that fresh initiatives, bolstered by millions of dollars in resources and drawing upon the capacities and experiences of numerous agencies of the world body, are poised to aid post-conflict countries in consolidating stability and avoiding a relapse into violence. Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Carolyn McAskie told an open debate of the Security Council that three new pillars – the Peacebuilding Support Office, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and the Peacebuilding Fund – offer “a new opportunity to address this critical and fragile period in the life of a country ravaged by conflict.” The PBC, established in December 2005, operates in conjunction with several of the UN’s principal organs, namely the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), to focus on reconstruction, institution-building and the promotion of sustainable development in post-conflict countries. “Time and again it has been noted that there is a strong correlation between low levels of development and violent conflict,” ECOSOC President Dalius Cekuolis said, underscoring the necessity of providing timely assistance. “Our common objective should be to mobilize the whole institutional machinery of the United Nations to promote across-the-range policy approaches and best practices to develop answers to the complex and difficult needs of post-conflict countries and prevent their relapse into conflict.” Sierra Leone and Burundi, both recovering from devastating civil wars, are beneficiaries of the first-ever grants, aimed at generating confidence and encouraging economic recovery, to be distributed by the PBC. Critical challenges facing Sierra Leone include youth employment, consolidating democracy, and justice and security reform, according to a letter from the Chairman of the Peacebuilding Commission to the Security Council. Burundi is endeavouring to promote good governance, strengthen the rule of law and ensure community recovery. While acknowledging that the PBC is still in an “experiment” phase, the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, Sylvester Ekundayo Rowe, told the Council that his country’s “expectations remain high” and that it has “faith in its commitment to help us address some of the problems and challenges that require urgent attention” to generate confidence and spur economic recovery. Burundi’s Permanent Representative, Joseph Ntakirutimana, welcomed the fact that the Council was grappling with such an important subject that has the potential to offer stability, development and hope to countries such as his own which have been ravaged by conflict. As part of the first round of contributions, Burundi is due to receive $35 million from the Fund. The money, however, can “only act as a catalyst,” cautioned Ms. McAskie, who previously served as the senior UN envoy to Burundi, heading peacekeeping operation there. “Alone, it cannot address the peacebuilding resource needs of countries emerging from conflict.” Instead, she said, an integrated strategic approach is necessary to reinforce peace, pledging that the PBC will take the lead in coordinating the peacebuilding efforts of UN agencies, donors, civil society and the private sector to thwart duplication or overlap. In the long run, peacebuilding “should define the way in which we frame our interventions to ensure that we can most effectively respond to the immediate needs of a post-conflict society and keep the peace process on a sustainable track,” she said. Over a dozen speakers addressed the Council session, which heard not only from countries but also representatives of international financial institutions. Speaking for the World Bank, Oscar A. Avalle pointed out that over 1 billion of the world’s poor were either directly affected or at high risk of being affected by civil war, and 80 per cent of the world’s 20 poorest countries had suffered a major war in the past 15 years. “We can and must work together to ensure national ownership, international support and strategic collaboration amongst all partners to ensure long-term sustainable peace and development,” he said. Richard Munzberg of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed that countries should have ownership of peacebuilding strategies, and pointed out that the IMF is actively working in both Burundi and Sierra Leone. 2007-01-31 00:00:00.000

Jan 31

UN ENVOY IN IRAQ VISITS SAUDI ARABIA SEEKING REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR PEACE EFFORTS

New York, Jan 31 2007 11:00AM The top United Nations envoy to Iraq visited Saudi Arabia today as part of his ongoing efforts to muster regional support to bring stability to the war-torn country. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Ashraf Qazi, who over the weekend conferred with Syrian officials in Damascus, met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. They discussed “recent developments in Iraq and the role of neighbouring countries in supporting efforts to reduce violence and promote stability,” the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq  said in a statement. Mr. Qazi “expressed the need for greater regional cooperation in supporting the Iraqi government’s reconciliation initiatives,” it added, noting that his meeting was part of a tour “aimed at learning the views and perceptions of governments in the region.” 2007-01-31 00:00:00.000

AFGHANISTAN: UN-BACKED BODY STEPS UP EFFORTS FOR RECONSTRUCTION

 New York, Jan 31 2007 11:00AM A high-level United Nations-backed body promoting a five-year development plan for Afghanistan wound up a two-day meeting in Berlin today with a commitment to more aggressive and determined efforts to rebuild the war-torn country, ranging from improving security to easing poverty to fostering human rights. “As 2007 starts we have a window of opportunity to regain momentum,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Tom Koenigs told the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board JCMB) session attended by 23 countries and international institutions. “We have to turn the tide and to seize every opportunity in the coming months for more growth, for more effective governance,” Mr. Koenigs, JCMB co-chair, added. The JCMB, set up last year to monitor implementation of the Afghanistan Compact, a five-year blueprint for reconstruction that was signed at the London Conference in February, was holding its first session outside Afghanistan, in line with intentions to hold at least one meeting annually in a major international setting. The meeting saw new initiatives aimed at addressing evolving challenges relating to lack of security, poverty, human rights and Afghanistan’s political environment. Prominent among these were Afghan proposals for accelerated Afghanization of the national army and police, as well as in the area of economic development. Other initiatives included improved capacity development for service delivery in Afghan provinces, redoubled employment generation, new momentum in reforms at the Ministry of Interior, enhanced aid effectiveness in line with current priorities, strengthening electoral preparations and intensified efforts to address the wider regional dimensions of the conflict, in which the ousted Taliban regime has stepped up attacks. “Afghanistan is grateful for the intensified military efforts of our international partners,” the Afghan co-chair of JCMB and senior economic adviser to President Hamid Karzai, Ishaq Nadiri, said. “And we recognize that an equally aggressive effort needs to be put into creating the conditions for long-term economic stability and social progress. “Afghanistan is a post-devastation country, and the Afghan people stand determined to chart a new path with the support of our international partners. To succeed, our efforts must be comprehensive and long-term,” he added. In the 12 months since the Afghanistan Compact was adopted, despite resurgent violence and record opium production, the JCMB has been able to oversee quiet but steady progress towards many vital goals, including creation of a national appointments mechanism, technical and administrative support to the new National Assembly, and reformed oversight procedures for strengthened government transparency. Progress has also been made on creating sustainable water resource strategies and plans for irrigation and drinking water, new business organization laws, and an Action Plan on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation. 2007-01-31 00:00:00.000

UN SUPPORTS LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL TO BOOST DEVELOPMENT

New York, Jan 30 2007 7:00PM Counting down to the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa, and boosting the continent’s efforts to improve education and health through sport, the African Union (AU), South Africa and Ethiopia have nominated 2007 as the International Year of African Football, an initiative welcomed by the United Nations as part of its global drive linking sport with development. The launch, which took place on Monday at the AU summit in Ethiopia, was also tied in to the 50th anniversary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Director of the UN New York Office of Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), Djibril Diallo, represented the sports-related activities of the agencies, funds and programmes of the UN at the historic event. “The year 2007 will see a rolling programme of activities in AU Member States with a view to sharing the pride that a FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) global event will be held for the first time on this continent,” the UNOSDP said in a press release. “The initiatives are meant to create a new consciousness with regard to the contribution of football, and sport in general, at the national level and in local communities to support AU programmes especially in the areas of education, health, development and peace.” The day-long launch took place in the presence of Heads of State and Government and leaders of 53 Member States of the AU, and also in attendance were FIFA President Sepp Blatter, CAF President Isaa Hayatou, along with several famous African footballers. Mr. Diallo met with South Africa’s Minister of Sport to discuss ways that UNOSDP can support the ministry’s efforts and those of the South African Local Organizing Committee to help promote activities related to the FIFA World Cup 2010. Initiatives will be launched in consultation with the AU through the various country offices of the UN in the next three years. UNOSDP, which is headed by the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General for Sport for Development and Peace Adolf Ogi, is the key UN body representing sport for development and peace on behalf of the UN system. 2007-01-30 00:00:00.000

Jan 30

YEMEN: UN AGENCY REPORTS RESUMED PEOPLE-SMUGGLING - AND DEATHS - FROM SOMALIA

New York, Jan 30 2007 12:00PM After a gap of several weeks the frequently deadly smuggling of people across the Gulf of Aden from Somalia to Yemen has resumed, with seven people drowning after being forced to disembark offshore in deep water, the United Nations refugee agency reported today. The smugglers have apparently started taking new routes to Yemen as a result of increased security patrols along the coast and an incident last month in which coastguards tried to arrest smugglers, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told a news briefing in Geneva. Over the weekend, staff in the UNHCR reception centre in Mayfa'a, south Yemen, reported that a boat with 130 people aboard had arrived in the region of Jebel-Reidah, about 100 kilometres southeast of Mayfa'a. The bodies of the seven who drowned were buried by villagers while the survivors were transferred to Mayfa'a where they are being assisted by UNHCR and its partners. At the end of last week, security and immigration authorities in Aden at Yemen’s southern tip told UNHCR that 136 Somalis and 96 Ethiopians had been picked up on Al-Azizyia Island in the Red Sea and transferred by coastguards to the nearby town of Imran. The new drop-off point near Aden is hundreds of miles away from Mayfa'a. From Somalia, the journey to Aden takes three days, instead of the usual 48-hour voyage. All the latest Somali arrivals will be handed over to UNHCR, the agency was told. The 96 Ethiopians have been taken to Mansoura prison. UNHCR has asked for access to them to do an initial screening and make sure that no persons in need of protection are among the group. Somalis reaching Yemen get automatic refugee status because many are fleeing violent conflict, though not all apply for it. Ethiopians are not automatically considered refugees, but can have cases heard individually. There are currently more than 88,000 registered refugees in Yemen, of whom 84,000 are Somalis. More than 25,800 people have been recorded arriving in Yemen from Somalia this year. At least 330 people have died making the dangerous journey, while more than 300 remain missing. In the past few months UNHCR has reported cases of migrants being savagely beaten to death and thrown overboard by club-wielding smugglers just for requesting water. 2007-01-30 00:00:00.000

WORLD TOURISM MARKS ANOTHER RECORD YEAR WITH 842 MILLION ARRIVALS, UN AGENCY REPORTS

New York, Jan 30 2007 12:00PM World tourism registered yet another record last year with 842 million arrivals, a higher than expected growth rate of 4.5 per cent in spite of adverse factors such as the Israeli-Hizbollah war in Lebanon and the terrorist threats to trans-Atlantic air travel from London, according to latest United Nations figures. World tourism registered yet another record last year with 842 million arrivals, a higher than expected growth rate of 4.5 per cent in spite of adverse factors such as the Israeli-Hizbollah war in Lebanon and the terrorist threats to trans-Atlantic air travel from London, according to latest United Nations figures. “Despite downside risks facing global tourism twelve months ago, in particular terrorism, health scares due to avian flu and rising oil prices, 2006 was another year of good growth above the long-term forecast rate of 4.1 per cent, backed up by one of the longest periods of sustained economic expansion,” UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General Francesco Frangialli said. Three years ago, world tourism, which can play a key role in fighting poverty and become a primary tool for sustainable development, began a historically new phase of growth, as it broke the barrier of 800 million international arrivals. It has grown more than 20 per cent since then. The increase in international tourist arrivals is projected to be around 4 per cent for 2007, much in line with the forecast long-term annual growth rate of 4.1 per cent through 2020, according to UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer. Growth is expected to be more solid as businesses, consumers, governments and international institutions are now better able to anticipate shocks and to respond more effectively to crises. Africa outpaced all other regions with almost twice the rate of global growth reaching 8.1 per cent in 2006 after an already strong 2005, led by sub-Saharan Africa (up by 9.4 per cent) and North Africa (up 5.8 per cent). Major destinations such as South Africa, Kenya and Morocco all continued to post excellent results. Asia and the Pacific (up 7.6 per cent) was able to maintain its extraordinary growth level, both due to the recovery of Thailand and the Maldives from the impact of the 2004 tsunami and “remarkable performances” from emerging destinations. International tourist arrivals in South Asia grew by 10 per cent boosted by India, the destination responsible for half the arrivals to the sub-region. Europe performed on target (up 4 per cent). Germany took advantage of the Football World Cup 2006, while Italy had a strong comeback. Spain’s solid results also contributed to the generally positive outcome. In the Middle East, international tourist arrivals are estimated to have risen by 4 per cent, after the bumper years of 2004 and 2005, in spite of the overall geopolitical situation, the Israel-Lebanon crisis in particular. Although the 2 per cent growth in the Americas might seem disappointing, regional results varied considerably. The rise in the United States was not enough to compensate for weak development in Canada and Mexico. On the other hand, results from Central (up 6.1 per cent) and South America (up 7.2 per cent) show how Latin America is on track to consolidate the positive outcome of recent years. Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Paraguay and Peru all grew at double-digit-rates. As a whole, the global economy is expected to maintain last year’s growth level. Oil prices have shown a tendency to remain less volatile and do not pose the risk to economic stability they did a year ago, UNWTO said. But some uncertainties remain. Increasing interest rates in some countries and regions could diminish available income. A weaker US dollar might affect foreign travel demand by Americans. On the other hand, a stronger euro could stimulate European international travel. 2007-01-30 00:00:00.000

UN REFUGEE AGENCY ISSUES NEW APPEAL FOR HELP FOR PALESTINIANS FLEEING PERSECUTION IN IRAQ

New York, Jan 30 2007 11:00AM The United Nations refugee agency today issued yet another appeal to the international community, including neighbouring and resettlement countries, to help find a “humane solution” for Palestinians fleeing persecution inside Iraq. “Another 50 Palestinians have fled to the Iraq-Syrian border following a traumatic week in Baghdad, bringing the total number stranded at the frontier to about 700,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees told a news briefing in Geneva. The 50 made the hazardous journey to the border four days after 73 Palestinians travelled the same road following the temporary detentions of 30 Palestinian men by militia in the capital last Tuesday. Over the past year UNHCR has voiced mounting alarm for the Palestinians, who fled to Iraq following the creation of Israel in 1948. Some received preferential treatment under ousted President Saddam Hussein, but they have become targets for attack since his overthrow in 2003. Nearly 20,000 of them have already fled Iraq but an estimated 15,000 still remain in the country, mostly in Baghdad. Syria continues to deny access to all Palestinians who are now stranded in two makeshift camps. A group of 356 has been in the no-man's land between the two countries since May, while the second group, which has now expanded to some 340, is stuck in El Waleed on the Iraqi side of the border. Yesterday UNHCR and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners provided food, water, kerosene, hygienic items and medicine to El Waleed camp. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and local NGOs will be bringing more tents and other relief items. A medical team visited the group on Sunday, but was unable to help one Palestinian man who died Sunday night from a severe asthma attack. “Despite our efforts to help them, the Palestinians continue to live in inhumane and insecure conditions,” Ms. Pagonis said. “We again urge the international community, including neighbouring and resettlement countries, to help find a humane solution for these refugees who are persecuted inside Iraq and have nowhere to go.” Just last week, the agency issued three appeals on behalf of the Palestinians. 2007-01-30 00:00:00.000

DARFUR: UN LAUNCHES SUPPLEMENTARY APPEAL TO PROTECT INTERNALLY DISPLACED

 New York, Jan 30 2007 11:00AM The United Nations refugee agency today launched a $19.7 million supplementary appeal to fund protection and aid for up to 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan’s Darfur region uprooted by fighting between government troops and rebels as well as by regular attacks by Arab militia on African tribes. “Protection and security remain the most fundamental needs for IDPs and refugees in Darfur,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said, noting that there are also 20,000 refugees in Darfur who had fled fighting in neighbouring Chad. “Key challenges are the ongoing displacement and the occupation of villages. “Particular attention to sexual and gender-based violence is still required, considering its high incidence among the displaced population. “Victims require both special medical and psychological care and support,” it added. There are also 230,000 Darfurian refugees who have fled into neighbouring Chad. The more than three-year-old conflict between Government forces, allied militia and rebels seeking greater autonomy has killed at least 200,000 people. Beyond the 20,000 Chadian refugees in Darfur there are over 100,000 Chadian IDPs uprooted by unrelenting inter-communal violence there. Despite the signing of a peace agreement between the Sudanese Government and one of the rebel groups in Darfur last May, the security situation remains extremely volatile, UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told a news briefing in Geneva. “With constant fighting between government troops and rebels opposed to the DPA [Darfur Peace Agreement], as well as regular attacks by Arab militia on African tribes, there is no prospect of return for internally displaced people in Darfur, nor for the more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees hosted in eastern Chad,” she said. She noted that aid workers had been the targets of organized attacks, with 12 of them killed in recent months, while assaults on humanitarian compounds and possessions had seriously reduced access to the people the most in need. “Despite the extremely precarious security conditions in Darfur, UNHCR remains committed to assisting the displaced and refugees in the region,” Ms. Pagonis stressed. In a separate development UNHCRreported today that 100,000 Sudanese refugees had now returned home to southern Sudan where a peace agreement two years ago ended a two-decade-long civil war between Government forces and rebels. An estimated 340,000 refugees remain in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia from that conflict, which also displaced some 4 million others internally in Africa’s largest country. 2007-01-30 00:00:00.000

Jan 28

BAN KI-MOON CALLS ON AFRICAN UNION SHOW UNITY OF PURPOSE IN BRINGING PEACE TO DARFUR

 New York, Jan 29 2007 11:00AM Calling the situation in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region “the largest humanitarian crisis in the world,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Africa’s leaders to use the same unity of purpose and partnership with the UN that brought peace to Burundi and Sierra Leone in tackling the intractable issue. “Together, we must work to end the violence and scorched-earth policies adopted by various parties, including militias, as well as the bombings which are still a terrifying feature of life in Darfur,” he told an African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of the conflict between Sudanese Government forces, allied militias and rebel groups that has killed at least 200,000 people and displaced more than 2 million others. “Life-saving humanitarian work must be allowed to resume, and civil society in Darfur must have a voice in the peace process. And we must persuade non-signatories to join, while building consensus for the urgent deployment of a UN-AU force on the ground,” he said, referring to rebel groups seeking greater autonomy who did not join in a peace accord signed last May. In a 90-minute meeting on the summit sidelines with Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir, Mr. Ban urged him and all parties to cease hostilities and grant humanitarian access. He told reporters afterwards that Mr Al-Bashir agreed to facilitate such access, and expressed willingness to cooperate with international efforts toward that end. He said his Special Envoy on Darfur Jan Eliasson and AU Envoy Salim A. Salim would go to Khartoum and Darfur in early February to support peace-making efforts, and the President welcomed the mission. He also called for an early Government response to plans for a hybrid UN-AU force in Darfur of 17,000 peacekeepers and 3,000 police. In his summit address, Mr. Ban also urged the leaders to bring unity of purpose to other intractable crises “that bleed like open wounds on the face of the Continent,” such as the conflicts in Somalia and Côte d’Ivoire. He noted how the UN-AU partnership helped to resolve the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where last November’s elections, the first in more than 40 years and the largest such support operation in UN history, were “a remarkable peacekeeping achievement.” “Liberia, too, shines as an example of what can be achieved through our collective will for peace and security in Africa,” he added. He drew on his own experiences as a child growing up in war-torn Korea in the 1950s to deliver a message of hope to Africa. “I have seen the hardship and hunger, the degradation and disease, that come with prolonged warfare,” he said. “Elderly women scavenging for scraps, toddlers weak from malnutrition and unsafe drinking water, buildings dilapidated, corn fields rotting, an infrastructure on its knees. “This I witnessed as a young boy, and the images haunt me to this day. But I also witnessed how, through unity of purpose, my country was able to transform itself from a traumatized nation with a non-existent economy, into a vibrant, productive society and a regional economic power,” he added. “Let us bring the same unity of purpose to bear on development in Africa.” Turning to the Millennium Development Goals MDGs) adopted by the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 to slash a host of social ills, such as extreme poverty and hunger, by 2015, Mr. Ban noted that some African countries had made remarkable progress, but much remained to be done. He announced that he planned to convene in March a working group on Africa and the MDGs, “a coalition of the willing” of African stakeholders and international organizations and donors, to accelerate progress on the goals, which also seek to reduce maternal and infant mortality and provide access to health care and education. He noted that AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria are responsible for nearly 4 million African deaths every year, and he also cited the seventh MDG on ensuring environmental sustainability as an enormous challenge. “The time has come for the rest of the world to assist African countries in adapting to the effects of a warming planet, while strengthening efforts to mitigate climate change,” he said. “How Africa fares in reaching the Millennium Development Goals is a matter of life and death for millions of Africans. It is also a test of the ability of the United Nations to carry out the mandate our membership has given us. It will be one of my priorities to ensure that we meet that test – and I will take steps to strengthen the Organization accordingly.” 2007-01-29 00:00:00.000

UN ENVOY DEPLORES MURDER OF AFGHAN PARLIAMENTARIAN AS ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY

New York, Jan 29 2007 11:00AM A senior United Nations envoy in Afghanistan today called on authorities to step up protection for all parliamentarians following the assassination of the first legislator since the new National Assembly was inaugurated over two years ago. The murder of Maulvi Mohammad Islam Mohammadi “represents an assault on the democratic will of the people who voted in their millions for peace, stability and progress during historic elections,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan Chris Alexander said in a statement. “This attack underlines the risks faced by dedicated parliamentarians as they work tirelessly to forge a new future for the people of Afghanistan. We urge Afghan authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and call on them to step up protection for all parliamentarians representing communities across Afghanistan,” he added. He noted that Maulvi Mohammadi served his country honourably as a mujahid (fighter against Soviet occupation in the 1980s), a religious scholar and a parliamentarian. “This murder is particularly distressing coming as Afghans mark the holy month of Moharram and on the eve of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain,” he said, referring to the Shiite commemoration of the grandson of Mohammed who was killed in battle in the 7th century. 2007-01-29 00:00:00.000

Jan 28

REGIONAL INVOLVEMENT KEY TO HELPING IRAQ, UN ENVOY TELLS SYRIAN OFFICIAL

 New York, Jan 28 2007 11:00AM Meeting in Damascus today with Syria's Foreign Minister, the top United Nations envoy to Baghdad said regional involvement is key to helping Iraq achieve stability and national reconciliation. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative, Ashraf Qazi, and Foreign Minister Walid Muallim discussed recent developments in Iraq and their impact on the region, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). Mr. Qazi stressed the need for greater regional engagement in support of the efforts by the Government of Iraq in reducing violence, bringing greater stability and promoting national reconciliation among all Iraqis, UNAMI said in a news release. On the issue of families forced to leave their homes, he praised Syria's generosity in hosting such a large number of Iraqis and discussed ways in which the UN could assist in alleviating their needs. The Special Representative's visit to Damascus is part of a regional tour aimed at hearing the views of Iraq's neighbors and encouraging them to contribute to the Government's successful efforts to reduce violence, bring greater stability and promote national reconciliation. 2007-01-28 00:00:00.000

NEPAL: CONCERNED AT RECENT VIOLENCE, UN ENVOY URGES SIDES TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE

New York, Jan 28 2007 11:00AM Responding to violence in Nepal, which has been the scene of deadly clashes in recent days, the senior United Nations envoy to the country has urged all parties to promote tolerance. "I have to begin by expressing my dismay at the deaths, injuries and destruction of property that has taken place in the Terai in recent days, and the deep concern of the United Nations regarding the situation that has given rise to these," Ian Martin, the Personal Representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said on Friday. "It is of course a matter of national responsibility to address this, but I add my voice to those calling on all parties to avoid violence and promote tolerance," he said, warning that the UN's work in supporting a free and fair Constituent Assembly process "can only be jeopardized if the situation in the Terai continues or escalates." Mr. Martin also reviewed progress since the adoption, on 23 January, of a Security Council resolution establishing the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) following an historic agreement reached last November by the Maoists and Government aimed at ending 10 years of bloody civil war that killed around 15,000 people and displaced over 100,000 others. "On Wednesday two large aircraft landed at Kathmandu bringing communications and engineering equipment, together with the first two helicopters." Meanwhile, registration has been under way at the Maoist army main cantonment sites at Chitwan and Nawalparasi. Mr. Martin said cooperation had been excellent "in most respects with the Maoist army commanders." There are 40 UN arms monitors working in Nepal, and that number is expected to rise to 186 under the full deployment. On the electoral side, UNMIN continues to assist the national Election Commission in carrying out its tasks, providing technical advice and assistance regarding legislation, voter education and the updating of voter rolls, Mr. Martin said. The Security Council arms and armies of the combatants, and to support elections to the Constituent Assembly. Mr. Ban, in a report to the Council earlier this month, warned that "if Nepal fails to meaningfully include traditionally marginalized groups in the peace process and in the election, and in the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly, the country will lose a crucial opportunity to harness the strength and the vision of its own people." 2007-01-28 00:00:00.000

Jan 27

UN TO FULLY AUDIT DPR KOREA ACTIVITIES FROM 1998 TO PRESENT, SAYS CONTROLLER

New York, Jan 26 2007 7:00PM An external audit of all United Nations activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – called for by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following press reports that funds from the UN Development Programme improperly went to the Government – will cover 1998 to the present and deal with issues ranging from staff hiring to hard currency payments, the world body’s senior budget official said today. “The Secretary-General is determined to pursue the questions relating to North Korea very vigorously, and to ensure that this is done within a credible process that will satisfy the requirements of legitimacy and which will serve all Member States within the established framework that exists for dealing with audit questions,” UN Controller Warren Sach told reporters in New York. He said this would involve “working with the financial regulations and rules” under which the Board of Auditors – an external body serving the UN – can act at the request of the General Assembly’s Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). In view of the matter’s urgency, the Chairman of the ACABQ has been asked to put before that panel the proposed Board of Auditors review, and this will be considered as soon as possible. “The scope of this work will focus on past and current compliance with applicable financial regulations and rules and accountability frameworks and other directives as well as to ensure that money expended in DPRK went to intended recipients,” Mr. Sach said. Among the areas to be reviewed are foreign currency transactions, staff hiring, access to reviewing local projects and their outputs, and direct payments for national execution projects. The review will cover the period from 1998 to present, and the Board of Auditors would be asked to conduct its activities within 90 days. The investigation was announce following press reports that UNDP’s own audits showed its funds went to the Pyongyang Government, which has been under sanctions since last October because of its proclaimed nuclear test. Mr. Sach said today that the audit of the DPRK does not preclude other studies in other locations, adding that the idea was to have early results on that country now. “The Secretary-General is interested in undertaking similar reviews of like operations in countries with comparable risks in the future,” he said. Asked about the cost of the investigation, he said it was too early to tell, but stressed the need to “bear in mind that audit resources like anything else in system are limited; one wants to focus on key issues, to work with risk-based auditing techniques because that’s the best way you get payback for your audit dollar.” UNDP has already announced plans to end all payments in hard currency to government, national partners, local staff and local vendors and discontinue sub-contracting of national staff via government recruitment – all by March. “We welcome the external audit, going back to 1998, as announced by the Secretary-General, which will enable us to take any additional management action as needed,” the agency said in a statement. UNDP has also said that of its approximately $6.5 million in programme expenditure on the most recent country programme, which ran from 2005 to 2006, “only $337,000 was implemented exclusively by the North Korean authorities.” Over the past decade, the agency’s programmes in DPRK have totalled roughly $29.1 million, or some $3 million per year. 2007-01-26 00:00:00.000

LEBANON’S RECONSTRUCTION FOCUS OF TALKS BETWEEN BAN KI-MOON AND FRENCH LEADER

New York, Jan 26 2007 6:00PM The reconstruction of Lebanon and an upcoming international environmental summit topped the agenda during talks today in Paris between United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and French President Jacques Chirac. Mr. Ban and Mr. Chirac discussed the results of yesterday’s donor conference on Lebanon, which is attempting to rebuild itself after last year’s war between the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Hizbollah, as well as the country’s tense political situation. During the conference yesterday Mr. Ban told participants that “political stability has to be the bedrock on which we consolidate economic recovery and reconstruction” in Lebanon, and he urged the nation’s neighbours “to fully respect its unity, independence and sovereignty. Lebanese democracy can only work if its leaders are free to make decisions and pursue reconciliation without fear of external pressure or interference.” Today the Secretary-General and Mr. Chirac also discussed an environmental conference scheduled to be held in the French capital next week, UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. He said the two leaders talked about Côte d’Ivoire, the conflict in Darfur and the unstable situation on the common border between Darfur and neighbouring Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR). Mr. Ban, who is undertaking his first overseas trip since becoming Secretary-General on 1 January, heads now to Africa, where he will visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Kenya in the week ahead. In the DRC, Mr. Ban will conduct talks in Kinshasa with President Joseph Kabila and other senior Government officials, as well as with peacekeepers and civilian staff of the UN’s largest mission. He will also address the National Assembly and make a brief visit to nearby Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, to meet with President Sassou Nguesso. The Secretary-General will then go to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the African Union (AU) Summit, where he expects to discuss the Darfur crisis with Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, as well as confer with the continent’s leaders on the conflicts in Chad, Somalia and Côte d'Ivoire. Mr. Ban will end his African tour with a stop in Nairobi, where he will meet Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, followed by a trip to the Netherlands, where he will visit the International Court of Justice the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. While in the Netherlands, he will also meet with Queen Beatrix as well as the Dutch Prime Minister and senior officials. After that, Mr. Ban is scheduled to go to Washington for a meeting of the Middle East Quartet – the diplomatic grouping comprising the UN, the United States, Russia and the European Union – which is seeking a two-State solution to the Middle East conflict, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace. 2007-01-26 00:00:00.000

CAMBODIA: PROGRESS IN KHMER ROUGE BUT ‘MAJOR ISSUES’ REMAIN: UN SPOKESMAN

New York, Jan 26 2007 6:00PM A judicial review committee in Cambodia, looking to resolve differences that have stalled the long-awaited trials of former Khmer Rouge leaders, accused of mass killings and other horrific crimes during the 1970s, has made progress over the last two weeks but several “major issues” still need to be resolved, a United Nations spokesman said today. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Review Committee concluded its two-week session in the capital Phnom Penh earlier today, on the draft Internal Rules for the court, Farhan Haq told reporters in New York. The UN is funding most of the $56.3 million three-year budget for the Khmer Rouge trials. “Solid progress was made during the two-week session of the Review Committee, significantly narrowing differences on a number of issues. Nevertheless, there remain several major issues to be fully resolved,” he said. “Such as the way in which Cambodian and international law can be integrated into the Internal Rules to ensure a transparent and fair registration process and full rights of audience for foreign defence counsel,” he added. A further meeting of the Review Committee is scheduled for March. In a press release from Phnom Penh, the Review Committee said it was “acutely aware of the urgent need to ensure fair and open trials for the benefit of the Cambodian people,” adding that it was “committed to achieving that goal” and had been working constantly since November on the various disagreements. Judges and prosecutors for the trials were sworn in last July. Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the trial court and a Supreme Court within the Cambodian legal system will investigate those most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979. The UN will pay $43 million of the $56.3 million budget for the trials, with the Government of Cambodia providing $13.3 million. At a pledging conference in 2005 to support the UN assistance to the trials, former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that the crimes committed under Khmer Rouge rule “were of a character and scale that it was still almost impossible to comprehend,” adding that “the victims of those horrific crimes had waited too long for justice.” 2007-01-26 00:00:00.000

Jan 26

UN REVIVES EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE YAWS – ONCE FORGOTTEN DISEASE THAT IS MAKING COMEBACK

 New York, Jan 26 2007 11:00AM The United Nations health agency is reviving efforts to eliminate yaws, a nearly forgotten disease that eats away at the skin, cartilage and bones of its victims, mostly children, which is making a comeback after a global control programme almost eradicated it over 40 years ago. “The persistence of yaws in the 21st century is unacceptable,” UN World Health Organization (WHO) Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases Lorenzo Savioli said of the disease which is re-emerging in poor, rural and marginalized populations of Africa, Asia and South America. “There is a cost-effective approach to treating this disease,” he added, noting that the single dose of long-acting penicillin costs as little as $0.32. Experts believe that yaws can be eliminated and eventually eradicated because humans are the only reservoir of infection. New cases appear every year. This week, world experts including officials from the health ministries of selected endemic countries – Indonesia, Ghana and the Republic of Congo – are holding informal talks to develop a new global strategy for combating it. The overall aim is to minimize suffering and the socio-economic impact the disease has on affected populations. A recent control programme in India provides optimism that elimination can be achieved in other countries with persistent efforts and political commitment. In the south-east Asia region, the aim is to eradicate yaws by 2012. This week’s talks are examining whether elimination is now possible in other regions of the world, signalling a possible revival of the 1950s global yaws programme as well as the development of a current global strategy to generate much-needed support at global, regional and country levels to eradicate it once and for all. The officials are studying a three-fold strategy: detecting and treating all yaws cases and their contacts; interrupting transmission; and preventing disability. 2007-01-26 00:00:00.000

IRAQ: UN AGENCY RAISES THIRD ALARM IN WEEK AT ‘UNRELENTING VIOLENCE’ AGAINST PALESTINIANS

New York, Jan 26 2007 11:00AM For the third time this week the United Nations refugee agency voiced alarm today at the unrelenting violence against Palestinian refugees in Iraq, with 34 people reported killed in the past two months and scores more terrified men, women and children fleeing Baghdad for the border with Syria, where hundreds are now stranded. “Conditions at the border are atrocious,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told a news briefing in Geneva, again urging the international community, including neighbouring and resettlement countries, to help find solutions and safety for refugees unable to remain inside Iraq. “It's cold. Clean water has to be trucked in. There is limited access to food. Tents are crowded and unhygienic. Tensions are high. The refugees feel very insecure and some report having been victimized by security officials near the border. The group is in a very vulnerable situation with no solution in sight,” she said. Over the past year UNHCR has voiced mounting alarm for the Palestinians, who fled to Iraq following the creation of Israel in 1948. Some received preferential treatment under ousted President Saddam Hussein, and they have become targets for attack since his overthrow in 2003. Nearly 20,000 of them have already fled the country but an estimated 15,000 still remain in the country, mostly in Baghdad. “Since 2003, many Palestinians have been kidnapped, tortured or killed, and violent threats against them have become routine,” Ms. Pagonis said. In the latest incident, at least 73 terrified refugees arrived at the border after 30 Palestinian men, 17 of them sheltered in a Baghdad apartment building rented by UNHCR, were taken away on Tuesday by men dressed in Iraqi security force uniforms and driving security vehicles. They were later released but by Wednesday all Palestinians in the apartment building had fled their homes. The new arrivals brought to 593 the number of Palestinians stuck at the border, many of them for months. Syria has denied them access and they refuse to return to Baghdad. “Along with ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross] and other partners, we are ensuring that enough food, water and relief items are on site,” Ms. Pagonis said. “Additional tents are also being delivered.” Estimates of the number killed since 2003 vary widely. In late December, the Palestinian embassy in Baghdad provided UNHCR with a list of 161 people killed there. Earlier this week, the Head of Refugee Affairs for the Palestine Liberation Organization said 520 hade been killed 140 others wounded by Shiite militias. There have been at least two attacks on Palestinian residential compounds over the past two months, including an armed assault in December in which at least nine Palestinians were reportedly killed and 20 wounded. “We have several reports of kidnappings and murders of Palestinians, some of whose bodies were found with signs of torture,” Ms. Pagonis said. “Death threats have increased. Harassment at work has prompted some to stop working, leaving them without a livelihood. UNHCR is also deeply concerned about the continued survival prospects of 280 Syrian Arabs registered with the agency in Baghdad who are also facing increasing militia-led violence. These refugees arrived in successive waves beginning in 1954, and were granted asylum in Iraq. “UNHCR has repeatedly urged all parties, including the [United States-led] multinational forces, the Ministry of Interior and Iraqi security forces, to provide more protection and help to refugees throughout the country,” Ms. Pagonis said. “We also need more rapid and transparent information on any of those detained during military or police actions, particularly with the increase in abductions by unidentified militiamen posing as security agents.” 2007-01-26 00:00:00.000

UNICEF OPENS FIRST OF 227 MOTHER-AND-CHILD HEALTH CENTRES IN TSUNAMI-HIT INDONESIA

New York, Jan 26 2007 11:00AM The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has  completed construction of the first of the 227 mother-and-child health centres it is building in Indonesia’s tsunami-devastated Aceh province and earthquake-hit Nias Island. “Through these family health and development centres, mothers, children and babies will have immediate and full-time access to professional midwives, specialized infant health care and learning and development activities,” UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Aceh Edouard Beigbeder said. “This is a brand new facility for the community. It’s not replacing something; it’s giving the community something they didn’t have before. Strengthening community-based health systems will have a long-lasting impact on child survival and development and will help facilitate Aceh and Nias’ recovery, rehabilitation and development.” Indonesia was the worst-hit of the dozen Indian Ocean nations that were struck by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami on 26 December 2004, accounting for some two thirds of the death toll of more than 200,000, with over half a million others left homeless. The new centres built by UNICEF combine community midwifery and basic preventive and curative services for women by providing a blend of essential services, such as antenatal and neonatal care, breastfeeding support, growth monitoring, regular immunization, parental education, micronutrient provision, basic health information and behavioural change promotion. To ensure quality of service, UNICEF, in collaboration with Aceh provincial health authorities and partners, will roll out an inclusive training programme for healthcare providers. Most health centres will also have an Early Childhood Development Centre offering learning and stimulation activities for pre-school children aged three to six. Fifteen of them will also be equipped with a Child Protection Centre. UNICEF has set aside $11 million for the construction of the centres, in addition to $90 million for the construction of more than 300 permanent schools, the first time UNICEF has taken on a construction role. 2007-01-26 00:00:00

Jan 25

UN EXPERT CALLS ON SINGAPORE NOT TO HANG NIGERIAN ON DRUG CHARGES, SAYS BREACHES RIGHTS

 New York, Jan 25 2007 11:00AM An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on Singapore not to proceed with tomorrow’s planned hanging of a Nigerian for heroin trafficking, charging that the island state’s Government has failed to ensure respect for relevant legal safeguards under international standards. “It is a fundamental human right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Philip Alston said in a statement, noting that the trial judge ruled that although there was no direct evidence that Iwuchukwu Amara Tochi knew the capsules contained heroin ignorance did not exculpate him. “The standard accepted by the international community is that capital punishment may be imposed only when the guilt of the person charged is based upon clear and convincing evidence leaving no room for an alternative explanation of the facts,” Mr. Alston added. “Singapore cannot reverse the burden and require a defendant to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he didn’t know that he was carrying drugs.” The appeal court rejected the trial court’s suggestion that it was irrelevant whether Mr. Tochi had knowledge of what he was carrying but still upheld his conviction, reasoning that under Singapore law such knowledge is presumed until the defendant rebuts that presumption “on a balance of probabilities” and not merely by raising reasonable doubt. Mr. Alston also said that Singapore law making the death penalty mandatory for drug trafficking was inconsistent with international human rights standards, because it keeps judges from considering all of the factors relevant to determining whether a death sentence would be permissible in a capital case. Mr Tochi’s co-defendant, Okele Nelson Malachy of South Africa, was convicted of having abetted Mr. Tochi’s offence and was also sentenced to death. There has reportedly been no date set for his execution, but it would raise similar grave human rights issues, Mr. Alston stressed. “One of the tasks given to me by the UN Human Rights Council is to monitor states’ respect for those safeguards in order to protect the human rights of those facing the death penalty,” he said. “In the case of Iwuchukwu Amara Tochi, the Government of Singapore has failed to ensure respect for the relevant legal safeguards. Under the circumstances, the execution should not proceed.” Special Rapporteurs are unpaid, independent experts who report to the Council. 2007-01-25 00:00:00.000

GLOBAL UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS AT HISTORIC HIGH DESPITE STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH – UN

New York, Jan 25 2007 11:00AM The number of people unemployed worldwide remained at an historical high of nearly 200 million in 2006 despite strong global economic growth, only modest gains were made in lifting some of the 1.37 billion working poor living on less than $2 per day out of poverty, and the pattern looks set to continue this year, according to a United Nations report released today. “To make long-term inroads into unemployment and working poverty, it is essential that periods of strong growth be better used to generate more decent and productive jobs,” the UN International Labour Organization (ILO) said in its annual Global Employment Trends. “Reducing unemployment and working poverty through creation of such jobs should be viewed as a precondition for sustained economic growth.” Even though more people are working globally than ever before, the number of unemployed remained at an all time high of 195.2 million last year, a global rate of 6.3 per cent, almost unchanged from 2005, with a forecast economic growth rate of 4.9 per cent for 2007 likely to ensure that unemployment remains at about the same level. “The persistence of joblessness at this rate is of concern, given that it will be difficult to sustain such strong economic growth indefinitely,” the report says, noting that that in order to maintain or reduce unemployment rates, the link between growth and jobs must be reinforced. Creation of decent and productive jobs – not just any jobs – is a prerequisite for reducing unemployment and slashing the number of families working but still living in poverty, which in turn is a precondition for future development and economic growth, it adds. “The strong economic growth of the last half decade has only had a slight impact on the reduction of the number of workers who live with their families in poverty and this was only true in a handful of countries,” ILO Director-General Juan Somavia said. For the last decade, economic growth has been reflected more in rising levels of productivity and less in growing employment, the report notes. While world productivity increased by 26 per cent the global number of those in employment rose by only 16.6 per cent. Unemployment hit young people aged 15 to 24 the hardest, with 86.3 million young people representing 44 per cent of the total unemployed in 2006. The employment gap between women and men persists. In 2006, only 48.9 per cent of women over age 15 were working compared to 49.6 per cent in 1996. The comparable male employment-to-population ratios were 75.7 in 1996 and 74.0 in 2006. In 2006, the share of the service sector in global employment progressed from 39.5 per cent to 40 per cent and for the first time overtook agriculture, which dropped from 39.7 per cent to 38.7 per cent. The industry sector represented 21.3 per cent of total employment. The largest decrease in unemployment occurred in the region of the Developed Economies and European Union, with a decline of 0.6 percentage points. East Asia’s rate was 3.6 per cent, remaining the lowest in the world, while the Middle East and North Africa remained the highest at 12.2 per cent. Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 9.8 per cent, the second highest and it also had the highest share in working poverty, with 8 out of 10 people living on less than $2 a day with their families. The total number of working poor on $1 a day declined between 2001 and 2006 except in Sub-Saharan Africa where it increased by another 14 million and in Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa where it stayed more or less unchanged. 2007-01-25 00:00:00.000

IRAQ: UN EXPERTS CALL ON AUTHORITIES TO SUSPEND EXECUTION OF SADDAM’S CO-DEFENDANTS

New York, Jan 25 2007 11:00AM The Iraqi authorities should suspend without delay any further executions until it is ensured that a fair trial is provided following major concerns over shortcomings in the trial and hanging of former president Saddam Hussein and two of his co-defendants, United Nations human rights experts have warned. “International law allows the imposition of capital punishment only within rigorous legal constraints, including respect of fair trial standards,” Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Leandro Despouy and Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Leïla Zerrougui said in a statement. “However, these standards were not guaranteed by the Iraqi High Tribunal,” they added, referring to the forthcoming sentencing of former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan, who was convicted in connection with the same crimes against humanity for which Mr. Hussein and the other two co-defendants were hanged. The Tribunal's Appeals Chamber ruled that the life sentence imposed on him was too lenient and ordered the court to re-sentence him. Among the main concerns cited over the trials is the violation of a number of international human rights standards on the right to be tried by an independent and impartial tribunal and on the right to defence, including numerous reports of external pressure on the judges that appear to have led to the removal and resignation of some of them. The right to an appropriate and independent defence was also severely undermined, in particular by the “extremely serious attacks” against defence lawyers, some of whom were killed. “The assassination of defence attorneys appearing before the Iraqi High Tribunal threatens the entire procedure, since the role of defence lawyers is critical to a fair trial,” the statement said. It noted that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour had both called on the Government to refrain from carrying out the death sentences imposed on Mr. Hussein and the other two co-defendants. “In light of the gravity of the shortcomings of the trial against Saddam Hussein and his seven co-defendants, the experts strongly call upon the Iraqi authorities to suspend without delay any further executions until it is ensured that a fair trial is provided to those accused under their jurisdiction, in full respect of all due process guarantees required by international human rights law,” it concluded. 2007-01-25 00:00:00.000

Jan 24

UN EXPERT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DEPLORES MURDER OF TURKISH ARMENIAN EDITOR

 New York, Jan 24 2007 11:00AM An independent United Nations expert on freedom of opinion has added his voice to the chorus of condemnation over the murder of the editor of the Turkish Armenian-language weekly Agos, Hrant Dink, known for his critical work on a specific period of the history of Turkey. "The exercise of freedom of speech should always be guaranteed for the consideration of historical events," the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, said in a statement. "Most unfortunately, extreme polarization of views, in conjunction with a perverted sense of national identity, has again inspired the accomplishment of an ominous act, which has curtailed the practicability of debating, in a tolerant and open manner, a subject of wide general interest," he added. He stressed that safety of media workers remains one of the core issues to ensure the full exercise of the right to freedom of expression, a key component of all democratic societies. "Governments and state institutions have the primary responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of citizens, including journalists and other media professionals," he said, adding that he was encouraged by the prompt reaction of the Government of Turkey in investigating "this heinous crime." Special Rapporteurs are unpaid and serve in a personal capacity, reporting to the UN Human Rights Council. 2007-01-24 00:00:00.000

BAN KI-MOON KICKS OFF FIRST FOREIGN TRIP AS UN CHIEF WITH TALKS WITH EUROPEAN LEADERS

 New York, Jan 24 2007 11:00AM United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today began his first overseas trip since becoming the world's top diplomat, meeting in Brussels with European Union (EU) High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, with whom he discussed a whole raft of global issues. "I am very appreciative of all that the European Union has been contributing to all the activities of the United Nations," Mr. Ban told reporters after the meeting, which covered issues ranging from the situation in the Balkans and Africa, in particular the crises in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, Somalia and Côte d´Ivoire, to climate change and human rights. "Our positions are on the same page," he added. "In fact this is not only for the United Nations, but all the common good of the international community; where we are experiencing a lot of regional conflicts and poverty issues and abuses of human rights, we need to cooperate fully toward mutual prosperity and peace and prosperity." Mr. Ban was also meeting today with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner and other Commission members. Mr. Ban, who succeeded Kofi Annan as UN chief on 1 January, will tomorrow attend a donors' conference in Paris, which will seek to help Lebanon recover from the ravages of last summer's between Israel and Hizbollah. From Paris he will go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for talks with President Joseph Kabila and other senior government officials as well as peacekeepers and staff of the UN's largest mission. He will also address the National Assembly and make a brief visit across the river to Brazzaville to meet with President Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo. Mr. Ban will then go to Addis Ababa for the African Union (AU) Summit before ending his Africa trip with a stop in Nairobi, where he will meet with the Kenyan President and the UN staff, followed by a trip to the Netherlands, where he will visit the International Court of Justice the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. After that, he will go to Washington for a meeting of the Middle East Quartet comprised of the UN, United States, Russian Federation and European Union, which is seeking a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace. 2007-01-24 00:00:00.000

Jan 23

AS VIOLENCE SURGES, UN ENVOY CALLS ON IRAQIS TO PULL BACK FROM 'ABYSS OF SECTARIANISM'

 New York, Jan 23 2007 11:00AM The top United Nations envoy to Iraq today called on its political and religious leaders to do all in their power to "save the country from sliding further into the abyss of sectarianism" after yesterday's bombings in Baghdad which killed or injured more than 200 innocent civilians. "These deplorable outrages again underscore the urgent need for all Iraqis to reject violence and together choose the path of peace and reconciliation," the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq UNAMI) said in a statement issued in the name of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi. Terming the attacks "particularly heinous and criminal," Mr. Qazi - as he has done frequently in the past - again called on the Iraqi authorities to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators. In another development, the UN refugee agency reported that 17 Palestinian men sheltered in a Baghdad apartment building rented by the agency were taken away today by men dressed in Iraqi security force uniforms and driving security vehicles. A relative of one of those taken and a local aid worker said they were later released, but the agency was unable to immediately confirm this. Over the past year the agency has voiced increasing alarm for the Palestinians, who fled to Iraq following the creation of Israel in 1948. Some received preferential treatment under ousted President Saddam Hussein, and they have become targets for attack since his overthrow in 2003. Nearly 20,000 of them have already fled the country. Witnesses said the security men broke into the Palestinians' apartments at 5 a.m., smashing doors and windows, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Ron Redmond told a news briefing in Geneva. "UNHCR is very concerned and is seeking further information," he said. Mr. Qazi's office was also taking it up with senior Iraqi officials, he added. Those taken away and their families had been evicted from their homes in 2003 after the change of regime and were initially housed in tents. There are still an estimated 15,000 Palestinians remaining in Iraq, "living in constant fear of harassment, killings and kidnappings," Mr. Redmond said. Those who try to leave cannot get proper documents, and hundreds are stuck at the Syrian border. Another group has been stuck in an isolated camp in Jordan since 2003. "It is urgent that international support is found to bring at least a temporary solution for Palestinians from Iraq," Mr. Redmond said. He noted that UNHCR had already tried, to no avail, to secure them entry into Jordan and Syria, return to the Palestinian territories with the permission of Israel, relocation to other Arab states, and resettlement outside the region. "At the same time, we continue to advocate for better protection of the Palestinian community inside Iraq. But under the present circumstances, return to Iraq is no option unless security is restored. Right now, it's an untenable situation for the Palestinians and it is deteriorating on a daily basis," he said. 2007-01-23 00:00:00.000

COLOMBIA: UN REFUGEE AGENCY PLEDGES AID TO PARTNER WHOSE PREMISES BURNED DOWN

New York, Jan 23 2007 11:00AM The United Nations refugee agency today pledged funding and other aid to one of its key partners in Colombia whose premises were burned down over the weekend, apparently in an arson attack. The Cartagena-based and internationally recognized League of Displaced Women has received frequent threats for its work on behalf of thousands of women and children displaced by violence in Colombia's Caribbean region, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Ron Redmond told a news briefing in Geneva. Colombia has the largest population of UNHCR concern, with some 3 million people driven from their homes by more than 40 years of fighting among the Government, leftist rebels and right-wing paramilitaries. "UNHCR will do everything it can to help the organization overcome this crisis and continue its work with displaced women and their families," Mr. Redmond said. "As a first step, we are offering more funds for the rebuilding of the centre, whose construction we had helped finance in 2004." The blaze destroyed a community centre in the League's City of Women, located in a poor neighbourhood of Turbaco on the outskirts of Cartagena. The centre was used as a meeting place, community kitchen and for human rights training for the local displaced population. It was soon to begin functioning as a school for 140 children in the area. "We have been working with the League since 2001 and more than 2,000 people from all ethnic backgrounds have benefited from our joint projects in the areas of women's and displaced people's rights as well as income generation and housing," Mr. Redmond said. The League's members, especially its leaders, have received frequent threats and in the past two years, the local Ombudsman Office has repeatedly warned that it was at high risk of targeted violence. In a separate report, the Office warned of a generalized rise in threats and violence against community leaders in the Atlantic region. "We are very concerned that many of our humanitarian partners and community leaders face an increasingly tense and volatile security situation in the entire Atlantic region," Mr. Redmond stressed. The League of Displaced Women was nominated for the Colombian National Peace Prize in 2005. 2007-01-23 00:00:00.000

Jan 22

UNESCO DEPLORES KILLING OF JOURNALISTS, MEDIA WORKERS IN TURKEY, IRAQ

New York, Jan 22 2007 11:00AMCondemning the killings of journalists in Iraq and Turkey, the head of the United Nations body mandated to protect press freedom today once again stressed the vital role played by the media in establishing democracy and the rule of law. Those murdered in recent days included Hrant Dink, editor of the Turkish Armenian-language weekly Agos, and at least six Iraqi reporters and media workers. "Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and press freedom, its corollary, is a cornerstone of democracy and rule of law," UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said in a statement on Mr. Dink's killing. "I welcome the speed with which the Turkish authorities investigated this case, proof of their determination not to let this heinous crime go unpunished," he added. Mr. Matsuura has repeatedly deplored the murder of Iraqi media workers in recent months. "I am horrified by the number of Iraqi journalists who are paying with their lives for their professional commitment to the fundamental human right of freedom of expression," he said in his latest statement. "Both government officials and media practitioners agree on the essential role of press freedom in the reconstruction of Iraq," he added, recalling the declaration adopted by participants at the International Conference on Freedom of Expression and Media Development in Iraq, which UNESCO hosted earlier this month. "They also agree on the need to investigate and bring to justice those guilty of crimes against journalists, I now hope that the authorities on the ground will cooperate in making this wish a reality." The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that Khudr Younis al-Obaidi, a reporter for the Al-Diuwan newspaper, was killed by unknown gunmen on 15 January in Mosul, in the north of Iraq. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), several employees of the governmental daily Al Sabah were killed from 12 to 16 January. Two, whose names have not been revealed, were kidnapped from the Al Sabah's offices in Baghdad on 12 January and found with their throats cut the next day. Yassin Aid Assef, a correspondent for the daily, was killed by a bomb on 14 January while covering a story in Baghdad. The next day journalist Falah Khalaf Al Diyali was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. According to RSF's tally, 146 journalists and media assistants have been killed since the United States-led coalition invaded Iraq in March 2003. 2007-01-22 00:00:00.000

Jan 21

GUINEA: BAN KI-MOON URGES RESTRAINT AMID REPORTED DEATHS DURING DEMONSTRATIONS

New York, Jan 21 2007 3:00PM Concerned at unrest in Guinea, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the parties there to exercise restraint amid reports of deaths during demonstrations which have rocked the West African country in recent days. “The Secretary General is closely following developments in Guinea, including negotiations between the parties, aimed at bringing an early end to the present situation, his spokesman said in a statement issued in New York, voicing concern over “the reported loss of life that occurred during the demonstrations.” Mr. Ban urged the Government, the Labor Union leaders and other concerned parties to exercise restraint. “He encourages them to avoid any action that would result in casualties and to reach a peaceful and mutually satisfactory agreement that would help restore calm and refocus the efforts of the country on poverty alleviation and development,” the spokesman said. 2007-01-21 00:00:00.000