HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FARHAN HAQ, ACTING DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2011
FROM LONDON, SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES RESTRAINT BY ALL SIDES IN EGYPT
- The Secretary-General spoke to reporters in London just after meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, and he once more urged restraint by all sides in Egypt and said that the violence there was unacceptable. He strongly condemned any attacks on peaceful protests.
- The Secretary-General noted that, for the last decade, the United Nations has been warning of the need for change in the region, including through the Arab Human Development Reports. He said that it is important at this juncture to ensure that an orderly and peaceful transition takes place, and he urged all parties to engage in dialogue without delay.
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During their meeting, the Secretary-General and the Prime Minister discussed events in Egypt, the Middle East peace process, Cyprus, Sudan, Darfur, Côte d'Ivoire, Afghanistan, UN reform and conflict prevention. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the UK Government's pledge to increase overseas development assistance to 0.7 percent of Gross National Income despite budget constraints.
- The Secretary-General also met separately with William Hague, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Andrew Mitchell, the Secretary of State for International Development. He also met Ed Miliband, the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition.
- This afternoon, the Secretary-General will deliver the Cyril Foster Lecture at Oxford University, and he will talk more about the situation in the Arab world. He will also discuss the concept of human protection – a subset of the broader idea of human security that addresses more immediate threats to the survival of individuals and groups. He will say that human protection will remain a hallmark of his administration, as the United Nations continuously strives to make our deeds match our words.
- Asked further about the Secretary-General’s views concerning assistance that the United Nations can provide to Egypt and the region, the Spokesperson noted that, in his remarks to the press today, the Secretary-General said that we should not underestimate the danger of instability across the Middle East.
- The Secretary-General said that the United Nations stands ready to provide any assistance to reform efforts by Egypt and any Arab countries to respect and reflect the will of the people.
- He added that leaders should listen more attentively to the genuine and sincere wish of the people. The Secretary-General underscored, “If any transition is to be taken, it should be done now.”
- Asked about the treatment of journalists, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has repeatedly emphasized the importance of respecting freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of association.
- Haq added that the High Commissioner for Human Rights has also spoken out concerning the treatment of demonstrators and had warned against the use of excessive force.
- Asked about the situation in Yemen, the Spokesperson said the United Nations was monitoring developments there. He noted that the Secretary-General had asked for leaders throughout the region to listen to their people and to take steps to improve the standard of living and meet their people’s aspirations.
U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF ALARMED AT SURGE IN IRAN EXECUTIONS
- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, expressed alarm today at the dramatic increase in executions in Iran since the beginning of this year.
- According to Iranian press reports, at least 66 people were executed in the month of January, with some sources indicating an even higher figure. The majority of executions were reportedly carried out in relation to drug offences, but at least three political prisoners were among those hanged.
- Ms. Pillay said that she has repeatedly urged Iran to halt executions. She said she was dismayed that, instead of heeding those calls, the Iranian authorities appear to have stepped up the use of the death penalty.
- Ms. Pillay expressed particular concern over the three known cases in which political activists were executed. “Dissent is not a crime,” she stressed.
TOP U.N. HUMANITARIAN OFFICIAL VISITS SOMALIA
- Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos visited Somalia today, in her first trip to the country. She went to Puntland, where she held talks with Government officials to discuss humanitarian concerns and priorities.
- Ms. Amos met with a local drought committee, which was set up to respond to the growing needs of drought-affected populations in Somalia.
- She also visited the Halabokad settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs), one of the few where the uprooted own their land.
- On Thursday, she will meet with humanitarian partners and UN staff in Nairobi, where she will also hold a press conference.
D.R. CONGO: BLUE HELMETS RESCUE SIX CONGOLESE POLICE OFFICERS
- For the second time in a week, peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) intervened in the South Kivu town of Ntoto. They rescued six Congolese National Police Officers that had been abducted by Mai Mai fighters. No ransom was paid, and no gunshots were exchanged.
- The early warning centre at the Ntoto military base was initially informed about the abduction of the local National Police chief late on January 29. Indian troops from MONUSCO closed in on the house where they suspected the police chief was being held, and they found out that five other people were detained there with him. The Indian troops used both diplomacy and their numerical strength to rescue them. No ransom was paid, and no gunshots were exchanged.
TIMOR-LESTE: SECRETARY-GENERAL RECOMMENDS EXTENSION OF U.N. MISSION
- Even after UNMIT has handed over responsibility for the conduct and command-and-control of all police operations in the country, there will be a continuing need for a UN police presence to support further institutional development and capacity-building of the national police.
- The Secretary-General recommends that Mission’s mandate be extended for an additional 12 months.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS FEBRUARY PROGRAMME OF WORK: The Security Council adopted its programme of work for February in consultations this morning. Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, the Security Council President for this month, briefed reporters this afternoon about the Council’s work during February.
UN LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS: The International Year of Forests, a year-long celebration of the vital role that forests play in people’s lives, was launched today at the United Nations. The General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year to raise awareness of sustainable management and conservation of all types of forests.
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