United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security Ambassador Smail Chergui conducted a joint visit to Libya from 12-13 March. They were received by Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya Ghassan Salamé. The joint UN-AU delegation held meetings in Tripoli with Fayez Serraj, the President of the Presidency Council, Khaled al-Mishri, the President of the High Council of State, in addition to other members of the Government of National Accord. They were also briefed on security arrangements for Tripoli by the Tripoli Security Committee and the Joint Operation Cell. The delegation also met with a women’s group to get their perspectives on the situation.
Today, Ms. DiCarlo and Ambassador Chergui, accompanied by Special Representative Salamé, traveled to Benghazi where they met with the Commander of the Libyan National Army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
The purpose of the joint UN-AU visit was to support UN-led efforts aimed at reaching a political settlement ending Libya’s long transitional period, leading to the unification of the country’s institutions, holding of national elections, and enhancing security, stability and living conditions for the Libyan people.
An $8.8 billion funding appeal has been issued by the UN to help millions of Syrians who live a “razor-edge existence” inside and outside the war-torn country, along with the communities struggling to host them.
Sexual attacks in South Sudan are so common that mothers now teach their daughters how to survive the ordeal of being raped, in such a way as to minimize the violence. That’s according to Yasmin Sooka, chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights, who was speaking on Tuesday in front of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, during its latest session.
“The concept of global governance risks being replaced by the old law that ‘might makes right’”, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, told the Security Council on Tuesday, during a meeting looking at on-going cooperation between the UN and the 28-member body.
"New waves of violence” could erupt "at any time" in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN rights office warned on Tuesday, unless the Government acts to ease “tensions and resentment” between the two communities involved.
Reports from Yemen’s Hajjah Governorate indicate that scores of civilians have been killed following attacks on residential areas over the past two days. Medical sources suggest that at least 22 have died, with more than 30 injured during the bombardment.
A humanitarian crisis fuelled by the suppression of basic human rights is continuing across Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed expert said on Monday, in an appeal for alleged atrocities there to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The UN Special Representative in Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, hailed on-going efforts made towards peace and the engagement of women and youth across the country, but warned the Security Council on Monday that “daunting challenges” remain.
The United Nations System and the Verification Mission in Colombia reaffirm the importance for the peace process and the guarantee of victims' rights, the full and free functioning of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP by its Spanish acronyms), a judicial mechanism agreed upon the Final Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP that is part of the Integral System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition.
...The United Nations System and the Verification Mission in Colombia reaffirm the importance for the peace process and the guarantee of victims' rights, the independent and autonomous functioning of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP by its Spanish acronym), a judicial mechanism agreed in the Final Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP that is part of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-...
This is a very sad day for the United Nations. As you may know, today's (Sunday, 10 March) tragic plane crash in Ethiopia claimed many lives, including several of our own UN colleagues from multiple organisations of the UN system.
We are in the process of informing the families of the UN colleagues who perished and gathering more information. The relevant Departments are in touch with their counterparts in the Ethiopian Government and with UN offices on the ground, and...
The UN’s Deputy Special Representative in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau, has congratulated politicians, voters and officials across the country for the peaceful conduct of Sunday’s national assembly elections.
Amidst a deadly Ebola outbreak, on Saturday morning armed militia members brutally attacked an Ebola clinic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) eastern city of Butembo, prompting a call from the UN's global health agency chief “to protect the treatment centres”.
After months of preparation by hundreds of national and international officials, including the United Nations, around 760,000 registered voters from Guinea-Bissau headed to the polls on Sunday to choose new members of the National Assembly.
September’s UN-backed South Sudan peace agreement is holding and has led to positive change, but tens of thousands of civilians in the war-weary nation are still reliant of life-saving humanitarian assistance, and time is running out. This was the message that David Shearer, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, relayed to the Security Council on Friday.
New York, 8 March 2019
Gender equality and women’s rights are fundamental to global progress on peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. We can only re-establish trust in institutions, rebuild global solidarity and reap the benefits of diverse perspectives by challenging historic injustices and promoting the rights and dignity of all.
In recent decades, we have seen...
“On this International Women’s Day, the United Nations acknowledges and celebrates the contributions of Palestinian women to the development of their communities. We also recognize the efforts made by Palestinian civil society and the Government of Palestine to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
While we celebrate the important progress, we are also...
Gender equality and women’s rights are fundamental to global progress on peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. We can only re-establish trust in institutions, rebuild global solidarity and reap the benefits of diverse perspectives by challenging historic injustices and promoting the rights and dignity of all.
In recent decades, we have seen remarkable progress on women’s rights and leadership in some areas. But these gains are far from complete or...
What is happening in and around Ukraine is “unacceptable, the Chairperson-in-Office for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.
Tunis, 8 March 2019 – As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, France provides UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, with USD 100,000 to protect and help survivors of gender based violence access lifesaving GBV services through a national toll-free hotline.
The hotline will function as a gateway to safe and confidential GBV services,...
Mr. President, Distinguished Delegates:
Since I began this assignment nine months ago, I have visited Myanmar five times, Bangladesh three times as well as other tours in the region and beyond.
18-months have now passed since the recent violence in Rakhine State forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya and others to flee their homes, including across the border into Bangladesh.
In the broader context of Myanmar’s democratic transition, military and civilian tensions persist ahead of general elections next year and the peace process remains fragile while the country struggles with the legacy of decades of rule by the army and subsequently, fundamental issues relating to the protection of human rights.
Rakhine
In addition to accountability, I have been underlining in my engagements, the following steps that are needed: i) Ending the violence in Rakhine; ii) Unfettered access to affected people; iii) Addressing the root causes and; iv) inclusive and equitable development.
I have witnessed first-hand in my two visits to Cox’s Bazar, refugees living in extremely challenging temporary conditions and with little sign of hope.
While Bangladesh and host communities have been very generous, we cannot expect this to continue indefinitely. The recently launched UN Joint Response Plan for 2019 to benefit both refugees and host communities needs urgent funding.
Meanwhile, I am concerned that the heavy fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) will further impact efforts toward the dignified, voluntary and safe return of refugees.
I have appealed to all sides to ensure the protection of civilians and uphold their responsibilities under International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.
For refugees in Bangladesh, knowing that the UN and its partners are present at their places of return will be positive incentive to return.
In developing durable solutions for those displaced within Myanmar, it is vital that the current positive efforts by Myanmar to draft a national strategy on the closure of IDP camps address the underlying issues in Rakhine, including the question of citizenship and restoring freedom of movement.
Even prior to the fighting with the AA, the level of access was a problem. Access in the implementation of the MoU between Myanmar and UNDP/UNHCR to support the creation of conditions for the return of the refugees from Bangladesh was insufficient. This must improve to address fragility of all communities in Rakhine.
Any complementarity, especially at the regional level by ASEAN in support of the bilateral efforts between Myanmar and Bangladesh will be crucial.
At the request of both governments, I will continue my shuttle diplomacy and to engage all other regional stakeholders.
I will also continue to encourage Myanmar’s greater international cooperation towards the effective and holistic implementation of all recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.
On related key issues, I am in close contact at the highest levels on steps that authorities are taking with a view to transparent and credible procedures.
In my recent visits to Myanmar, I have advocated for a “Zero Tolerance for Discrimination” campaign from top down.
In addition, I will aim to coordinate and foster greater intercommunal dialogue in Rakhine State through my Office in Nay Pyi Taw.
Accountability
Accountability is essential for combating impunity and genuine reconciliation.
Myanmar’s Independent Commission of Enquiry (ICOE) has responded positively to my recommendation that it should engage with United Nations human rights entities such as with OHCHR and the FFM.
There needs to be complementarity, including with the latest Human Rights Council mandated independent investigative mechanism.
But national responsibility and ownership of accountability are also important, not least from the perspective of the victims in Cox’s Bazar and throughout Myanmar.
In line with the Basic Principles on the Right to Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, accountability should not be solely seen in terms of criminal liability.
I therefore am encouraging various initiatives that give the victims different kinds of voices and supporting projects that foster dialogue as mentioned above.
Peace Process
We are witnessing in other areas beyond Rakhine, including Kachin and Shan states, setbacks in the complex peace process. In these areas too, many affected civilians require assistance and access there too has been restricted.
Despite some positive steps towards an inclusive and peaceful solution, such as the 21 December unilateral ceasefire declaration by the Tatmadaw, tensions have escalated, including between the government side and signatory groups of the October 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
It is the responsibility of all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that can reverse the important gains of the peace process.
I stand ready to help support this process.
Some refugees from the camps in Thailand recently returned to Myanmar. It will be important to seize on such important confidence-building measures and build momentum.
Concluding Remarks
2020 general elections activities could add to the domestic complexities.
In such an environment, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is evidently moving ahead carefully on democratic reform, as highlighted by the recent efforts on the constitutional amendment. It will be paramount that reform issues address institutionalised discrimination.
I am grateful that the Government of Myanmar agreed to and facilitated the installation of my small four-staff Nay Pyi Taw Office in January, helping reinforce the constructive cooperation that has been extended to me so far, as reflected in the access I have been able to enjoy.
We must collectively continue to build trust and work in partnership with the Government of Myanmar.
I will continue to speak truth and help build bridges and greater mutual understanding, including in support of the United Nations role in upholding international norms and standards.
This requires confidence-building and regular communication with all leaders. While I do share concern that progress has been slow, my first five visits to Myanmar have highlighted the enormous challenges that will require tremendous international support.
Thank you.
