United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-04-24

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

ASSOCIATE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN

HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Thursday, April 24, 2003

ANNAN ADDRESSES HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN GENEVA, CUTS SHORT TRIP

Secretary-General Kofi Annan this morning addressed the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, and told them that, whatever view one may take of the war in Iraq, what we must all hope is that a new era of human rights in Iraq will now begin, with the end of the war.

He called on the coalition forces to comply with international agreements regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and to accept the responsibilities of the occupying power for public order and safety, and the well-being of the civilian population.

The Secretary-General added that they should not be distracted from what is happening in other parts of the world, and he noted that, in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hundreds of people had been butchered in cold blood by people who counted on the worlds neglect and indifference. Let us deny them that today and in the months and years ahead, he said.

He told the Commission that, although its work is more important than ever, recent divisions had made its voice more muffled, rather than more clear, and he argued, This must change. He argued, Membership in this Commission implies responsibilities as well as privileges. If you do not stand up for human rights equally and universally, who will?

Prior to his speech, the Secretary-General met with the Chair of the Human Rights Commission, Najat al-Hajjaji. After the speech, he met privately with High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello and about 20 members of his senior staff. They reviewed reform efforts and programs, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sri Lanka.

In the afternoon, the Secretary-General announced that, in light of current developments in Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere, he has decided to cut short his current European trip. He is scheduled to return to New York tonight.

As a result, he will not chair the meeting of the UN systems Chief Executives Board, which begins Friday in Paris. Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette left New York for Paris late Wednesday, and she will chair that meeting.

SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVES EXTENSION OF OIL-FOR-FOOD PLAN

The Security Council voted unanimously today to extend the provisions of Resolution 1472, which adjusted the Oil for Food Programme for Iraq, until June 3.

The Council earlier held consultations today on the Secretary-Generals most recent report on the activities of the High Level Coordinator on the issue of the return of all Kuwaiti and third country nationals or their remains, Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov. Ambassador Vorontsov briefed the Council on the report.

Afterward, Council President Adolfo Aguilar Zinser of Mexico told reporters that Council members called on all States to step up efforts that can lead to information on the whereabouts of 605 missing persons.

UN EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN NORTHERN IRAQ

The United Nations re-establishment of a permanent presence by international staff in Iraq is being expanded, with 28 international staff crossing the border from Turkey into northern Iraq today, after six crossed on Wednesday, according to the UN humanitarian briefing in Amman.

UN national staff in Baghdad reported that looting appears to be decreasing in the city, but the security situation remains critical, with many citizens armed and gunfire heard during the day in various parts of the city. Local UN staff have returned to their Baghdad offices, trying to make those looted offices usable as quickly as possible.

The UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) noted other problems in Baghdad, including reports of shooting battles in one hospital in the city. Meanwhile, UNICEF is also concerned about garbage collection in Baghdad, noting that some children scavenging through piles of refuse have at times uncovered unexploded munitions there.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that funds to run Iraqi hospitals are quickly dwindling, with almost no money to pay staff or provide food and other essential services. WHO has already begun work to re-establish the health system in Mosul and Kirkuk.

The World Food Programme (WFP) today sent a nine-truck convoy carrying 214 metric tons of wheat flour across the border from Jordan, heading towards Baghdad, and will have almost daily food convoys from Jordan to the Iraqi capital from now on, in preparation for food distribution next month.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees says that more than 900 people remain in a no-mans-land at the Jordanian border with Iraq, including some 400 children, in the midst of windy, dusty conditions.

The UN Environment Programme today issued a preliminary report on environmental conditions in Iraq. It stresses the urgent need to address humanitarian issues such as restoring water supply and sanitation systems and cleaning up possible environmental hot spots and waste sites. The report says another priority activity should be an assessment of sites hit by weapons containing depleted uranium.

Asked about a UN role in Iraq, the Spokesman said the United Nations was very to keen to resume its full humanitarian work, as it has shown by the return of international staff.

UN MIDDLE EAST ENVOY CONDEMNS BOMBING IN ISRAEL

Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, strongly condemned todays suicide bombing attack in the Israeli town of Kfar Sava. One person was killed and at least 13 people wounded, several seriously.

Roed-Larsen called the terror attack outrageous and cowardly and expressed his sincere condolences to the victims families. He asked that the Palestinian Authority bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack and that they take immediate steps to delegitimize such heinous attacks that produce nothing but misery and fear.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVES LIST OF AD LITEM JUDGES FOR RWANDA TRIBUNAL: The Secretary-General, in a letter to the Security Council that is out on the racks today, forwarded to Council members the 35 nominations he has received for ad litem, or short-term, judges to serve on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The Council is to forward a list, which actually is supposed to have a minimum of 36 candidates, to the General Assembly, so that the Assembly can elect 18 judges to serve four-year terms on the Rwanda Tribunal.

APRIL 28 IS WORLD DAY OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK: Tens of thousands of workers and employers from all over the world will mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, the International Labour Office (ILO) says. The ILO says that the event aims to draw attention to work-related accidents and illnesses, which annually take some 2 million lives and cost the global economy an estimated $1.25 trillion.

UN OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME AND ASEAN AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER: Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ong Keng Yong, in which their two organizations agreed to work together to fight drug trafficking and transnational crime in Southeast Asia.

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