United Nations Daily Highlights, 03-10-10

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

OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY

HUA JIANG

DEPUTY SPOKESWOMAN

FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, October 10, 2003

ANNAN: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a statement issued through his Spokesman, warmly welcomes the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Shirin Ebadi, the first Muslim woman to receive the prize and a courageous champion of human rights.

He extends his sincere congratulations to Ms. Ebadi, noting that she previously served as Irans first woman judge and is recognized particularly for her tireless work to promote the human rights of women, children and refugees.

Equally, she is known for her conviction that human rights are fully compatible with Islam, and her interpretation of Islamic law in a way that recognizes the harmony between human rights, democracy and equality before the law.

Her work is a fine example of the very principles the United Nations stands for, and this award should serve as an inspiration to women and men, Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as human rights defenders around the world.

In addition, speaking to reporters this morning, the Secretary-General General said he hoped that the award would underscore the importance of expanding human rights throughout the world and empower women to speak out and insist on their rights.

In a statement issued in Geneva, the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan warmly congratulated Ms. Ebadi on being awarded the prize for championing human rights and democracy. Peace and development depend on the faithful observance of international human rights norms globally, he said.

IRAQ: ANNAN WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEW RESOLUTION BEFORE DONORS MEET

Asked by reporters on his way into the building this morning if he thought a new Iraq resolution was needed prior to the Madrid donors conference, the Secretary-General said that many saw the two as linked and ideally one would want to see the resolution before the conference.

Asked if the conference should still go ahead without a resolution, the Secretary-General answered that the member states were discussing the resolution on this very complex issue seriously. What is important, he added, is that we come up with a good resolution and not a quick resolution.

ANNAN DEPLORES KILLING OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS IN GAZA TODAY

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued through his Spokesman deplores the killing of Palestinian civilians during the Israeli incursion into Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

Two children were among those killed when the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) fired a missile into a crowded area.

Not for the first time, the Secretary-General reminds Israel that the disproportionate use of force in densely populated areas is not compatible with international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General calls again on both sides to take every measure to avoid harming innocent civilians.

KILLING OF SECOND WITNESS INDICATIVE OF DEATH SQUAD ACTIVITY IN BRAZIL

This morning in Geneva, the Spokesman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that they had learned with great consternation of the reported killing of a second person in Brazil who had spoken to the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Asma Jahangir, during her recent visit to that country.

He said the killing seemed to be, unfortunately, indicative of the situation that the Special Rapporteur had described during her mission to the country from September 16 to October 8. At that time, Jahangir had spoken at some length of death-squad activity by rogue police elements.

SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES PROGRESS IN SUDAN PEACE PROCESS;

AGREES TO HOLD OPEN MEETING ON MIDDLE EAST ON TUESDAY

The Security Council held consultations on the Middle East and other matters.

Members discussed the Syrian letter asking for an open meeting a Palestinian draft resolution on Israel's construction of a wall in the Occupied Territories. That letter, together with the draft resolution, is out as a Security Council document on the racks today. Members agreed to hold an open meeting on the Middle East on Tuesday.

Following consultations, the Security Council went into a formal meeting on a presidential statement on the Sudanese peace process.

CHAIR OF AL-QAIDA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN OVERSEAS MISSION

The Chairman of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Heraldo Munoz of Chile, will today begin a visit to selected countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

He will be undertaking this mission in accordance with Security Council resolution 1455 (2003), which requests the Chairman to consider such visits with a view to encouraging States to implement all relevant Council resolutions.

In addition, the Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, will seek to initiate a dialogue with the States to be visited by listening to their experiences and concerns with regard to the implementation of the Councils measures (arms embargo, assets freeze and travel ban on individuals and entities belonging to or associated with Al-Qaida and the Taliban) and he will also explore ways by which the Committee might assist States in obtaining any required technical assistance.

He also expects to exchange views on regional cooperation, as well as on innovative initiatives to implement the Councils relevant measures.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Security Council Committee on Somalia, Ambassador Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria has informed the Secretariat of his decision to postpone the mission of that Committee.

ANNAN SAYS TOO FEW COUNTRIES INVESTIGATE ATTACKS ON U.N. STAFF

The report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on the Safety and Security of Humanitarian Personnel and protection of UN personnel was published today.

In it, the Secretary-General says that although staff are certainly better prepared to operate amid the risks that often accompany human suffering, the number of security incidents taking place and their associated costs remain far too high. He will continue to seek all means possible to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations security management system.

In addition, the Secretary-General points out that of the 196 deaths of United Nations civilian staff due to malicious acts prior to 30 June 2003, only 24 perpetrators have been apprehended.

The Secretary-General is dismayed that there has often been unwillingness to provide timely information in the event of the arrest or detention of locally recruited United Nations personnel and that very few countries have investigated fully attacks or threats against international and locally recruited United Nations and associated staff members or held perpetrators accountable under international and national law.

UN PEACEKEEPERS INTENSIFY SEARCH FOR ARMS IN LIBERIAN CAPITAL

In Monrovia, forces of the UN mission in Liberia continued intensified military patrols and searches for arms around the capital.

The UN Force Commander in Liberia, Daniel Opande, has completed visits to Tubmanburg, Gbarnga, Ganta and Buchanan where he met with representatives of Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), and the other rebel group, Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) as well as the Government of Liberia (GOL) armed forces, He urged the parties to observe the ceasefire and to reinforce the decisions reached at Monday's Joint Monitoring Committee.

The Committee had agreed to make Monrovia and its environs weapons-free within 72 hours and allow free and unhindered access to the UN mission, humanitarian agencies and their partners in areas under their control.

Humanitarian agencies continued to voice concern about the security conditions in Liberia as the 14 October date for the inauguration of the interim government looms closer. The World Food Programme said it had decided to temporarily suspend its distribution of food during the inauguration period, and would resume the distribution of food around 20 October. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that the situation in Liberia remained tense, and incidents of looting and robbery had been reported despite efforts by UN peacekeepers to collect weapons.

NATO TO EXTEND AFGHAN SECURITY FORCE OUTSIDE OF KABUL

The Secretary-General has transmitted to the Security Council letters from Lord Robertson, the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), with regard to NATOs long term strategy for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF).

NATO assumed the command of ISAF on August 11 this year.

The Secretary-General was informed of NATOs intension to expand the ISAF mission and undertake temporary deployments outside Kabul. The document notes that an expanded ISAF mandate will require a specific Security Council resolution and additional resources.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

UN MISSION OF SUPPORT IN EAST TIMOR: The latest report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the UN Mission of Support in East Timor notes that despite remarkable progress that has been made since its independence in May 2002, it is clear that crucial work remains to be done, and international assistance will continue to be indispensable. In this context, the report says, it is timely that the international community begin considering the best means through which the countrys nee ds can be met after the withdrawal of UN Mission.

MENTAL HEALTH: Today is Mental Health Day, which this year focuses on the special needs of children and adolescents with mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. The Secretary-General, in a message to mark the occasion, says that young people who have these disorders could be subjected to stigma and discrimination, and may never get the chance to build the future that they deserve.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Saturday, October 11

Children around the world will celebrate Global Girls Football Day, jointly designated by the UN Childrens Fund and FIFA, which takes place a day before the Womens World Cup championship match.

Sunday, October 12

Monday, October 13

At 11:00 a.m., Gerald Gahima, Prosecutor-General of Rwanda, will hold a press briefing.

Tuesday, October 14

At 10 a.m., the Security Council is scheduled to hold an open meeting on the Middle East.

At 11:00 a.m., Ambassador Iftekhar Chowdhury of Bangladesh will talk to the press about the work of the second committee of the General Assembly, which he chairs.

The guest at the noon briefing will be Ibrahim Gambari, the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Africa, who will discuss the New Partnership for Africas Development.

At 12:30 p.m., UNDP Assistant Administrator, Julia Taft, will hold a press conference on the joint UNDP/World Bank Needs Assessments for Iraq, in advance of the Madrid Donors Conference.

At 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room 4, members of the musical group Maná will talk to the press in their first appearance as Goodwill Ambassadors for the Food and Agricultural Organization.

Wednesday, October 15

The Security Council will hold a public meeting on Timor Leste.

Thursday, October 16

The Security Council has scheduled a public meeting on the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.

Today is World Food Day.

Friday, October 17

This is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

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