30 April 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal as the head of the United Nations political office tasked with helping to consolidate peace and prevent conflict in the Central African region. Mr. Bathily, who brings to this position many years of political, diplomatic and academic experience with his national Government, academic institutions and more recently with the UN system, will serve both as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Central Africa and the head of the UN regional office, known as UNOCA. He succeeds Abou Moussa of Chad, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for “his…
Author: UN News
1 May 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to exercise prudence and avoid unilateral steps that would diminish the prospects of resuming negotiations after the latest downturn in the Middle East peace process. “It is incumbent upon the parties to convince each other anew that they are partners for peace,” Mr. Ban urged in a statement from his spokesperson, calling also on the international community “to uphold its long-stated commitment” to realizing a comprehensive peace settlement. He highlighted the Security Council debate on 29 April, stating “now is the time for the international community and…
1 May 2014 – United Nations officials today congratulated the people and Government of Iraq for turning out in significant numbers in Wednesday’s elections, and commended the electoral authorities and security personnel for their efforts. In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded the determination of the Iraqi people and electoral officials “to strengthen the country’s democratic processes.” Mr. Ban encouraged patience while the ballots are being counted and complaints adjudicated. “I congratulate all Iraqis who have shown incredible resilience by turning out in significant numbers on Election Day to vote. In some…
30 April 2014 – The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the timely holding of parliamentary elections in Iraq, and, looking forward to the certification of the results by national electoral officials, called on the country’s leaders “to engage, as quickly as possible, to form a Government that represents the will and sovereignty of the Iraqi people.” In a statement to the press read out by Ambassador U. Joy Ogwu of Nigeria, Council President for the month of April, the members of the 15-nation body welcomed today’s elections, and commended the people “for demonstrating their commitment to a peaceful, inclusive…
30 April 2014 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned ‘in the strongest terms’ the latest attacks in Syria – which left dozens of civilians dead or wounded from mortar fire and shelling in neighborhoods in Homs and Damascus – and called on the Government and opposition groups to resist provocations that could undermine peace efforts. In a statement from his spokesperson in New York, Mr. Ban called the attacks “horrendous acts of terror against innocent civilians” and reiterated that no one can achieve a military victory in the Syrian conflict. He urged all Syrian and international actors to…
29 April 2014 – Describing “alarming” developments in Ukraine – from the capture of European observers and the violent takeover of Government buildings by separatist groups, to the shooting of the mayor of a major eastern city – a senior United Nations official this evening appealed to all sides to “work expeditiously” at putting the crisis-torn country on the path to stability. “Time is of the essence,” Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told the Security Council, as he painted a worrying picture of the past four days, during which the emerging spirit of compromise that led to the accord…
28 April 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the detention of international military monitors and staff in Ukraine, and demanded that they be released “immediately, unconditionally and unharmed.” In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban underlined that those who continue unlawful acts will be held accountable for their actions. According to media reports, the team from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and a number of accompanying Ukrainian staff were captured on Friday while traveling across the eastern part of the country. “International missions working in Ukraine must be allowed to perform their…
28 April 2014 – A senior United Nations official today condemned a recent attack on two vehicles belonging to the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and called for ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Farid Zarif, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the attack that took place on 25 April as the two vehicles travelled to Brnjak/Bërnjak. The Mission “stands in solidarity with EULEX, and reminds those who would carry out such acts that they are understood as acts…
25 April 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all parties to seek a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, warning that the situation could “spin out of control quickly,” while the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that is opening a preliminary probe into alleged crimes of humanity committed in the country. “It would be a grave mistake, in the Secretary-General’s view, for any party to turn to military means in an attempt to resolve political issues that can and must be addressed by peaceful means,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York. “The Secretary-General is deeply…
25 April 2014 – An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged authorities in Belarus, the only European nation that still retains the death penalty, to impose an immediate moratorium on the punishment and refrain from carrying out further executions. The appeal by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, comes after the reported execution of Pavel Sialiun and a Supreme Court ruling last week upholding the death sentence against Eduard Lykau, both convicted for murder. Mr. Haraszti expressed concern about the way death sentences are carried out in Belarus, and particularly the…
25 April 2014 – “This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the emergency workers who responded, remember the more than 330,000 people who were evacuated from contaminated regions, and stand in solidarity with the millions who still live in the affected areas in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” said a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Secretary-General. The explosion that occurred at Chernobyl on 26 April, 1986 marked the worst nuclear power plant accident in history. The United Nations has played an important role in addressing the challenges faced by affected communities, and remains committed to the…
24 April 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about continued violence in eastern Ukraine, which has led to loss of life, further instability and which is contributing to a climate of fear and anxiety, his spokesperson said today. “As the stakes are now so high, the Secretary-General is seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict,” the spokesperson said in a statement. According to media reports, tensions in Ukraine escalated sharply today, with russia embarking on new military drills near the border after Ukrainian forces said they killed five pro-Russian…
30 April 2014 – Warning that the world’s youngest nation is on the verge of catastrophe, the United Nations human rights chief today called on South Sudan’s leaders to relinquish their “personal power struggle” and steer their impoverished, war-battered country towards stability. “How much worse does it have to get before those who can bring this conflict to an end, especially President [Salva] Kiir and Dr. [Riek] Machar, decide to do so?” High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay asked at a news conference in the capital, Juba. These comments come at the end of a three-day visit to the…
29 April 2014 – The United Nations Security Council today voted unanimously to lift a ban on importing rough diamonds from Côte d’Ivoire and to partially lift the arms embargo, differentiating between lethal and non-lethal arms. In a resolution adopted at UN Headquarters in New York, the Council extended until 30 April 2015 sanctions first put in place in 2004 against “the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the West African nation, from their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and any related material.” The Council also decided to exempt…
29 April 2014 – The Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the United Nations mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in Western Sahara and organizing a referendum on self-determination for the people of the territory. The UN has been involved in efforts to find a settlement in Western Sahara since 1976, when fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after the Spanish colonial administration of the territory ended. In today’s resolution, the 15-member Council extended the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2015. MINURSO has been in effect…
29 April 2014 – The United Nations refugee agency is preparing to airlift relief supplies to South sudan today for 100,000 displaced people ahead of the rainy season, while the top UN relief official there is calling for a month-long truce to enable people to move around safely and cultivate their fields. The blankets, sleeping mats, water buckets and other relief items being transported from Dubai to the South Sudanese capital of Juba will be distributed mainly in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “Once the rainy season begins in earnest…
29 April 2014 – At least two people were killed and six others injured in the Central African Republic (CAR) after an attack on an 18-truck humanitarian convoy relocating 1,300 Muslims to safety in the country’s north, a spokesperson for the United Nations refugee agency today confirmed, renewing calls for protection of displaced people. “The convoy, heading for Kabo and Moyen in the north, was hit by a grenade believed to have been thrown by anti-balaka militiamen,” UNHCR spokesperson Fatoumata Lejeune told journalists in Geneva, referring to yesterday’s attack believed to have been carried out by the mostly Christian armed…
28 April 2014 – The United Nations human rights chief today called on the parties to the conflict in South sudan to respect the cessation of hostilities in order to stem the suffering of ordinary civilians and to ensure that it is safe enough for those uprooted by months of violence to return to their homes. “I hope that the cessation of hostilities agreement will be respected by both parties – that is the immediate concern. People do not feel safe,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. The High Commissioner for Human Rights arrived today in South sudan…
25 April 2014 – The number of children being treated for severe acute malnutrition in the Central African Republic’s war-torn capital, Bangui, has tripled since the beginning of 2014, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed today, predicting that more children are likely to suffer in the coming months. “The majority of families have been unable to plant their crops or earn a living, and also due to poor access to safe water, sanitation and health care,” UNICEF spokesperson Christophe Boulierac told journalists in Geneva. Almost 680 children during the first quarter of this year were treated at the Bangui…
29 April 2014 – The head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said today it will seek to “establish the facts” surrounding allegations of the use of chlorine in Syria, where it is already working jointly with the United Nations to rid the country of its chemical weapons. According to media reports, opposition activists say the Syrian Government has attacked rebel-held areas with chlorine gas. The Government denies the claims. OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü announced the creation of the fact-finding mission at a meeting of the body’s Executive Council held in The Hague. The Syrian Government…