UPDATE: Security Council again demands immediate release of peacekeepers detained in Golan

3 September 2014 – The Security Council called again today for the immediate and unconditional release of 45 United Nations peacekeepers seized late last week by an armed group in the Golan, while the Organization’s top peacekeeping official said the UN is continuing to look at ways to enhance safety and security procedures in what has become a “very challenging situation.” Reading an agreed statement to the press, Ambassador Samantha Power of the United States, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency this month, said its members again strongly condemned the detention of 45 Fijian peacekeepers “by a Security Council-designated terrorist organization.” The Fijian peacekeepers, serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), monitoring a ceasefire established in 1974 between Israel and Syria, were detained on 28 August, by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah. In a separate incident, 72 Filipino peacekeepers that had been surrounded by armed elements in two different locations in the Golan were later safely relocated. Ms. Power said today that Council members welcomed news that all Filipino peacekeepers are now safe, and they commended the efforts of UNDOF’s Quick Reaction Force. “They reiterated their call for the peacekeepers’ immediate and unconditional release. There can never be any justification for attacks on or the detention of UN peacekeepers,” she said. Further to the statement, she said the Council insisted that UNDOF’s mandate, impartiality, operations, safety, and security must be respected. To that end, Council members demanded “all groups other than UNDOF must abandon all UNDOF positions and the Quneitra crossing point, and return the peacekeepers’ vehicles, weapons, and other equipment.” Council members commended UNDOF’s peacekeepers for their bravery in facing the threats and challenges in their area of operation, Ms. Power said, adding that they called on all parties to cooperate with UNDOF in good faith to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full security of its personnel. “They also called upon countries with influence to strongly convey to those responsible to immediately release the peacekeepers,” she added. The Council’s statement came immediately after a closed-door briefing by Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous concerning the welfare of UNDOF peacekeepers in the Golan. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ladsous explained that for years, UNDOF’s area of operation had been “relatively quiet,” but as the situation in the region became more dangerous and unpredictable, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, the area had seen the increased presence of armed groups. Those groups were increasingly engaging with Syrian armed forces. “This was the case last week when large numbers of armed groups launched an attack in the area of separation [monitored by UNDOF]. As things stand, we still have 45 peacekeepers from Fiji still being detained,” he said, adding: “It is our goal – and what we demand – to achieve the immediate, safe and unconditional release of these peacekeepers.” The situation made clear that it was very important that UNDOF’s mandate continue, said Mr. Ladsous, noting that the situation is “very challenging” and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is sparing no effort to ensure the safe return of the detained peacekeepers, while also working to improve the mission’s military equipment and medical facilities. He went on to commend the performance of the peacekeepers and especially the UNDOF Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Iqbal Singh Singha. Responding to questions regarding the reported tender of resignation of another ranking Filipino UNDOF military official, Mr. Ladsous said it was important to recognize that all the detained Filipino troops had either escaped or been recovered during the operation launched by the Quick Reaction Force. “The situation on the ground is a fluid one and the decision was to launch the Quick Reaction Force to extract the peacekeepers. General Singha exercised good, solid judgement [throughout] the process,” said Mr. Ladsous. To another question on adjustments to UNDOF in the wake of the recent incidents and the spate of similar incidents the peacekeepers faced last year, he said the mission’s mandate was based on the 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria, and that would remain the framework of UNDOF’s operations. “[Yet] no one could have factored in what is currently going on in the area of separation,” he said, so while it would be up to the parties to discuss changes, DPKO has been working to address safety issues, medical care and adjust patterns of monitoring patrol.

UPDATE: Citing women’s crucial role in peacebuilding, UN officials urge concrete support on ground

3 September 2014 – Women are crucial partners in peacebuilding and must be guaranteed the safe political space, including a seat at the “negotiating table,” to participate in all steps of post-conflict reconciliation and recovery processes, stressed high-level United Nations officials today at a Headquarters event. Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, of Brazil, said that today’s meeting, co-organized by the Commission and UN Women, was an opportunity to leave the “bird’s eye” view and dive into the concrete reality of women’s peacebuilding work. He recalled visiting countries emerging from conflict such as Guinea Bissau and Liberia and meeting with women’s groups to discuss their concerns. Insufficient funding continues to be one of the main challenges hampering women’s participation in peacebuilding, Mr. Patriota said, stressing that donor support was acutely needed. Concrete support is often elusive. More must be done to translate the vision into tangible results. The Commission was established in 2005 to propose integrated strategies for post-conflict recovery. Its fund, created the following year, has since allocated $27 million to mainstream gender in peacebuilding. It plans to donate more to empower women in peacebuilding. Today’s discussion aims to provide an important contribution for the preparations of the 2015 high-level review of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on “women, peace and security”, which urged all actors to increase the participation of women in all peace efforts. The upcoming review should examine how to best support peacebuilding work women do at the community level and ensure their security. From 2000 to 2013, the Security Council adopted a series of seven resolutions on the issue, effectively recognizing that women’s protection and participation are directly linked to security issues. In 2010, the Secretary-General defined a seven-point Action Plan on Gender-Responsive Peacebuilding, identifying seven concrete commitments (on mediation, post-conflict planning, financing, civilian capacity, post-conflict governance, rule of law and economic recovery) to mainstream women’s participation. Also delivering opening remarks, via video, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, recalled her trip to conflict-stricken nations such as South Sudan and Syria. She described meeting women who are affected by war and witnessing the “strengthen and resilience” of women peace-builders and their hope for a better future. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said the global community can rally around three key messages that would promote investment in women’s leadership is peacebuilding. First, funds must be allocated to support women at the grassroots level. In the aftermath of any war, millions of dollars are spent on reconstruction and reconciliation. These funds “predominately benefit men” while women face extremely limited resources. In fact, she said, women are more likely than men to devote a proportion of their income to benefit families. Yet, women’s local peacebuilding initiatives, while acknowledged by the international community, tend to go unrecognized while official, high-level peace negotiation and medication processes take centre stage. Hence the second point: women must be guaranteed a political space at the peace negotiating table. It has been 14 years since the international community first demonstrated its commitment to supporting women’s roles in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, yet only a handful of women are involved in formal peace talks. “For peace processes to be effective and long-lasting all people must be involved including men women, boys and girls,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka. Lastly, the international community must ensure the protection of women. The targeting of women who speak up for their communities is “unacceptable” and must be addressed, she continued, stressing that UN Women stands ready to accelerate progress on this front. “Women and girls have waited for too long for us to take action, for justice, for services and reparation. They cannot wait much longer.” Following opening remarks, participants heard from several women leaders who shared their peacebuilding experiences and recommendations. A keynote address by Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate preceded a panel discussion with Ms. Alice Nderitu, Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, Ms. Wazhma Frogh “Zulfiqar”, Co-Founder and Executive Director at the Institute for Women, Peace & Security, and Ms. Rosa Emilia Salamanca, Executive Director of Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE).

UPDATE: SYRIA: ‘Flagrant’ violations of international law continue in Syria, top UN relief official warns

United Nations News Centre - ‘Flagrant’ violations of international law continue in Syria, top UN relief official warns: "30 July 2014 – ‘Flagrant’ violations of international law continue in Syria, Top UN relief official warns With the United Nations and its partners in Syria begin to ramp up aid deliveries across battle lines, the Organization’s Emergency Relief Coordinator warned today that attacks on civilians by all parties to the conflict and human rights abuses continue “in flagrant violation of the most basic principles of…international law.”

Valerie Amos, who is also the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, delivered that warning and reiterated her appeal for action in a briefing to the Security Council on the situation of the millions of Syrians in desperate need of aid and protection, and on progress in implementing resolutions 2139 and 2165 on humanitarian access in Syria.

“In addition attacks on medical facilities are at their highest levels since December 2012,” said Ms. Amos via videoconference, adding that the targeting of vital services like the main Aleppo water pumping station has interrupted the supply of clean water and electricity.

“Almost one million people remain without safe drinking water, in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius,” she said in a statement issued by her office after the briefing.

Deliveries to people in hard-to-reach areas have further dropped this month, largely due to the centralization of Government approvals of deliveries to those areas, she said, while arbitrary restrictions by some opposition groups are also obstructing humanitarian access, especially in the eastern governorates of Syria.

“After more than 20 requests, the United Nations reached the besieged town of Madamyiet El Sham – also known as Moadamiyeh ¬– in Rural Damascus earlier this month, and delivered food and medical care. The 24,000 people living there had not had assistance since the end of 2012,” said Ms. Amos, adding that this month the UN World Food Programme (WFP) dispatched food to 3 million people, and medicines were delivered to 2.1 million people.

“Despite deliveries to Madamyiet and Yarmouk, approximately 241,000 people are still living under siege conditions,” she explained."She said that resolution 2165, unanimously adopted by Council members on 14 July, authorized the UN and its partners to use routes across four additional border crossings with Turkey, Jordan and Iraq. The resolution also authorized the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to confirm the humanitarian nature of supplies brought through those crossings points.

“I confirmed to the Security Council that the monitoring mechanism has been established and that on 24 July, the first UN convoy crossed into Syria from Turkey through the Bab al-Salam border crossing,” said Ms. Amos.

Specifically, food, shelter materials, household items and water and sanitation supplies for approximately 26,000 people in Aleppo and Idleb Governorates was transported. The Syrian authorities were notified.

“In the next few days I hope to confirm the dispatch of other planned convoys through the other designated crossing points. However, given the volatile situation near the Iraqi border, we will review when we can start using the Al Yarubiyah crossing point,” said Ms. Amos.

She went on to underscore that there are significant challenges to operating across those four border points, including ongoing fighting, existence of a multitude of armed groups, and terrorist groups, which have stated their objections to international aid and aid workers.

“All parties to the conflict must uphold their obligations to protect civilians and comply with the principles of humanitarian law,” she declared, adding that she hoped the terms of resolution 2165 would “enable the step change in humanitarian access and delivery that we all seek.”

Meanwhile, the UN and its partners stand ready to work with all concerned to ensure people receive the assistance they so desperately need, she said, and concluded: “We count on Council members for their full and sustained support.”

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UPDATE: Gaza: UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing emergency food assistance to 204,000 people, in addition to the regular food programmes

United Nations News Centre - Gaza: deadly shelling of another UN school draws condemnation, calls for ceasefire: "“Of the quarter million people displaced in Gaza, an estimated 204,000 are in 82 schools serving as UNRWA shelters, according to OCHA, the equivalent of 10 per cent of Gaza's population.“Our capacity is stretched to the limit,” said Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Given the deteriorating humanitarian situation, peoples' needs will continue to grow,” Ms. Amos said, echoing calls for a ceasefire that would end the conflict. “Let's put people first.”

In today's press conference, Mr. Ging added that Gazans are gripped by “mortal fear” and are caught up in a “traumatic drama.”

“They are being told to flee areas, get out of areas, but to where? Where should they flee? In the end, we don't have the answer for them,” he said, adding that unlike in conflicts in other parts of the world, they population does not have an option of crossing borders.

He also reiterated the humanitarian challenges to providing aid, given that over 70 per cent of the people in Gaza are in need of steady assistance. Among the top priorities are shelter, food and water, and sanitation.

Today's attack was also condemned by UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown.

“This attack emphasizes the urgent need for both parties to end the militarization of schools and to recognize that the violation of schools and schoolchildren is outlawed by the international community,” Mr. Brown said in a statement.

“Schools should not be targeted nor should weapons be stored in them,” he added. “We must protect these places of learning.”

Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, said in her condemnation that the situation is particularly worrying given the damage done to health facilities, which puts an additional strain on already limited resources to care for sick and injured children.

“Rockets fired into Israel by Hamas have injured children and damaged schools. Israeli children also deserve to live in peace,” she added."



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UPDATE: Gaza: deadly shelling of another UN school draws condemnation, calls for ceasefire

United Nations News Centre - Gaza: deadly shelling of another UN school draws condemnation, calls for ceasefire: "30 July 2014 – As another United Nations school serving as a shelter for Palestinians in Gaza was hit by shells this morning, killing children, senior UN officials strongly condemned the attacks and warned against the targeting of civilians.

“Nothing is more shameful than attacking sleeping children,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said immediately upon his arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, for an official visit.

“I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. It is outrageous. It is unjustifiable. And it demands accountability and justice,” he added.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner General, Pierre Krähenbühl, echoed the condemnation calling the attack “an affront to all of us; a source of universal shame.”

According to an initial assessment, Israeli artillery on at least three occasions hit an UNRWA school where 3,300 people were seeking refuge. While the agency says it is too early to provide a death toll, there are at least 16 civilians believed to be dead, and several, including to women and children, and to UNRWA guards trying to protect the site.

“The precise location of the Jabalia Elementary Girls School and the fact that it was housing thousands of internally displaced people was communicated to the Israeli army seventeen times, to ensure its protection,” Mr. Krähenbühl said, “the last being at ten to nine last night, just hours before the fatal shelling.”

“I call on the international community to take deliberate international political action to put an immediate end to the continuing carnage,” he underscored.

Meanwhile in New York, speaking to reporters, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson urged those involved in the conflict to “put people first” and see the high price civilians are paying and the horror of what is happening.

“To me, this is a moment when you really have to say 'enough is enough',” he declared. “You have to search for the right words to convince those who have the power to stop this.”

At least six UN staff members have been killed in Gaza since the latest conflict started, the Deputy UN chief said, visibly frustrated with reported criticism that the world body is not doing enough to stem the violence in the enclave. Since the start of the conflict more than 133 schools have been shelled or suffered collateral damage.

He said UN legal advisors are discussing with Palestinian representatives an official request by President Mahmoud Abbas to place Palestine under an international protection system administered by the UN.

Calling it a “sign of desperation,” Mr. Eliasson admitted that such a task is “not easy to think about” but noted UN involvement in East Timor and Kosovo as potential examples.

In addition to condemning the artillery attacks from Israel, he noted the rockets into Israel and the attacks orchestrated through the tunnel networks.

Yesterday, UNRWA condemned the finding of more rockets in one of its schools, and announced an investigation.

Speaking to journalists alongside Mr. Eliasson, John Ging, Operations Director at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), clarified that the rockets found were in schools abandoned by the UN due to the intensity of the conflict in those areas, and thanks to the due diligence and the investigative approach taken by the UN.

“When they are in control of the school they can [be assured] that it is free of weapons and no one with arms is allowed in the school,” Mr. Ging said.

Both militants and the Israeli Defense Forces had occupied those schools in the past, he added, “we deplore that but we cannot control” the schools when the UN is not physically present in the building.

On Tuesday, a compound housing the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was hit five times over a period of one hour, according to UN sources.

A preliminary investigation shows that there were also two projectiles that hit the ground just outside the compound. One of which is believed to have hit Gaza's sole power plant. Pending a more formal investigation to ascertain the responsibilities for the shelling of its compound, UNSCO reminded the relevant parties to the conflict of their responsibility to protect UN operations.

The Special Coordinator, Robert Serry, “is deeply concerned about this incident and other violations of United Nations premises during the conflict and condemns the loss of civilian lives, including United Nations personnel.”

Of the quarter million people displaced in Gaza, an estimated 204,000 are in 82 schools serving as UNRWA shelters, according to OCHA, the equivalent of 10 per cent of Gaza's population.

“Our capacity is stretched to the limit,” said Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator."



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UPDATE: UN Sec Gen Ban Ki-moon urges halt to fighting, unfettered access to Malaysia Airlines crash site in Ukraine

United Nations News Centre - Ban urges halt to fighting, unfettered access to Malaysia Airlines crash site in Ukraine: "30 July 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for an immediate halt to hostilities in eastern Ukraine so that international investigators can gain access to the site where a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight crashed earlier this month.

Both Mr. Ban and the United Nations Security Council have called for a full investigation into the crash of flight MH17, which went down in Donetsk Oblast on 17 July, resulting in the loss of 298 lives.

They have also urged armed groups to allow unfettered access to the crash site and ensure that its integrity is maintained.

A statement issued by his spokesperson today said that Mr. Ban is “deeply disturbed” to learn that forensic teams and international investigators in Donetsk continue to be impeded from accessing the site and carrying out their critical work due to heavy fighting in the area.

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately halt hostilities in the proximity of the crash site so as to allow the international teams unimpeded access to the site,” said the statement.

Mr. Ban recalled that there are victims’ remains yet to be found and that key pieces of evidence remain at the site.

“The families of the victims of this horrific tragedy deserve closure and the world demands answers – international teams must be allowed to conduct their work,” the statement added.

In the wake of the crash, the Council was told that while the UN had no independent verification of the circumstances regarding the incident, there was credible, numerous reports suggesting that a sophisticated surface-to-air missile was used.

The apparent deliberate downing of the flight over eastern Ukraine, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman told the 15-member body, highlighted the need for an urgent resumption of a ceasefire and a serious effort to end the ongoing crisis in that country."



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UPDATE: UN envoy welcomes criteria for invalidation, recount in Afghan audit process

United Nations News Centre - UN envoy welcomes criteria for invalidation, recount in Afghan audit process: "30 July 2014 – The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed the decision to adopt criteria for the invalidation and recount of ballots as part of the ongoing audit over the results of the presidential run-off poll.

“This decision will ensure that the audit process will lead to the invalidation of fraudulent ballots while all valid votes will be counted, thus honouring the courage and determination of the Afghans who voted in both rounds of the Presidential election,” said Ján Kubiš, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, in a statement released today.

Having met with the Independent Election Commission (IEC) earlier in the day, Mr. Kubiš said the Commission’s decision to adopt the criteria means that the regulatory framework for the Presidential audit is now complete.

“It will help minimise the points of friction encountered in the audit so far. I encourage both campaigns to continue demonstrating the political will necessary to proceed expeditiously with the audit, without any interruption,” added Mr. Kubiš, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The IEC decision is based on a UN proposal founded upon international best practice. Under the technical agreement reached by the two Presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, on 12 July, the UN was asked to propose the manner for the international supervision of the audit, which it did after consultations with both Presidential campaigns.

Agreed on by both of the candidates, the plan involves a complete audit of the results of the run-off held on 14 June– roughly eight million ballots – to be held in Kabul with monitoring by national and international observers, as well as the formation of a government of national unity, among other points.

With the process resuming on Saturday following the Eid break, the Special Representative said he looked forward to the candidate teams continuing their participation and focusing on large-scale irregularities rather than contesting individual ballots."



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