REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Rhéal LeBlanc, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section, United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization, the Human Rights Council and the Economic Commission for Europe.

Update on humanitarian needs in Syria 2019

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), made the following statement:

“The United Nations in Syria remains gravely concerned about the plight of thousands of civilians fleeing the last ISIL-held areas of Al-Baghouz in rural Deir ez-Zor Governorate after sustained and intense hostilities in the area.

In the last week alone, some 13,000 people, 90 per cent of them women and children, have arrived at the Al Hol camp in Al Hassakeh Governorate. Many arrive exhausted, hungry and sick. Large numbers of people continue to arrive at the site on a daily basis, which is now operating well above capacity.

Since December 2018, approximately 45,000 people have fled the Hajin and Al-Baghouz areas of Deir-ez-Zor and arrived at Al Hol camp. Those fleeing have told of a desperate situation for civilians in the areas they flee from, with civilians being killed and injured on a daily basis, large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure and shortages of food, medicines and other basic necessities.

There are reports of more than 84 people — two-thirds of them children under five years of age — who have lost their lives either en route or shortly after arriving at the Al Hol camp. Partners inform that 175 children have been hospitalized owing to medical complications from severe acute malnutrition.

The United Nations, NGO partners and relevant authorities are responding at Al Hol camp and surrounding areas to meet the growing needs and provide life-saving assistance and services to all new arrivals. This includes around-the-clock emergency health and protection assistance, with all new arrivals receiving food, water, shelter, and warm clothes and blankets.

We are also today publishing the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2019 for Syria. This is the document that provides the evidence for the humanitarian response plan, which is due before a conference co-chaired by the European Union and the United Nations in Brussels from 12 to 14 March. The conference has a pledging element, so it is important to bring detailed evidence of the needs before we ask for funding for the response.

The Needs Overview is a stark reminder that the crisis is far from over for millions of people in Syria who have lived through eight years of conflict. 11.7 million people will be in need of some form of humanitarian aid in 2019, including food and livelihood assistance, health care, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene support, and education for children: over 2 million boys and girls are currently out of school in Syria.

In addition to the material needs, Syria is considered one of the biggest protection crises in the world. Despite an overall reduction of violence in some areas, people continue to be exposed to brutality every day. Women, children, adolescent girls, older people, widows and female-headed households, and persons with disabilities, face distinct protection risks and have specific needs. The threat of explosive hazards of all kinds also remains a major protection concern, with more than 10 million people estimated to live in contaminated areas.

In addition, displacement remains stubbornly high, with well over 6 million people internally displaced every year since 2016. This year, the number of protracted internally displaced people stands at 6.2 million, while more than 5.6 million people remain displaced across the borders in neighbouring countries.”

Asked if he had any information on the alleged abduction of humanitarians in Idlib Governorate and other areas, Mr. Laerke said that he was not in a position to comment at that time. [He later provided the following update: OCHA is not aware of any NGO humanitarian staff who are currently held against their will or abducted in Idlib. However, abductions and other security incidents are not all reported to OCHA. Regarding security incidents involving UN staff, UNDSS is the entity mandated to deal with that.] The reports that more than 84 people had died either en route to, or shortly after arriving at, the Al Hol camp since December 2018 had been received from partners of OCHA on the ground, including United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and local authorities. There was no estimate for the number of people still in the Hajin and Al-Baghouz areas of Deir-ez-Zor, to which OCHA did not have access.

A dollar amount for humanitarian needs in Syria would be included in the humanitarian response plan, which had not yet been published, but would be ready in time for the conference to be held in Brussels from 12 to 14 March. In 2018, the funding request for the humanitarian response within Syria had been USD 3.36 billion. Funding from donors had amounted to USD 2.1 billion.

Venezuela

In response to a question about serious incidents that had occurred in recent days along the borders of Venezuela with Colombia and Brazil, and that had affected the delivery of humanitarian aid, Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that a response plan led by agencies dealing with refugees and migrants was in place in the countries neighbouring Venezuela. In Venezuela itself, within the framework of existing agreements with the Government, United Nations agencies were working to respond to the humanitarian needs of the population.

Update on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), made the following statement:

“The World Health Organization is deeply concerned about the recent attacks on the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-run Ebola treatment centres on 24 February in Katwa and on 27 February in Butembo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Such attacks are deplorable for their immediate impact on lives and for the risk of spreading the disease further. They are profoundly disrespectful of the dedicated work of local, regional and international responders.

The security situation is deteriorating. WHO remains committed to staying on the ground until the job is done. An Ebola outbreak in such a complex setting can only be managed collectively by all the partners on the ground. The likelihood is high that the deteriorating security situation will lead to an increase in Ebola cases.

As at 27 February, there have been a total of 885 cases of Ebola (820 confirmed and 65 probable), including 555 deaths.

The figures on survivors are currently being revised. The latest count was on 19 February 2019, when there were 257 reported survivors. In addition, 227 suspect cases are being investigated.”

Asked about the impact on WHO of the decision by MSF to put on standby its medical activities in the province of North Kivu, Mr. Lindmeier said that all partners had to do what they thought was best for the protection of their own staff and operations. WHO and its partners were ready to step up their efforts with regard to contact tracing and were working to further improve security.

Four Ebola patients had gone missing after the attack on the treatment centre in Butembo, having understandably run for their lives. Three had since returned voluntarily, while one was still missing. All four patients were convalescent, which meant that they had a lower viral load, making further infections less likely. Even so, it was crucial to locate the remaining patient and begin contact tracing.

Cooperation among partners with regard to security was an ongoing issue. The security situation was re-evaluated after every incident with the aim of preventing further attacks or harm to installations or lives.

He had no information at his disposal on the operations of Ebola treatment centres other than those in Katwa and Butembo, which were the only two known to have been damaged. In the light of the attacks, the reasons for which had not yet been fully established, discussions were ongoing about how to ensure the safety of patients and humanitarian staff.

Community engagement was one of the most important strategies to raise awareness of the treatment of Ebola. The attacks showed that some groups had not understood the necessity of that treatment. However, the fact that three of the four missing Ebola patients had returned voluntarily demonstrated that, for a large part of the population, messages in that regard were getting through.

WHO had launched an urgent call for USD 148 million. So far, the World Bank had pledged USD 80 million; the search for other donors continued.

Asked about communication between WHO and its partners and militant armed groups in North Kivu, he said that WHO was doing everything in its power to ensure that operations in the province could run smoothly.

Human Rights Council

Rolando Gomez, for the Human Rights Council, said that the Council had begun its meeting at 10 a.m. that day with the presentation, by the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, of a report focusing on intelligence oversight, gender and privacy, and health and privacy. Subsequently, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights had presented reports related to the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and on her mission to Malaysia. The presentations were being followed by an interactive discussion.

Following a break, at 3 p.m., the Council would resume with the presentation of a series of reports by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. The reports concerned global challenges of protecting civic space in the context of the continued expansion of counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism measures, and the missions that the Special Rapporteur and her predecessor had undertaken to Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.
At 9.30 a.m. that day, the Special Rapporteur on torture had held a press conference to discuss the reports that he had presented to the Council the previous day on the subject of corruption, torture and ill-treatment, and his missions to Argentina, Kosovo, Serbia and Ukraine.

On Monday, 4 March, the Council would hold its annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child. The theme would be the empowerment of children with disabilities for the enjoyment of their human rights, including through inclusive education. The panel, which would be opened by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, would include a member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility.

That same day, reports would be presented by the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment and the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context.

UNECE/ITU symposium on the future networked car 2019

Jean Rodriguez, for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), made the following statement:

“Next week begins the Geneva International Motor Show. As in the past couple of years, UNECE and ITU will organize a symposium on the future networked car that will take place on Thursday, 7 March.

The symposium will gather representatives from the motor industry, the telecom and software industries, and regulators from different countries around the world, to discuss developments in connectivity and automation. I draw your attention especially to the session in the afternoon, starting at 4.30 p.m., on the deployment of automated mobility services. As you know, UNECE hosts, within the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, a dedicated working group on automated and autonomous vehicles, and it hosts the United Nations conventions on road traffic, which set the scene for traffic rules internationally.”

Anniversary of the entry into force of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, recalled that, on 28 February 2019, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General had issued the following statement:

“The Secretary-General welcomes the 20th anniversary on 1 March of the entry into force of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention – a Convention that has saved countless lives, stopped mutilation and injury and enabled the revitalization of livelihoods.

The Secretary-General commends the commitment of the States parties to rid the world of a weapon that kills and maims indiscriminately, while seriously impeding peace and development. He congratulates the 31 States who have declared their country to be mine-free and urges all States that have not done so to accede as soon as possible to the Convention.

The Secretary-General calls for accelerated efforts to render anti-personnel mines a relic of the past. He also appeals to States to ensure access to sustainable assistance and services for the thousands of mine victims.”

Mr. LeBlanc said that at 10.30 a.m. that day, in Room XXII, Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Shahrzad Tadjbakhsh, Deputy Director of the Division of International Protection of the United Nations Refugee Agency, H.E. Hans Brattskar, President of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, and Michael Copeland, Chief ad interim, Global Cluster Coordinator and Child Protection Coordinator from the United Nations Children’s Fund would be speaking at an event to celebrate the anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention. That evening, at 6 p.m., a symbolic ceremony would be held at the lighthouse of the Bains des Pâquis in Geneva, at which the Geneva water fountain would be illuminated in “Convention blue” to commemorate 20 years of action and call for renewed commitment to meet the 2025 mine-free ambition in as many countries as possible.

World Wildlife Day

Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that the Secretary-General had released the following message concerning World Wildlife Day, which would be celebrated on 3 March 2019:

“Marine species provide indispensable ecosystem services. Plankton enrich the atmosphere with oxygen and more than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for sustenance and livelihoods. Marine and coastal resources and the industries they support are estimated to be worth at least US$3 trillion a year, some 5 per cent of global GDP.

Sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems are the objectives of Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals. Today, ocean life is under severe pressure, ranging from climate change to pollution, the loss of coastal habitats and the overexploitation of marine species. Some one-third of commercial fish stocks are overfished, and many other species – from albatrosses to turtles – are imperilled by the unsustainable use of ocean resources.

The good news is that solutions are available. For example, where fisheries are managed scientifically, most fish stocks have a good chance of recovery. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) is increasing regulation of marine species. And the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is engaged in crafting a post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

On this World Wildlife Day, let us raise awareness about the extraordinary diversity of marine life and the crucial importance of marine species to sustainable development. That way, we can continue to provide these services for future generations.”

Geneva announcements

Rhéal LeBlanc, for the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, said that 1 March 2019 was Zero Discrimination Day. Information about the Day could be sought from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The next public plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament, which was under the presidency of the United Kingdom, would be on Tuesday, 5 March, at 10 a.m.

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights would be meeting in private until the end of its session on Friday, 8 March, when it would issue its concluding observations on the five countries whose reports had been reviewed during the session, namely Bulgaria, Cameroon, Estonia, Kazakhstan and Mauritius.

That day, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women would be reviewing the report of Botswana, which was the last one on the agenda for its session. The Committee would then meet in private until the end of the session on Friday, 8 March, when it would issue its concluding observations on the eight countries whose reports had been reviewed during the session, namely Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Colombia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Serbia and the United Kingdom.

On Monday, 4 March, the Human Rights Committee would open its 125th session, during which it would review reports from Angola, Estonia, the Niger and Viet Nam, and the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in Eritrea and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, both in the absence of a report. On 20 March, the Committee would hold a public half-day of general discussion on article 21 of the Covenant, related to the right of peaceful assembly. The session, which would run until 29 March, would take place in Palais Wilson, Geneva.

Press conferences

Tuesday, 6 March at 1 p.m. in Press Room 1

OHCHR

Sharing of the main findings of the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to the Human Rights Council. The report explores examples of restrictions imposed on expression on account of religion or belief.

Speaker:
Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

The webcast for this briefing is available here: http://bit.ly/unog010319