REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING BY THE INFORMATION SERVICE

Corinne Momal-Vanian, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was attended by representatives of the World Health Organization, International Organization for Migration, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Refugee Agency, World Food Programme, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Children’s Fund, World Trade Organization, Economic Commission for Europe and the Human Rights Council.

Ebola

Dr. Marie Paule Kieny, Assistant Director General on Health Information and Systems at the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that the WHO was co-operating intensively with a wide range of partners trying to accelerate work on experimental therapies and vaccines.

On drugs, the WHO had done some work with experts to identify which products were nearest to have proven some utility, and the focus was now on those drugs. WHO was participating in clinical platforms, which would start discussing with African sites to see which would be the most suitable to test those drugs. The goal was to establish, as soon as possible, which of the drugs was giving most chances of survival to patients.

Regarding plasma, there was a lot of interest from both the affected countries and many partners. WHO had released guidelines for safe use of blood transfusions for the treatment of Ebola patients, and was working with many partners to help distribute materials to make it possible to extract plasma from recovered patients in order to treat current patients.

In terms of vaccines, Dr. Kieny said that there were several candidates, out of which the WHO was focusing on two: one called chimpanzee adenovirus, developed by the GSK company; and the other called VSV, developed by the company New Link. WHO had received 800 vials of the latter vaccine from the Canadian Government. WHO was now working on accelerating clinical trials of both vaccines. Clinical trials were important, as it had to be known whether vaccines were safe before going to vulnerable people in the affected countries. It had to be known also whether the vaccines were actually efficacious, and whether they induced antibodies or not. It was hoped that by the end of 2014, results on both vaccines would be available, provided that testing went well. If everything went well, those vaccines could be used at the very beginning of 2015.

Dr. Kieny emphasized that the available quantity of the vaccines would not make mass vaccinations possible. At a meeting with experts the following week, best targets - who should be offered the vaccines first - would be discussed. Vaccines would be used only under informed consent, and none of the vaccines would be licensed, as they would be made available under emergency, or compassionate use.

On a question about lack of progress on treatment or vaccines for neglected tropical diseases, Dr Kieny noted that everybody agreed that the current model, where pharmaceutical discovery was based on the market, was failing to deliver results. The World Health Assembly was trying to find innovative ways to raise funds, and de-linking the cost of the research from the sale price of the product.

She informed that experts were coming to Geneva the following week to discuss vaccine trials and design, when more information would be available.

Syrian refugees

Joel Millman, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stated that this morning, the IOM had started to distribute emergency humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees coming into Turkey. Observers had reported that as of 25 September, over 140,000 Syrians, most of them women and children, had crossed the border at Ayn-al-Arab and then headed towards Suruç in the South East of Turkey. The recent influx had been caused by the raid on northern Syrian villages by the Islamic State on 19 September. In total, the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey was amounting to 1,350 000 Syrian of which 220,000 resided in camps in ten different provinces.

Christophe Boulierac, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reminded that since 19 September, approximately 153,000 Syrian asylum seekers had crossed into Turkey. Among them, 60 per cent were children, and 85 per cent were children and women.

Those refugees had imminent feeding and hygiene needs, including baby food and diapers. The children UNICEF had taken in were fragile, exhausted, dehydrated, shocked, and showed signs of fear, as well as trauma. There were testimonies of people who had been walking for seven days and sleeping outside. Some of them had not had access to food for two days. Some children had lost their parents and were manifestly in a worrying psychological condition.

In cooperation with the Turkish authorities and humanitarian agencies present on the ground, surveys were ongoing in order to identify the most urgent needs. UNICEF was working closely with the Turkish Red Crescent Society. Since 19 September, Turkish Red Crescent had distributed 2,064 boxes of High Energy Biscuits provided by UNICEF. UNICEF had also prepositioned 33,000 boxes (or 660,000 packages) of High Energy Biscuits, which were also to be distributed by Turkish Red Crescent.

UNICEF purchased 92.000 bag of diapers. UNICEF provided 150,000 vaccine doses against measles, rubeola and mumps to the Turkish Ministry of Health so that the vaccinations could be carried out in transit camp and villages.

UNICEF was currently opening two Child Friendly Spaces, which were intended to limit the children psychological trauma. There were already 21 such centers on the Turkish side of the boarder, which had received 30,000 children.

Mr Bouliérac also stressed that UNICEF was providing support to the Turkish Government in food, education and child protection matters. In order to protect the Syrian children that endured indescribable suffering, UNICEF was calling on the warring parties to respect international humanitarian law.

A lack of funds also limited UNICEF’s capacity to help those children. On the USD 65 million required by UNICEF for Syrian children refugees in Turkey, only 27 per cent had been obtained. UNICEF still needed USD 47 million. Given the recent influx of refugees, those funds were needed now more urgently than ever.

Asked about the reports of a recent burning of the Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon and the detention of more than 100 refugees by the Lebanese Armed Forces, Mr. Edwards said that he had no comment on this specific case but stressed that it was always important to provide protection to refugees.

Central African Republic

Elisabeth Byrs, for the World Food Programme (WFP), stated that in the Central African Republic, the WFP was facing a double challenge of insecurity and logistic constraints due to the rainy season.

Heightened insecurity in some areas of the country had resulted in postponed or halted distributions by the WFP and other organisations due to the volatility of the situation.

Significant security-related events had occurred in the central parts of the country recently, particularly within the Bambari-Sibut-Dekoa area. There had been substantial movements of armed elements to and from Bambari and rumours of strategic attacks from one militia group, triggering counter attacks from other elements in these areas. Insecurity also remained in Batangafo and Boda.

Ms. Byrs informed that a total of six primary and secondary axes considered at risk had been identified in the west, central and north of the Central African Republic. Overall, incidents related to access had increased by 38 percent nationwide over the previous three months.

Despite those challenges, WFP had distributed 4,800 metric tonnes for approximately 400,000 people in August, corresponding to 95 per cent of planned distributions for the month. A consignment of 40 KAMAZ trucks, valued at USD 2.7 million, donated by the Russian Federation to WFP’s Afghanistan operation, were now on their way to help deliver life-saving food to hundreds of thousands of hungry people in the Central African Republic. KAMAZ trucks were one of the world’s largest vehicle in the world. In 2013, Russia had contributed USD 50 million to WFP operations in 18 countries.

Ms. Byrs said that the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by the WFP, was experiencing problems with the supply of jet fuel. The contingency stock of fuel was only sufficient to cover one month of air operations. Solutions were being currently discussed with various actors. As a result of widespread insecurity in the country, 2014 had been a challenging year for the movement of goods. After months of limited truck convoys with armed escorts, two transport blockages at the border of Cameroon and prolonged congestion at the port of Douala, the supply chain of vital humanitarian goods had been severely affected.

WFP had been working on diversifying entry points into the country by exploring options and finding solutions to ensure a consistent flow of incoming food supplies. The idea was to optimize the use of existing corridors and identify an alternative to overland transportation.

Afghanistan

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that the OHCHR was disappointed that the Supreme Court of Afghanistan had affirmed the death sentences given to five people and sentenced one additional person to death on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and gang rape in a recent case in Paghman, in Kabul province. While that was indeed a horrible crime, the OHCHR had been concerned about the lack of due process and the failure to comply with national and international fair trial standards in the proceedings. That risked denying proper justice to both the victims and the accused, and also undermined efforts to strengthen the rule of law and administration of justice in Afghanistan.

The High Commissioner opposed the death penalty in all circumstances, including for such heinous crimes, and especially when fair trial safeguards had not been met. At a high-level meeting on the death penalty in New York the previous day, High Commissioner Zeid had stressed that no judiciary, anywhere in the world, was so robust that it could guarantee that innocent life would not be taken, and there was an alarming body of evidence to indicate that even well-functioning legal systems had sentenced to death men and women who were subsequently proven innocent.

OHCHR urged both Afghanistan’s outgoing and incoming Presidents not to implement the death penalty in the given case and to refer the case back to courts. OHCHR encouraged the Government of Afghanistan to resume a moratorium on executions pending full abolition of the death penalty.

Africa’s overlooked crises and rising refugee claims in the world

Adrian Edwards, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that, at the start of their annual meeting next week, the 94 states of the UNHCR Executive Committee would look at how to mobilize more international attention and support for many complex situations of displacement in Africa. Ministers and senior representatives from countries hosting some of the largest refugee populations would speak to the deep human suffering resulting from wars and displacement. They would look at the deteriorating humanitarian consequences for Africa and the many challenges faced by the forcibly displaced and the host communities they lived in. They would also remind the international community of the risk of overlooking the humanitarian crisis in Africa and put an emphasis on the urgent need for stronger political and financial support to stop the ongoing conflict. Reports showed that Africa remained the leader in the number of refugees and displaced people, whose numbers were around 15 million.

Mr. Edwards also mentioned a report issued today by UNHCR showing that the number of people seeking refugee status in industrialized countries continued to climb in 2014. There had been a 24 per cent increase of asylum applications from the beginning of 2014 until now. Mr. Edwards explained that more war equaled more people needing asylum. Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans and Eritreans were the four leading nationalities of people needing asylum. Worldwide, a record of 51.2 million people were forcibly displaced as of the end of 2013.

Refugees in Australia/Cambodia

Mr. Edwards stated that the UNHCR was deeply concerned at the precedent set by today’s agreement between Australia and Cambodia to relocate refugees to Cambodia from Nauru.

The arrangement involved the relocation of recognized refugees from Nauru to Cambodia. Those refugees had originally sought Australia’s protection and were instead forcibly transferred to Nauru for an assessment of their need for protection, in conditions which the UNHCR had found to be harmful. Under the agreement, people who were recognized as refugees in Nauru would be offered permanent settlement in Cambodia and were barred from settlement in Australia.

High Commissioner for Reugees Antonio Guterres said that it was a worrying departure from international norms, and that it was crucial that countries did not shift their refugee responsibilities elsewhere. International responsibility sharing was the basis on which the whole global refugee system worked. Hope was expressed that the Australian government would reconsider its approach.

Mr. Edwards added that the UNHCR had consistently advocated for asylum-seekers to have their claims assessed and to benefit from protection in the territory of the State where they arrived, or which had jurisdiction over them.

While UNHCR recognized the challenges of people moving by sea in the region, it believed that solutions lay in broad-based regional cooperation, in which all States played their part.

Mr. Edwards specified that, as of 31 August 2014, there was a total of 1,084 people on Manus Island and 1,233 people in Nauru. Cambodia currently hosted 70 refugees and 20 asylum-seekers.

Ukraine

On reports of mass graves discovered in the Donetsk area, Ms. Shamdasani said that the OHCHR team on the ground would investigate those allegations.

Yemen

Asked about the situation in San’a, Ms. Shamdasani said there was an office on the ground trying to actively monitor the situation and document all violations. OHCHR had called on all parties to renounce violence, and was concerned about current developments.

Human Rights Council

Rolando Gomez, for the Human Rights Council (HRC), informed that there were twelve remaining draft resolutions to be discussed. Those included texts to create a new mandate on unilateral coercive measures, civil society space, sexual orientation and gender identity, and foreign debt, or the so-called “vulture funds,” which would be the subject of the press conference in Press Room III at 3:15 p.m, by the Foreign Minister of Argentina Héctor Timerman. The resolution on foreign debt would be considered at the Council around 2:30 p.m. There would also be a series of President’s statements to be considered, including one on the Ebola epidemic.

The previous day, the Council had adopted twenty resolutions, including on the issues of the safety of journalists, maternal and child mortality and on the human rights situations in Yemen and in Syria, among others. At the conclusion of the action on the draft texts this afternoon, the President of the Council, Ambassador Ndong Ella, would announce the names of seven individuals to fill the vacant posts for special procedure mandate holders. Afterwards, the Council would adopt its reports for the session and the President would then close the twenty-seventh session.

The following session would take place from 2 until 27 March 2015.

Mr. Gomez also informed that the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Baudelaire Ndong Ella, had announced today that Mike Smith of Australia and Victor Dankwa of Ghana would join Sheila B. Keetharuth, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, to serve as the members of the commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged human rights violations in Eritrea, as mandated by the Council at its June 2014 session. Mr. Smith would serve as Chair of the three-person commission.

State of children in the world

Mr. Boulierac informed about UNICEF’s report on the state of children in the world. Looking ahead to the 25^th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November, UNICEF released new trend data and essays that ask a critical question: “Is the world a better place for children?” The answer, as the UNICEF analyses showed, was - yes, but not for all children.

A baby born in 2014 had a dramatically improved chance of living to see its fifth birthday, and children today were far likelier to go to primary school than they had been in 1989. The number of children aged 5-17 involved in child labour had declined by almost one third since 2000. At the same time, the analyses also showed that progress had passed over millions of children – particularly the poor, those who belonged to ethnic minorities, lived in rural areas, or those with disabilities.

Mr. Boulierac added that millions of children continued to be deprived of essential services that could reduce their vulnerability to disease and under-nutrition, provide them with access to improved water and sanitation, and allow them to obtain a quality education. A disproportionate number of children were still living in extreme poverty, and the gap between the highest - and lowest-income households also remains - children from the poorest households was notably high. Mr. Boulierac specified that only three countries in the world – United States, South Sudan and Somalia – had not signed the Convention.

Geneva activities

Ms. Momal-Vanian informed that the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was meeting in private until the end of its current session, the following Friday. The Committee had looked into reports of New Zealand, Mexico, Belgium, Republic of Korea, Equateur and Denmark.

The Committee on Enforced Disappearances would close its session in the afternoon, after having considered reports of Belgium and Paraguay. A round-up press release would be issued at the end of the day.

Melissa Begag, for the World Trade Organization (WTO), informed about the activities of the Director-General in the upcoming week. On 29 September, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo would meet with a delegation from The International Maize Alliance Maizall at the WTO. On 30 September, he would meet with Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Borge Brende at the WTO and gives the opening address at the Global Services Summit conference (via video conference). On 1 October, he would meet with El Salvador's Minister of Economy Tharsis Salomón López Guzmán, and on 2 October the Director-General would hold a meeting with Portugal's State Secretary for European Affairs Mr Bruno Maçães, and also lead the Public Forum plenary debate on "What trade means for Africa".

Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation would take place on 29 September at 10 a.m; the Informal Committee on Trade and Development – Session on Aid for Trade would take place on 30 September at 10 a.m; while the three-day Public Forum would commence on 1 October.

Mr. Millman informed about the launch of IOM’s report ‘Fatal Journeys: Tracking Lives Lost During Migration’ in Room III on 29 September at 2.00 p.m. That publication was part of a missing migrants project and included remarkable data and statistics on the number of confirmed and presumed fatalities of migrants having crossed borders all over the world. The data of the report focused on all means of transport of migrants and was not restricted to certain regions of border crossing activities, but encompassed global migration. Although graphics and maps were based on figures until August 2014, the underlying statistics had been modified with regards to recent incidents, for instance the latest ship sinking in the Mediterranean.

Ms. Momal-Vanian announced, on behalf of Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Implementation Support Unit, that the Unit was ready to answer any questions related to the treaty and to the US announcement, in English, French or Spanish. On 30 September, the Convention’s Secretariat would host a one-day seminar for States not party to the Convention, including the release of a new study on border security without landmines. So far, a dozen States had accepted its invitation. The Unit would try to issue a press note from the meeting and would make it available to all interested parties at the end of the day.

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), confirmed that the press briefing on current humanitarian needs and challenges in Gaza and the West Bank would be held in Press Room I at 12:30 today. The speaker would be James W. Rawley, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Jean Rodriguez, for the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), informed that, on 29 September, the UNECE Executive Secretary would open a symposium on meat in Room V. The seminar would deal with UNECE meat standards, traceability and eating quality, as well as consumer experience. On 30 September, adoption of a new standard on processed poultry was expected.

Mr. Rodriguez stated that 1 October would be the International Day of Older Persons. A dance performance - “Magic Movers” - would start in Room XIV at 1 p.m. The show would be one of the many global efforts to remind people about the importance of older persons to society. Every year, in the context of the International Day for Older Persons, the United Nations proposed a theme to encourage dialogue and discussions that promote active ageing and solidarity between generations. The theme for this 24^th edition was “Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All”, calling for inclusiveness and awareness of population ageing dynamics.

In the UNECE region, the number of people aged 65 years and above amounted to 186 million, or close to 15 per cent of the region’s total population. By 2030 their share was expected to exceed 268 million, or 20 per cent. To guarantee inclusive, sustainable development, it was important to consider age-sensitive policies and the needs of older generations. The UNECE Population Unit was assisting Member States to adjust their policy framework to the new demographic realities.

Mr. Rodriguez informed that, also on 1 October, at 10:00 a.m. in Room XII, there would be an event by the NGO Committee on Ageing in Geneva, Realizing the Rights and Well-being of Older Persons, with prominent speakers including Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, the Human Rights Council’s Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. Other speakers would include Isabel Ortiz, Director of the Social Protection Department at ILO and Silvia Stefanoni, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy Strategy at HelpAge International.

Mr Rodriguez also said that the Expert Group would consider the draft reports of the third Environmental Performance Reviews (EPR) of Montenegro and Serbia. It would discuss draft conclusions and recommendations with national officials and experts. The EPR would take place in Room VIII from 30 September until 3 October.

Mr. Edwards informed that the UNHCR would host the Nansen Refugee Awards ceremony on 29 September, when the award would be given to the “Butterflies” from Columbia.

On 3 October, there would be a press conference with the High Commissioner on the outcomes and conclusions of the Executive Committee.

Ms. Momal-Vanian introduced Carla Drysdale as a spokesperson for International Labour Organization.

Representatives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Labour Organization also attended the briefing, but did not brief.
The webcast for this briefing is available here: … http://bit.ly/1rok5gX