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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

THURSDAY, 31 MARCH 2016

SECRETARY-GENERAL SHOCKED TO THE CORE BY LATEST ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

• The Spokesman said that the Secretary-General has expressed shock to the core by the latest allegations of abuse in the Central African Republic (CAR). His focus is on the victims and their families - women and young children who have been traumatized in the worst imaginable way.
• Yesterday, CAR inaugurated a new democratically elected President, marking the end of a transition period. The interventions of the international community helped save the CAR from an unspeakable fate. Yet, we must face the fact that a number of troops who were sent to protect people instead acted with hearts of darkness.
• These crimes fester in silence and that is why the Secretary-General is shining a spotlight on these despicable, depraved and deeply disturbing allegations. He has been unrelenting in confronting this scourge and raising it proactively at every opportunity.
• This constant and loud advocacy must be matched by the actions of Member States who alone have the power to discipline their forces with real consequences. This is essential to restoring trust in the invaluable institution of peacekeeping and - even more importantly - to provide a full measure of justice and healing to the affected communities.
• A Note to Correspondents issued on 30 March said that the United Nations Mission in CAR () on 25 March 2016 that it had received new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse that had taken place between 2013 and 2015 by UN and non-UN personnel, as well as by local armed groups, in the Kemo prefecture of the country.
• The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, today described the latest allegations as “sickening,” and said that major efforts were already underway to investigate allegations. He also said that it was vital that the victims are protected and receive all necessary care.
• A MINUSCA-led integrated team comprised of Office of Internal Oversight Services (), Human Rights, Child and Women’s Protection, Conduct and Discipline, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund () and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has travelled to the area and is now on the ground.
• The exact number and nature of these extremely troubling allegations are still being determined. The team has identified the contingents in question as those provided by Burundi and Gabon.
• Allegations made against the French Sangaris forces in the same area are also being investigated. Alleged victims are being interviewed and will be provided with assistance and psycho-social and medical support. The Burundian and Gabonese units allegedly involved will remain confined in camps during the investigation, except for essential tasks.
• The UN has formally notified the Troop Contributing Countries in question, as well as to the French authorities, informing them of these allegations. The Troop Contributing Countries have been requested to send investigators immediately to participate jointly in the ongoing investigation.
• The Under Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare, met with the Permanent Representative of Burundi on 30 March. A meeting with representatives of Gabon will take place as soon as possible. The Central African Republic authorities have also been formally notified by the Mission in Bangui.
• The High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the States to whom these troops belong must do more to stop the abuse happening, to punish those committing these acts with appropriate sentences, and to prevent further violations.
• The Under Secretary-General for Operations, Herve Ladsous, is in Bangui where he raised these allegations with French foreign ministry also there. The Security Council was also briefed on this issue by Mr. Khare today.
• has reported that the legislative run-off elections are taking place in 85 constituencies today amidst an overall calm atmosphere in the country.
• The Mission continues to provide logistical and security support to the electoral process. It is, however, monitoring developments in Obo (Haute-Mbomou), Birao (Vakaga) and Bouar (Nana-Mambéré), where minor incidents involving supporters of political opponents have recently been reported.

VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO TAKE A TOLL ON CIVILIANS IN SOUTH SUDAN, WARNS U.N. HUMANITARIAN CHIEF

• The Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, briefed the Security Council today saying that civilians continued to be targeted, attacked and displaced and that acute humanitarian needs persisted in South Sudan. He added that humanitarians needed a timely, unimpeded access to those in need, not ad hoc, case by case considerations.
• He noted that despite challenges, humanitarians had reached more than one million people in the first two months of 2016 and continued to find innovative ways to saves lives, even in areas where formal access is not granted. But he said that there was acritical lack of funding – with only 9 per cent funded of the US$1.3 billion required for humanitarian assistance.
• The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore, said that despite the August 2015 peace agreement, human rights violations and abuses against civilians continued unabated. She added that there was a new and alarming spread of violence and insecurity in areas previously less affected by the conflict, such as Western Equatoria.
• Ms. Gilmore stressed that the formation of accountability and transitional justice mechanisms for South Sudan were essential. She said that failure to address the deeply engrained disregard for human life will only lead to further violence in the country.
• The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for , Ellen Margrethe Løj, told the Council this morning that sustained progress in the country will require that both parties form the transitional government without further delay and demonstrate the courage to compromise for the sake of peace. Most importantly, she said, it will require that South Sudan’s leaders begin to put the people first.
• Prior to the meeting on South Sudan, the Security Council adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee until the end of July 2017.
• They also adopted a presidential statement on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, before starting their meeting on Sudan and South Sudan.

SOMALIA: AID ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH NEW APPEAL TO HELP COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY DROUGHT

• Aid organizations in Somalia today launched a Call for Aid seeking $105 million to scale-up critical, life-saving assistance as well as help build resilience for more than one million people in the drought-affected northern regions of the country.
• The severe drought, exacerbated by El Niño conditions, which is severely affecting parts of Puntland and Somaliland, has compounded an already challenging humanitarian situation. An estimated 1.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and livelihood support.

SECRETARY-GENERAL TO ATTEND HIGH-LEVEL NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON D.C.

• The Secretary-General is scheduled to arrive in , D.C., later today where he will attend a working dinner at the White House hosted by H.E. President Barack Obama.
• The Secretary-General is expected to highlight issues concerning the Nuclear Security Agenda, ahead of the High-Level Nuclear Security Summit to take place the following day.
• Issues will include the necessity to sustain high-level political momentum, the nexus between nuclear terrorism and cyber security, and the urgent need to bridge the gap on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
• At the High-Level Nuclear Security Summit on 1 April, the Secretary-General will bring attention to the vital role the United Nations can play in thwarting the threats posed by the growing ability of terrorist networks to acquire weapons of mass destruction, as well to the ability of the organization to promptly respond to any serious emergency involving the use of weapons of mass destruction.

MYANMAR: SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF NEW PRESIDENT

• In a statement issued on 30 March on Myanmar, the Secretary-General H.E. U Htin Kyaw on his assumption of the office of the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
• The Secretary-General welcomed the peaceful transfer of power as testament to the people of Myanmar’s to democracy.
• The Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to continue to support efforts to advance peace, development, human rights and the rule of law for the benefit of all the people of Myanmar.

LAUNCHING OF NEW PEACE TALKS ON COLOMBIA MARKS IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PEACE - SECRETARY-GENERAL

• In a statement issued on 30 March on Colombia, the Secretary-General the announcement of the launching of peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN), following the signing of an agreement between the parties.
• Calling the announcement another important step that reinforces the Colombian people’s hopes for sustainable peace, the Secretary-General saluted the efforts of the countries supporting the peace process in Colombia as guarantors and accompanying nations. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to continue providing its support to the peace process.

U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL HIGHTLIGHTS SERIOUS CHALLENGES AND DEEP DIVISIONS IN MOLDOVA

• At the end of his four-day visit to Moldova, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Simonovic, said that the country faces very serious challenges due to deep internal divisions, widespread corruption and governance issues.
• At the same time, Mr. Simonovic said, 2016 begins with possibilities for change for the Moldovan people. After many months, a new Government has been formed and a new Law on the Prosecutor adopted. The Parliament is about to adopt a law which would require that 40 per cent of Parliamentarians be women, as well as other measures to advance the rights of women.
• Simonovic stressed the willingness of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the entire United Nations family to remain engaged and deepen its involvement with Moldova.