Syria: Noting gross violations of human rights and the ongoing violence there, the United Nations Human Rights Council today condemned the situation in Syria, and urged authorities to immediately implement a peace plan and grant unimpeded access to assistance organizations.
Syria: The United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) will restructure
itself in order to better meet its operational mandate, its Chief Military Observer, Major-General Robert Mood, said today. UNSMIS will consolidate its eight local team site locations, spread out in different parts of Syria, into the regional locations, with monitors and assets moved from locations in Hama, Idlib, and Tartus to boost the Mission’s presence in other locations.
Death penalty: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Member States which use the death penalty to abolish this practice, stressing that the right to life lies at the heart of international human rights law.
Syria: The United Nations-backed Action Group on Syria today forged an agreement outlining the steps for a peaceful transition in Syria, whilestrongly condemning the continued and escalating violence that has taken place there over the past 16 months.
Sudan: The UN emergency relief coordinator today voiced concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states in Sudan, and called for unrestricted access for aid agencies so they can assist people in need.
The Secretary-General today highlighted the achievements made in Rio last week, stressing that they represent a global movement of change:“Let me be clear. Rio+20 was a success,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a General Assembly meeting on the outcome of the Conference. “In Rio, we saw the further evolution of an undeniable global movement for change.”
Syria: The Action Group for Syria will convene in Geneva, at the ministerial level, this Saturday, the Joint Special Envoy, Kofi Annan, said today:
“The objectives of the Action Group for Syria are to identify steps and measures to secure full implementation of the six-point plan and Security Council resolutions 2042 and 2043, including an immediate cessation of violence in all its forms,” Mr. Annan said in a statement.
Afghanistan: Ahead of a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday, the United Nations mission in the country today drew attention to the “critical need” for all parties to the conflict to do more to protect civilians.
Last week, 214 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in 48 separate incidents in Afghanistan, with anti-government elements responsible for 98 per cent of these civilian casualties, according to UNAMA. Two suicide attacks alone – one in Khost and another by Qargha Lake – resulted in the deaths of at least 38 Afghan civilians, with 38 others wounded.
Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Highlighting the growing number of incidents where civilians are targeted in armed conflict, the SG today drew attention to the key role of the Security Council in dealing with the issue at a debate on the matter today.
