United Nations published this video item, entitled “Mali, Myanmar, Haiti & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (3 June 2022)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Mali
– Myanmar
– Haiti
– Ethiopia
– DSG Travels
– Ukraine
– Yemen
– Brazil
– International Days
– Noon Briefing Guest Today
– Briefing on Monday
MALI
The Spokesman said he was sad to report another attack on peacekeepers in Mali. Unfortunately, two peacekeeping colleagues were killed this morning in Mali after their vehicle – an Armoured Personnel Carrier- hit an improvised explosive device. This happened outside of the town of Douentza, in the Mopti region. Two other peacekeepers were injured in the attack. UN Peacekeepers have managed to secure the area. This is the sixth incident in which a Mission convoy was hit since 22 May. It is the second fatal attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy just this week.
The Secretary-General condemns this new attack on UN peacekeepers, who are fulfilling the mandate in Mali given to them by the Security Council in extremely challenging conditions. The Secretary-General wishes a prompt recovery to the injured peacekeepers.
The Head of the UN mission in Mali, El-Ghassim Wane, also condemned this new attack. He also condemned the attack in the Kayes region earlier this week, in which 2 members of the Malian Red Cross were killed.
Despite these challenging circumstances, it is also important to note that UN colleagues are continuing their mandated work. As an example, the UN Peacekeeping Mission helped to rehabilitate two bridges in the Mopti region, which had been destroyed in earlier attacks. The restoration of these two bridges will bring relief to the people of the region and will facilitate the resumption of travel, commerce and activity, including between Mopti and Bandiagara.
Meanwhile, in the Kidal region and Gao region, peacekeepers assisted the populations of Anefis and Tanbankort towns, as part of their ongoing support to the populations in the North.
MYANMAR
The UN is deeply troubled by the Myanmar military’s decision to proceed with the execution of two pro-democracy activists after they received death sentences. This is a blatant violation to the right to life, liberty and security of person as per Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Secretary-General reiterates his calls for the respect of people’s rights to freedom of opinion and expression; and also to drop all charges against those arrested on charges related to the exercise of their fundamental freedoms and rights, and for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Myanmar.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the principles of equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, and all of the guarantees necessary for a person’s defense.
The Secretary-General considers that the death penalty cannot be reconciled with full respect for the right to life. Abolition is necessary and desirable for the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.
HAITI
In Haiti, UN humanitarian agencies say that their ability to provide life-saving assistance is severely limited by worsening gang violence, especially in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.
At least 188 people have been killed, including 96 suspected gang members, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the UN Integrated Office in Haiti. Almost 17,000 people have been displaced from Port-au-Prince since 24 April alone. Incidents of kidnapping for ransom have increased dramatically with some 200 cases in Port-au-Prince, recorded in the month of May, according to the UN Mission.
Access to vulnerable communities is acutely restricted due to gang activity, hampering the implementation and monitoring of humanitarian interventions.
UN partners have also been unable to collect and deliver relief supplies due to lack of access to the port area.
This week also marks one year since transportation links to the south of the country were closed down by gang activity. Reaching the north is also problematic.
Malnutrition rates in the Cité Soleil neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince have risen with 20 per cent of children under five now suffering from acute malnutrition, a key indicator of a crisis situation.
In spite of security constraints, UN agencies and partners continue to deliver relief items where possible. In 2022, the humanitarian community estimates that 4.9 million men, women and children need humanitarian assistance. So far, US$73 million has been received for Haiti’s Humanitarian Response Plan against an appeal of US$373 million.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03%20June%202022
United Nations YouTube Channel
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