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UN Daily News
Friday, 18 March 2016

Issue DH/7119

In the headlines:
UN appoints Red from the Angry Birds as

UN health agency sends specialists to help contain

Honorary Ambassador for International Day of

Happiness

Ebola flare-up in Guinea

In wake of another deadly attack in Yemen, UN

No alternative to political settlement of the

human rights chief decries Coalition airstrikes

Burundian crisis, Ban tells Security Council

Refugees need protection, not rejection, UN says

in wake of EU-Turkey deal

human rights defenders UN expert

rhetoric, says UN envoy

UN chief concerned that political will to end racial

Iraq: UN and partners race to reach thousands

without further delay

Honduras risks becoming lawless killing zone for

Intra-Syrian talks advancing without excessive

discrimination is under threat

Security Council calls on Haiti to complete elections

Ban welcomes announcement of release of

Djiboutian prisoners by Eritrea

Ban appoints new Envoy for Sudan and South

Sudan; new leadership at UN Afghan mission

fleeing areas west of Ramadi

More stories inside

UN appoints Red from the Angry Birds as Honorary

Ambassador for International Day of Happiness
18 March The United Nations today appointed Red, the leader of
the Angry Birds mobile game characters, as an envoy to inspire
climate action toward a sustainable and happier future for all.
Reds appointment, as Honorary Ambassador for Green, is part of a
UN campaign launched today in partnership with the globally
renowned characters to make a direct link between tackling climate
change and peoples happiness and well-being on the occasion of the
International Day of Happiness to be observed on Sunday, 20
March.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Red from the Angry Birds

who was appointed Honorary Ambassador for International Day of
Happiness. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

The Angry Birds have entertained millions of people around the

world and now they are part of making the world a better place,
said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at a launch event at UN
Headquarters in New York.

We are proud to give Red a reason to go Green, he said. There is no better way to mark the International Day of
Happiness than to have our animated ambassador raise awareness about the importance of addressing climate change to

For information media not an official record

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18 March 2016

create a safer, more sustainable and happier future for all.

The campaign, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN
Foundation, asks the general public across the world to make the Angry Birds happy by taking actions on climate change
and sharing their photos and commitments on social media platforms using the common hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet.
By recycling, taking public transportation and conserving water, for example, individuals can share tips on how they can
live sustainably and happily in their everyday lives, he said.
As part of his ambassadorial duties, Red will go on a virtual world tour starting on 21 March, highlighting various ways to
take climate action. The tour will take him to Paris, where countries adopted an historic agreement to address climate change
in December, and will end in New York, where world leaders will sign the Paris Agreement at UN Headquarters on 22
April.
During the launch event, the voice actors from the upcoming Angry Bird movie, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, and Maya
Rudolph, and producers John Cohen and Catherine Winder gave hundreds of students gathered in the iconic UN General
Assembly Hall a sneak preview of the #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet campaign materials, including public service
announcements created to support the campaign. They also asked the young audience for their support to the campaign by
doing their part to make a difference on climate change.
In a message to mark this years Happiness Day, Mr. Ban said that At this time of grave injustices, devastating wars, mass
displacement, grinding poverty and other man-made causes of suffering, the Day is a global chance to assert that peace,
well-being and joy deserve primacy.
It is about more than individual contentment; it is an affirmation that we have a collective responsibility to humanity, he
added.
By advancing progress towards the interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the UN General
Assembly last September, we can help spread happiness and secure peace, he stressed.
The best way to celebrate this International Day of Happiness is by taking action to alleviate suffering, he urged.
Since 2013, the UN has annually observed the Day on 20 March as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the
lives of people worldwide. This years focus is on the relationship between having a healthy planet and happiness.

No alternative to political settlement of the Burundian crisis,

Ban tells Security Council
18 March Briefing the Security Council, Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and United Nations High Commissioner Zeid Raad Al Hussein
today voiced concern about spiralling violence and rights violations in
Burundi, and called for an inclusive political dialogue to peacefully
resolve the 11-month crisis.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who visited Burundi last month as
part of an international effort to end the crisis, urged the countrys
leaders to summon the necessary courage and confidence to launch
a credible political process.

Relatives of a student killed in the Jabe neighbourhood of

Bujumbura, mourn at home in the Burundian capital. Photo: Phil
Moore/IRIN

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

There is no alternative to a political settlement of the Burundian

crisis, he toldthe Council, whose members had also visited the
country in January of this year.

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18 March 2016

Underscoring the importance of regional and international support for the peace efforts, Mr. Ban said that the East African
Community (EAC), the African Union (AU) and the UN must work together to provide the dedicated and professional
mediation support needed.
Mr. Ban noted appointment of former President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa as EAC Facilitator, which he called an
encouraging development. His own Special Advisor, Jamal Benomar, has been representing the UN in discussions, and
has deployed a team to Burundi.
During his visit, Mr. Ban said that he underlined his deep concern over the volatile situation in the country. I expressed my
profound worry that the potential spiralling of violence risks relapse into civil war. I urged the Government to take measures
to address the continued violence and the impunity that fuels it, he added.
While there, the UN chief had discussed with President Pierre Nkuruziza the release up to 2,000 detainees, and that the
President had previously announced the annulment of arrest warrants against 15 opposition figures and to re-open two media
outlets.
We now look forward to the full implementation of these measures and expect further steps in the same direction, Mr. Ban
said, including the release of all political prisoners and an end to restrictions on civil society and media organizations.
While in Burundi, Mr. Ban said he had also urged the Government to address the continued violence and impunity that fuels
the volatile situation in the country.
The top UN official said despite assurances from the Government that the security situation is stabilizing, civil society and
opposition parties told him deeply disturbing continuing allegations of violence, including those targeting women and
children.
I cannot stress enough the profound humanitarian consequences that political unrest, violence and impunity carry for the
population, Mr. Ban said.
Many of Burundis people live in terror
Also addressing the Council, High Commissioner Zeid drew international attention to the hundreds of people killed,
thousands detained, and over a quarter of a million of Burundians who had fled the country.
Continued human rights violations, and impunity for perpetrators, mean that many of Burundis people live in terror, he
told the Council. The country remains on the brink of a sudden escalation of violence to even more massive proportions.
He drew attention to the increasing number of arbitrary arrests and detention since January. On a recent visit of staff from
the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) to some detention centres in Bujumbura, it appeared that almost half the
detainees had been tortured or ill-treated, some seriously, Mr. Zeid said.
The top human rights figure also called attention to the lack of progress in investigating multiple serious human rights
violations reported over the past year.
I urge further and much more credible investigations into the multiple alleged mass graves in the country, as well as into
the torture, sexual violence and killings that were reported in December and many other serious allegations, Mr. Zeid said.
He took note of a recently released report into alleged extrajudicial killings during the events of 11 December 2015.
In order to look into the human rights situation in the country, the secretariat of the independent expert team is due to arrive
in April for a four-month deployment. The Government has yet to approve the visit, Mr. Zeid said, calling for the visit to be
finalized.
The UN expert team is comprised of three independent experts, per a Human Rights Council resolution from December
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2015, mandated with undertaking an investigation into violations and abuses of human rights with a view to preventing
further deterioration of the human right situation.
Burundi was thrown into crisis this past April when President Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term that
he went on to win in July.

Refugees need protection, not rejection, UN says in wake of

EU-Turkey deal
18 March The United Nations refugee agency has stressed the
importance of ensuring safeguards in carrying out todays agreement
between the European Union (EU) and Turkey on the situation of
refugees and migrants making their way to Europe.
According to a statement issued by the EU, the sides agreed that all
new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey into Greek islands will
be returned to Turkey, starting from 20 March, and for every Syrian
being returned to Turkey from Greek islands, another Syrian will be
resettled from Turkey to the EU.
Todays agreement clarifies a number of elements, said the Office
of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in a press
release. Importantly, it is explicit that any modalities of
implementation of the agreement will respect international and
European law.

Greek volunteer life-guards help a young child out of a boat that

reached the shores of Lesbos, having crossed the Aegean sea from
Turkey. Photo: UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

In UNHCRs understanding, in light of relevant jurisprudence, this means that people seeking international protection will
have an individual interview on whether their claim can be assessed in Greece, and the right to appeal before he or she is
sent back to Turkey. This would also entail that once returned, people in need of international protection will be given the
chance to seek and effectively access protection in Turkey.
Ultimately, the response must be about addressing the compelling needs of individuals fleeing war and persecution,
UNHCR said. Refugees need protection, not rejection.
Firstly, Greeces reception conditions and its systems for assessing asylum claims and dealing with people accepted as
refugees must be rapidly strengthened. This will be an enormous challenge that needs to be urgently addressed, stressed the
agency.
Secondly, people being returned to Turkey and needing international protection must have a fair and proper determination of
their claims within a reasonable time. Assurances against refoulement, or forced return, must be in place. Reception and
other arrangements need to be readied in Turkey before anyone is returned from Greece.
People determined to be needing international protection should be able to enjoy asylum, without discrimination, in
accordance with accepted international standards, including effective access to work, health care, education for children,
and, as necessary, social assistance.
Thirdly, while UNHCR has noted the commitment in this agreement to increase resettlement opportunities for Syrian
refugees out of Turkey, it is crucial that such commitments are meaningful and predictable. Increased EU resettlement from
Turkey should not be at the expense of the resettlement of other refugee populations around the world who also have great
needs especially in todays context of record forced displacement worldwide.

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

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18 March 2016

Intra-Syrian talks advancing without excessive rhetoric, says

UN envoy
18 March As the first week of the new round of intra-Syrian talks
ended today, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria said the
proximity system of the discussions, whereby parties are meeting
indirectly through his mediation, has contributed to the talks moving
forward.
No walk-outs, no excessive rhetoric some discussions but not
excessive rhetoric no breakdowns, in spite of the fact that I am still
obviously detecting large distances, but that is part of why you have
talks, or consultations or negotiations, otherwise we would have had
one nice signing ceremony, which is not yet the case, Staffan de
Mistura told reporters in Geneva.
Staffan de Mistura, Special Envoy for Syria briefs the media in
Geneva. UN Photo/Anne-Laure Lechat

The UN envoy underlined that the talks have coincided with a

substantial reduction of violence in the context of Februarys
ceasefire agreement in Munich, despite some incidents today that are not comparable at all to what we used to have.

Describing the days talks as intense, he informed the press that his first meeting was with the Syrian women advisory
board: I met them because they have constantly very good advice, really, genuinely good advice, but they have also been
very active in attempting, and to a certain degree succeeding in building a bridge between the various women of the
different delegations.
Mr. de Mistura noted that he also had a short acquaintance meeting with a group of individuals from Damascus and inside
Syria. As you know the Security Council resolution is very clear in terms of the mandate I am given. I am supposed to
consult anyone who has something to say in order to be able to move forward on what has been and should be the IntraSyrian talks, and eventually serious negotiations, he explained.
He also met with the Government which reiterated its own interest in having a commonly shared list of principles. Mr. de
Mistura said identifying the grey zone of areas of common ground will be the focus early next week, when the talks
continue: Now principles are not just principles, they are the basis for then getting deeply into what we consider a common
ground for what is the mother of all issues, which is the mandate for the political transition, no question on that, he stressed.
Finally, the UN envoy met with the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) opposition group, which has reportedly already
produced substantive papers. They had gone deeper and I must say I am quite impressed by the level of depth in which they
have been ready to engage the facilitator, the mediator, my team with substantial points regarding their own vision of
governance, hence political transition, he indicated.
Turning to the question of detainees, the UN envoy said it was raised and is unquestionably a crucial one. He insisted that
in addition to the delivery of humanitarian aid, it is essential to bring people back to their families, regardless of what side
they are on.
Meanwhile, by this time next week the last week of the second round of the talks Mr. de Mistura said the aim is to build
a minimum common platform of not just principles but points that could lead to a better understanding of the direction in
which the political transition is going.
In my opinion, [this] will be the main focus of the next meeting, which will be in April, and we are already aiming very
clearly for that, he said.

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UN chief concerned that political will to end racial

discrimination is under threat
18 March Fifteen years after a landmark document to combat
racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia was adopted in Durban,
South Africa, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today
said he is concerned that the political will that existed then is under
threat.
The collective determination that enabled such a far-reaching
agreement is being undermined by political expediency, Mr. Ban
warned, speaking at a General Assembly meeting to mark the

International Day for the Elimination of Racial

Discrimination.
The date of this annual observance, 21 March, is the anniversary of
the Sharpeville massacre of peaceful demonstrators in South Africa in
1960. I draw encouragement by how far we have come since that
tragedy. But we have much distance still to travel in our work for
equality for all, said the UN chief.

Daughters, mothers, grandmothers, midwives, ministers, academics,

activists, domestic workers and a diverse range of women take part in
the Black Women's March against Racism and Violence in Brasilia,
Brazil (18 November 2015). Photo: UNDP/Tiago Zenero

For this years observance, the global community is commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and
Programme of Action. Adopted by consensus at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, these texts remain the most comprehensive framework for international, regional
and national actions against racism.
The international community acknowledged in Durban that no country could claim to be free of racism. This remains the
case today, stressed Mr. Ban, noting that the world has undoubtedly come a long way in ensuring equal rights and nondiscrimination.
He recalled that Member States have adopted or amended legislation to guard against racial discrimination. An
International Decade for People of African Descent was proclaimed by the General Assembly and will continue
through the year 2024. Civil society organizations worldwide working on racism are increasingly active and vocal.
Yet the persistence of racism indicates that we have not yet done enough, he underline. I am deeply alarmed by a surge
of intolerance, racist views and hate-driven violence around the world. Racial profiling and violence against certain
communities is on the rise. Economic hardship and political opportunism are triggering increased hostility towards
minorities. This is being manifested most directly in anti-refugee, anti-migrant and, in particular, anti-Muslim bigotry,
attacks and violence.
The Secretary-General said extreme right-wing political parties are fomenting divisiveness and dangerous myths.
According to him, even once-centrist parties have hardened their views; once-moderate countries are seeing xenophobia
rise sharply; and once-sober voices have exploited fears in a dangerous echo of the darkest chapters of the last century.
In these tumultuous times, we must stand up for rights and dignity for all, and for diversity and pluralism, he insisted. We
must speak out against anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of hate. An assault on one minority community
is an attack on all.
The UN chief concluded his remarks by reminding Member States that by implementing the Durban agreements we can
uplift not only those who suffer most profoundly but humanity as a whole.

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Echoing this message was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, who said it is urgent that
States honour the commitments made at Durban, and their obligations under international human rights law.
He warned that one of the most alarming challenges is the resurgence of racial discrimination and xenophobia in Europe and
elsewhere, warning that migrants are becoming scapegoats for deeper problems.
Now more than ever, States must focus their attention on fulfilling their obligation to protect the most vulnerable sectors in
society, he told delegates in the General Assembly Hall.
We must be vigilant, to ensure that the stress of factors such as rising unemployment is not displaced into racist
harassment, abuse, discrimination and attacks. We must not condone the manipulation of such sentiments for political gain,
or their manifestation in official policies, he said.

Iraq: UN and partners race to reach thousands fleeing areas

west of Ramadi
18 March The United Nations relief wing today reported that
humanitarian partners are rushing to provide emergency assistance to
an estimated 35,000 people who have been newly displaced in hardto-reach areas west of Ramadi.
Thousands of people who have been trapped in Heet for months are
trying to reach safety, Lise Grande, the UNs Humanitarian
Coordinator in Iraq said in a press release from the UN Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
She stressed that the UN does not have full access and we are very
worried that some of the families who are escaping are in areas very
close to the front lines. We are worried for their safety.

Displaced families from Ramadi receive Rapid Response Mechanism

(RRM) kits from UNICEF partner RIRP in Al-Khalidiya, Anbar
Governorate, Iraq. Photo: UNICEF/Atheer AlYaseen

According to OCHA, displaced families are receiving ready-to-eat

food, safe drinking water and hygiene kits through the Rapid Response Mechanism, which is managed by the UN Childrens
Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme and supported by the UNs Population Fund (UNFPA), the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) and nine non-governmental organizations.
Health assistance is being provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has dispatched two mobile health
clinics and two medical teams.
You can tell how difficult conditions are in Heet by how many people are seeking urgent health assistance. The mobile
clinics dealt with 1,300 consultations during just their first two days, explained Mr. Grande.
Prior to the displacement from Heet, more than 53,000 people had been displaced in Anbar Governorate since the beginning
of the year. Many of these families have sought safety and help in already overcrowded camps and temporary settlements in
and around Ameriyat al Falluja internally displaced persons complex, Habbaniyah Tourist City, and Bzebiz bridge.
The United Nations and partners have requested $861 million for 2016 to provide emergency relief to 7.3 million vulnerable
Iraqis. Only nine per cent $75 million has been received so far.
The humanitarian crisis in Iraq continues to worsen. Additional resources are urgently needed so we can help people who
depend on humanitarians to survive, said Ms. Grande.
OCHA says that the humanitarian crisis in Iraq is highly complex, volatile, becoming protracted and expected to widen and
worsen in the year ahead. The crisis is driven by unpredictable, massive waves of displacement caused by armed conflict.

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

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From January 2014 to November 2015, 3.2 million people were forced to flee their homes in several big waves of
displacement, and multiple smaller ones.

UN health agency sends specialists to help contain Ebola flareup in Guinea

18 March The United Nations health agency has dispatched a team
of specialists to Guinea after 2 new cases of Ebola were confirmed
yesterday, the first re-emergence of the deadly virus in the Western
African country since its original outbreak was declared over on 29
December 2015.
Guineas National Emergency Response Centre is convening a
meeting today to further coordinate a rapid response to contain the
flare-up, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a press
release.
New Ebola cases confirmed in Guinea as WHO warns of more
possible flare ups. Photo: WHO/M.Winkler

WHO continues to stress that Sierra Leone, as well as Liberia and

Guinea, are still at risk of Ebola flare-ups, largely due to virus
persistence in some survivors, and must remain on high alert and
ready to respond, the agency said.

Guinean health officials in the region alerted WHO and partners on Wednesday to three unexplained deaths in recent weeks
in Koropara, a village in the southern prefecture of Nzrkor.
Yesterday, Guineas Ministry of Health, WHO, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the UN Childrens
Fund (UNICEF) sent in investigators. Samples were taken from four individuals. A mother and her 5-year-old son, relatives
of the decreased, have been taken to a treatment facility after the two confirmed positive for Ebola virus in lab tests.
In coordination with Guineas health ministry, WHO today deployed an initial team of epidemiologists, surveillance experts,
vaccinators, social mobilizers, contact tracers and an anthropologist to support an inter-agency response.
More specialists are expected to arrive in the coming days. Response teams will work to investigate the origin of the new
infections and to identify, isolate, vaccinate and monitor all contacts of the new cases and those who died.
The new infections in Guinea were confirmed on the same day that WHO declared the end of the latest Ebola flare-up in
neighbouring Sierra Leone. WHO said recurrences of the disease should be anticipated and that the 3 Ebola-affected
countries must maintain strong capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
The worst Ebola outbreak in history first began in Guinea in December 2013 and has since claimed more than 11,300 lives,
mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

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18 March 2016

In wake of another deadly attack in Yemen, UN human rights

chief decries Coalition airstrikes
18 March The United Nations human rights chief today condemned
the repeated failure of the Coalition to effectively prevent civilian
casualties in airstrikes and to publish transparent, independent
investigations into those that have already occurred in Yemen.
Looking at the figures, it would seem that the Coalition is
responsible for twice as many civilian casualties as all other forces put
together, virtually all as a result of airstrikes, UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said.

The city of Saada in Yemen has been heavily hit by airstrikes. Photo:
OCHA/Philippe Kropf

He decried that air strikes have hit markets, hospitals, clinics,

schools, factories, wedding parties and hundreds of private
residences in villages, towns and cities including the capital Sana'a.

These incidents occur with unacceptable regularity despite

international demarches, and despite public promises, there have not been any investigations, Mr. Zeid said.
His comments came in the wake of a deadly airstrikes on Tuesday that killed at least 106 civilians, including 24 children, in
the Al Khamees market in north-western Yemen.
According to the UN Human Rights Office in Yemen, which visited the site the following day, the airstrikes completely
destroyed 16 shops at the market, which is the primary shopping area for 15 surrounding villages.
The UN staff said there was no evidence of any armed confrontation or significant military objects in the area at the time of
the attack, with the closest check-point some 250 meters away from the market.
The incident is one of the deadliest since the start of the conflict one year ago, the High Commissioner said. It was
apparently timed during afternoon rush hour, when the market was primarily crowded.
Between 26 March of 2015 and 17 March 2016, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has
recorded a total of just under 9,000 casualties, including 3,218 civilians killed.
Included in those figures are the casualties from the deadly attack on 27 February, when at least 39 civilians, including
nine children, were killed and dozens others injured in an airstrike on the Khaleq market in north-eastern district of Sana'a.
It would appear to be the case that the distinction between legitimate military targets and civilian ones which are
protected under international law is at best woefully inadequate, said Mr. Zeid.
He added that the Houthis and their allies have also been responsible for indiscriminate ground attacks resulting in civilian
casualties, which I also condemn and which could qualify, likewise, as international crimes.
Mr. Zeid reiterated his calls for the two sides of the conflict to swallow their pride and agree to a peace deal.

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18 March 2016

Security Council calls on Haiti to complete elections without

further delay
18 March Deeply concerned by the continued suspension of
electoral rounds in Haiti, the United Nations Security Council today
called for the completion of the polling cycle without further delay to
allow the Haitian people the opportunity to vote for their elected
representatives in a free, fair, inclusive and transparent contest.
In a statement to the press, the Council noted the 5 February political
accord, which provided a Haitian-led and owned road map for the
swift conclusion of the current electoral cycle and strongly urged all
relevant actors to adhere to the accord and implement its provisions
within the agreed timeline, and underscored the importance of
formally reinstituting the Provisional Electoral Council in this regard.
A wide view of the Security Council. UN Photo/Kim Haughton (file)

On 14 February, the Haitian National Assembly elected Jocelerme

Privert as the island nations interim President, one week after former President Michel Martelly departed without a
successor.
Mr. Privert will serve as interim President for 120 days, with an election scheduled for 24 April, following an agreement
known as the 5 February Agreement between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the
electoral process.
Council members further noted in todays statement the increasing number of challenges Haiti faces which can only be
effectively resolved through close coordination between a democratically-elected government and Haitis international
partners.
Reiterating their strong condemnation of any attempt to destabilize the electoral process, in particular through violence, the
Council urged all candidates, their supporters, political parties and other political actors to remain calm, refrain from
violence or any action that can further disrupt the [] process and political stability.
Stakeholders were also urged to resolve any electoral disputes through constructive engagement and the appropriate legal
mechanisms. The Haitian Government was urged to hold those responsible for any violence accountable.
The members of the Council commended the Haitian National Police, with support from the UN Stabilization Mission in
Haiti (MINUSTAH), for their efforts to maintain peace and protect the civilian population. They also welcomed the
continued efforts of the United Nations, other multilateral agencies, regional organizations and UN Member States in
supporting Haitis critical needs.
Briefing the Council yesterday on the situation in the country, Sandra Honor, Special Representative and Head of
MINUSTAH warned that a protracted political crisis in Haiti may hamper the stabilization gains achieved in recent year
and further decline the island nations economic growth.
Stressing that the next few weeks would be decisive for the short and mid-term prospects for Haitis democratic
consolidation, she said: There is therefore no alternative to the return, as soon as possible, to the path of institutional and
political stability, through the completion of the pending elections.

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

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18 March 2016

Honduras risks becoming lawless killing zone for human rights

defenders UN expert
18 March An independent United Nations expert on the situation of
human rights defenders today urged the Government of Honduras to
take immediate and concrete actions, or risk turning the country into a
lawless killing zone for human rights defenders.
UN Special Rapporteur Michel Forsts appeal came after the killing of
yet another outspoken leader of the Civic Council of Popular and
Indigenous Organizations Honduras (COPINH), Nelson Garca,
reportedly occurred on 15 March.

The indigenous Lenca people of southwestern Honduras weaving

brightly coloured fabric. Photo: UNDP Honduras

Earlier this month, Berta Cceres, COPINH founder, prominent

indigenous leader and environmental and women human rights
defender, was slain.

Garca was allegedly killed shortly after he had witnessed a forced

eviction carried out by security forces in the Ro Lindo area, South of San Pedro Sula. This new tragedy points once again
to major faults in the protection of rights defenders in the country, Mr. Forst said in a press release.
Amid unrelenting attacks against environmental and indigenous defenders, it is high time the Honduran authorities take
concrete steps to ensure safety for all human rights defenders in the country, and their families, he stressed, recalling
States obligation to guarantee security and protection for all human rights defender or activists within its borders.
I urge the Honduran Government to publicly condemn the assassination of Nelson Garca and ensure an immediate,
independent and impartial investigation into his death, he said. This cycle of violence will only stop when impunity is
addressed and perpetrators of such attacks are put to justice.
According to numerous reports received by the special rapporteur, Honduras has become one of the most dangerous
countries in the world for human rights defenders, particularly those promoting rights related to environment and land
issues.
On 5 March, after the death of Berta Cceres, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights decided to call for
precautionary measures for all members of COPINH as they were suffering an escalation of threats and harassment.
However, this has regrettably not prevented Mr. Garcas murder, Mr. Forst concluded.
Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council to examine and
report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN
staff, nor are they paid for their work.

UN News Centre www.un.org/news

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18 March 2016

Ban welcomes announcement of release of Djiboutian prisoners

by Eritrea
18 March United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has
learned of the arrival in Djibouti today of the Foreign Minister of
Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and the
announcement of the release of four Djiboutian prisoners by the
Eritrean authorities.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General
commended the efforts of the Qatari mediation in brokering this
process and the Eritrea for releasing the prisoners.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe (file)

Mr. Ban through the statement also expressed the hope that this will
help address other regional outstanding issues between Djibouti and
Eritrea and enhance regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

Ban appoints new Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan; new
leadership at UN Afghan mission
18 March Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the
appointment of Nicholas Haysom of South Africa as his Special
Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan.
Mr. Haysom will succeed Haile Menkerios of South Africa, to whom
the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and commitment.
A lawyer with a long international career focused on democratic
governance, constitutional and electoral reforms, Mr. Haysom was
and he remains for a few more weeks, the Head of the UN Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) where he has served since 2014 as
Head and Deputy from 2012 to 2014.
Nicholas Haysom of South Africa. Photo: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

A UN spokesperson also announced that replacing Mr. Haysom as

Special Representative in Afghanistan will be Tadamichi Yamamoto of Japan. Mr. Yamamoto has served as Deputy Special
Representative in Afghanistan since 2014. Prior to working with the United Nations, Mr. Yamamoto has held several
positions in the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
In turn, the new Deputy Special Representative in Afghanistan will be Pernille Dahler Kardel of Denmark. Ms. Kardel
brings twenty-five years of experience in diplomacy, political affairs, international cooperation and economic development,
spanning several continents. Most recently she served as Ambassador of Denmark to the Egypt.

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18 March 2016

UN human rights office deeply troubled by arrest of social

media activist in Bahrain
18 March The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR) today said it is deeply troubled by the arrest
on Monday in Bahrain of the social media activist and human rights
defender, Zainab Al Khawaja, who was detained along with her oneand-a-half year old son.
Ms. Al Khawaja was previously convicted on a number of charges,
including insulting the King. Her father, who co-founded the Bahrain
Centre for Human Rights, has been in jail since 2011, serving a life
sentence. There are also unconfirmed reports that Ms. Al Khawajas
infant son has been denied a birth certificate, OHCHR spokesperson
Rupert Colville told reporters at a press briefing in Geneva.
Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights. UN Photo

In 2014, amendments to the citizenship law enabled the Government

to revoke the citizenship of any Bahraini who causes harm to the
interests of the Kingdom, fails in his or her duty of loyalty, or assists a hostile state. At least 250 people have
reportedly been stripped of their citizenship as a result, including 72 people in January alone this year.

Those who lose their citizenship are forced to return their passports and ID cards and apply for residency permits or
alternatively leave the country. Four such people have been deported since the beginning of February.
OHCHR recalled that under international law, loss or deprivation of nationality that does not serve a legitimate aim, or is not
proportionate, is arbitrary and therefore prohibited. It also highlighted that Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights explicitly says: Everyone has the right to a nationality and No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his
nationality
Meanwhile, the UN right office reported that in addition to being rendered stateless, human rights activists are also facing
problems travelling abroad. The prominent religious and human rights figure Maytham Salman, who works in Bahrain and
abroad to prevent the incitement of hatred and violence, has reportedly been waiting for his passport to be renewed for more
than two months. And another co-founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Nabil Rajab, still faces a travel ban, after
being convicted and then pardoned for tweets he wrote in 2014. He faces further charges for more tweets he allegedly
posted in March 2015.
We are also concerned about recent laws that seriously curtail the right to freedom of expression in Bahrain. A 2014 law
amending the penal code provides for up to seven years in jail, and a fine, for offending the King, the flag or national
emblem, said Mr. Colville.
It is also a crime to offend the National Assembly, the army, courts or government agencies or to develop hostility towards
the system of government. These provisions are regularly used to censor and intimidate human rights activists and
journalists documenting or raising awareness about abuses.
He added that the UN Human Rights Committee, which monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, which has been ratified by Bahrain, has made it clear that the mere fact that remarks might be considered
insulting to a public figure in Bahrain is not sufficient to justify penalties.
In addition to restrictions on freedom of expression there is also a serious issue regarding the right to freedom of assembly

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18 March 2016

in Bahrain. Gatherings in the capital have been indefinitely banned since 2013, and dozens of people including minors
who have participated in protests have been prosecuted, the Spokesperson concluded.

The UN Daily News is prepared at UN Headquarters in New York by the News Services Section
of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information (DPI)