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UN Daily News
Thursday, 21 January 2016

Issue DH/7078

In the headlines:
South Sudan: slaughter of civilians, gang rapes

among shocking crimes committed by all sides,

says UN

In appeal to end suffering in Syria, UN agencies

and 120 humanitarian organizations call for action

now

UN condemns suicide attack targeting media in

Kabul

Cyprus: UN chief holds first joint meeting with

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders

Ban welcomes three-party ministerial meeting on

dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon

UN chief announces first-ever High-Level Panel on

Womens Economic Empowerment

UN chief calls on Israel to change policy after

reported take-over of West Bank land

South Sudan: slaughter of civilians, gang rapes among

shocking crimes committed by all sides, says UN
21 January - Hundreds of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, gang-rapes,
sexual slavery, forced abortion, massive child soldier recruitment and indiscriminate attacks
against civilians with entire villages burned down have been perpetrated by all in sides in
war-torn South Sudan, the United Nations reported today.

Child soldiers released in South Sudan.

Photo: UNICEF/2015/South
Sudan/Sebastian Rich

The constant attacks on women, the rape, enslavement and slaughter of innocents; the
recruitment of thousands upon thousands of child soldiers; the deliberate displacement of
vast numbers of people in such a harsh and poverty-stricken country these are abhorrent
practices that must be halted, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad
Al Hussein, whose Office (OHCHR) compiled the report along with the UN Mission in
South Sudan (UNMISS).

The country, which only gained independence in 2009 after breaking away from Sudan, its northern neighbour, was thrown
into turmoil when conflict erupted between President Salva Kiir and his former Vice-President Riek Machar in December
2013, killing thousands, displacing over 2.4 million people, 650,000 of whom fled abroad, and impacting the food security
of 4.6 million.
Very few places in areas of conflict have been safe, as the parties have intentionally attacked traditional safe havens, such
as places of worship, hospitals and, from time to time, United Nations bases, the report said. These attacks reveal a
shocking disregard for civilian life, with an increasing number of armed groups and communities being involved in the
violence.
From the middle of 2015, a new pattern emerged, particularly in the central and southern counties of Unity state, with entire
villages being burned down, food crops destroyed and livestock looted, amid indications that this may have been a deliberate
strategy by the Government or army to deprive civilians of any source of livelihood and force their displacement, it added.

For information media not an official record

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21 January 2016

It documented at least 280 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including gang-rape, sexual slavery and forced abortion,
as well as a sharp increase in child recruitment, with at least 13,000 to 15,000 child soldiers, recruited mainly, but not solely,
by opposition forces, as of December 2015.
Despite the severity of the human rights and humanitarian law violations perpetrated by both sides to the conflict, there are
no tangible accountability mechanisms beyond the rhetoric of the main belligerents, the report stressed.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moons Special Representative UNMISS chief Ellen Margrethe Lj underscored that
accountability must be a fundamental element in the ongoing peace process seeking to end the strife.
It is time to end the cycle of impunity that has allowed these violations to occur and embrace a brighter future of
sustainable peace for all South Sudanese, she said.
Mr. Zeid added: Accountability and justice sound like empty words in such a bleak landscape, but they are essential if
South Sudan is to come out of this terrible period. The current regional and international peace efforts offer some hope that
this perpetual cycle of bloodshed and misery can be brought to an end, and I urge all sides to negotiate in good faith.

In appeal to end suffering in Syria, UN agencies and 120

humanitarian organizations call for action now
21 January - Outlining a series of immediate, practical steps that can improve
humanitarian access and the delivery of aid to those in need inside Syria, more than 120
humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies issued a joint appeal today urging
the world to raise their voices and call for an end to the Syria crisis.
Three years ago, leaders of UN humanitarian agencies issued an urgent appeal, calling for
every effort to save the Syrian people, declaring in a video message that civilians had
suffered enough bloodshed.

On 5 January 2016, Ghinwa, 7, and her

brother Alaa, 11, at Al-Khalidia AlKhamisa informal settlement in Homs,
Syria. Photo credit:
UNICEF/UN06843/Sanadiki

With the war now approaching its sixth year, the new appeal warns that the bloodshed
continues, and the suffering deepens. This time, humanitarian organizations and UN
agencies are not only appealing to governments but to citizens around the world asking
them to add their voices in urging an end to the carnage, and for parties to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and a path to
peace.
More than ever before, the world needs to hear a collective public voice calling for an end to this outrage. Because this
conflict and its consequences touch us all, the appeal stresses.
It touches those in Syria who have lost loved ones and livelihoods, who have been uprooted from their homes, or who live
in desperation under siege. Today, some 13.5 million people inside Syria need humanitarian assistance. That is not simply a
statistic. These are 13.5 million individual human beings whose lives and futures are in jeopardy, it adds.
Recalling that the war has seen 4.6 million people flee to neighbouring countries and beyond, the appeal underlines that the
conflict also touches those far beyond Syria who have seen the violent repercussions of the crisis reach the streets, offices
and restaurants closer to their homes.
Those with the ability to stop the suffering can and therefore should take action now, humanitarian organizations
insisted, noting that until there is a diplomatic solution to the fighting, such action should feature a number of measures.
These include unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to bring immediate relief to all those in need; humanitarian
pauses and unconditional, monitored ceasefires; a cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure; and freedom of movement
for all civilians and the immediate lifting of all sieges by all parties.
These are practical actions. There is no practical reason they could not be implemented if there is the will to do so, the
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21 January 2016

appeal concludes, adding that for the sake of the millions of innocents who have already suffered so much, and for the
millions more whose lives and futures hang in the balance, action is needed now.

UN chief announces first-ever High-Level Panel on Womens

Economic Empowerment
21 January - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the firstever High-Level Panel on Womens Economic Empowerment to provide leadership and
mobilize concrete actions aimed at closing economic gender gaps that persist around the
world.

At World Economic Forum in Davos,

Switzerland, Secretary-General Ban Kimoon (left) announces creation of first
ever UN High-Level Panel on Womens
Economic Empowerment . Also pictured
Justine Greening, Development
Secretary, United Kingdom (centre) and
Jim Yong Kim, President of the World
Bank (right). UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

The empowerment of the worlds women is a global imperative, said Mr. Ban in a press
release, issued while he attends dozens of events at the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland.
Yet despite important progress in promoting gender equality, there remains an urgent need
to address structural barriers to womens economic empowerment and full inclusion in
economic activity, he added. If the world is to achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), we need a quantum leap in womens economic empowerment.

According to UN Women, the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women, the panel will provide recommendations for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
to improve economic outcomes for women and promote womens leadership in driving sustainable and inclusive,
environmentally sensitive economic growth.
It is backed by the United Kingdom, the World Bank Group and UN Women, with the President of Costa Rica, Luis
Guillermo Solis, and the CEO of IKEA Switzerland, Simona Scarpaleggia, as the panel co-chairs. They will be joined by a
diverse range of eminent gender and equality actors, economics experts, academics, trade union leaders, business and
government representatives from all regions.
Investing in girls and women isnt just about basic human rights, its about fully unlocking the potential of half the worlds
population, said UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening, a founding member of the panel. Strong
economies need the contribution of everyone including women and this panel will spearhead a movement to put
womens economic empowerment on the global agenda like never before.
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, also a founding member of the panel, said no society, community or economy
can achieve its full potential or meet the escalating challenges of the 21st century until all its people can achieve theirs.
The High-Level Panel will have its inaugural meeting during the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at
UN Headquarters in New York next March.
Meanwhile, the UN chief also announced the first members of the High-level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every
Child who will help provide leadership and inspire actions for women, children adolescents health.
The group will advise the Secretary-General and guide the transition of the Every Woman Every Child movement and the
newly launched Global Strategy for Womens, Childrens and Adolescents Health.
Co-chaired by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia, the group aims
to end all preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents by 2030 and to support the achievement of the SDGs.
Also in Davos today, Mr. Ban and World Bank President Kim jointly announced their intention to form a new panel to
mobilize urgent action towards the sustainable development goal for water and sanitation (SDG 6).
The announcement comes as countries experience water stress and water-related disasters that will grow worse due to
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21 January 2016

climate change without better policy decisions, stressed a note issued by the UN Spokesperson.
Water is a precious resource, crucial to realizing the SDGs, which at their heart aim to eradicate poverty, said UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The new panel can help motivate the action we need to turn ideas into reality.
Co-chaired by the Presidents of Mauritius and Mexico, it will comprise a group of heads of State and Government from
developed and developing countries.
Achieving the water global goal would have multiple benefits, including laying the foundations for food and energy
security, sustainable urbanization, and ultimately climate security, said President Jim Yong Kim. My hope is that this
panel accelerates action in many countries so that we can make water more accessible to all.

UN chief calls on Israel to change policy after reported takeover of West Bank land
21 January - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for substantial
policy changes on the ground by Israel, voicing deep concern at reports that the
Government has declared of 370 acres in the occupied West Bank south of Jericho as socalled state land.
If implemented, this declaration would constitute the largest land appropriation by Israel in
the West Bank since August 2014, a statement issued by his spokesman said last night.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call for substantial policy changes on the ground by
Israel that will improve the lives of Palestinians. Settlement activities are a violation of
international law and run counter to the public pronouncements of the Government of Israel
supporting a two-state solution to the conflict.

Two young residents from the United

Nations Relief and Works Agency
(UNRWA) Acqba Jaber camp for
Palestinian refugees in the West Bank.
The camp is located just outside of
Jericho. UN Photo/Stephenie Hollyman

The two-state solution forms the main plank of efforts by the diplomatic Quartet, comprising the UN, European Union,
Russia and the United States, to solve the Middle East crisis, with two states Israel and Palestine living side by side in
peace and security.

UN condemns suicide attack targeting media in Kabul

21 January - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today condemned the
suicide attack against media workers in Kabul yesterday that killed eight and injured 24
civilians, many of them from the media sector, as well as women and children.

A policeman in Kabul, Afghanistan,

which remains the most dangerous
country for aid workers globally. Photo:
Obinna Anyadike/IRIN

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast that deliberately targeted a minibus
transporting staff of the Tolo media organisation from work to their homes. In October the
Taliban issued a specific threat against Tolo and other named Afghan news organisations,
designating them as military objectives.

Strong and independent journalism, free from intimidation and fear of criminal violence, is
essential for a healthy democracy and decent society, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the
Secretary-Generals Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Acting-Head of UNAMA, in a statement.
Afghanistan can be justly proud of its flourishing media sector. All steps must be taken to safeguard media professionals
and freedom of expression against those who would use violence to impose their voice and views alone, he added.
Underlining that journalists, as civilians, may never be the object of attack or threats, UNAMA called on all parties to the
conflict, including the Taliban, to rescind any threats against the media.

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The Mission also reiterated that international humanitarian law, which applies to all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan,
prohibits attacks against civilians at any time and in any place.

Cyprus: UN chief holds first joint meeting with Greek Cypriot

and Turkish Cypriot leaders
21 January - In his first joint meeting with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders
today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged them to capitalize on the
current positive momentum to reunite the island under a federal government.
Significant progress has been made in this leader-led process over the past eight months,
demonstrating that with political will, it is possible to reach compromises even on the most
difficult issues, he told journalists after meeting Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades
and Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci in Davos, Switzerland, on the margins of the
World Economic Forum.
At the same time, it is also clear that a number of sensitive and difficult issues still remain.
I encouraged the leaders to capitalize on the current positive momentum. It will be crucial
as they move forward to tackle outstanding issues across the different chapters.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre)

attends a trilateral luncheon in Davos,
Switzerland, with Nicos Anastasiades
(left), President of the Republic of Cyprus
and and Mustafa Akinci, Leader of the
Turkish Cypriot Community. UN
Photo/Rick Bajornas

The UN has been mediating talks between the two communities for eight years in an effort to reunite the Mediterranean
island by establishing a federal government. The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser, Espen Barth Eide, is facilitating
intensive negotiations between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders.
The talks recently have focussed on such issues as property rights, compensation and crossing points among others.
The UN has deployed a peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, since 1964, when inter-communal fighting
erupted.
I encouraged Mr. Akinci and Mr. Anastasiades to continue working tirelessly towards finding a comprehensive solution to
the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, for the benefit of all Cypriots. Mr. Ban said today.
I also call on all interested international players, especially the guarantor powers, to do their utmost to facilitate and support
the leaders in their quest for overcoming the division of Cyprus.
Special Adviser Eide, who attended todays talks, said last year that both leaders have continued to make progress towards
their shared vision of a united, federal Cyprus.

Ban welcomes three-party ministerial meeting on dispute

between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon
21 January - United Nations Secretary-General today welcomed the holding of a trilateral
ministerial meeting on the dispute between Equatorial Guinea and the Gabonese Republic.
The meeting took place last Tuesday United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The longstanding dispute between the two nations regarding the Mbani, Cocotiers and
Congas islands, and common boundaries, dates back to the early 1970s.
Children collecting water at a public
fountain in Malabo, capital of Equatorial
Guinea. Photo: Rodrigo A. Nguema/IRIN

He congratulates both parties for their demonstrated political will to instil new momentum
in the process and to finalize a special agreement for submission to the International Court
of Justice, indicated a

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statement issued by Mr. Bans Spokesperson.

The Secretary-General notes the progress made to date and the parties willingness to do their utmost to come to a mutually
agreeable solution to this longstanding dispute before the end of his mandate, it added.
The UN chief also reiterated his readiness to provide good offices to help resolve this dispute.

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)