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SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS COUNTER-TERRORISM OFFICES MANDATE UNTIL END OF 2010  UN: 20 March 2008 – The Security Council today unanimously voted to extend the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), which is tasked with monitoring the efforts of countries to combat the global scourge of terrorism, until the end of 2010.Established as a special political mission in 2004, the CTED assists the Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee in monitoring the implementation of resolution 1373, which was adopted in the wake of the September 2001 attacks on the United States and calls on countries to adopt a number of measures to enhance their ability to counter terrorist activities nationally, regionally and globally. In the resolution passed today, the Council reaffirmed that “terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” and emphasized the “central role” that the UN plays in the fight against the global scourge. [ Read the rest... ] 
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AFGHANISTAN MUST DO MORE TO ADDRESS IMPUNITY, ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS-UN  UN: 18 March 2008 – The Afghan Government must do more to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice, a senior United Nations official said today, warning that unless impunity is addressed, past crimes will continue to undermine the future of the young democracy.During nearly three decades of conflict, thousands of Afghan men, women and children were subjected to various human rights abuses, including the right to life and safety, freedom of movement, and access to education and health. Many of those responsible for these crimes have yet to be brought to justice. In 2005, the Afghan Government adopted an action plan to try to address the abuses of the past, achieve peace with justice and promote national reconciliation. However, during her visit to the strife-torn nation last November, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed disappointment in the lack of progress in implementing commitments made under the plan. [ Read the rest... ]
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72 COUNTRIES IMPLEMENT UN IRAN SANCTIONS  UN: 17 March 2008 – The chairman of the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions imposed against Iran said today that additional countries have reported on their implementation of these measures.In an open Council meeting, Belgian Ambassador Johan C. Verbeke, the panel’s chairperson, said that it has received two documents from Member States – one each under resolutions 1737 and 1747 – since 19 December last year. This brings “the total number of reports under resolution 1737 to 88 and the total number of reports under resolution 1747 to 72,” he noted. Adopted in December 2006, resolution 1737 banned trade with Iran in all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to the country’s enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear-weapon delivery systems. [ Read the rest... ]
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DAR AL-SHARQ AND NHRC SIGN UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION ACCORD  Doha: Dar al-Sharq: (16/3/2008): Dar al-Sharq for printing, publishing and distribution and the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) last night (16/3/2008) signed an agreement of understanding and cooperation covering multi-media services in the areas of script translation and instant interpretation, printing, distribution and practical training, editorial, photography, design and illustrated coverage of NHRC activities. The accord was signed by His Excellency Mr. Adullatif Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Director-General of Dar al-Sharq ; His Excellency Dr. Ali Bin Smaikh Al-Marri, NHRC Secretary-General, signed for NHRC. The agreement grants NHRC, a non-profit institute, the most favoured client status. At the beginning of the signing ceremony His Excellency the Director general of Dar al-Sharq welcomed His Excellency the NHRC Secretary-General and the delegation accompanying him, and praised the great NHRCE achievements since its inception in 2004. His Excellency also promised full cooperation as stated in the agreement and even beyond. [ Read the rest... ]
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CHINA: UN RIGHTS CHIEF VOICES CONCERN OVER TENSIONS IN TIBET AUTONOMOUS REGION  UN: 14 March 2008 – The top United Nations human rights official today voiced concern over the rising tensions between protesters and security forces in the Tibet Autonomous Region and surrounding areas of China, noting that there have been reports of deaths and property destruction.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour issued a statement calling on the Chinese authorities to allow demonstrators to exercise their right to freedom of expression and assembly. Ms. Arbour also called on the Chinese Government to “refrain from any excessive use of force while maintaining order, and to ensure those arrested are not ill-treated and are accorded due process in line with international standards.” [ Read the rest... ]
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OVER 100 MILLION EUROPEANS LACK ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER, UN SAYS  UN: 14 March 2008 – More than 100 million Europeans still lack access to safe drinking water, resulting in the deaths from diarrhoea of nearly 40 children every day, the United Nations reported today, noting that many people across the region do not enjoy the basic human right to healthy water.More than 170,000 cases of water-related diseases – including over 120,000 cases of viral hepatitis A – were reported in 2006. In Eastern Europe, some 16 per cent of the population does not have access to drinking water in their homes, while in rural areas, more than half of all people do not have a reliable supply of safe water and adequate sanitation. A new and independent Compliance Committee has been created to promote the prevention, control and reduction of water-related diseases and to increase the number of Europeans access to adequate sanitation. [ Read the rest... ]
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THREE SENIOR UN APPOINTMENTS UNVEILED BY BAN KI-MOON  UN: 14 March 2008 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the details of three new appointments to senior positions in the world body in positions ranging from peacekeeping to the new mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) to the ombudsman’s office.Susana Malcorra of Argentina becomes the head of the Department of Field Support, an Under-Secretary-General level position in which she will direct all support for the various UN peace missions around the world. More than 100,000 military, civilian and police personnel currently work in 32 UN field operations. Ms. Malcorra, who will take over from Jane Holl Lute, who has been leading the Department since its inception last July, presently serves as the Deputy Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme (WFP). Johnston Barkat of the United States becomes the new UN Ombudsman at the level of Assistant Secretary-General, with responsibility for the UN Secretariat as well as its many funds and programmes. In that post, he functions independently of any UN organ or official and has direct access to the Secretary-General as needed. [ Read the rest... ]
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CYPRIOT LEADERS AGREE DIRECT TALKS UNDER UN AUSPICES LATER THIS MONTH  UN: 12 March 2008 – The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have agreed to hold direct talks under United Nations auspices in Nicosia on 21 March, the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) announced today.Senior aides to Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat agreed to the talks at a meeting today hosted by Michael Møller, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Cyprus, according to the UNFICYP news release, which added that the 21 March meeting will take place in the UN Protected Area in Nicosia. Mr. Møller described today’s encounter between George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, aides to Mr. Christofias and Mr. Talat respectively, as taking place “in a very cordial and constructive atmosphere.” The aides “reached a great degree of convergence on the issues discussed, including on the possible future opening of the Ledra Street crossing” in Nicosia, UNFICYP noted. [ Read the rest... ]
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UN NAMES TOP OFFICIAL FOR LEBANON TRIBUNAL  UN: 11 March 2008 – A veteran of numerous international court proceedings has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the Registrar of the tribunal being set up to try those responsible for political killings in Lebanon, particularly the 2005 attack that killed former prime minister Rafiq Hariri.Robin Vincent of the United Kingdom will start his duties on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon at a date yet to be determined, but “the appointment of the Registrar reflects the steady progress being accomplished in establishing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon,” according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Vincent served as Registrar of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL). Since then, he has served as the temporary Deputy Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and has advised on the establishment of other international tribunals, including the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. [ Read the rest... ]
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URGENT ACTION CRUCIAL FOR AFTRICA TO MEET ITS DEVELOPMENT TARGETS-UN  UN: 10 March 2008 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged scaled-up action – including raising agricultural productivity across Africa – so that the continent can meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015.This year could be “the year of opportunity for the ‘Bottom Billion,’” Mr. Ban told reporters after chairing the second meeting of the so-called MDG Africa Steering Group in New York. “Tremendous gains are possible if the international community translates commitment to deliverables.” He pointed to examples of achievements made, such as Malawi’s lowering of child mortality rates, Senegal’s accomplishments in enhancing its water and sanitation facilities and Tanzania’s improvements in primary education. “The challenge is now to replicate these successes in more countries,” he observed. [ Read the rest... ]
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