Een groep onafhankelijke specialisten van de VN op het gebied van de mensenrechten heeft de aankondiging van Obama om het gevangenkamp Guantanamo Bay te sluiten welkom geheten.
Er wordt niets gezegd in de verklaring van de VN over het gruwelijke gevangenkamp in Bagram, bij Kabul, dat door de VS wordt geleid. Volgens mensenrechtenorganisaties zijn de omstandigheden daar minstens net zo gruwelijk als in Abu Ghraib en Guantanamo Bay.
Closing Guantanamo Bay will end “dark chapter” in US history, stress UN experts
A group of independent United Nations human rights experts have welcomed United States President-elect Barack Obama’s announced decision close the Guantánamo Bay detention centre, stressing it will end “a dark chapter in the country’s history.”
In a statement issued in Geneva today, four UN human rights experts stated that “the regime applied at Guantánamo Bay neither allowed the guilty to be condemned nor secured that the innocent be released,” adding that it also opened the door for serious human rights violations.
Following his election in November, Mr. Obama publicly stated his commitment to lead his administration’s efforts to close the Guantánamo Bay prison camp and to strengthen the fight against torture. Both of which are part, he said, of his efforts “to regain America’s moral stature in the world.”
The experts strongly support his commitment which they said, in addition to restoring the moral stature of the US in the world, “will allow a dark chapter in the country’s history to be closed and to advance in the protection of human rights.”
They added that “moving forward with closing Guantánamo is a strong symbol that will help to repair the image of the country after damage by what was widely perceived as attempts at legitimising the practice of torture under certain circumstances.”
In addition to being illegal, detention there was “ineffective in criminal procedure terms,” said the experts, adding that similar severe abuses also occur at places of secret detention. “Thus, with the same emphasis, the experts urge that all secret detention places be closed and that persons detained therein be given due process.”
The experts also stressed that detainees facing criminal charges must be provided fair trials before courts that afford all essential judicial guarantees. “They emphatically reject any proposals that Guantánamo detainees could through new legislation be subjected to administrative detention, as this would only prolong their arbitrary detention,” the statement said.
Further, they called on third countries to facilitate the closure through their full cooperation in resettling those Guantánamo detainees that cannot be sent back to their countries of origin and, in this regard, welcomed the recent announcement of Portugal to accept detainees and called on other States to follow.
Among those adding his name to today’s statement is the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Martin Scheinin, who warned a couple of months ago that the US Government’s system of military commissions planned for suspects detained at Guantánamo is not likely to reach international standards on the right to a fair trial.
He added that a visit to Guantánamo Bay in December 2007 confirmed his misgivings concerning the operation of the military commissions.
The US Supreme Court has in a series of cases pronounced itself on the rights of detainees at Guantánamo Bay. In its most recent decision, the Court found the Military Commissions Act unconstitutional and granted the detainees access to the federal courts’ jurisdiction, including the right to habeas corpus.
Today’s statement is also signed by the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy; the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Manfred Nowak; and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Anand Grover.
The experts, who function in an independent and unpaid capacity, report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council.
(UN: Dec 22 2008)
maandag 22 december 2008
maandag 15 december 2008
Afghanistan: Top UN official deplores Taliban use of child in suicide blast
The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has strongly condemned a suicide bombing, "allegedly" using a 13-year-old boy, against British forces in the south of the violence-wracked nation.
The attack, which killed three marines, "again demonstrates the Taliban''s total disrespect for human rights," Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued today.
"My thoughts are with the family and friends of those killed and wounded," he added.
Taliban militia sent a young boy to carry out the bombing against British troops operating in the Sangin district of Afghanistan''s southern Helmand province on Friday.
"Such unscrupulous use of children cannot be justified under any circumstances. Forcing or coercing children directly into such action is wholly unacceptable by anyone''s standards," said Mr. Eide.
The Special Representative urged the Taliban and all others to stop using children in warfare, stressing that "the rights of children must be fully protected."
(Source: UN, Dec 14 2008)
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Vier Britten gesneuveld in Helmand in Zuid-Afghanistan
The attack, which killed three marines, "again demonstrates the Taliban''s total disrespect for human rights," Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued today.
"My thoughts are with the family and friends of those killed and wounded," he added.
Taliban militia sent a young boy to carry out the bombing against British troops operating in the Sangin district of Afghanistan''s southern Helmand province on Friday.
"Such unscrupulous use of children cannot be justified under any circumstances. Forcing or coercing children directly into such action is wholly unacceptable by anyone''s standards," said Mr. Eide.
The Special Representative urged the Taliban and all others to stop using children in warfare, stressing that "the rights of children must be fully protected."
(Source: UN, Dec 14 2008)
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Vier Britten gesneuveld in Helmand in Zuid-Afghanistan
vrijdag 14 november 2008
Top UN human rights official urges halt to Afghan executions
The United Nations human rights chief voiced her dismay today after several prisoners were put to death in Afghanistan in recent days and urged the Government to stop any further planned executions.
VN willen eind aan golf executies in Afghanistan
VN willen eind aan golf executies in Afghanistan
dinsdag 11 november 2008
Afghanistan: UN extends presence with opening of new office in Baghlan
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has opened its newest office in Pul-i-Khumri, the capital of the country’s northern Baghlan province, bringing the total number of its field offices to 18.
“Our new office will play a crucial role in the coordination of development efforts, monitoring of human rights issues, strengthening of good governance and the rule of law, assisting local institutions in combating corruption and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid,” a spokesperson for the UN Mission told reporters in Kabul today.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Kai Eide, presided at the opening of the new office, which took place this weekend.
In addition to its headquarters in Kabul, UNAMA also has offices in Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz, Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Bamiyan, Gardez, Ghor, Kunar, Khost, Nimroz, Badghis, Maimana, Faizabad, Daikundi, Zabul and Uruzgan.
The General Assembly today welcomed the ongoing extension of the world body’s presence into additional provinces in Afghanistan, saying it “ensures that the United Nations fulfils its essential coordinating role.”
In a wide-ranging and unanimously adopted resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, the 192-member body encouraged UNAMA to consolidate its presence and to continue its expansion throughout the country, particularly in the south, “security conditions permitting.”
Last month Mr. Eide reported to the Security Council that the number of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the last few months has been the highest since 2002 as the insurgency spreads beyond the south and east of the country.
(UN; 10 november 2008)
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“Our new office will play a crucial role in the coordination of development efforts, monitoring of human rights issues, strengthening of good governance and the rule of law, assisting local institutions in combating corruption and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid,” a spokesperson for the UN Mission told reporters in Kabul today.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Kai Eide, presided at the opening of the new office, which took place this weekend.
In addition to its headquarters in Kabul, UNAMA also has offices in Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz, Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Bamiyan, Gardez, Ghor, Kunar, Khost, Nimroz, Badghis, Maimana, Faizabad, Daikundi, Zabul and Uruzgan.
The General Assembly today welcomed the ongoing extension of the world body’s presence into additional provinces in Afghanistan, saying it “ensures that the United Nations fulfils its essential coordinating role.”
In a wide-ranging and unanimously adopted resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, the 192-member body encouraged UNAMA to consolidate its presence and to continue its expansion throughout the country, particularly in the south, “security conditions permitting.”
Last month Mr. Eide reported to the Security Council that the number of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the last few months has been the highest since 2002 as the insurgency spreads beyond the south and east of the country.
(UN; 10 november 2008)
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Verenigde Naties breiden aanwezigheid Afghanistan uit met kantoor in Baghlan
woensdag 5 november 2008
Afghanistan: UN relief chief urges immediate release of kidnapped aid worker
The top United Nations relief official has called for the immediate and unconditional release of an aid worker kidnapped today in Kabul and deplored the killing of an Afghan citizen shot while trying to prevent the incident.
Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes strongly condemned the abduction of the aid worker, who serves as a consultant for Amitié Franco-Afghane (AFRANE), a non-governmental organization (NGO) active in education and development in Afghanistan.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks against civilians in the strife-torn nation. Just two weeks ago Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian NGO known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead in Kabul on her way to work.
Mr. Holmes, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, voiced his deep concern about the worsening trend of killings and abductions of both civilians and aid workers in Afghanistan.
In a statement issued in New York, he “reminds the Government of Afghanistan and all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect civilians, including all aid workers.”
(VN: New York, 3 november 2008)
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VN eist onmiddellijke vrijlating van ontvoerde hulpverlener uit Frankrijk in Afghanistan
Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes strongly condemned the abduction of the aid worker, who serves as a consultant for Amitié Franco-Afghane (AFRANE), a non-governmental organization (NGO) active in education and development in Afghanistan.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks against civilians in the strife-torn nation. Just two weeks ago Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian NGO known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead in Kabul on her way to work.
Mr. Holmes, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, voiced his deep concern about the worsening trend of killings and abductions of both civilians and aid workers in Afghanistan.
In a statement issued in New York, he “reminds the Government of Afghanistan and all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect civilians, including all aid workers.”
(VN: New York, 3 november 2008)
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VN eist onmiddellijke vrijlating van ontvoerde hulpverlener uit Frankrijk in Afghanistan
dinsdag 4 november 2008
Afghan returnee numbers this year top 276,000 – UN refugee agency
The United Nations refugee agency said today that some 276,700 Afghans returned to their homeland this year through its voluntary repatriation programme, 99 per cent of them coming from neighbouring Pakistan.
The remaining 1 per cent of returnees came from Iran and other countries, Ewen MacLeod, Acting Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Afghanistan, told a news conference in Kabul.
He attributed this year’s numbers to three main factors: the high prices of food and fuel which have strongly impacted Pakistan’s economy, the closure of the large Jalozai refugee camp in the Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP), and the “changing” security situation in Pakistan, particularly in NWFP, where the majority of Afghan refugees live.
Mr. MacLeod noted that over 5 million people have returned to Afghanistan since 2002, representing a 20 per cent increase in the country’s overall population. Some 4.3 million of them were assisted through UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation programme for Afghan refugees, the world’s largest for the past six years.
“I think it is very clear to everybody that an increase in a population with a refugee return programme of that dimension would represent a very sharp challenge for even a Western industrialized country. We are certainly not aware, in recent history, of any country that has absorbed so many people in such a short time.
”The solidarity demonstrated by the Afghan population in reabsorbing these huge figures is remarkable and without precedent anywhere else,” he added.
He said it is clear that return and reintegration in Afghanistan will become more challenging. The returnees face many difficulties, including lack of job opportunities, shelter and basic services such as health care and education.
“In order to create sufficient employment opportunities the economy has to grow at a quicker pace to absorb more workers in labour markets,” he stated.
Future challenges will be among the issues discussed at an international conference on return and reintegration, organized by the Afghan Government and UNHCR, which will be held in Kabul on 19 November.
UNHCR’s Afghan repatriation programme has now been suspended for the winter and will resume next March. The agency estimates there are still 2.8 million registered Afghans living in Pakistan and Iran.
(UN; 3 november 2008)
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The remaining 1 per cent of returnees came from Iran and other countries, Ewen MacLeod, Acting Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Afghanistan, told a news conference in Kabul.
He attributed this year’s numbers to three main factors: the high prices of food and fuel which have strongly impacted Pakistan’s economy, the closure of the large Jalozai refugee camp in the Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP), and the “changing” security situation in Pakistan, particularly in NWFP, where the majority of Afghan refugees live.
Mr. MacLeod noted that over 5 million people have returned to Afghanistan since 2002, representing a 20 per cent increase in the country’s overall population. Some 4.3 million of them were assisted through UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation programme for Afghan refugees, the world’s largest for the past six years.
“I think it is very clear to everybody that an increase in a population with a refugee return programme of that dimension would represent a very sharp challenge for even a Western industrialized country. We are certainly not aware, in recent history, of any country that has absorbed so many people in such a short time.
”The solidarity demonstrated by the Afghan population in reabsorbing these huge figures is remarkable and without precedent anywhere else,” he added.
He said it is clear that return and reintegration in Afghanistan will become more challenging. The returnees face many difficulties, including lack of job opportunities, shelter and basic services such as health care and education.
“In order to create sufficient employment opportunities the economy has to grow at a quicker pace to absorb more workers in labour markets,” he stated.
Future challenges will be among the issues discussed at an international conference on return and reintegration, organized by the Afghan Government and UNHCR, which will be held in Kabul on 19 November.
UNHCR’s Afghan repatriation programme has now been suspended for the winter and will resume next March. The agency estimates there are still 2.8 million registered Afghans living in Pakistan and Iran.
(UN; 3 november 2008)
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Aantal vluchtelingen teruggekeerd naar Afghanistan dit jaar
zondag 26 oktober 2008
Afghan anti-corruption efforts receive financial boost with UN grants
Three Afghan civil society groups working to combat corruption in the fledgling democracy will be able to boost their activities to promote accountability and transparency thanks to grants being provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Integrated Approaches for Community Development, Integrity Watch Afghanistan, and Saba Media Organization will each receive grants of up to $50,000 to carry out activities in the areas of monitoring, awareness-raising and capacity development, media and access to information, and training on anti-corruption and ethics.
The grants are provided through UNDP’s Accountability and Transparency (ACT) Project’s Accountability and Transparency Grants Facility, which seeks to complement anti-corruption activities carried out by the Afghan public sector.
The Grants Facility was set up “to encourage the active involvement of civil society and media in the fight against corruption,” said Manoj Basnyat, UNDP Country Director for Afghanistan.
The ACT Project is working to facilitate broad public awareness and education initiatives on the complex issues of corruption and to engage more civil society actors and local think tanks in this process.
Among other things, it is designed to support the Government in developing a broader anti-corruption strategy, as well as raise awareness and educate civil servants on the scourge.
The Afghan Government has taken a number of steps to combat corruption, including becoming a State Party to the UN Convention against Corruption, adopting new anti-corruption legislation and establishing a new anti-corruption body.
At the same time, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, has noted that corruption must also be tackled “from the bottom up” with the people, Afghan civil society and the media having a crucial role in supporting Government efforts.
According to a recent survey by Integrity Watch Afghanistan, the average Afghan household pays an estimated $100 in petty bribes every year – this in a nation where around 70 per cent of the population survives on less than $1 per day.
(UN: New York, Oct 23 2008)
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Integrated Approaches for Community Development, Integrity Watch Afghanistan, and Saba Media Organization will each receive grants of up to $50,000 to carry out activities in the areas of monitoring, awareness-raising and capacity development, media and access to information, and training on anti-corruption and ethics.
The grants are provided through UNDP’s Accountability and Transparency (ACT) Project’s Accountability and Transparency Grants Facility, which seeks to complement anti-corruption activities carried out by the Afghan public sector.
The Grants Facility was set up “to encourage the active involvement of civil society and media in the fight against corruption,” said Manoj Basnyat, UNDP Country Director for Afghanistan.
The ACT Project is working to facilitate broad public awareness and education initiatives on the complex issues of corruption and to engage more civil society actors and local think tanks in this process.
Among other things, it is designed to support the Government in developing a broader anti-corruption strategy, as well as raise awareness and educate civil servants on the scourge.
The Afghan Government has taken a number of steps to combat corruption, including becoming a State Party to the UN Convention against Corruption, adopting new anti-corruption legislation and establishing a new anti-corruption body.
At the same time, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, has noted that corruption must also be tackled “from the bottom up” with the people, Afghan civil society and the media having a crucial role in supporting Government efforts.
According to a recent survey by Integrity Watch Afghanistan, the average Afghan household pays an estimated $100 in petty bribes every year – this in a nation where around 70 per cent of the population survives on less than $1 per day.
(UN: New York, Oct 23 2008)
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Gemiddeld Afghaans huishouden betaalt 100 dollar aan omkoopsommen, extra geld voor drie organisaties
vrijdag 24 oktober 2008
Top UN envoy deplores recent attacks against Afghan civilians
The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has condemned recent attacks against civilians in the violence-wracked nation, including a suicide bombing on Monday that killed five children in Kunduz, the murder of a number of passengers on a bus in Kandahar and the killing of a foreign aid worker in the capital, Kabul.
“I have stressed many times over the past months the need for proper protection of civilians during combat. With these incidents there was no combat,” Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The purpose of such attacks is to stoke fear among the wider population,” he noted. “I strongly condemn all such acts.”
The Special Representative said his thoughts, as well as those of all those working for the UN in Afghanistan, are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and of those that remain missing.
Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old dual British-South African national who worked for the Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead on Monday as she walked to work in Kabul.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out against the killing as well as those of two local UN staff members in Somalia during the past week, and voiced his alarm at the growing number of attacks against humanitarian workers in both countries.
Also on Monday, five children were among those killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the northern province of Kunduz.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants seized a bus in the volatile southern province of Kandahar over the weekend and reportedly executed at least two dozen passengers, beheading some of them.
(UN: New York, Oct 22 2008)
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“I have stressed many times over the past months the need for proper protection of civilians during combat. With these incidents there was no combat,” Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The purpose of such attacks is to stoke fear among the wider population,” he noted. “I strongly condemn all such acts.”
The Special Representative said his thoughts, as well as those of all those working for the UN in Afghanistan, are with the families and friends of those who have been killed and of those that remain missing.
Gayle Williams, a 34-year-old dual British-South African national who worked for the Christian non-governmental organization (NGO) known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead on Monday as she walked to work in Kabul.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke out against the killing as well as those of two local UN staff members in Somalia during the past week, and voiced his alarm at the growing number of attacks against humanitarian workers in both countries.
Also on Monday, five children were among those killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the northern province of Kunduz.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants seized a bus in the volatile southern province of Kandahar over the weekend and reportedly executed at least two dozen passengers, beheading some of them.
(UN: New York, Oct 22 2008)
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Kai Eide veroordeelt recente aanvallen tegen burgers Afghanistan
dinsdag 21 oktober 2008
Current crisis threaten to plunge more Afghans into poverty, warns UN official
The various crises facing nations today could worsen the plight of millions of underprivileged people in Afghanistan, which is already ranked the fourth poorest country in the world, a senior United Nations development official cautioned today.
“A combination of food price hikes, a downturn in the global economy, the effects of climate change, weak governance, and the intensification of the armed conflict threaten to push even more Afghans into the ranks of the desperately poor,” Manoj Basnyat, Country Director for Afghanistan, UN Development Programme UNDP, told reporters in Kabul.
“I believe Afghanistan’s biggest problem today is poverty,” Mr. Basnyat stated, noting that the country has a poverty rate of 42 per cent, with another 20 per cent of people hovering just above the poverty line.
In addition, 70 per cent of Afghans face food insecurity, 20 per cent of rural households are chronically food insecure and another 18 per cent face seasonal food shortages.
“However, poverty is not inevitable but a reflection of the way societies are organized and resources distributed,” he noted.
Poverty in Afghanistan is driven by many factors, he explained, including low literacy, poor health care, mismanagement of natural resources and social structures that disadvantage particular groups and communities.
While the challenges are tremendous, the situation is not hopeless, stressed Mr. Basnyat. “We can move Afghanistan out of its current rank of fourth poorest country in the world if we all work together.”
In that regard, he said the country has a “very promising” poverty reduction plan in the form of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). Launched in June at the Paris conference that brought together representatives of Afghanistan and its international partners, the strategy is the country’s five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development.
“Afghanistan is now at an important crossroads and much depends on moving forward with the key poverty reduction objectives that are part of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy,” said Mr. Basnyat.
UNDP is assisting the country in its efforts through a number of initiatives, such as the National Area Based Development Programme, which focuses on the challenges of specific areas of the country considered to be particularly vulnerable.
By supporting the establishment of 306 District Development Assemblies in all 34 provinces together with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, UNDP is working to ensure full, open community consultation and participation in the rural development process.
“Proper community consultation at this level is the key to success,” stressed Mr. Basnyat. “We must focus at the grassroots level and that means in every district across the country.”
The National Area Based Development Programme has completed 520 rural infrastructure projects since 2006, including irrigation systems, roads, schools, clinics, bridges, community centres, and protection walls, benefiting some 2.5 million people in rural areas.
He also highlighted what he referred to as the “Kandahar Model” of community-based development which allows the agency to implement infrastructure projects in areas previously thought too insecure for development work. In addition to Kandahar, the model is also being rolled out in the other violence-prone provinces of Helmand, Uruzgan and Nangarhar.
(UN: New York, Oct 20 2008)
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“A combination of food price hikes, a downturn in the global economy, the effects of climate change, weak governance, and the intensification of the armed conflict threaten to push even more Afghans into the ranks of the desperately poor,” Manoj Basnyat, Country Director for Afghanistan, UN Development Programme UNDP, told reporters in Kabul.
“I believe Afghanistan’s biggest problem today is poverty,” Mr. Basnyat stated, noting that the country has a poverty rate of 42 per cent, with another 20 per cent of people hovering just above the poverty line.
In addition, 70 per cent of Afghans face food insecurity, 20 per cent of rural households are chronically food insecure and another 18 per cent face seasonal food shortages.
“However, poverty is not inevitable but a reflection of the way societies are organized and resources distributed,” he noted.
Poverty in Afghanistan is driven by many factors, he explained, including low literacy, poor health care, mismanagement of natural resources and social structures that disadvantage particular groups and communities.
While the challenges are tremendous, the situation is not hopeless, stressed Mr. Basnyat. “We can move Afghanistan out of its current rank of fourth poorest country in the world if we all work together.”
In that regard, he said the country has a “very promising” poverty reduction plan in the form of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). Launched in June at the Paris conference that brought together representatives of Afghanistan and its international partners, the strategy is the country’s five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development.
“Afghanistan is now at an important crossroads and much depends on moving forward with the key poverty reduction objectives that are part of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy,” said Mr. Basnyat.
UNDP is assisting the country in its efforts through a number of initiatives, such as the National Area Based Development Programme, which focuses on the challenges of specific areas of the country considered to be particularly vulnerable.
By supporting the establishment of 306 District Development Assemblies in all 34 provinces together with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, UNDP is working to ensure full, open community consultation and participation in the rural development process.
“Proper community consultation at this level is the key to success,” stressed Mr. Basnyat. “We must focus at the grassroots level and that means in every district across the country.”
The National Area Based Development Programme has completed 520 rural infrastructure projects since 2006, including irrigation systems, roads, schools, clinics, bridges, community centres, and protection walls, benefiting some 2.5 million people in rural areas.
He also highlighted what he referred to as the “Kandahar Model” of community-based development which allows the agency to implement infrastructure projects in areas previously thought too insecure for development work. In addition to Kandahar, the model is also being rolled out in the other violence-prone provinces of Helmand, Uruzgan and Nangarhar.
(UN: New York, Oct 20 2008)
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Huidige crisis kan nog meer Afghanen in armoede storten: 43 procent leeft in diepe armoede
maandag 20 oktober 2008
Ban deplores killing of aid workers in Somalia and Afghanistan
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spoke out against the recent killing of aid workers in Somalia and Afghanistan, condemning the murders and voicing alarm at the increasing number of attacks against humanitarian staff in both countries.
Two local staff members for United Nations agencies operating in Somalia have been killed since Friday and a worker with a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Afghanistan was slain today.
“The Secretary-General deplores these acts of deliberate violence against those who are making every effort to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali and Afghan citizens,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.
“He is alarmed at the increasing trend of killing and abduction of aid workers in both countries.”
Staff of UN aid agencies and NGOs have come under increasing deliberate attack in Somalia and Afghanistan in recent months, as well as in other countries and regions plagued by conflict, such as the Darfur region of western Sudan.
In a report released earlier this month on staff security, Mr. Ban called for collective responsibility and closer collaboration between the UN and its Member States to better protect UN staff and other humanitarian workers.
The report found there were 490 attacks against UN offices, convoys and premises between July 2007 and June this year, leading to 26 deaths of UN staff. At least 63 workers with NGOs were murdered during the same period.
The most recent series of attacks started on Friday, when Abdenasser Adan Muse, a senior programme assistant for the World Food Programme (WFP), was shot three times as he left a mosque in the town of Merka.
A spokesperson for WFP, Bettina Luescher, told the UN News Centre that the agency was shocked and saddened by the attack on Mr. Muse.
“This killing only undermines what a dangerous place Somalia is – this is the second WFP staff member to be killed this year, in addition to five drivers working for WFP contractors,” Ms. Luescher said.
“WFP appeals to all factions in Somalia to respect humanitarian workers and allow them to carry out their life-saving work at a time when their skills are critically needed.”
Mukhtar Mohammed Hassan, a water engineer working with the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, was shot dead yesterday in Huddur as he walked with friends after attending the local mosque.
The agency said an investigation into the circumstances and motive for the killing was now under way and offered its condolences to Mr. Hassan’s family.
“Mukhtar played an important role in providing vulnerable communities with access to clean drinking water and sanitation in areas where the risk of water-based diseases is high,” Hannan Suleiman, UNICEF Deputy Representative for Somalia, said.
Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian NGO known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead today as she walked to work in Kabul. She was 34 and a dual British-South African national.
(UN: New York, Oct 20 2008)
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Two local staff members for United Nations agencies operating in Somalia have been killed since Friday and a worker with a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Afghanistan was slain today.
“The Secretary-General deplores these acts of deliberate violence against those who are making every effort to alleviate the dire suffering of Somali and Afghan citizens,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.
“He is alarmed at the increasing trend of killing and abduction of aid workers in both countries.”
Staff of UN aid agencies and NGOs have come under increasing deliberate attack in Somalia and Afghanistan in recent months, as well as in other countries and regions plagued by conflict, such as the Darfur region of western Sudan.
In a report released earlier this month on staff security, Mr. Ban called for collective responsibility and closer collaboration between the UN and its Member States to better protect UN staff and other humanitarian workers.
The report found there were 490 attacks against UN offices, convoys and premises between July 2007 and June this year, leading to 26 deaths of UN staff. At least 63 workers with NGOs were murdered during the same period.
The most recent series of attacks started on Friday, when Abdenasser Adan Muse, a senior programme assistant for the World Food Programme (WFP), was shot three times as he left a mosque in the town of Merka.
A spokesperson for WFP, Bettina Luescher, told the UN News Centre that the agency was shocked and saddened by the attack on Mr. Muse.
“This killing only undermines what a dangerous place Somalia is – this is the second WFP staff member to be killed this year, in addition to five drivers working for WFP contractors,” Ms. Luescher said.
“WFP appeals to all factions in Somalia to respect humanitarian workers and allow them to carry out their life-saving work at a time when their skills are critically needed.”
Mukhtar Mohammed Hassan, a water engineer working with the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, was shot dead yesterday in Huddur as he walked with friends after attending the local mosque.
The agency said an investigation into the circumstances and motive for the killing was now under way and offered its condolences to Mr. Hassan’s family.
“Mukhtar played an important role in providing vulnerable communities with access to clean drinking water and sanitation in areas where the risk of water-based diseases is high,” Hannan Suleiman, UNICEF Deputy Representative for Somalia, said.
Gayle Williams, who worked for the Christian NGO known as SERVE Afghanistan as a volunteer on projects assisting the disabled, was shot dead today as she walked to work in Kabul. She was 34 and a dual British-South African national.
(UN: New York, Oct 20 2008)
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VN veroordelen moord op hulpverleenster in Afghanistan
dinsdag 14 oktober 2008
UN assisting Afghan authorities to respond to diarrhoea outbreak
United Nations agencies are helping authorities to respond to a diarrhoea outbreak in Afghanistan, where only about a quarter of the population has access to safe drinking water and 20 per cent of child deaths is attributed to the easily preventable disease.
According to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, the outbreak is located mainly in five provinces – Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, Samangan and Faryab – with a few cases also reported in seven others. Twenty-two people have died out of the almost 4,000 cases reported so far.
The UN World Health Organization WHO says the authorities are managing the outbreak well and have taken all necessary steps. The situation seems to be largely under control, the agency added. Nevertheless, it is urging anyone who becomes ill to go to a clinic immediately.
“Those who have gone to the clinic have received life-saving treatment that they need. It is very important to go to the clinic in time and not delay,” Rana Grabar Kakar, WHO Technical Officer, told a news conference in Kabul today.
In light of the current outbreak, Dr. Kakar emphasized the need to ensure the use of safe drinking water by either boiling it or using chlorine tablets. People should also be careful about the foods that might become contaminated by bad water. She stressed the need to peel raw fruits and vegetables or cook them thoroughly before eating.
“We hope everyone will take responsibility to use clean drinking water for themselves and their families and wash hands thoroughly before eating. By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent this disease,” she said.
By washing hands with soap, families and communities can help reduce child mortality rates from diarrhoeal diseases by almost 50 per cent. This is one of the key messages being highlighted across the country as part of the observance of the first ever Global Handwashing Day, which is 15 October.
The UN Children’s Fund UNICEF is also assisting efforts to tackle the outbreak by digging wells, providing safe drinking water and distributing basic health kits, particularly in remote areas.
The struggle for water is one of the themes depicted in a series of photographs by Afghan women currently on display in New York. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that “right now we need a major humanitarian push to ensure that immediate assistance reaches all Afghans who need it.
At the same time, we have to work for long-term development. And above all, we must secure lasting peace in Afghanistan,” he stated.
In a related development, the Assistant Administrator of the UN Development Programme UNDP today wrapped up a three-day visit to Afghanistan, where he discussed strengthening support for the country’s development efforts and its capacity to deliver services to its people.
In his meetings with Afghan officials, Ajay Chhibber discussed a range of areas of joint cooperation, including voter registration, community empowerment, economic growth, rural development and girls’ education.
(Bron: VN; 13 oktober 2008)
According to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, the outbreak is located mainly in five provinces – Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, Samangan and Faryab – with a few cases also reported in seven others. Twenty-two people have died out of the almost 4,000 cases reported so far.
The UN World Health Organization WHO says the authorities are managing the outbreak well and have taken all necessary steps. The situation seems to be largely under control, the agency added. Nevertheless, it is urging anyone who becomes ill to go to a clinic immediately.
“Those who have gone to the clinic have received life-saving treatment that they need. It is very important to go to the clinic in time and not delay,” Rana Grabar Kakar, WHO Technical Officer, told a news conference in Kabul today.
In light of the current outbreak, Dr. Kakar emphasized the need to ensure the use of safe drinking water by either boiling it or using chlorine tablets. People should also be careful about the foods that might become contaminated by bad water. She stressed the need to peel raw fruits and vegetables or cook them thoroughly before eating.
“We hope everyone will take responsibility to use clean drinking water for themselves and their families and wash hands thoroughly before eating. By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent this disease,” she said.
By washing hands with soap, families and communities can help reduce child mortality rates from diarrhoeal diseases by almost 50 per cent. This is one of the key messages being highlighted across the country as part of the observance of the first ever Global Handwashing Day, which is 15 October.
The UN Children’s Fund UNICEF is also assisting efforts to tackle the outbreak by digging wells, providing safe drinking water and distributing basic health kits, particularly in remote areas.
The struggle for water is one of the themes depicted in a series of photographs by Afghan women currently on display in New York. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that “right now we need a major humanitarian push to ensure that immediate assistance reaches all Afghans who need it.
At the same time, we have to work for long-term development. And above all, we must secure lasting peace in Afghanistan,” he stated.
In a related development, the Assistant Administrator of the UN Development Programme UNDP today wrapped up a three-day visit to Afghanistan, where he discussed strengthening support for the country’s development efforts and its capacity to deliver services to its people.
In his meetings with Afghan officials, Ajay Chhibber discussed a range of areas of joint cooperation, including voter registration, community empowerment, economic growth, rural development and girls’ education.
(Bron: VN; 13 oktober 2008)
Top UN envoy warns deadly Afghan attacks on increase as situation worsens
The number of violent attacks in Afghanistan in the last few months has been the highest since 2002 as the insurgency spreads beyond the south and east of the country, the top United Nations envoy told the Security Council today.
As the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, the insurgency has now extended to provinces around Kabul, attacks have become more deadly and there have been more attacks against humanitarian targets, Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, informed the Council.
He warned that although a decrease in attacks after Ramadan had allowed a polio vaccination campaign to take place, the current spike indicated that there would be no recurrence of the usual winter lull in fighting this year.
Noting that not all is “doom and gloom” Mr. Eide told the press: “When President [Hamid] Karzai carries out a cabinet reshuffle which demonstrates a desire to attack key issues that have so far not been handled appropriately, that makes me optimistic.”
Mr. Eide, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA, stressed that there were other positive developments which gave him cause for cautious optimism, such as a more constructive relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the basis of a shared threat from insurgents.
He said that further reasons for hope were the political changes in Afghanistan, including the strengthening of the Ministry of the Interior and the police sector, changes in the Ministry of Agriculture that could help avoid food shortages and stimulate economic growth, as well as reductions in illicit drug production.
If these more positive trends could be built on, the current negative atmosphere could be replaced by one of greater confidence, which was important both for the Afghan population and donors, he told the Council meeting.
(Bron: VN, 14 oktober 2008)
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Aanvallen in Afghanistan op zijn hevigst volgens Eide van de UNAMA
As the situation in Afghanistan deteriorates, the insurgency has now extended to provinces around Kabul, attacks have become more deadly and there have been more attacks against humanitarian targets, Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, informed the Council.
He warned that although a decrease in attacks after Ramadan had allowed a polio vaccination campaign to take place, the current spike indicated that there would be no recurrence of the usual winter lull in fighting this year.
Noting that not all is “doom and gloom” Mr. Eide told the press: “When President [Hamid] Karzai carries out a cabinet reshuffle which demonstrates a desire to attack key issues that have so far not been handled appropriately, that makes me optimistic.”
Mr. Eide, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA, stressed that there were other positive developments which gave him cause for cautious optimism, such as a more constructive relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan on the basis of a shared threat from insurgents.
He said that further reasons for hope were the political changes in Afghanistan, including the strengthening of the Ministry of the Interior and the police sector, changes in the Ministry of Agriculture that could help avoid food shortages and stimulate economic growth, as well as reductions in illicit drug production.
If these more positive trends could be built on, the current negative atmosphere could be replaced by one of greater confidence, which was important both for the Afghan population and donors, he told the Council meeting.
(Bron: VN, 14 oktober 2008)
Zie ook
Aanvallen in Afghanistan op zijn hevigst volgens Eide van de UNAMA
maandag 13 oktober 2008
Afghanistan: Top UN envoy welcomes cabinet reshuffle
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed the changes announced by President Hamid Karzai to his 26-member cabinet, stating that they reflect the priorities set by the Government and its people.
The changes announced yesterday pertain to five portfolios, namely the ministers of the interior, education, agriculture, refugees, and parliamentary affairs.
"This reshuffle demonstrates political determination, the importance of implementing more rigorously the agenda set and agreed upon in Paris in June, with a team that can take these issues forward -- particularly the strengthening of the Afghan police and agricultural production," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued yesterday in Kabul.
As part of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held in the French capital in June, the Government and the international community strengthened the partnership to secure a peaceful and stable nation.
The meeting resulted in, among other things, fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"I am fully committed to supporting this new Ministerial team and look forward to working with them over the coming weeks and months," Mr. Eide added.
(Bron: VN, 12 oktober 2008)
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Hamid Karzai gooit zijn Kabinet drastisch om
The changes announced yesterday pertain to five portfolios, namely the ministers of the interior, education, agriculture, refugees, and parliamentary affairs.
"This reshuffle demonstrates political determination, the importance of implementing more rigorously the agenda set and agreed upon in Paris in June, with a team that can take these issues forward -- particularly the strengthening of the Afghan police and agricultural production," Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued yesterday in Kabul.
As part of the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held in the French capital in June, the Government and the international community strengthened the partnership to secure a peaceful and stable nation.
The meeting resulted in, among other things, fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"I am fully committed to supporting this new Ministerial team and look forward to working with them over the coming weeks and months," Mr. Eide added.
(Bron: VN, 12 oktober 2008)
Zie ook
Hamid Karzai gooit zijn Kabinet drastisch om
dinsdag 30 september 2008
Security situation in Afghanistan ‘markedly’ worse reports secretary-general
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a change of pace and direction in Afghanistan, where the worsening security situation is hampering the efforts of the Government, the United Nations and international partners to rebuild the strife-torn nation.
"Despite the enhanced capabilities of both the Afghan National Army and the international forces, the security situation has deteriorated markedly," Mr. Ban writes in a new report released today.
The number of security incidents in August rose to 983, the highest since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and a 44 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2007.
Mr. Ban highlights three trends amid the recent deterioration in security, namely a greater focus by insurgent groups on areas that had been stable until now, more "sophisticated" planning of insurgent operations, and an increase in civilian casualties.
"Civilians are also being killed as a result of military operations carried out by Afghan and international security forces," he adds.
The deterioration of the security situation has hampered the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in carrying out its efforts, with 90 of the country's nearly 400 districts identified as areas of extreme risk. In addition, attacks on aid-related targets and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become more frequent and more deadly.
This is particularly disturbing given the worsening humanitarian situation in the country owing to a combination of conflict, drought and high food prices, which have left one-sixth of the population in need of food aid.
Mr. Ban says he is convinced that "a change of pace and direction is required," in which, among other things, every party to the Paris Conference that took place earlier this year must do its utmost to implement the commitments made there as early as possible.
"It is essential that the people of Afghanistan begin to see quickly and clearly that we have embarked on a new course and that it will produce results," he states.
The International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held on 12 June, saw fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"Ultimately, success will depend on our ability to bring about a 'political surge' that musters the political determination to address those areas in which international and Afghan efforts have been insufficient, and to accelerate progress where gains have been made," the Secretary-General writes.
He adds that the Paris conference, which saw not only the launch of the ANDS but also $21.4 billion in pledges for the country's development, is among the positive developments in recent months, in addition to the increase in poppy-free provinces from 13 to 18, as reported in a recent survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In a related development, UNAMA reported today that 190,000 children - most of them in the volatile southern districts of Helmand and Kandahar - could not be reached during a recent polio immunization drive because of obstruction or fighting.
"We continue to appeal to the community to support full and safe access for health workers and help the goal of ridding Afghanistan of polio for good," Spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Kabul.
The UN and Afghan health authorities are planning to proceed with a further round of polio immunizations nationwide between 19 and 21 October.
(Source: UN, September 29, 2008)
"Despite the enhanced capabilities of both the Afghan National Army and the international forces, the security situation has deteriorated markedly," Mr. Ban writes in a new report released today.
The number of security incidents in August rose to 983, the highest since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and a 44 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2007.
Mr. Ban highlights three trends amid the recent deterioration in security, namely a greater focus by insurgent groups on areas that had been stable until now, more "sophisticated" planning of insurgent operations, and an increase in civilian casualties.
"Civilians are also being killed as a result of military operations carried out by Afghan and international security forces," he adds.
The deterioration of the security situation has hampered the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in carrying out its efforts, with 90 of the country's nearly 400 districts identified as areas of extreme risk. In addition, attacks on aid-related targets and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become more frequent and more deadly.
This is particularly disturbing given the worsening humanitarian situation in the country owing to a combination of conflict, drought and high food prices, which have left one-sixth of the population in need of food aid.
Mr. Ban says he is convinced that "a change of pace and direction is required," in which, among other things, every party to the Paris Conference that took place earlier this year must do its utmost to implement the commitments made there as early as possible.
"It is essential that the people of Afghanistan begin to see quickly and clearly that we have embarked on a new course and that it will produce results," he states.
The International Conference in Support of Afghanistan, held on 12 June, saw fresh pledges of resources for the country's rebuilding efforts, as well as the launch of the Government's five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development, known as the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS).
"Ultimately, success will depend on our ability to bring about a 'political surge' that musters the political determination to address those areas in which international and Afghan efforts have been insufficient, and to accelerate progress where gains have been made," the Secretary-General writes.
He adds that the Paris conference, which saw not only the launch of the ANDS but also $21.4 billion in pledges for the country's development, is among the positive developments in recent months, in addition to the increase in poppy-free provinces from 13 to 18, as reported in a recent survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In a related development, UNAMA reported today that 190,000 children - most of them in the volatile southern districts of Helmand and Kandahar - could not be reached during a recent polio immunization drive because of obstruction or fighting.
"We continue to appeal to the community to support full and safe access for health workers and help the goal of ridding Afghanistan of polio for good," Spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Kabul.
The UN and Afghan health authorities are planning to proceed with a further round of polio immunizations nationwide between 19 and 21 October.
(Source: UN, September 29, 2008)
Uzbekistan, at UN, calls for “radical” new approach to problems in Afghanistan
(New York, Sep 27 2008) A radical overhaul of policies focusing more on economic and social assistance rather than military strength is needed if Afghanistan is to ever achieve peace and stability, Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov told the General Assembly today.
Oezbekistan vraagt om andere benadering voor problemen in Afghanistan vanaf de wortel
Oezbekistan vraagt om andere benadering voor problemen in Afghanistan vanaf de wortel
dinsdag 23 september 2008
Citing rising terrorism, UN extends security force in Afghanistan for another year
The United Nations Security Council today unanimously extended the mission of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for another year and called for it to be strengthened in the face of increased violence and terrorism from the Taliban, Al-Qaida and drug smugglers.
ISAF, which now has 47,600 personnel on the ground, was established after United States-led forces ousted the Taliban regime in late 2001 to help the then-interim authorities maintain security across the impoverished nation.
In today's resolution the 15-member body recognized "the need to further strengthen ISAF to meet all its operational requirements, and in this regard calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources."
It expressed serious concern with the high number of civilian casualties resulting from the fighting. While recognizing ISAF's efforts to minimize this risk, it called on the Force "to take additional robust efforts" by continuously reviewing tactics and procedures and conducting after-action reviews in cooperation with the Afghan Government.
The Council called on all Afghan parties and groups to engage in peaceful political dialogue and in socio-economic development and to avoid resorting to violence including through the use of illegal armed groups.
Stressing the importance of increasing the functionality, professionalism and accountability of the Afghan security sector, it urged ISAF and other partners to continue training Afghan national security forces towards the accelerated goal of setting up self-sufficient and ethnically balanced national forces to provide security and the rule of law.
The 12-month extension begins on 13 October.
(UN: September 22, 2008)
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ISAF, which now has 47,600 personnel on the ground, was established after United States-led forces ousted the Taliban regime in late 2001 to help the then-interim authorities maintain security across the impoverished nation.
In today's resolution the 15-member body recognized "the need to further strengthen ISAF to meet all its operational requirements, and in this regard calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources."
It expressed serious concern with the high number of civilian casualties resulting from the fighting. While recognizing ISAF's efforts to minimize this risk, it called on the Force "to take additional robust efforts" by continuously reviewing tactics and procedures and conducting after-action reviews in cooperation with the Afghan Government.
The Council called on all Afghan parties and groups to engage in peaceful political dialogue and in socio-economic development and to avoid resorting to violence including through the use of illegal armed groups.
Stressing the importance of increasing the functionality, professionalism and accountability of the Afghan security sector, it urged ISAF and other partners to continue training Afghan national security forces towards the accelerated goal of setting up self-sufficient and ethnically balanced national forces to provide security and the rule of law.
The 12-month extension begins on 13 October.
(UN: September 22, 2008)
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VN-Veiligheidsraad verlengt mandaat ISAF-missie in Afghanistan
maandag 22 september 2008
Ban deplores ‘heinous’ terrorist attack in Pakistani capital
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned today's "heinous" terrorist attack on the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, which has reportedly killed and injured a large number of people.
"He expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this appalling attack, as well as to the Government and people of Pakistan," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.
Media reports say the bombing killed at least 40 people and wounded some 200.
"No cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians," today's statement added.
(Source: UN, Sep 20 2008)
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Zeker 53 doden bij aanslag op Marriott Hotel in Islamabad
"He expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this appalling attack, as well as to the Government and people of Pakistan," Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a statement.
Media reports say the bombing killed at least 40 people and wounded some 200.
"No cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians," today's statement added.
(Source: UN, Sep 20 2008)
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Zeker 53 doden bij aanslag op Marriott Hotel in Islamabad
dinsdag 16 september 2008
UN rights chief urges protection amid sharp rise in Afghan civilian deaths
The top United Nations human rights official has called for ensuring the protection of Afghan civilians, as new figures show an almost 40 per cent increase in conflict-related deaths in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period last year.
The human rights unit of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recorded a total of 1,445 civilian casualties in the first eight months of this year, an increase of 39 per cent compared to the same period in 2007, when there were 1,040 deaths.
"I call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, and to ensure every effort is made to avoid the killing of civilians," said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay.
"The Taliban and other insurgent groups must desist from practices that result in huge and indiscriminate loss of life. Efforts must also be made to hold such groups to account. There is a long history of impunity in Afghanistan - and that needs to change," she added.
While the number of killings by the Taliban and other anti-government forces almost doubled by comparison with the first eight months of 2007, the numbers killed by government and international military forces also increasing substantially, according to Ms. Pillay's office.
"There is an urgent need for better coordination between Afghan and international military forces to enhance the protection of civilians and the safety and welfare of war-affected communities," said Ms. Pillay.
"It is also imperative that there is greater transparency in accountability procedures for international forces involved in incidents that cause civilian casualties," she said, adding that there should also be a rapid and independent assessment of damages and a fair and consistent system of condolence payments to survivors and relatives of victims.
Last month was among the most deadly, with 330 civilians killed, including up to 92 deaths reported during an operation involving Afghan and international military forces in Shindand, as well as the killing of four non-governmental (NGO) workers by the Taliban on 13 August, in Logar province.
The High Commissioner noted that this is the highest number of civilian deaths to occur in a single month since the end of major hostilities and the ousting of the Taliban regime at the end of 2001.
Ms. Pillay also voiced concern at the continued attacks on aid workers. In the latest incident, two doctors working with the UN World Health Organization (WHO) were killed on Sunday, along with their UNAMA driver, by a suicide bomber in the border town of Spin Boldak, bringing the total number of aid workers killed so far in 2008 to over 30.
"Targeted attacks on aid workers are not only atrocious in themselves, they also have far-reaching negative consequences on the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population," stressed Ms. Pillay.
"In addition to the civilian deaths and injuries caused directly by the conflict, Afghans are continuing to face displacement, destruction of property and other assets, as well as disruption to healthcare, education, housing and other essential services," she noted.
(Source: UN)
The human rights unit of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recorded a total of 1,445 civilian casualties in the first eight months of this year, an increase of 39 per cent compared to the same period in 2007, when there were 1,040 deaths.
"I call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, and to ensure every effort is made to avoid the killing of civilians," said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay.
"The Taliban and other insurgent groups must desist from practices that result in huge and indiscriminate loss of life. Efforts must also be made to hold such groups to account. There is a long history of impunity in Afghanistan - and that needs to change," she added.
While the number of killings by the Taliban and other anti-government forces almost doubled by comparison with the first eight months of 2007, the numbers killed by government and international military forces also increasing substantially, according to Ms. Pillay's office.
"There is an urgent need for better coordination between Afghan and international military forces to enhance the protection of civilians and the safety and welfare of war-affected communities," said Ms. Pillay.
"It is also imperative that there is greater transparency in accountability procedures for international forces involved in incidents that cause civilian casualties," she said, adding that there should also be a rapid and independent assessment of damages and a fair and consistent system of condolence payments to survivors and relatives of victims.
Last month was among the most deadly, with 330 civilians killed, including up to 92 deaths reported during an operation involving Afghan and international military forces in Shindand, as well as the killing of four non-governmental (NGO) workers by the Taliban on 13 August, in Logar province.
The High Commissioner noted that this is the highest number of civilian deaths to occur in a single month since the end of major hostilities and the ousting of the Taliban regime at the end of 2001.
Ms. Pillay also voiced concern at the continued attacks on aid workers. In the latest incident, two doctors working with the UN World Health Organization (WHO) were killed on Sunday, along with their UNAMA driver, by a suicide bomber in the border town of Spin Boldak, bringing the total number of aid workers killed so far in 2008 to over 30.
"Targeted attacks on aid workers are not only atrocious in themselves, they also have far-reaching negative consequences on the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population," stressed Ms. Pillay.
"In addition to the civilian deaths and injuries caused directly by the conflict, Afghans are continuing to face displacement, destruction of property and other assets, as well as disruption to healthcare, education, housing and other essential services," she noted.
(Source: UN)
donderdag 11 september 2008
More troops will boost Afghan efforts to take over country’s security – UN envoy
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has welcomed a decision to expand the country's national army, calling it an important step as the Government works towards assuming responsibility for security across the strife-torn nation.
At its meeting [Wednesday] in Kabul, the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) - the body set up in 2006 to monitor implementation of the five-year blueprint for reconstruction known as the Afghanistan Compact - agreed to increase the strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to 134,000 personnel.
"This increase is a huge step towards ensuring the Afghan Government has the number of soldiers it needs and that it can gradually take over the responsibility for the security of the country," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and co-chair of the JCMB.
"We all know that ensuring security for all Afghans is of paramount importance," added Mr. Eide, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The Board, which consists of senior Afghan ministers and representatives of the international community, also endorsed a proposed Afghanistan Social Outreach Programme, which aims to empower local communities.
Reports were also presented on the status of preparations for elections and on the new anti-corruption body, the High Office of Oversight.
In addition, participants were briefed on the humanitarian and refugee situations, hearing renewed calls to support a $404 million appeal launched in July to help some 4.5 million Afghans who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
The Board also welcomed the proposal presented by the Afghan Government to set up a mechanism to support the implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), the five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development that was unveiled at a Paris conference in June.
At the Paris conference, dozens of countries and international organizations pledged resources to help Afghanistan rebuild and advance peace, security and development.
"There is now a real sense of urgency to build on the commitments and progress that were made at the Paris conference. This is a testing period for us all, but we all remain committed to implementing the commitments made - such as improved aid effectiveness and a more intensive fight against corruption," Mr. Eide said.
At its meeting [Wednesday] in Kabul, the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) - the body set up in 2006 to monitor implementation of the five-year blueprint for reconstruction known as the Afghanistan Compact - agreed to increase the strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to 134,000 personnel.
"This increase is a huge step towards ensuring the Afghan Government has the number of soldiers it needs and that it can gradually take over the responsibility for the security of the country," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and co-chair of the JCMB.
"We all know that ensuring security for all Afghans is of paramount importance," added Mr. Eide, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The Board, which consists of senior Afghan ministers and representatives of the international community, also endorsed a proposed Afghanistan Social Outreach Programme, which aims to empower local communities.
Reports were also presented on the status of preparations for elections and on the new anti-corruption body, the High Office of Oversight.
In addition, participants were briefed on the humanitarian and refugee situations, hearing renewed calls to support a $404 million appeal launched in July to help some 4.5 million Afghans who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
The Board also welcomed the proposal presented by the Afghan Government to set up a mechanism to support the implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), the five-year plan to reduce poverty and promote economic and social development that was unveiled at a Paris conference in June.
At the Paris conference, dozens of countries and international organizations pledged resources to help Afghanistan rebuild and advance peace, security and development.
"There is now a real sense of urgency to build on the commitments and progress that were made at the Paris conference. This is a testing period for us all, but we all remain committed to implementing the commitments made - such as improved aid effectiveness and a more intensive fight against corruption," Mr. Eide said.
UN envoy: “Children becoming increasingly vulnerable in conflict situations”
The changing nature of warfare around the world has meant that more and more children are being used in conflict situations, a senior United Nations child advocate said Tuesday, urging that greater action be taken to protect the rights of young people.
"The main challenge we face for children and armed conflict lies in the changing nature of warfare where civilian life is far less protected," Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, told the Human Rights Council today in Geneva.
Ms. Coomaraswamy said this is true not only in places that she has recently visited, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and the occupied Palestinian territories, but in many others that are grappling with the scourge of terrorism.
"In the battle between terrorism and counter-terrorism, many insurgent groups are not only mobilizing children in their political and military activities but are using them as child suicide bombers," she said.
The Special Representative also drew attention to children who are held in military detention without adequate judicial process, and the fact that children are often the victims of aerial bombardments which result in collateral damage.
"This Council must make it clear that the rules of engagement as defined by international law must be implemented and civilians, especially children, must remain a protected category."
Another problem is that non-State actors are engaging in violations against children during armed conflict. "By tolerating their actions, including the recruitment and mobilization of children, a climate of impunity prevails and grave violations against children and the general population continue unabated, making life less secure for everyone," she stated.
It is important that the Council deal comprehensively with the issue of all non-State actors, including making them accountable for human rights violations, she added.
Ms. Coomaraswamy also noted that sexual violence continues to be prevalent, but added that it was not just limited to girls. She said that during her visit to Afghanistan, she was appalled by the scale of sexual violence committed against boys by war lords and commanders.
The vulnerability of boys is an often neglected aspect of war, she noted, adding that the report on Afghanistan that will be published next month might help redress this situation.
(Source: UN)
"The main challenge we face for children and armed conflict lies in the changing nature of warfare where civilian life is far less protected," Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, told the Human Rights Council today in Geneva.
Ms. Coomaraswamy said this is true not only in places that she has recently visited, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and the occupied Palestinian territories, but in many others that are grappling with the scourge of terrorism.
"In the battle between terrorism and counter-terrorism, many insurgent groups are not only mobilizing children in their political and military activities but are using them as child suicide bombers," she said.
The Special Representative also drew attention to children who are held in military detention without adequate judicial process, and the fact that children are often the victims of aerial bombardments which result in collateral damage.
"This Council must make it clear that the rules of engagement as defined by international law must be implemented and civilians, especially children, must remain a protected category."
Another problem is that non-State actors are engaging in violations against children during armed conflict. "By tolerating their actions, including the recruitment and mobilization of children, a climate of impunity prevails and grave violations against children and the general population continue unabated, making life less secure for everyone," she stated.
It is important that the Council deal comprehensively with the issue of all non-State actors, including making them accountable for human rights violations, she added.
Ms. Coomaraswamy also noted that sexual violence continues to be prevalent, but added that it was not just limited to girls. She said that during her visit to Afghanistan, she was appalled by the scale of sexual violence committed against boys by war lords and commanders.
The vulnerability of boys is an often neglected aspect of war, she noted, adding that the report on Afghanistan that will be published next month might help redress this situation.
(Source: UN)
maandag 1 september 2008
UN provides emergency aid to Afghans affected by recent military operations in Herat
A United Nations team has delivered emergency relief assistance to some 900 people in the country's western Herat province who were affected the recent military operations which the world body said resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including many children.
Last week the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that an investigation by its human rights team found that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, during operations carried out by international and Afghan military forces on 21 August in Herat's Shindand district.
This weekend a UN emergency relief team, accompanied by local government officials, delivered three truckloads of essential food, cooking utensils, shelter materials and medicines to some 150 families in the area.
"At this point in time the primary concern of all of us has to be the welfare of the people of Shindand district," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA.
"I have asked all UN agencies working in Afghanistan to step up support to the local authorities as they work to help the survivors. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand ready to assist with all ongoing efforts to support those who need our help the most," he stated.
The UN team also met with village elders to listen to their needs and concerns as recovery efforts continue.
Mr. Eide has called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
Last week the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that an investigation by its human rights team found that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, during operations carried out by international and Afghan military forces on 21 August in Herat's Shindand district.
This weekend a UN emergency relief team, accompanied by local government officials, delivered three truckloads of essential food, cooking utensils, shelter materials and medicines to some 150 families in the area.
"At this point in time the primary concern of all of us has to be the welfare of the people of Shindand district," said Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA.
"I have asked all UN agencies working in Afghanistan to step up support to the local authorities as they work to help the survivors. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand ready to assist with all ongoing efforts to support those who need our help the most," he stated.
The UN team also met with village elders to listen to their needs and concerns as recovery efforts continue.
Mr. Eide has called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
zondag 31 augustus 2008
Afghan repatriation tops agenda of UN refugee chief’s visit to Pakistan
The top United Nations refugee official Thursday 28 August wrapped up a three-day visit to Pakistan, during which the Government agreed to revise a plan for the repatriation of the nearly 2 million remaining Afghan refugees in the country that was due to end next year.
More than 3.4 million Afghans have returned home from Pakistan since 2002 with the help of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR leaving an estimated 1.8 million registered Afghans still living there today.
"Pakistan is UNHCR's biggest partner, hosting the world's largest refugee population for so many years," said UN High Commissioner António Guterres. "No other country has shown such generosity towards its neighbours, and it's important to mobilize more support amongst the international community for this great effort."
During his visit, Mr. Guterres met with top Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Syed Yousef Raza Gilani and Minister of States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan.
Mr. Guterres stressed that the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is among his top priorities this year. "We are working on a comprehensive strategy that involves assisting the host communities in Pakistan, fully supporting voluntary repatriation and reintegration, while keeping in mind the challenges in Afghanistan," he said.
To assist Pakistan in its efforts to host the refugees, the High Commissioner presented a pilot project proposal for the refugee affected and hosting areas (RAHA) in Balochistan and North West Frontier Province.
"The UN team in Pakistan is fully committed to the RAHA initiative and will appeal for resources to support it," he said about the project, which will rehabilitate and upgrade infrastructure and services in the sectors of water, sanitation, health care, primary education, environment and livelihood.
Mr. Guterres also announced that an International Conference on Return and Reintegration will be held in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in mid-November to galvanize support for the refugees, returnees and internally displaced people (IDPs) in that country.
While in Pakistan, he also met with the UN country team and member countries of the Group of Eight and the European Union to mobilize support for the RAHA project proposal and the upcoming conference in Kabul.
More than 3.4 million Afghans have returned home from Pakistan since 2002 with the help of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR leaving an estimated 1.8 million registered Afghans still living there today.
"Pakistan is UNHCR's biggest partner, hosting the world's largest refugee population for so many years," said UN High Commissioner António Guterres. "No other country has shown such generosity towards its neighbours, and it's important to mobilize more support amongst the international community for this great effort."
During his visit, Mr. Guterres met with top Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Syed Yousef Raza Gilani and Minister of States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan.
Mr. Guterres stressed that the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is among his top priorities this year. "We are working on a comprehensive strategy that involves assisting the host communities in Pakistan, fully supporting voluntary repatriation and reintegration, while keeping in mind the challenges in Afghanistan," he said.
To assist Pakistan in its efforts to host the refugees, the High Commissioner presented a pilot project proposal for the refugee affected and hosting areas (RAHA) in Balochistan and North West Frontier Province.
"The UN team in Pakistan is fully committed to the RAHA initiative and will appeal for resources to support it," he said about the project, which will rehabilitate and upgrade infrastructure and services in the sectors of water, sanitation, health care, primary education, environment and livelihood.
Mr. Guterres also announced that an International Conference on Return and Reintegration will be held in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in mid-November to galvanize support for the refugees, returnees and internally displaced people (IDPs) in that country.
While in Pakistan, he also met with the UN country team and member countries of the Group of Eight and the European Union to mobilize support for the RAHA project proposal and the upcoming conference in Kabul.
Efforts to bridge Afghanistan’s digital divide gets boost from UN
A new agreement between the United Nations and the Afghan Government will help boost efforts to narrow the gap between those in the South Asian nation who benefit from the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and those who do not.
The agreement marks the start of collaboration between Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the UN Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
UN-APCICT is tasked with strengthening the efforts of ESCAP member countries to use digital technology in their socio-economic development by building up human and institutional capacity for ICT.
Friday’s signing, which took place at APCICT's office in Incheon, in the Republic of Korea, also marks the first time an agreement has been made to have the Institute's training curriculum - known as the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Programme - implemented nationally.
In partnership with national organizations, the Institute seeks to use this training to strengthen a country's capacities in the field of ICT and provide the necessary knowledge and skills to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals.
The Academy programme will be customized to meet the needs of Afghanistan's policymakers and government leaders.
Similar efforts are being finalized to have the programme in Mongolia and the Philippines as well as in the Pacific Island countries.
The agreement marks the start of collaboration between Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the UN Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
UN-APCICT is tasked with strengthening the efforts of ESCAP member countries to use digital technology in their socio-economic development by building up human and institutional capacity for ICT.
Friday’s signing, which took place at APCICT's office in Incheon, in the Republic of Korea, also marks the first time an agreement has been made to have the Institute's training curriculum - known as the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Programme - implemented nationally.
In partnership with national organizations, the Institute seeks to use this training to strengthen a country's capacities in the field of ICT and provide the necessary knowledge and skills to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals.
The Academy programme will be customized to meet the needs of Afghanistan's policymakers and government leaders.
Similar efforts are being finalized to have the programme in Mongolia and the Philippines as well as in the Pacific Island countries.
woensdag 27 augustus 2008
Afghanistan: UN child rights official voices alarm at high civilian death toll
The United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict has strongly condemned the deaths of a large number of civilians, mostly children, as a result of recent military operations in Afghanistan.
Yesterday the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA reported that an investigation by its human rights team found that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, during operations carried out by international and Afghan military forces on 21 August in Shindand district in Afghanistan's western Herat province.
"I am really alarmed by the number of casualties caused by this air strike and other similar military operations," the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Radhika Coomaraswamy, said in a statement. "Children are bearing the brunt of this conflict and also experiencing physical and psychological trauma."
Echoing the call made yesterday by Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Ms. Coomaraswamy reminded the international and Afghan military forces that "they must review their operational procedures to avoid such tragic events from reoccurring."
Ms. Coomaraswamy raised the issue of civilian casualties with the leadership of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and the United States-led Operation Enduring Freedom during a recent visit to Afghanistan, stressing to them the need to minimize collateral damage with clear directions and procedures.
"It is important to put in place measures to prevent the excesses, to have prompt investigations and where necessary to pay adequate compensation," she had stated at the end of that visit.
Yesterday the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA reported that an investigation by its human rights team found that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, during operations carried out by international and Afghan military forces on 21 August in Shindand district in Afghanistan's western Herat province.
"I am really alarmed by the number of casualties caused by this air strike and other similar military operations," the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Radhika Coomaraswamy, said in a statement. "Children are bearing the brunt of this conflict and also experiencing physical and psychological trauma."
Echoing the call made yesterday by Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Ms. Coomaraswamy reminded the international and Afghan military forces that "they must review their operational procedures to avoid such tragic events from reoccurring."
Ms. Coomaraswamy raised the issue of civilian casualties with the leadership of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and the United States-led Operation Enduring Freedom during a recent visit to Afghanistan, stressing to them the need to minimize collateral damage with clear directions and procedures.
"It is important to put in place measures to prevent the excesses, to have prompt investigations and where necessary to pay adequate compensation," she had stated at the end of that visit.
dinsdag 26 augustus 2008
UN says “At least 90 civilians killed in recent military operations”
An investigation by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has found that some 90 civilians, including 60 children, were among those killed during military operations in the strife-torn nation's western Herat province last week.
A team of human rights officers from UNAMA went to Herat's Shindand district to investigate reports that large numbers of civilian casualties were sustained during operations conducted by foreign and Afghan military personnel around midnight on 21 August.
They found "convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others," that some 90 civilians were killed - including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men - and another 15 villagers wounded.
"This is a matter of grave concern to the United Nations. I have repeatedly made clear that the safety and welfare of civilians must be considered above all else during the planning and conduct of all military operations," Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued Wednesday in Kabul.
According to the people interviewed by UNAMA, the military operations lasted several hours during which air strikes were called in. "The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others. Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims," the mission said.
Mr. Eide called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that it does not happen again.
"The impact of such operations undermines the trust and confidence of the Afghan people in efforts to build a just, peaceful, and law-abiding State," he stated, reminding all parties that the protection of civilians must be their primary concern.
They must respect their duties under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect the people we are here to serve," he added.
(Bron: UN)
A team of human rights officers from UNAMA went to Herat's Shindand district to investigate reports that large numbers of civilian casualties were sustained during operations conducted by foreign and Afghan military personnel around midnight on 21 August.
They found "convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others," that some 90 civilians were killed - including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men - and another 15 villagers wounded.
"This is a matter of grave concern to the United Nations. I have repeatedly made clear that the safety and welfare of civilians must be considered above all else during the planning and conduct of all military operations," Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a statement issued Wednesday in Kabul.
According to the people interviewed by UNAMA, the military operations lasted several hours during which air strikes were called in. "The destruction from aerial bombardment was clearly evident with some 7-8 houses having been totally destroyed and serious damage to many others. Local residents were able to confirm the number of casualties, including names, age and gender of the victims," the mission said.
Mr. Eide called on the international and Afghan military forces to "thoroughly review" the conduct of the operation to ensure that it does not happen again.
"The impact of such operations undermines the trust and confidence of the Afghan people in efforts to build a just, peaceful, and law-abiding State," he stated, reminding all parties that the protection of civilians must be their primary concern.
They must respect their duties under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect the people we are here to serve," he added.
(Bron: UN)
Two individuals convicted in 2006 for the rape released early from detention
The head of UNAMA's human rights unit has expressed deep concern that two individuals convicted in 2006 for the rape of a woman in Samangan province in northern Afghanistan have been released early from detention.
"This sends the wrong message to other perpetrators of violent crimes against women, that they will not be held accountable for their actions," said Norah Niland, adding that "there can be no peace in Afghanistan without justice."
Ms. Niland noted that the 11-year prison sentence against the perpetrators was upheld by the Court of Appeal and confirmed by the Afghan Supreme Court.
However, the two men were subsequently released from incarceration after serving "a fraction of their sentence" and are now back in the neighbourhood where the crime was perpetrated and where the victim and her family continue to live.
"While there appears to be conflicting reports on the circumstances of the release of these prisoners, whatever the circumstances, this is clearly an injustice against the victim, the victims' family and all Afghan women," Ms. Niland stated. "Such injustice can only promote a culture of impunity for violence perpetrated against women."
She welcomed the intention by the Afghan authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release and urged them take all appropriate measures to ensure that justice is done and the rights of Afghan women are protected.
"This sends the wrong message to other perpetrators of violent crimes against women, that they will not be held accountable for their actions," said Norah Niland, adding that "there can be no peace in Afghanistan without justice."
Ms. Niland noted that the 11-year prison sentence against the perpetrators was upheld by the Court of Appeal and confirmed by the Afghan Supreme Court.
However, the two men were subsequently released from incarceration after serving "a fraction of their sentence" and are now back in the neighbourhood where the crime was perpetrated and where the victim and her family continue to live.
"While there appears to be conflicting reports on the circumstances of the release of these prisoners, whatever the circumstances, this is clearly an injustice against the victim, the victims' family and all Afghan women," Ms. Niland stated. "Such injustice can only promote a culture of impunity for violence perpetrated against women."
She welcomed the intention by the Afghan authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release and urged them take all appropriate measures to ensure that justice is done and the rights of Afghan women are protected.
UN survey finds “opium cultivation in Afghanistan drops by a fifth”
The cultivation of opium in Afghanistan has gone down by a fifth as compared to last year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported Wednesday, attributing the decrease to good local leadership coupled with bad weather.
The Afghanistan Opium Survey 2008 showed a 19 per cent decrease in opium cultivation to 157,000 hectares, down from a record harvest of 193,000 in 2007, according to a news release issued by UNODC.
“Last year the world got hit by a heroin tsunami, almost 700 tons,” noted UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa. “This year the opium flood waters have started to recede.”
The survey also found that 18 of the country’s 34 provinces are now opium-free - up from 13 last year. In addition, cultivation now takes place “almost exclusively” in provinces affected by insurgency. Some 98 per cent of Afghanistan’s opium is grown in seven provinces in the southwest of the country - Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Farah, Nimroz, Daykundi and Zabul.
Helmand alone accounted for two thirds of the national total. “If Helmand were a country, it would once again be the world’s biggest producer of illicit drugs,” stated Mr. Costa.
“There is now a perfect overlap between zones of high risk and regions of high opium cultivation,” said Mr. Costa. “Since drugs are funding insurgency, and insurgency enables drug cultivation, insurgency and narcotics must be fought together,” he said.
At the other end of the spectrum is Nangarhar, which in 2007 was the country’s second highest opium-producing province and this year is opium-free.
UNODC attributed the drop in cultivation to good local leadership and the drought which has affected the north and northwest of the country. It said that strong leadership by some governors discouraged farmers from planting opium through campaigns against its cultivation, peer pressure and the promotion of alternative development.
While lauding the recent gains, UNODC is urging that everything be done to help the country continue to reduce opium cultivation, from providing farmers with viable alternatives to opium and closing heroin labs to going after drug traffickers and cracking down on corruption.
“Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the latest food crisis has made farmers even more vulnerable,” noted Mr. Costa. “Opium is a seasonal plant. “It may be gone today, but back again tomorrow.”
(Source: UN)
The Afghanistan Opium Survey 2008 showed a 19 per cent decrease in opium cultivation to 157,000 hectares, down from a record harvest of 193,000 in 2007, according to a news release issued by UNODC.
“Last year the world got hit by a heroin tsunami, almost 700 tons,” noted UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa. “This year the opium flood waters have started to recede.”
The survey also found that 18 of the country’s 34 provinces are now opium-free - up from 13 last year. In addition, cultivation now takes place “almost exclusively” in provinces affected by insurgency. Some 98 per cent of Afghanistan’s opium is grown in seven provinces in the southwest of the country - Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Farah, Nimroz, Daykundi and Zabul.
Helmand alone accounted for two thirds of the national total. “If Helmand were a country, it would once again be the world’s biggest producer of illicit drugs,” stated Mr. Costa.
“There is now a perfect overlap between zones of high risk and regions of high opium cultivation,” said Mr. Costa. “Since drugs are funding insurgency, and insurgency enables drug cultivation, insurgency and narcotics must be fought together,” he said.
At the other end of the spectrum is Nangarhar, which in 2007 was the country’s second highest opium-producing province and this year is opium-free.
UNODC attributed the drop in cultivation to good local leadership and the drought which has affected the north and northwest of the country. It said that strong leadership by some governors discouraged farmers from planting opium through campaigns against its cultivation, peer pressure and the promotion of alternative development.
While lauding the recent gains, UNODC is urging that everything be done to help the country continue to reduce opium cultivation, from providing farmers with viable alternatives to opium and closing heroin labs to going after drug traffickers and cracking down on corruption.
“Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the latest food crisis has made farmers even more vulnerable,” noted Mr. Costa. “Opium is a seasonal plant. “It may be gone today, but back again tomorrow.”
(Source: UN)
zondag 24 augustus 2008
UN calls for probe into reports of civilian casualties in military operation in Shindand
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan Saturday called for a thorough investigation of reports that large numbers of civilians were killed during an international military operation in the far west of the country.
Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, issued a statement in which he said he had learned late last night that civilians may have been killed during the operations, carried out in Shindand district of Herat province.
He stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to establish the facts "before we jump to any conclusions. The United Nations has always made clear that civilian casualties are unacceptable. They undermine the trust and confidence of the Afghan people."
Mr. Eide said he had instructed the Herat office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to help provincial authorities to establish and verify the facts.
"Any civilian casualty is one civilian casualty too many," he said. "And every effort that can be made must be made to ensure the safety and welfare of the civilian population where military operations are conducted."
Meanwhile, the Special Representative today told a conference for southern Afghan governors that partnerships with provincial and district authorities are central to improving the effectiveness of aid across the south, which remains the most unstable and violence-wracked region of the country.
Speaking in Kandahar, Mr. Eide noted that it was in the southern districts and provinces "that the lack of effectiveness is most acutely felt. It is here that the lack of coordination has the greatest impact."
He also urged the governors to combat corruption more vigorously, or risk undermining the confidence of Afghans in their State institutions and jeopardizing local security even further.
Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, issued a statement in which he said he had learned late last night that civilians may have been killed during the operations, carried out in Shindand district of Herat province.
He stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to establish the facts "before we jump to any conclusions. The United Nations has always made clear that civilian casualties are unacceptable. They undermine the trust and confidence of the Afghan people."
Mr. Eide said he had instructed the Herat office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to help provincial authorities to establish and verify the facts.
"Any civilian casualty is one civilian casualty too many," he said. "And every effort that can be made must be made to ensure the safety and welfare of the civilian population where military operations are conducted."
Meanwhile, the Special Representative today told a conference for southern Afghan governors that partnerships with provincial and district authorities are central to improving the effectiveness of aid across the south, which remains the most unstable and violence-wracked region of the country.
Speaking in Kandahar, Mr. Eide noted that it was in the southern districts and provinces "that the lack of effectiveness is most acutely felt. It is here that the lack of coordination has the greatest impact."
He also urged the governors to combat corruption more vigorously, or risk undermining the confidence of Afghans in their State institutions and jeopardizing local security even further.
vrijdag 15 augustus 2008
UN expert calls for end impunity for attacks on educators after Afghan ambush
The perpetrators of this week's brutal murder of four aid workers supporting education projects in Afghanistan must not go unpunished, an independent United Nations human rights expert said Friday.
“There must be an end to impunity for those who attack schools, students and educators," the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Vernor Muñoz Villalobos, said in a statement issued in Geneva.
Three female international aid workers and their Afghan colleague were killed after their vehicle, belonging to the United States-based International Rescue Committee, was attacked by gunmen while travelling from Kabul to Logar.
Mr. Villalobos said the incident "highlights starkly the extreme risks faced by all those promoting the right to education in conflict areas and the urgent need for the international community, and all those involved in this and similar conflicts, to put a stop to such attacks."
The Taliban, which has claimed responsibility for the attack, "do not simply fail to value education: they deliberately target it," the Special Rapporteur noted.
"Their attacks on schools, teachers and others working on education are systematic, not random. They are part of a deliberate attack on human rights, on equality for women and on any attempt by their fellow citizens to control their own destiny," he stated.
Mr. Villalobos paid tribute to Jackie Kirk, whom he called "a friend, a colleague and a great champion of the right to education" and her IRC colleagues - Shirley Case, Nicole Dial and Mohammad Aimal - who were "dedicated human rights workers, trying to ensure that this generation of Afghan children would not be denied an education, like so many of their parents."
"The murder of Jackie Kirk and her colleagues is a crime, a tragedy and a terrible loss for Afghanistan," he stressed.
Wednesday's incident was the latest and most deadly single attack against the Afghan aid community this year, according to the UN. Already 19 aid workers have been killed in 2008, surpassing the total number of lives lost in 2007.
Kai Eide, the head of the United Nations UNAMA mission, Wednesday condemned in a statement the attack on the aid workers.
Top UN envoy speaks out after aid workers killed in Afghanistan
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has voiced his outrage at the deaths of three female international aid workers and their Afghan colleague after their vehicle was attacked.
The vehicle, belonging to the United States-based International Rescue Committee, was travelling from Kabul to Logar when it was fired on by unknown gunmen this morning.
"I condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest possible terms and urge the authorities to leave no stone unturned in the search for the perpetrators," Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a statement.
"The IRC provides life saving humanitarian assistance to those most affected by the conflict and it is reprehensible that such selfless individuals working for the most vulnerable communities should be deliberately targeted in this way," he added.
Mr. Eide, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), pointed to a "growing humanitarian challenge" in the strife-torn nation, and urged all parties to recognise and respect the neutrality and independence of the humanitarian assistance being provided to the Afghan people.
Afghanistan this year has witnessed some of the worst violence since the ouster of the Taliban six years ago, with humanitarian aid workers and their vehicles coming under increasing attack.
Just last month, a UN World Food Programme (WFP) convoy transporting more than 320 tons of vital food aid was attacked in the western province of Farah. Two trucks were torched, and another eight were stolen.
“There must be an end to impunity for those who attack schools, students and educators," the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Vernor Muñoz Villalobos, said in a statement issued in Geneva.
Three female international aid workers and their Afghan colleague were killed after their vehicle, belonging to the United States-based International Rescue Committee, was attacked by gunmen while travelling from Kabul to Logar.
Mr. Villalobos said the incident "highlights starkly the extreme risks faced by all those promoting the right to education in conflict areas and the urgent need for the international community, and all those involved in this and similar conflicts, to put a stop to such attacks."
The Taliban, which has claimed responsibility for the attack, "do not simply fail to value education: they deliberately target it," the Special Rapporteur noted.
"Their attacks on schools, teachers and others working on education are systematic, not random. They are part of a deliberate attack on human rights, on equality for women and on any attempt by their fellow citizens to control their own destiny," he stated.
Mr. Villalobos paid tribute to Jackie Kirk, whom he called "a friend, a colleague and a great champion of the right to education" and her IRC colleagues - Shirley Case, Nicole Dial and Mohammad Aimal - who were "dedicated human rights workers, trying to ensure that this generation of Afghan children would not be denied an education, like so many of their parents."
"The murder of Jackie Kirk and her colleagues is a crime, a tragedy and a terrible loss for Afghanistan," he stressed.
Wednesday's incident was the latest and most deadly single attack against the Afghan aid community this year, according to the UN. Already 19 aid workers have been killed in 2008, surpassing the total number of lives lost in 2007.
Kai Eide, the head of the United Nations UNAMA mission, Wednesday condemned in a statement the attack on the aid workers.
Top UN envoy speaks out after aid workers killed in Afghanistan
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has voiced his outrage at the deaths of three female international aid workers and their Afghan colleague after their vehicle was attacked.
The vehicle, belonging to the United States-based International Rescue Committee, was travelling from Kabul to Logar when it was fired on by unknown gunmen this morning.
"I condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest possible terms and urge the authorities to leave no stone unturned in the search for the perpetrators," Kai Eide, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a statement.
"The IRC provides life saving humanitarian assistance to those most affected by the conflict and it is reprehensible that such selfless individuals working for the most vulnerable communities should be deliberately targeted in this way," he added.
Mr. Eide, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), pointed to a "growing humanitarian challenge" in the strife-torn nation, and urged all parties to recognise and respect the neutrality and independence of the humanitarian assistance being provided to the Afghan people.
Afghanistan this year has witnessed some of the worst violence since the ouster of the Taliban six years ago, with humanitarian aid workers and their vehicles coming under increasing attack.
Just last month, a UN World Food Programme (WFP) convoy transporting more than 320 tons of vital food aid was attacked in the western province of Farah. Two trucks were torched, and another eight were stolen.
woensdag 6 augustus 2008
UNODC: “Major stride of Afghan lawyers group for young democracy”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has welcomed the newly-established Afghan Independent Bar Association, which it called an important step in promoting justice and due process in the fledgling democracy.
The UNODC Representative in Afghanistan, Christina Gynna Oguz, congratulated the authorities, in particular the Ministry of Justice, and the Afghan people for taking a major stride towards “promoting meaningful access to legal representation and justice for all persons regardless of their ethnic, economic or social condition.”
Ms. Oguz also urged the representatives of the newly-established body “to increase public understanding of and respect for the law, the legal process, and the role of the legal profession and to preserve the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary, which is fundamental to a democratic society.”
The Afghan Independent Bar Association has the distinction of being one of the only bar associations in the world with mandatory pro bono requirements for criminal cases and a quota for women on the leadership and all committees.
UNODC, in cooperation with the International Bar Association (IBA) and with the financial support of the Government of Italy, assisted the Afghan Ministry of Justice in organizing and hosting the group’s first General Assembly meeting in late July.
According to a statement of the UN, “the gathering brought together registered lawyers and advocates from all over the country and was tasked with adopting the by-laws and electing the President as well as other representatives of the Association.”
UNODC has also developed a database that will contain relevant information about registered lawyers in Afghanistan, and plans to conduct a training course on its use for the Association’s administrative staff.
The UNODC Representative in Afghanistan, Christina Gynna Oguz, congratulated the authorities, in particular the Ministry of Justice, and the Afghan people for taking a major stride towards “promoting meaningful access to legal representation and justice for all persons regardless of their ethnic, economic or social condition.”
Ms. Oguz also urged the representatives of the newly-established body “to increase public understanding of and respect for the law, the legal process, and the role of the legal profession and to preserve the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary, which is fundamental to a democratic society.”
The Afghan Independent Bar Association has the distinction of being one of the only bar associations in the world with mandatory pro bono requirements for criminal cases and a quota for women on the leadership and all committees.
UNODC, in cooperation with the International Bar Association (IBA) and with the financial support of the Government of Italy, assisted the Afghan Ministry of Justice in organizing and hosting the group’s first General Assembly meeting in late July.
According to a statement of the UN, “the gathering brought together registered lawyers and advocates from all over the country and was tasked with adopting the by-laws and electing the President as well as other representatives of the Association.”
UNODC has also developed a database that will contain relevant information about registered lawyers in Afghanistan, and plans to conduct a training course on its use for the Association’s administrative staff.
zondag 3 augustus 2008
UN emergency aid funds hands out 30 million dollar to projects in seven countries
The United Nations relief chief announced last week that the world body's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $30 million to support UN agencies conducting vital aid work in seven countries.
Projects in Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iraq, Sri Lanka and Syria will all receive money as a result of the announcement, which marks the second round of allocations this year from CERF for under-funded emergencies.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said funds given by CERF "are often the last source of hope" for people facing crises.
"Millions of people affected by some of the less visible crises around the world often have to endure great deprivation," said Mr. Holmes, who is also the Organization's Emergency Relief Coordinator.
The largest funding recipient will be UN agencies in Chad, where $6.8 million has been granted to help respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation that has resulted from the worsening insecurity and an influx of fresh refugees from the neighbouring Darfur region of Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR).
As many as 500,000 people, mostly in eastern Chad, now depend heavily on outside aid.
Iraq
UN agencies operating in Iraq will receive $5 million, while those working in Syria, which is now home to about 1.5 million increasingly impoverished Iraqi refugees, will be given $4 million from CERF to assist with food, health and other relief programmes.
Afghanistan
UN-backed programmes and projects in Afghanistan are slated to receive $4.6 million.
Sri Lanka
4 million dollar has been set aside for Sri Lanka, $3.6 million for Burundi and $2 million for the DPRK.
The funds go to UN aid agencies and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and then through them to partners in the field, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The grants were selected according to the severity of needs, the availability of funding around the world and security constraints on aid delivery.
CERF was set up by the UN at the end of 2005 to provide a standby pool of funds so that more timely humanitarian assistance can be given when natural disasters, armed conflicts and other crises occur.
One-third of funds generated, from Member States, NGOs, local governments, the private sector and individual donors, are awarded to so-called "neglected crises."
Projects in Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iraq, Sri Lanka and Syria will all receive money as a result of the announcement, which marks the second round of allocations this year from CERF for under-funded emergencies.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said funds given by CERF "are often the last source of hope" for people facing crises.
"Millions of people affected by some of the less visible crises around the world often have to endure great deprivation," said Mr. Holmes, who is also the Organization's Emergency Relief Coordinator.
The largest funding recipient will be UN agencies in Chad, where $6.8 million has been granted to help respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation that has resulted from the worsening insecurity and an influx of fresh refugees from the neighbouring Darfur region of Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR).
As many as 500,000 people, mostly in eastern Chad, now depend heavily on outside aid.
Iraq
UN agencies operating in Iraq will receive $5 million, while those working in Syria, which is now home to about 1.5 million increasingly impoverished Iraqi refugees, will be given $4 million from CERF to assist with food, health and other relief programmes.
Afghanistan
UN-backed programmes and projects in Afghanistan are slated to receive $4.6 million.
Sri Lanka
4 million dollar has been set aside for Sri Lanka, $3.6 million for Burundi and $2 million for the DPRK.
The funds go to UN aid agencies and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and then through them to partners in the field, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The grants were selected according to the severity of needs, the availability of funding around the world and security constraints on aid delivery.
CERF was set up by the UN at the end of 2005 to provide a standby pool of funds so that more timely humanitarian assistance can be given when natural disasters, armed conflicts and other crises occur.
One-third of funds generated, from Member States, NGOs, local governments, the private sector and individual donors, are awarded to so-called "neglected crises."
vrijdag 1 augustus 2008
UN aims to have historical Afghan city Bamiyan in Afghanistan free of mines by October
The United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA) has announced plans to clear a total of 1,800,000 square metres of land in Bamiyan contaminated with mines and unexploded ordinance (UXOs) by October, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the UN.
The historic city of Bamiyan contains a number of Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period. It is also where the Taliban destroyed two standing Buddha statues in March 2001.
The mine-clearance project will exclude four sites which have been declared as cultural heritage sites by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and need to be cleared with the cooperation of archaeologists.
Abdul Qader Qayoumi, the head of UNMACA in Bamiyan, said: “After receiving authorization from the Ministry of Information and Culture we will start clearing the four cultural heritage sites.”
Nearly 500 de-mining personnel, most of them from Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC), an Afghan non-governmental organization (NGO), are working to clear Bamiyan from landmines and UXOs, according to a spokesperson of the UN.
Since the beginning of April, already 104 anti-personnel mines and 169 UXOs have been found and destroyed.
Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, and more than four million Afghans are living in mine-contaminated areas.
As a party to the global anti-landmine treaty, known as the Ottawa Convention, Afghanistan has committed itself to clear all of its landmines by 2013. With the help of the UN, some 65,361,363 square metres of land has already been cleared across the strife-torn nation.
Mr. Qayoumi said the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA), which comprises UNMACA and other partners, will start de-mining work in three other districts in Bamiyan province, namely Shibar, Saighan and Kahmard.
UNMACA
The Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan is responsible for the coordination of mine action activities in Afghanistan.
It operates under the auspices of the Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction Pillar of the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, and is a programme of the UN Mine Action Service, implemented by the UN Office for Project Services.
The historic city of Bamiyan contains a number of Buddhist monastic ensembles and sanctuaries, as well as fortified edifices from the Islamic period. It is also where the Taliban destroyed two standing Buddha statues in March 2001.
The mine-clearance project will exclude four sites which have been declared as cultural heritage sites by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and need to be cleared with the cooperation of archaeologists.
Abdul Qader Qayoumi, the head of UNMACA in Bamiyan, said: “After receiving authorization from the Ministry of Information and Culture we will start clearing the four cultural heritage sites.”
Nearly 500 de-mining personnel, most of them from Afghan Technical Consultants (ATC), an Afghan non-governmental organization (NGO), are working to clear Bamiyan from landmines and UXOs, according to a spokesperson of the UN.
Since the beginning of April, already 104 anti-personnel mines and 169 UXOs have been found and destroyed.
Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, and more than four million Afghans are living in mine-contaminated areas.
As a party to the global anti-landmine treaty, known as the Ottawa Convention, Afghanistan has committed itself to clear all of its landmines by 2013. With the help of the UN, some 65,361,363 square metres of land has already been cleared across the strife-torn nation.
Mr. Qayoumi said the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA), which comprises UNMACA and other partners, will start de-mining work in three other districts in Bamiyan province, namely Shibar, Saighan and Kahmard.
UNMACA
The Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan is responsible for the coordination of mine action activities in Afghanistan.
It operates under the auspices of the Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction Pillar of the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan, and is a programme of the UN Mine Action Service, implemented by the UN Office for Project Services.
donderdag 31 juli 2008
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stresses financial as well as human benefits of avoiding armed conflicts
Preventing or resolving armed conflicts through political solutions and negotiations provides vital economic benefits to go with avoiding the enormous human costs extracted by war, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a gathering of Islamic scholars Tuesday.
In a message to the Third International Conference of Islamic Scholars, held in Jakarta, Mr. Ban stressed the need for the United Nations to work ever more closely with Member States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others to try to prevent conflicts from emerging or continuing.
“Ultimately, conflicts can be resolved only through political solutions,” he said in the message.
“If the UN is unable to foster lasting political solutions, it will be left with humanitarian emergencies and peacekeeping without end. And these solutions need to have the support not only of the warring parties but of the region and the big powers.”
In a message to the Third International Conference of Islamic Scholars, held in Jakarta, Mr. Ban stressed the need for the United Nations to work ever more closely with Member States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others to try to prevent conflicts from emerging or continuing.
“Ultimately, conflicts can be resolved only through political solutions,” he said in the message.
“If the UN is unable to foster lasting political solutions, it will be left with humanitarian emergencies and peacekeeping without end. And these solutions need to have the support not only of the warring parties but of the region and the big powers.”
dinsdag 29 juli 2008
Attack on UN food convoy blow for struggling Afghanistan
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned Monday the latest attack on a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy that was transporting vital aid for the country's most vulnerable, who are suffering amid drought and rising food prices.
Accoerding to a statement of the UN, a convoy of 49 trucks that were transporting WFP food aid from Kandahar to Herat was attacked last Thursday by unidentified gunmen in the western province of Farah.
Two trucks were torched, and eight trucks were stolen and have not been recovered so far.
More than 320 metric tons of food, enough for around 38,400 Afghans for one month, was looted in the attack.
“Such attacks dishonour the Afghan people and the generosity of the international community. They are unacceptable and must stop,” Aleem Siddique, spokesperson for the UNAMA, told reporters in Kabul.
“At this time of severe drought and rising food prices it is even more reprehensible that a humanitarian convoy would be attacked in this way,” he added.
Food insecurity
Earlier this month, the UN and the Afghan Government appealed for just over $400 million to feed 4.5 million people who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
Some 450,000 urban and rural households have been hit hard by the surge in the prices of staples such as wheat, which have increased by 50 to 100 per cent in some parts of the country.
Attacks
There were 12 armed attacks against vehicles carrying WFP food between January and June this year, resulting in the loss of some 466 tons of food, valued at over $300,000.
Last year saw more than 30 attacks against commercial vehicles or convoys carrying WFP food. In total, 870 tons of food, valued at $730,000, was lost.
Despite the most recent attack, WFP says it will continue food dispatches from southern Kandahar province to Herat in the west.
Accoerding to a statement of the UN, a convoy of 49 trucks that were transporting WFP food aid from Kandahar to Herat was attacked last Thursday by unidentified gunmen in the western province of Farah.
Two trucks were torched, and eight trucks were stolen and have not been recovered so far.
More than 320 metric tons of food, enough for around 38,400 Afghans for one month, was looted in the attack.
“Such attacks dishonour the Afghan people and the generosity of the international community. They are unacceptable and must stop,” Aleem Siddique, spokesperson for the UNAMA, told reporters in Kabul.
“At this time of severe drought and rising food prices it is even more reprehensible that a humanitarian convoy would be attacked in this way,” he added.
Food insecurity
Earlier this month, the UN and the Afghan Government appealed for just over $400 million to feed 4.5 million people who are struggling as a result of rising food prices, poor harvests and drought.
Some 450,000 urban and rural households have been hit hard by the surge in the prices of staples such as wheat, which have increased by 50 to 100 per cent in some parts of the country.
Attacks
There were 12 armed attacks against vehicles carrying WFP food between January and June this year, resulting in the loss of some 466 tons of food, valued at over $300,000.
Last year saw more than 30 attacks against commercial vehicles or convoys carrying WFP food. In total, 870 tons of food, valued at $730,000, was lost.
Despite the most recent attack, WFP says it will continue food dispatches from southern Kandahar province to Herat in the west.
zondag 27 juli 2008
More illegal armed groups disbanded with UN help in Afghanistan
A campaign to disband illegal armed groups has already seen more than 40,000 weapons handed in, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to a statement last week of the UN, the drive is already taking place in 70 districts around the country and is to be extended to 12 more districts.
The aim is to eradicate the influence of illegal armed groups to pave the way for the consolidation of peace, the rule of law and prosperity in Afghanistan.
As part of the process, as many as 342 illegal armed groups have been disbanded and 44 development projects are either under way or in the planning stages.
UNDP said today that ex-commanders and government officials could demonstrate their support for peace building efforts in the country by voluntarily surrendering their weapons and by disbanding or severing links with armed groups.
Launched in 2005, the drive has seen 40,571 weapons, as well as 33,079 pieces of boxed and unboxed ammunition, handed over and verified by collection teams in Afghanistan.
According to a statement last week of the UN, the drive is already taking place in 70 districts around the country and is to be extended to 12 more districts.
The aim is to eradicate the influence of illegal armed groups to pave the way for the consolidation of peace, the rule of law and prosperity in Afghanistan.
As part of the process, as many as 342 illegal armed groups have been disbanded and 44 development projects are either under way or in the planning stages.
UNDP said today that ex-commanders and government officials could demonstrate their support for peace building efforts in the country by voluntarily surrendering their weapons and by disbanding or severing links with armed groups.
Launched in 2005, the drive has seen 40,571 weapons, as well as 33,079 pieces of boxed and unboxed ammunition, handed over and verified by collection teams in Afghanistan.
woensdag 16 juli 2008
VS sturen misschien meer soldaten naar Afghanistan
De Amerikaanse minister van Defensie Robert Gates heeft woensdag gezegd dat zijn land overweegt om meer militairen naar Afghanistan te sturen.
Volgens verschillende bronnen is de veiligheidssituatie in het land inderdaad dramatisch aan het verslechteren.
Volgens verschillende bronnen is de veiligheidssituatie in het land inderdaad dramatisch aan het verslechteren.
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