Meanwhile at the UN……

Haile Menkerios, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, is continuing his visit to Zimbabwe.

He has held meetings today with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, with the presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, church leaders and civil society groups, including human rights organizations.

Following his meeting with President Mugabe yesterday, Mr. Menkerios told reporters he is in Zimbabwe to learn what the conditions on the ground are like ahead of the forthcoming elections and see what the UN can do to support Zimbabwe.

He said the United Nations will be supporting the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to boost its capacity to observe the election.

Regarding the security situation, Mr. Menkerios said “the reports have been about violence, people being displaced, houses being burnt. The Secretary-General is concerned about what measures can be put in place ahead of the elections.”

Where’s Jimmuh on this one?

Also happening,

A new report finds that up to five million Zimbabweans could be facing food insecurity by early next year.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today denounced the expelling of a UN human rights official by Zimbabwe as “regrettable, untimely and uncooperative”.

Speaking to journalists in Geneva, she added that the move appeared to fit with a pattern which the government has chosen on non-cooperation with various international agencies.

The staff member in question was a Geneva-based desk officer. He was on a routine mission, expecting to work with the UN Country Team and non-governmental organizations on issues relating to human rights.

He was asked to leave Zimbabwe yesterday by the authorities, on the grounds that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had not given them enough warning that the desk officer was coming.

For its part, OHCHR says it did alert the authorities. Arbour said she would like to see Zimbabwe reverse its decision and allow her staffer to return.

In another slice of heaven called Darfur,

The UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) says a UN Staff member, working with the mission, was abducted, stripped of official and personal belongings, and physically assaulted by members of an armed Arab militia, approximately 10 meters from the UNAMID military base in El Geneina – and within close proximity of El Geneina airport.

The staff member was repeatedly beaten by rifles before he was abducted, while three of his colleagues were held at gun-point, the mission reports.

UNAMID said a member of the Sudan National Security intervened and the perpetrators released the staff-member, who is a in stable condition.

The militia moved in a convoy, made up of approximately 1,000 men on camel, horseback and in 4 Wheel Drive vehicles, on their way to the Headquarters of the Sudan Armed Forces, according to UNAMID.

In a statement issued after the briefing, UNAMID said it avoided opening fire in response to avoid further aggravating the situation and in consideration of the lives of the civilian population in that area. UNAMID condemns, in the strongest terms, the attack on its peacekeepers.

What the blue helmets did fire their weapons? Oh, that’s right. They’re only good at raping.

The Mission is deployed to help the people of Darfur achieve peace and stability. In their attempt to resolve the conflict in Darfur, peacekeepers should not, in any way, be made party to the conflict.

Meanwhile, the head of the Department of Field Support, Susana Malcorra has started her visit to Darfur.

In response to an earlier question about the status of the helicopters needed in Darfur, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations says that in addition to the four out of six required tactical support helicopters, there is a critical shortfall for three Medium Utility Helicopter Units (providing 6 helicopters each) and reconnaissance aircraft. We are still in discussions with member states to fill the aviation shortfalls.

I wonder where those helicopters are going to come from?

Here’s a good one from Human Rights Commission at the UN.

UNITED NATIONS COMMITTED TO ASSISTING VICTIMS
OF SREBRENICA MASSACRES

The Spokeswoman, in response to questions, said the following about the hearing of a case in the District Court of The Hague against the United Nations and the Kingdom of the Netherlands: The case was brought by various individuals and the Mothers of Srebrenica Foundation.

The fact that the United Nations is immune from legal process under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations in no way diminishes the United Nations’ commitment to assist the people of Srebrenica in the aftermath of their tragedy. The UN continues to do everything within its ability to bring those responsible for the atrocities to justice, and to assist in the recovery of Srebrenica and the region.

They come up with craptacular policies and are immune from legal process. Great.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ADOPTS NEW INSTRUMENT
ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour today congratulated the Human Rights Council on its adoption of an important new instrument to strengthen the protection of economic, social and cultural rights.

The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will provide an important platform to expose abuses that are often linked to poverty, discrimination and neglect – abuses that victims frequently endure in silence and helplessness, she said.

It will provide a way for individuals, who may otherwise be isolated and powerless, to make the international community aware of their situation.

Did that come out of Barack Obama stump speech? It’s no wonder that Barry is the international choice for POTUS.

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM

What the blue helmets did fire their weapons?

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM

Crap! The blue helmets did not fire their weapons.

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 19, 2008 at 11:28 AM