BAN SPOTLIGHTS ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS IN PROTECTING THE PLANET ON INTERNATIONAL DAY

BAN SPOTLIGHTS ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS IN PROTECTING THE PLANET ON INTERNATIONAL DAY
New York, Dec 5 2009 1:10PM
Marking International Volunteer Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to the key role that volunteers around the world play in protecting the planet, as world leaders prepare to gather at the climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, set to kick off next week.

"The decisions and actions of individuals may seem insignificant in the face of global messages," he said in a message for the Day. "But when people choose to devote their time and energy, they can, together, make a difference."

Mr. Ban pointed to the recent "Seal the Deal" and "Volunteering for our Planet" campaigns as examples of how volunteers are shaping the world.

"Volunteerism is a source of community strength, resilience, solidarity and social cohesion," he said, ranking it "among society's most vital assets."

The Secretary-General thanked volunteers worldwide, in particular the 8,0
00 UN Volunteers (<"http://www.unv.org/">UNV), who give their time to guard the environment and further the causes of peace and development.

He also recognized the two UNV volunteers who were killed in Afghanistan in October, as well as to all those who have lost their lives volunteering for the UN. "Their service and dedication to the United Nations will not be forgotten."

Dec 5 2009 1:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TIMOR-LESTE POLICE RESUME CONTROL OF COUNTRY'S LARGEST DISTRICT FROM UN

TIMOR-LESTE POLICE RESUME CONTROL OF COUNTRY'S LARGEST DISTRICT FROM UN
New York, Dec 5 2009 12:10PM
The United Nations handed over formal control today of policing operations in the country's largest district of Viqueque to the police of Timor-Leste, part of an ongoing strategy to lessen the UN's direct control over the country's nascent security operations.

In his speech at the resumption ceremony, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste Atul Khare, alongside Timor Leste's Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres, highlighted the importance of police accountability to the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL).

"Achievement of final certification is an indicator but not a guarantee of proper behaviour in the future. The long-term accountability and integrity of the PNTL in the future will only be guaranteed through timely, effective and fair application of the penal code and PNTL disciplinary code," Mr. Khare said.

He stressed the importance of the Go
vernment's recent commitment to take and support necessary instigative measures against PNTL officers accused of violations of the penal and police disciplinary codes, and to take appropriate punitive measures against those found in breach, no matter their rank and even if they have been certified.

"I am sure that this commitment will be welcomed by the vast majority of PNTL who everyday strive to live up to their oath of service -- to strictly abide by the rule of law, to respect and protect human rights, to ensure the democratic order, and to serve in an impartial manner," Mr. Khare added.

In 2006, the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (<"http://unmit.unmissions.org/">UNMIT) was sent to restore safety in Timor-Leste, when violence sparked by striking police officers led to the killings of dozens of people and drove 155,000, or 15 per cent of the total population, from their homes.

Viqueque is the fourth district in which the PNTL has resumed primary policing responsibil
ity since the resumption process started in May 2009 in the district of Lautem. This process continued in the districts of Oecussi in June, Manatuto in July, and was followed by the transfer of responsibility for the administration and management of the Police Training Centre in September.

The decision for the PNTL in Viqueque to resume primary policing responsibility was based on the result of rigorous assessments on the preparedness of PNTL. The assessments were conducted by joint teams comprising representatives of the Government of Timor-Leste and UNMIT, including PNTL and the United Nations Police (<"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/sites/police/index.shtml">UNPOL).

UNPOL will maintain their presence in the districts where the PNTL have resumed responsibility, in order to support, advise and to monitor the PNTL, in areas such as community policing and human rights protection.

Dec 5 2009 12:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

JOINT UN-AFRICAN UNION FORCE CONDEMNS 'COWARDLY' ATTACK AGAINST BLUE HELMETS

JOINT UN-AFRICAN UNION FORCE CONDEMNS 'COWARDLY' ATTACK AGAINST BLUE HELMETS
New York, Dec 5 2009 12:10PM
The joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur (<"http://unamid.unmissions.org/Default.aspx#">UNAMID) today spoke out against the "cowardly" attack against its forces yesterday that claimed the lives of three blue helmets.

Two soldiers were also seriously wounded in the incident that took place at about 4:45 pm local time, when a platoon comprising 20 Rwandan peacekeepers escorting a water tanker was attacked by unknown gunmen in Saraf Umra in North Darfur.

The Rwandan blue helmets, who had arrived in the area less than two weeks ago, returned fire with restraint since there were civilians in the area, sending the attackers fleeing.

In a <"http://unamid.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=899&ctl=Details&mid=1072&ItemID=6633">press release issued in El Fasher, UNAMID called on the Sudanese Government "to identify the perpetrators, arrest them and bring
them to justice."

Yesterday's attack also sparked condemnation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"The Secretary-General deplores this attack on AU-UN peacekeepers in Darfur," he said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=4284">statement issued by his spokesperson, expressing his condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and reiterating his appreciation "for their service and commitment to the search for peace in Darfur."

The deadly attack brings to 20 the number of UNAMID armed personnel killed in a hostile confrontation since the mission deployed at the start of 2008. In July 2007 a joint police and military patrol from the preceding AU mission was ambushed by at least 200 attackers, leaving seven peacekeepers dead and 22 wounded.

Yesterday's incident follows the shooting and wounding of three other peacekeepers, also by unidentified gunmen, in West Darfur in October, and the killing of another in South Darfur in May, as well as the kidnapping of two U
NAMID civilian staff members in August in West Darfur. They are still being held.

In his latest report on UNAMID last month, Mr. Ban said increased threats to international staff, including "extremely alarming" kidnappings, military action by Chad, Sudan and rebels, and Government limits on peacekeepers' movements continued to hamper efforts to stabilize the Sudanese area torn apart by nearly seven years of war.

At least 300,000 people are estimated to have died and 2.7 million more have been driven from their homes in the fighting between the Government, its militia allies and various armed groups.

Almost two years after being set up, UNAMID has still only reached 69 per cent of its authorized troop strength -- 14,638 military personnel out of the total 19,555, and 4,449 police -- and still lacks key military elements, including two medium transport units, a level II hospital, an aerial reconnaissance unit, and 18 medium utility helicopters.

Dec 5 2009 12:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

'BAD BOY' ACTION STAR NICOLAS CAGE STEPS INTO REAL-LIFE 'GOOD COP' ROLE FOR UN

'BAD BOY' ACTION STAR NICOLAS CAGE STEPS INTO REAL-LIFE 'GOOD COP' ROLE FOR UN
New York, Dec 4 2009 10:10PM
Acclaimed actor and filmmaker Nicolas Cage, whose action roles have included both a contract killer and a federal anti-terrorist agent, stepped into the world of real crime tonight when he was named Goodwill Ambassador for Global Justice for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (<"http://www.unodc.org/">UNODC).

"Until today, justice has been a cause without a rebel now we have one," UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa told the UN Correspondent's Association (UNCA) 14th Annual Benefit Dinner in New York, where the appointment was announced.

"The Lord of War has become a messenger for peace, the Bad Lieutenant has turned into a good cop, and the inmate from Con Air has become a champion of prison reform," he added, referring to three of Mr. Cage's films in which he plays a gunrunner, a dirty cop and a former Army Ranger jailed for eight years for killing a
drunkard in a bar brawl while defending his wife.

"My real life role as UNODC Goodwill Ambassador will certainly be even more challenging and meaningful than those I have portrayed on screen," Mr. Cage said of his new incarnation in which he will use the performing arts as an engine for global justice and victim support. "I intend to shine the spotlight on the need for global justice, publicize all the good work that UNODC is doing, and highlight how we can all make a difference."

Mr. Cage, who has produced, directed and acted in films often dealing with issues of global justice, terrorism, drug and arms trafficking and sex crimes, has shown a long-standing commitment to global justice and philanthropy. As an Amnesty International advocate, he raised awareness about the horrors faced by child soldiers, arms trafficking, violence against women and other human rights tragedies.

He has already worked closely with UNODC, this year launching its 'Welcome to Gulu' benefit exhibition
at UN Headquarters in New York featuring paintings by former child soldiers
and abducted girls, and recently returned from a week-long mission with the agency to Uganda and Kenya, focusing on child soldiering and other forms of human trafficking, as well as piracy, prison conditions, HIV/AIDS and drug addiction.

He donated $2 million to establish a fund to help former child soldiers, providing support for rehabilitation shelters and medical, psychological and reintegration services. He led a campaign around Lord of War to raise awareness about international arms control.

"Nicolas Cage's characters have exposed us to some of the darkest aspects of human nature. Now he is championing one of the most noble -- the quest for justice," Mr. Costa said. "His star status and strong conviction on these issues will help us achieve security and justice for all."

Mr. Cage, who has starred in some 65 major motion pictures, received an Oscar Award for Best Actor for Leaving Las Vegas, in which
he plays a suicidal alcoholic in love with a prostitute, and was later nominated for another Oscar for his dual performances in Adaptation as a self-loathing screenwriter and his twin brother. He has also received a Golden Globe Award, two MTV Movie Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tonight he also received UNCA's Global Citizen of the Year Award for Humanitarian Achievements.

In addition to its high-profile drug control role, UNODC works to combat all forms of organized crime including trafficking in people, weapons, drugs and natural resources, corruption, terrorism, piracy, kidnapping, and money laundering. It also supports the rights of crime victims and prisoners, and promotes alternatives to incarceration.

Dec 4 2009 10:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

TWO UN PEACEKEEPERS KILLED IN ATTACK IN SUDAN’S DARFUR REGION

TWO UN PEACEKEEPERS KILLED IN ATTACK IN SUDAN'S DARFUR REGION
New York, Dec 4 2009 5:10PM
Two Rwandan peacekeepers from the joint African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur (<"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unamid/">UNAMID) were killed and others wounded today in an attack by unidentified gunmen while collecting water at the north of the strife-torn Sudanese region.

The attack, which occurred in Saraf Umra in North Darfur, brought to 17 the number of UNAMID armed personnel killed in a hostile confrontation since the mission deployed at the start of 2008. The most deadly incident occurred in July last year when a joint police and military patrol was ambushed by at least 200 attackers on horseback and armed SUVs in North Darfur, leaving seven peacekeepers dead and 22 wounded.

Today's attack follows the shooting and wounding of three other peacekeepers, also by unidentified gunmen, in West Darfur in October, and the killing of another in South Darfur in May, as well as the kidnapping of two UNAMID staff members in August in West Darfur. They are still being held.

The dead and wounded were evacuated to El Fasher, the North Darfur capital, the mission reported, noting that information was still preliminary.

In his latest report on UNAMID last month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said increased threats to international staff, including "extremely alarming" kidnappings, military action by Chad, Sudan and rebels, and Government limits on peacekeepers' movements continued to hamper efforts to stabilize the Sudanese area torn apart by nearly seven years of war.

At least 300,000 people are estimated to have died and 2.7 million more have been driven from their homes in the fighting between the Government, its militia allies and various armed groups.

Almost two years after being set up, UNAMID has still only reached 69 per cent of its authorized troop strength – 14,638 military personnel out of the total 19,555, and 4,449 police – and still lacks key military elements, including two medium transport units, a level II hospital, an aerial reconnaissance unit, and 18 medium utility helicopters.
Dec 4 2009 5:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UN REFUGEE CHIEF URGES END TO IMPASSE OVER SAHARAWI ACTIVIST

UN REFUGEE CHIEF URGES END TO IMPASSE OVER SAHARAWI ACTIVIST
New York, Dec 4 2009 5:10PM
The United Nations refugee chief today appealed to Spain and Morocco to consider any measure to pave the way for the movement of a Saharawi activist who started a hunger strike last month and whose condition is rapidly deteriorating.

According to media reports, Aminatou Haidar began her strike at the airport at Lanzarote, on Spain's Canary Islands, after Moroccan authorities denied her entry into her native Western Sahara, whose status has been the subject of a long-running dispute.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, on the basis of his agency's good offices and on strictly humanitarian grounds, called today on Spain and Morocco "to consider any measure that could facilitate [the] movement and end the current impasse" of Ms. Haidar, who is from the town of Laayoune.

Fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after Spain's colonial administration of Western Sahara ended in 1976. The UN mission there, known as <"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minurso/">MINURSO, is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire reached in September 1991 and organizing a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara.

Morocco has presented a plan for autonomy, while the Frente Polisario's position is that the territory's final status should be decided in a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option.

Last week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the tensions between the parties to the talks on Western Sahara, which have risen after the recent detention of several groups of Saharawi activists.

"The Secretary-General has urged both parties to continue to cooperate with his Personal Envoy, Mr. Christopher Ross, in seeking to schedule another set of talks and to work together to achieve progress toward a mutually agreed political solution," his spokesperson <"http://www.unhcr.org/4b18f6909.html">told reporters.
Dec 4 2009 5:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

CÔTE D’IVOIRE: UN PITCHES IN ON NATIONWIDE POLIO IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN

CÔTE D'IVOIRE: UN PITCHES IN ON NATIONWIDE POLIO IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN
New York, Dec 4 2009 2:10PM
United Nations peacekeepers airlifted doctors and vaccines to remote and inaccessible regions of Côte d'Ivoire today as the Government opened its latest campaign to immunize over 6 million children against polio.

The four-day campaign aims reach at least 95 per cent of the nearly 6,480,000 aged between a month and five years. The strategy recommended by the UN World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) requires going from door to door and marking the children vaccinated and the houses visited.

As in the West African country's previous immunizations – this is the seventh – the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (<"http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unoci/">UNOCI) offered logistical support, transporting doctors and supplies by air and land to those areas hardest to reach.

Polio, contracted through contaminated food, water and faeces, was almost eradicated in Côte d'Ivoire until a case was confirmed in December 2008 in Adiaké in the country's east. Since then there have been 26 other cases of the disease, which attacks the nervous system and mainly affects children under five.

One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis, usually in the legs, and among those paralyzed, five to 10 per cent die when their respiratory muscles become immobilized.

UNOCI has been stationed in Côte d'Ivoire since 2004 to help ensure a ceasefire and pave the way for permanent peace and democratic elections after civil war in 2002 split the country into a Government-ruled south and a rebel-controlled north. Reauthorized repeatedly since then, most recently until 31 January 2010, it currently comprises nearly 8,400 uniformed personnel, as well as 407 international civilian staff.
Dec 4 2009 2:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

DARFUR CRIMES CONTINUE AND SUDAN STILL NOT COOPERATING WITH ICC – PROSECUTOR

DARFUR CRIMES CONTINUE AND SUDAN STILL NOT COOPERATING WITH ICC – PROSECUTOR
New York, Dec 4 2009 1:10PM
Indiscriminate bombings, rape and other crimes are continuing in Darfur, the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) said today, while noting that the Government of Sudan still refuses to cooperate with his office and its indicted President and other suspects remain at large.

The ICC, which is based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for President Omar Al-Bashir in March for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur, where estimated 300,000 people have died since 2003 due to fighting between Government forces and allied Arab militiamen, known as the Janjaweed.

Soon after the warrant was issued the Government expelled 13 international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and revoked the permits of three local groups, dealing a blow to humanitarian efforts in the region.

Briefing the Security Council on the latest developments, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said that attacks against civilians in Darfur are continuing. In an incident on 25 November, militia reportedly attacked two villages in North Darfur, where they captured civilians, beat villagers and looted property.

"President Al-Bashir, instead of stopping the crimes, is stopping the information about the crimes," he told the Council.

"The decisions to expel humanitarian workers and silence others by threats of expulsion, or the attempts at restricting the freedom of movement of UNAMID [joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur] are part and parcel of this policy to reduce the monitoring capacity of the international community."

In his recent report on UNAMID, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the impediments put by the Sudanese Government on the movement of peacekeepers which continue to hamper their ability to stabilize the situation in Darfur.

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said that efforts in recent months have focused on encouraging Sudan to respect its responsibilities as a UN Member State and to put an end to crimes and arrest people indicted by the Court.

He noted that Mr. Al-Bashir has been unable to travel to certain States where he may be arrested. "This process of marginalization of indicted criminals, if maintained steadfastly, is a way towards the ultimate implementation of the arrest warrants issued by the Court.

"Respect for the Court decision to issue an arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir sends a clear message: President Al-Bashir will face justice. Any leader committing crimes will face justice. Power does not provide immunity," he added.

The Prosecutor also stressed that he needs the Security Council's full support to ensure that the attention remains on the need to arrest the indicted suspects and to end crimes in Darfur.
Dec 4 2009 1:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UNICEF HAILS SOUTH AFRICA’S NEW STRATEGY FOR TACKLING HIV/AIDS

UNICEF HAILS SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW STRATEGY FOR TACKLING HIV/AIDS
New York, Dec 4 2009 12:10PM
The United Nations Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) has applauded the big leap taken by the South African Government towards achieving universal access to treatment for HIV for the country's women and children living with the virus.

Among the momentous and historic decisions announced by President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday, which was World AIDS Day, were the expansion of access to antiretroviral treatments and preventing new infections among children.

"The Government of South Africa has demonstrated an unprecedented leadership, vision and compassion for its children and their future welfare," <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51983.html">said Aida Girma, UNICEF's South Africa Representative.

"By tackling the HIV pandemic head on, the country will prevent new HIV infections, contribute to the reduction of under-five mortality and also prevent more children from being orphaned."

UNICEF said in a press release that South Africa's adoption of new HIV treatment guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) and making such services available at all health facilities demonstrates the country's commitment to normalizing the virus as an integral part of primary health care services to save lives and avert new infections.

The new measures build on efforts already under way in South Africa to expand access to prevention of mother-to-child transmissions (PMTCT) to all women living with HIV and AIDS, increase the availability of early infant diagnosis and provide treatment to HIV positive children.

Coverage of PMTCT has already soared from 15 per cent in 2004 to 73 per cent last year, while pediatric treatment has increased to reach nearly two-thirds of the some 94,000 children in need at the end of 2008.

However, most infants are not tested for the virus before six weeks and many lose their lives undiagnosed and untreated.

Infants' chances of survival will rise dramatically thanks to South Africa's announcement to start treatment for all babies living with HIV/AIDS, regardless of their CD count, provided that access to early infant diagnosis is improved, UNICEF said.

Without appropriate treatment, half of children living with HIV will die from an HIV-related cause before they turn two years old, the agency noted. Survival rates can be up to 75 per cent higher for HIV-positive newborns who are diagnosed and start treatment within their first 12 weeks.

"We are eager to support the Government in this ambitious plan and ready to contribute to make sure all health facilities are equipped to deliver these critical services," Ms. Girma said.

Many women and children, especially the most poor and marginalized, drop out of treatment programmes due to the long distances they must travel to receive antiretroviral drugs. UNICEF expressed hope that expanding such services to all health clinics will allow such barriers to be overcome.

The agency also said that boosting access to treatment coupled with a nationwide voluntary testing campaign will contribute to ensuring that no South African will be afraid to know his or her status and create an HIV-free generation.

"In order to achieve this, however, prevention among young people is equally important," Ms. Girma stressed. "We thus encourage the Government to also increase its efforts to scale up primary prevention," which she said is still the best way to protect mothers and children from HIV in the first place.
Dec 4 2009 12:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/

UNESCO MOURNS LOSS OF JAPANESE PAINTER AND GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

UNESCO MOURNS LOSS OF JAPANESE PAINTER AND GOODWILL AMBASSADOR
New York, Dec 4 2009 11:10AM
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) today voiced its sadness at the death of <"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=8311&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">Ikuo Hirayama, a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima who became an eminent painter and advocate for the agency's work.

"UNESCO has lost a friend," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said in a <"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=47023&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">news release, of Mr. Hirayama, who passed away on 2 December at the age of 79.

She noted that for more than 20 years, Mr. Hirayama had lent his tireless support to the Organization's projects, especially in the fields of education, emergency relief and reconstruction.

"He was particularly concerned with making people aware of the value of cultural heritage as a basis for mutual understanding. He will be missed and remembered fondly by all at UNESCO," she added.

Mr. Hirayama campaigned for the preservation and restoration of the world's cultural heritage, promoting what he called the "Red Cross Spirit for Cultural Heritage," a movement which aims to help people in conflict or extreme poverty with financial and technical aid to preserve their cultural heritage.

Having served as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador since 1989, he promoted the preservation of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temples, China's Mogao Caves, Afghanistan's Bamiyan Buddhist monuments and the Koguryo Mural Tombs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Dec 4 2009 11:10AM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/