THE PORT ANGELES GLOBE: WORLD NEWS & EVENTS HEADLINES

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

WORLD NEWS & EVENTS HEADLINES

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UN: Reflecting Deep Chasm in Disarmament Debate, First Committee Speakers Question Progress as Nuclear-Weapon States Defend Deterrence Policies.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 16/ 17 (link source)
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/gadis3582.doc.htm

Delegates of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, France, United Kingdom, Say Atomic Bombs ‘Vital’ for Regional Security
Reflecting a deep chasm in disarmament and arms control discussions, delegates from nuclear-weapon States today defended deterrence policies while their counterparts from nations free of atomic bombs questioned slow progress in dismantling arsenals, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard as it concluded its debate on nuclear weapons and took up its agenda item on other weapons of mass destruction.
Progress in nuclear disarmament had in fact regressed as older nuclear Powers were engaging in a race to modernize their arsenals and making clear that the use of those weapons remained a real option, said the speaker of the Holy See, echoing the sentiment of several delegates.
Defending the strategic purposes of its arsenals as a nuclear-weapon State, the representative of France said that nuclear deterrence continued to be an essential part of regional strategic stability and national security. Seeking to challenge the legitimacy of deterrence policies demonstrated a lack of concern for the preservation of strategic balances, she added.
Similarly, the United Kingdom’s delegate stressed that the unpredictable international security environment today meant that his country needed to keep its nuclear deterrence policy. That nuclear deterrent was vital for the security of the United Kingdom and its allies, he continued, adding that abandoning the nuclear deterrent unilaterally would “not make us safer” and that the United Kingdom would deploy them in only extreme cases of self-defence.
The representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said his country supported the total elimination of nuclear weapons, but the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which had been created by the United States, had reached “the touch and go point and a nuclear war may break out any moment”. Pyongyang’s possession of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic rockets “is the…self‑defence measure” against a practical nuclear threat from the United States, he said, adding that “unless the hostile policy and the nuclear threat of the United States is thoroughly eradicated, we will never put our nuclear weapons and ballistic rockets on the negotiation table under any circumstances and [we] will never flinch even an inch from the road we have chosen”.
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation’s delegate pointed to disarmament achievements that had gone largely unrecognized by those who continued to insist that there had been no or little progress in that area. Pointing out the Russian Federation and the United States as examples, he said the nuclear arms race had not only halted but had been reversed, as provided for in Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Raising another disarmament achievement, Turkey’s delegate was among several speakers to express support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme as an example of effective diplomacy. He, like his counterparts from several countries, also urged all parties to that agreement to live up to their commitments.
However, Iran’s representative, highlighting that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was a valid international agreement that “cannot be renegotiated or altered”, said the United States’ fulfilment of its own commitments had been “lacklustre and deficient from the beginning”. To address that, the international community should not allow the United States Administration to continue to mock and undermine the Plan of Action that would in turn erode the non-proliferation regime, he emphasized.
On the issue of other weapons of mass destruction, speakers discussed threats caused by biological and chemical weapons and the need to put in place measures to prevent terrorist groups and non-State actors from obtaining such toxic materials. Many urged Member States to boost efforts in that regard, including by implementing Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) and measures in the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and of Their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention).
Briefing the First Committee, the President of the eighth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention provided an overview of the outcome of that November 2016 gathering, saying that it had failed to meet most participants’ high expectations despite extensive preparations, the large number of proposals submitted and the record participation. Due to divergent views, it had been unable to agree on a proposal for a series of intersession meetings.
Still, States parties had agreed on a number of issues, he said. They included the continuation and improvement of the cooperation and assistance database under article X of the Convention; the renewal of the Biological Weapons Convention sponsorship programme; and the renewal of the Implementation Support Unit mandate.
However, several speakers, including the representatives of Switzerland and Mexico, echoed that disappointment on the disagreements at the Review Conference. They also underscored that an important opportunity had been missed to address various challenges confronting the Biological Weapons Convention. Some speakers said the latent threat of biological toxins falling into terrorist groups’ hands was among their concerns.
Nevertheless, a number of other speakers, including the delegate of Indonesia, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, called on Member States to continue to work actively to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention. Some pointed out that the lack of a verification system continued to pose a challenge to the instrument’s optimal effectiveness.

The First Committee also heard the introduction of related draft resolutions.
Participating in the thematic debate on nuclear weapons were representatives of Poland, Peru, Qatar, Zambia, Comoros, Lithuania, Nepal, Sudan, Czech Republic, Ghana, Bulgaria and El Salvador.
Speaking on other weapons of mass destruction were representatives of Sweden (for the Nordic countries), Yemen, Guyana (for the Caribbean Community), Belarus (for the Collective Security Treaty Organization), United States, Australia, India, Paraguay, Turkey, Cuba, Egypt, Germany, Bangladesh, Canada, Ecuador, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Poland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Algeria, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Hungary, Myanmar, Oman, Spain, Nepal, Italy and Argentina, as well as the European Union.
Representatives of Syria, Iran, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, United States, Republic of Korea, Israel, Japan and China spoke in exercise of the right of reply.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/gadis3582.doc.htm
(for more read link source)

UN PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 16/ 17:
International Human Rights Standards Must Translate to Programmes on Ground, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Tells Third Committee
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/gashc4205.doc.htm

International human rights standards “can and must” be translated into programmes on the ground, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, pointing to gender-related killings in Central America, massive migration from Myanmar to Bangladesh and ongoing tragedy in Syria.

“The world’s people are crying out for more justice, greater accountability, more respect for civil, cultural, economic, social, and political rights as well as the right to development,” said Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, presenting his annual report.

In that context of rising turmoil, he said the Office had assisted national authorities, democratic institutions and civil society in upholding human dignity and rights. To tackle femicide in Central America, it recently set up a virtual training in Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama of a Model Protocol developed to investigate gender-related deaths of women.

To ensure migrants’ rights, he said the Office had organized monitoring missions to European border and transit locations such as Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to assess protection needs. It had also published a report of “shocking” abuses suffered by migrants in Libya.

In Bangladesh, two rapid expert teams had been sent to interview refugees from Myanmar’s Rohingya community and report on violations. While they had been refused access by Myanmar authorities, his Office would continue to seek accountability for any such abuses, and coordinate with Bangladesh to ensure the integration of rights into humanitarian operations.

Faced with Syria’s refusal to enable access, he said the Office had established a Syrian Team — essentially virtual country offices in Beirut, Gaziantep, Amman and Geneva — that included monitoring and human rights advisors. In a similar lack of access, it had set up a team to conduct remote monitoring of the human rights situation in Venezuela, given recent countrywide demonstrations.

In the ensuing dialogue, delegates affirmed their commitment to upholding human rights obligations, and asked a range of questions — from how the High Commissioner had increased representation of developing countries in his Office, to how States could work with the United Nations to ensure sufficient space for civil society. Delegates from Switzerland and the United Kingdom asked how Member States could work with the Office to prevent human rights abuses from taking place, while representatives of Latvia and the United States pointed out that countries with grave human rights abuses should not be on the Human Rights Council. They asked what measures could be taken to improve the Council’s credibility.
Venezuela’s delegate said indivisible and progressive respect for all human rights was enshrined in its Constitution, which was among the reasons it had been elected to the Human Rights Council. He pressed the Office to comply with its General Assembly mandate to conduct its work on the basis of non‑politicization, transparency and non‑application of double standards, stressing that its report had omitted facts about crimes by armed groups.
Singapore’s representative asked why the Office had not presented a report to the General Assembly this year and requested clarity about its reporting responsibilities, a point echoed by Egypt’s representative.
There was growing understanding among States about the Office’s mandate, which must proceed without groundless accusations spread through false information, added the representative of the Russian Federation. Despite current trends, the Office was not supposed to be a human rights arbiter.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/gashc4205.doc.htm
(click link to read more)

NEWS HEADLINES FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER

Thousands of Rohingya refugees stranded near Bangladesh-Myanmar border – UN
17 October 2017 – The United Nations refugee agency is concerned about the humanitarian condition of up to 15,000 Rohingya refugees who are stranded in paddy fields near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

On International Day, UN chief urges action to address root causes of poverty
17 October 2017 – Highlighting the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure a life of dignity for all, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for redoubling of efforts to eradicate poverty it in its entirety.

Secretary-General welcomes launch of new UN mission in Haiti
16 October 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterrs welcomed the establishment Monday of the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), following the closure of its predecessor peacekeeping mission.

US MISSION TO THE UN: Statement by Ambassador Haley on the Gubernatorial Elections in Venezuela
Press release issued 10/ 16/ 17
Yesterday, Venezuelans once again attempted to make their voices heard, and dictator Maduro once again tried to silence them through reported voter intimidation, manipulation, and obstruction. An election is only legitimate if it is free and fair, and from the start, this was neither. There must be an audit of the electoral process. There must be respect for the will of the people. We continue to stand with the people of Venezuela.
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8018

Statement by Ambassador Haley on the Election of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the UN Human Rights Council
Press release issued 10/ 16/ 17
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8017

Today’s election is yet another example of why the Human Rights Council (HRC) lacks credibility and must be reformed in order to be saved. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country infamous for political suppression, violence against women and children, arbitrary arrest and detention, and unlawful killings and disappearances, has been elected to serve on what is supposed to be the world’s preeminent human rights body. In fact, the DRC – a country under investigation at the Human Rights Council – ran unopposed. That calls into serious question the General Assembly’s methods of selecting membership in the Human Rights Council.

The HRC cannot endure many more blows to its credibility before it is rendered absolutely meaningless. That is why the United States is leading an effort to reform the HRC, most recently through a ministerial meeting during UN General Assembly High-Level week, where more than 40 countries called for a more effective HRC. Countries that aggressively violate human rights at home should not be in a position to guard the human rights of others. Human rights are too important to let a backward and broken system go unchecked and unreformed.

People around the world are losing their inalienable rights and freedoms at the hands of oppressive regimes. We need a unified voice of moral clarity with backbone and integrity to call out abusive governments. This election has once again proven that the Human Rights Council, as presently constituted, is not that voice.

US STATE DEPT: Issuance of Presidential Permit to Enbridge Energy, L.P. for Line 67 Pipeline
Press release issued 10/ 16/ 17

A Presidential permit has been issued to Enbridge Energy, L.P. (“Enbridge”) authorizing Enbridge to increase transport up to a full design capacity of approximately 890,000 barrels per day of crude oil and other hydrocarbons across a three-mile segment at the U.S.-Canada border near Neche, North Dakota, through an existing Enbridge terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. The pipeline was originally permitted in 2009 and constructed in 2010. This new permit was signed and issued by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Judith G. Garber, exercising the authorities of the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment.
The Department of State reviewed Enbridge’s application in accordance with Executive Order 13337 (April 30, 2004). In making the determination that issuance of this permit would serve the national interest, the Acting Assistant Secretary considered a broad range of factors, including but not limited to foreign policy; energy security; environmental, cultural, and economic impacts; and compliance with applicable law and policy.

US DEFENSE DEPT: Coalition Monitors Military Movements Near Kirkuk, Pentagon Spokesman Says
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2017 — Coalition military officials are monitoring military movements near Kirkuk, Iraq, following reports of an incident, Pentagon Director of Press Operations Army Col. Rob Manning told reporters today.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1343999/coalition-monitors-military-movements-near-kirkuk-pentagon-spokesman-says/

Strikes Continue in Effort to Defeat ISIS in Syria, Iraq
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Oct. 17, 2017 — U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting three strikes consisting of three engagements in recent days, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1344752/strikes-continue-in-effort-to-defeat-isis-in-syria-iraq/