On his visit to Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated the UN’s commitment to ending sexual violence throughout the country. At Heal Africa, a holistic center set up to provide psychological and medical healing to rape victims –some as young as two years of age, he spoke about the every day ills women in the country suffer.

Many women and young girls have suffered at the hands of Ugandan LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) and FDLR (Revolutionary Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) rebels who have fought over ownership of land thick with natural resources like gold and minerals. MONUC (The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo) is dealing with these cases on a day by day basis as the increase of incidents citing brutal rape and other forms of sexual violence continue. TRNS sat down with Virginie Mumbre, a counselor at the Heal Africa center to find out the latest on these sex crimes.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon talks about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS worldwide and the need for leadership to take the lead on this issue. (0:50)

 

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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said while “fewer are being infected with HIV,” there is “no room for complacency” in the fight against AIDS.

In a luncheon presented by UNAIDS, Moon said via webcast that while there have been successes in the fight against HIV/AIDS, it is still one of the “top ten causes of death worldwide” and the leading cause of death in Africa. He felt that the worldwide goal should be to “create a future without AIDS.

President of the UN Foundation and Better World Fund and Former Sen. Timothy Wirth (D-Colo.) felt the issues of AIDS treatment and family planning have “got to be brought together” worldwide. He said that while there are approximately 35 million people with HIV/AIDS in the world, there are almost 200 million couples who want family planning services but cannot get them.

Wirth said the focus of AIDS prevention should be on “adolescent girls in particular.” Wirth claimed that over half of all new AIDS infections are women. He said that bringing prevention and treatment to women has been more difficult because anti-women forces have “reared their head.” Director of the Washington Office for UNAIDS John Hassell echoed Wirth’s statements saying HIV/AIDS is “definitely not a gay disease.

Thembi Nkambule, National Coordinator of the Swaziland National Network of People Living with AIDS, said that while “more people than ever” have access to care, the fight is “far from over.” She estimated that in her home country of Swaziland, around 20 percent of the population is infected. She advocated that HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention should be “priorities in the global agenda.” “We need to keep people living with HIV alive as long as possible,” remarked Nkambule.

Jahnabi Goswani, General Secretary of the India Network of People Living with AIDS, said that HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment should focus on “vulnerable communities” as well as women. She also stated that people with AIDS must be proactive in educating communities because they understand the virus “better than anyone.”

Today Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, held a press conference to mark the opening of the Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism. He called the Symposium “a historic moment”, as it is the first time the UN has called together member states, civil society and victims of terror to discuss “practical and concrete solutions” for victims and their families. He remarked that it is “long overdue” that the UN is focusing on the needs of victims.

Also speaking were four representatives of victims of terrorism: former president of CNN International Mr. Chris Cramer, Mr. Ashraf Al-Khaled, NGO Liaison Officer Ms. Laura Dolci-Kanaan, and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.

Mr. Cramer was held hostage for just over a day at the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980; he emphasised the need for “sensitivity” in the media toward the suffering of terror victims, and the need for “guidelines” on what behaviour is appropriate in pursuing a story.

Mr. Al-Khaled, who lost twenty seven friends to terrorism when his wedding ceremony was bombed in November 2005, described terrorism as a “disease”, but one that could be defeated if the world provided a “united front”.

Ms. Dolci-Kanaan’s husband was among the UN staff members who were killed in the 2003 terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad. She spoke of the need for terror victims to have “solidarity with fellow human beings.” She went on to remark that victims of terror have had their rights to life, freedom, health, truth and justice violated, ans asked for the international community to give these rights back to those who have suffered.

Ms. Betancourt, a noted Colombian politician, was held hostage in the Colombian jungle for six years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) terrorist group. She stated that “we need to show the world that we are better than terrorism.”

 

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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the press at UN headquarters in New York about his recent trip to Asia, including the G8 summit in Hokkaido, Japan.

The SG traveled between his home nation of Korea, China, and Japan.  He expressed that all three nations are “rising” powers, and that their futures are interlinked.

Mr. Ban would not characterize the G8 summit as a success or failure, but did mention that he was pleased with apparent progress.  The Secretary-General noted that the United Nations and international community must focus on three specific areas of growth; climate change, food security, and development.  (Listen to audio.)  He applauded the G8 nations on their commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.  The SG also acknowledged a financial commitment by G8 nations of $10 billion to help food security, but reminded the nations that true food security requires $25 billion per year.  Regarding development, particularly in Africa, the SG was please by the eventual goal to recruit 1.5 million health care workers over the next several years.  Additionally, the G8 will work towards a donation of 100 insecticide-treated bed nets to help prevent Malaria.

In Sudan, the Secretary-General condemned in the strongest possible language the recent attack on United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). (Listen to audio.) According to the UN, the attack was perpetrated by approximately 200 members of the Janjaweed militia, and involved the use of “heavy arms” by forces on horseback and in SUVs.  Seven UNAMID members were killed, and another 22 were injured.  The SG reminded all involved parties to remember their commitments to peace and stability in the region.

During today’s press conference, Mr. Ban also condemned violence surrounding the on-going electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.  The SG indicated that all G8 members are “seriously engaged” in finding solutions to crisis.  The Security Council is currently deliberating on potentially sanctioning the government of Zimbabwe.

Finally, Mr. Ban addressed climate change.  He stressed that work towards improving the climate change crisis will greatly assist the UN’s other two goals of food security and improved development in Africa. (Listen to audio.) Although there were no consensus agreements on short-term and mid-term reductions in carbon emissions, the Secretary-General was pleased at progress made by G8 nations.

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Video Report by Dan Patterson recorded after the Secretary-General’s press conference:

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Tomorrow United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will tour some of the most devastated areas of Myanmar before headed to Bangkok for a meeting with the Association of South East Asian Nations about their relief efforts. Dan Patterson updates live from the United Nations. (1:14)

 

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Regarding the severity of the Myanmar cyclone disaster, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made statements about the relief efforts, aid distribution, and behavior of the Myanmar government during a press conference today. (5:20)

 

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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke at the United Nations today about the Capital Master Plan, global food shortages, and his recent trip to Africa. Click the link above to download the full audio of his statements.

 

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Seven members of the United Nations mission in Nepal were killed in a helicopter crash. The UN workers were on a fact-finding mission investigating groups of Maoist rebels.  The group included four arms monitors, and three UN workers from the Nepal mission.  Three crew members were also killed.  The Secretary-General issued condolences to family members of the deceased.

The General Assembly is expected to issue draft text of a resolution on terrorism soon.  The document, A-57-37, is the result of an adhoc committee convened with the intent to define terrorism.  The report is not a final definition, and must be voted on by members of the General Assembly before it is to take effect.

From the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon’s comments on the progress made in Kenya, specifically Mr. Kofi Annan’s role in brokering a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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