ID :
22434
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 10:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/22434
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UN asks members to ensure safety of its staff and workers
United Nations, Oct 2 (PTI) Raising concerns over the increasing threats to organisation's staff and humanitarian workers in many parts of the world, the United Nations in its latest report has asked the Member Nations to work in collaboration.
"I'm gravely concerned by the wide scale of threats,
the rise in deliberate targeting of humanitarian and U.N.
personnel and their vulnerability worldwide,"
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states in the new report, which
covers the period from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
The period under review saw 490 attacks against U.N.
offices, convoys and premises, with a 38 percent increase in
deaths of U.N. staff. Twenty six workers died in the period
compared to 16 in the previous year. Majority of these, 22,
were locally-recruited humanitarian and U.N. personnel.
It was also the worst period in recorded history for
N.G.O.s, which lost 63 workers to malicious acts.
Ban noted that during the course, humanitarian and
U.N. personnel were "the targets of deliberate attacks by
extremists, armed groups and disgruntled sections of
populations in all the areas of operations."
The Secretary-General states that while threats by
extremists existed in the past in a few locations, they have
now expanded indiscriminately to all locations.
Most of the security incidents directed against U.N.
staff occurred in Africa. The attack against U.N. offices in
Algiers on December 11, 2007, in which 17 U.N. staff members
were killed, provides "stark evidence of this disturbing
trend."
The attack "is another telling reminder, not only of
the changing nature and scale of threats, but also of the
urgent need for closer cooperation between the United Nations
and the host Governments on security matters," he adds.
The main factors behind the growth in such incidents
are expanded and sustained U.N. operations, particularly in
conflict or post-conflict areas; rising criminality; spread of
terrorist acts; sharp increases in food and fuel prices
leading to violent protests; rising public expectations and
local misconceptions about U.N. operations or presence; and
the climate of impunity for violent acts against U.N. and
humanitarian personnel, he adds.
Ban points out that the primary responsibility for the
security and protection of the world body's staff rests with
the host governments, which are the "first line of defence in
the protection of humanitarian and U.N. personnel."
The Secretary-General calls on all Member States to
address three issues: unlawful arrest, detention and
harassments of U.N. staff, obstruction of freedom of movement
of U.N. and humanitarian workers, and impunity for crimes
committed against humanitarian and U.N. personnel.
Calling for an urgent review of the "policies and
arrangements necessary to provide locally recruited personnel
with adequate safety and security," Ban says that he will
continue to strengthen the U.N.'s security management system
by improving accountability, leadership and internal
management. PTI DS
"I'm gravely concerned by the wide scale of threats,
the rise in deliberate targeting of humanitarian and U.N.
personnel and their vulnerability worldwide,"
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states in the new report, which
covers the period from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
The period under review saw 490 attacks against U.N.
offices, convoys and premises, with a 38 percent increase in
deaths of U.N. staff. Twenty six workers died in the period
compared to 16 in the previous year. Majority of these, 22,
were locally-recruited humanitarian and U.N. personnel.
It was also the worst period in recorded history for
N.G.O.s, which lost 63 workers to malicious acts.
Ban noted that during the course, humanitarian and
U.N. personnel were "the targets of deliberate attacks by
extremists, armed groups and disgruntled sections of
populations in all the areas of operations."
The Secretary-General states that while threats by
extremists existed in the past in a few locations, they have
now expanded indiscriminately to all locations.
Most of the security incidents directed against U.N.
staff occurred in Africa. The attack against U.N. offices in
Algiers on December 11, 2007, in which 17 U.N. staff members
were killed, provides "stark evidence of this disturbing
trend."
The attack "is another telling reminder, not only of
the changing nature and scale of threats, but also of the
urgent need for closer cooperation between the United Nations
and the host Governments on security matters," he adds.
The main factors behind the growth in such incidents
are expanded and sustained U.N. operations, particularly in
conflict or post-conflict areas; rising criminality; spread of
terrorist acts; sharp increases in food and fuel prices
leading to violent protests; rising public expectations and
local misconceptions about U.N. operations or presence; and
the climate of impunity for violent acts against U.N. and
humanitarian personnel, he adds.
Ban points out that the primary responsibility for the
security and protection of the world body's staff rests with
the host governments, which are the "first line of defence in
the protection of humanitarian and U.N. personnel."
The Secretary-General calls on all Member States to
address three issues: unlawful arrest, detention and
harassments of U.N. staff, obstruction of freedom of movement
of U.N. and humanitarian workers, and impunity for crimes
committed against humanitarian and U.N. personnel.
Calling for an urgent review of the "policies and
arrangements necessary to provide locally recruited personnel
with adequate safety and security," Ban says that he will
continue to strengthen the U.N.'s security management system
by improving accountability, leadership and internal
management. PTI DS
