Thank you for joining us here at the UN
office at Geneva for this press briefing today,
We have, uh, as usual, quite a number of briefers on today's agenda.
Before we turn to our first brief, I just wanted to
note that we sent out about 15 minutes ago, uh,
a short announcement to indicate that Philippe Lazzarini,
the commissioner general of UN
R, will deliver a few remarks to the media
at the end of his executive briefing to member states
outside of room seven or just above us. In fact,
at approximately 1130 I know that many of you are
interested in hearing what Mr Lazzarini has to say.
We'll try to wrap up this briefing in time,
but I just wanted to flag that at the onset of this briefing.
Without further ado, I'd like to turn now to our colleague,
uh from the World Health Organisation.
who's acting WHO representative,
uh, to Sudan, who's joins us from Cairo.
Um, Christian, I don't know if you wanted to add something beforehand.
OK, I take that silence is that we can turn immediately to you uh,
Mr Graf So thank you again for joining us,
uh, on this very important subject over to you.
Thanks a lot. And thanks for everybody for showing up and joining online.
So I'm joining you now from Cairo.
after having had a few field trips to Chad, South Sudan, Nairobi,
come coming from from Port Sudan, Of course previously.
10 months have passed now since the escalation in the conflict started in April 2023
and we see a continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
It's now the world's largest displacement crisis
8 million people displaced,
of which more than 6 million internally
and almost 2 million in neighbouring countries.
And during my recent missions to Chad and South Sudan,
I've seen the difficult conditions people are facing who are fleeing the crisis,
who are fleeing the violence.
In most cases, these are women and Children.
They're living in overcrowded areas with limited access to safe water,
food and life saving basic health services.
About half of all the Sudanese need humanitarian assistance.
The 2024 humanitarian needs and response plan for Sudan
nearly 15 out of those 25 million people
and for the health response,
we are only targeting a third due to limited access
and to the limited availability of resources.
There is a particular concern that the upcoming lean
season will lead to catastrophic levels of hunger.
We already see that every seventh child under the age of five is malnourished,
that more than 700,000 Children
and that are already over 100,000 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
We all know that hunger weakens the body's defences.
It opens the door to disease and increases morbidity and mortality.
have an unhealthy synergistic relationship.
Malnourished people, particularly pregnant women and Children,
experience worse outcomes of disease.
Malnourished Children are at an increased risk
of dying from illnesses like diarrhoea,
pneumonia and measles, and this,
especially in settings where they lack access to life saving health services.
So the situation in Sudan
because the health system
itself is hardly functional,
the child immunisation programme
is breaking down and infectious diseases are spreading
with since the onset of the crisis, over 10,000 cases of cholera
reported 5000 cases of measles,
about 8000 cases of dengue
and well over a million cases Clinical cases of malaria,
as well as bureaucratic hurdles continue to impede humanitarian access,
and the most vulnerable populations reside in areas that are either hard to reach
or are actually inaccessible at the moment.
For example, previously safe areas such as what, Madam,
the people of Sudan are facing a life or death situation
due to the due to the continued violence, the insecurity
to essential health services.
And there seems to be little hope for a political solution in sight.
and expand its response to the humanitarian crisis,
on delivering essential life saving health services
and outbreak prevention and control.
We are also working to establish and expand cross-border operations
to further support the delivery
of essential medicines and supplies
to reach our implementing partners working in the difficult areas
As we speak, our teams are delivering 58 metric tonnes of medical supplies to
and these include emergency health supplies,
supplies for the management of chronic diseases, injuries
as and emergency surgery.
this delivery itself, which
given the scale of the crisis, a drop in the ocean.
we will be able to deliver 30,000 treatment courses for non
communicable diseases and primary healthcare supplies to cover the needs for
300,000 people for the next three months.
delivered some 1750 metric tonnes of supply
to Sudan since the crisis started.
But there is so much more that can be done
than what we are doing right now.
And for this we need the international community's commitment,
including strong advocacy for unhindered access to humanitarian partners as well
as the financial resources to rapidly scale up the response.
but so is our commitment and resolve back to you. Please.
Thank you very much, Mr Griff.
Indeed, the need is huge and there's much more we can do.
Are there questions for Mr Graf?
We have a question for you, Mr Graf from Lisa Schlein of Voice of America. Lisa.
Thanks, Rolando. Good morning. Uh,
Doctor Graf uh, I'd like to, um D. Do you have any figures on
the numbers of people who have died from diseases and, uh, more particularly
the, uh, Children who are severely malnourished. How many have died and what?
The prospect of saving their lives? Uh, are I mean, what
you talk about a perfect storm? Well, how far is this going to go?
What can we expect to see from this horrible situation?
And then I gather from what you say that,
uh, Martin Griffiths had said that he was in,
Uh ha. Uh, had spoken to the commanders of the ri the rival generals
about negotiating humanitarian access. I guess nothing has come of that. What?
discuss that a bit? Thank you.
thank thanks. Lisa. So O on the first one.
when it comes to the overall figures, I would have to come back to you,
but let let me give a very specific example of what is happening right now.
And you You may have heard about this already. MS F recently did
of the effect of hunger on on on on on disease and mortality in Zamzam
refugee camp in northern Darfur.
So we're talking about a a population that actually we don't really know the size,
but it's probably between 405 100,000 people,
increase in excess mortality
What we know is that we have an enormous cohort of Children that is not immunised,
partners on the ground in this case MS FF
do not have the means to bring in the vaccines
to start a catch up campaign for immunisation
that we are now in in in discussion with them that we as
WO will help set up the coal chain to get them those supplies.
the predictions are correct,
that with the lean season
the level of hunger is going up,
um, we we will end up with a very large number of Children and mothers
who have who are malnourished,
who are not protected from disease and who do not have access to basic services.
So that's basically my me. My message is that we we we can
reach them now. We we are starting to expand our cross-border operations
but we need to we need to get the the continued support from our
partners to be able to to to continue with that now on on on the
the let's say the humanitarian access.
my feeling is that especially from Chad, the the the level of cross border
can now slowly start to expand,
Of course we collectively would really want
is that we could start working cross line
between between the two war in factions
and that, unfortunately, is, at this moment,
still extremely sporadic without a clear commitment from both sides.
Thank you very much. Uh, Mr Graf for the questions
on Sudan. Uh, Lisa, do you have a follow up?
Uh, no. No, I don't. I actually want to ask you something, Rolando.
Uh, and I'll wait to see if anyone has a follow up for,
OK. Are there questions for Mr Graf?
Further questions. No, I don't see. That's the case.
Uh, Mr Graf, I'd like to thank you very, very much for joining us and and
keep up the important work that you're doing. Thank you so much.
And please feel free to join us at this briefing. Any time.
I'm not Chris Christian. I'm not sure if you had anything to add.
If so, uh, just raise your hand.
Uh, otherwise, uh, we'll move on to Well, let's take your question, Lisa,
not on Sudan, but, uh uh,
I and I imagine all the people who are on Zoom who may not be able to get to
Mr Lazzarini S remarks would be very interested in having them. So I My question is,
will they be recorded and sent to us, please? Thank you.
We will have a camera in the room, and we'll do our best to share that, uh, those that,
uh, continuity with you along with the statement.
let's just see after this briefing,
I'll go up there myself and and see what we can do to ensure that.
thanks for the question. Maybe just back to Sudan. I should mention that as a
as a secretary general mentioned last week, Uh,
he plans to attend the African Union summit next week.
In fact, he'll be travelling
Where is my note? He'll be travelling to Addis
Um, that's this Saturday, the 17th,
and, uh, he'll be holding a press conference in the afternoon. Uh, Saturday.
This this coming Saturday, the 17th of February.
And Sudan is going to be, of course, a very prominently fixed on the agenda.
Um, members of the international, uh,
intergovernmental authority on development, EG AD and African Union with the
league will all be present so very much, uh,
Sudan will be discussed at that meeting this weekend.
this for me or for a doctor. For Mister Graff.
Yes. Good morning. Uh, Rolando, uh, thank you for giving me the floor.
The first, uh, it would be highly appreciated if we could get as soon as possible.
um, everybody understands that it is really helpful for the, uh,
correspondent to get the notes
as possible in advance. So, like that, we can cover,
um, the different topics. My, my second. It's not a question.
Uh, Rolando, it's regarding Mr Lazzarini. I mean,
I think that all correspondent would also appreciate
Lisa said to the people that are making the news.
Um, Gaza is in the news, and, um,
it would have been nice to have a real press briefing hybrid
press briefing in order for all the correspondence to cover and to,
um, ask questions to Mister Lazzarini.
Um, people that are involved are often in Geneva, and they're not meeting the press.
I mean, if we want to work properly,
it would be really nice if we could have access to all these experts.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Katherine, I take your point and, uh, just to note that, as I mentioned,
And, uh, if there is a written statement, of course, we'll share that with you.
He's not taking questions. I understand. So, of course, uh,
we do our best to try to get to key speakers such as Mr Lazzarini,
who's obviously very sought after
to speak to the media. That's why we arranged at least this. Um,
And as you note yesterday,
we also shared with you a link to his press conference in Brussels, Um,
which I know was widely picked up. But of course, we'll do our best.
We'll continue to do our best to ensure that we can at least, uh,
organise some sort of ponte
and we'll share those comments with you afterwards.
I think we'll move on to the next subject in that case. And I'd like to
Liz Throssell of the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights to join me here in the podium.
Liz has three subjects to brief on Syria, Senegal and business and human rights.
Liz get settled in and she'll start off with Syria, I think,
and put out a press release and report
And this is really what the report is about.
Many Syrians who had fled the war face gross human
rights violations and abuses upon their return to Syria,
according to a report released today by the UN Human Rights Office.
The documented violations and abuses have been perpetrated by the government,
de facto authorities and other armed groups across the country,
They include arbitrary detention, torture and ill treatment,
sexual and gender based violence, enforced disappearance and abduction.
The report paints an alarming picture of the suffering of returnees,
amid the increasing number of deportations of Syrians from other countries.
The situation of these returnees raises serious questions about the
commitment of states to due process and non refoulement.
The report says that women returnees face specifically discriminatory
restrictions on their liberty to move freely and independently.
It also documents a number of cases of
women being forced by male family members to return
to Syria to assess the conditions for safe and
sustainable return for the rest of the family.
increasingly hostile speech and rhetoric against refugees raids and mass arrests
in some host countries have compelled many to return to Syria,
Turkey announced in May 2022 what it called the
resettlement of 1 million Syrian refugees back to Syria,
with reports of increased restrictions and forced deportations
Following months of increasing tensions and animosity towards Syrian refugees,
Lebanese security forces conducted more than 70 raids targeting Syrian
refugee communities in camps and residential areas across the country.
455 Syrians were arrested and 712 of them deported.
There are reasonable grounds to believe that the
overall conditions in Syria do not permit safe,
dignified and sustainable returns of Syrian refugees to their home country,
It also notes that most of the interviewees said they had decided to flee again,
even though once back abroad it was likely
they would face precarious economic conditions and harassment.
There are more details in the full press release that we've issued and, of course,
in the report that is attached.
Thank you, Liz. Do we have, uh, questions for Liz on Syria?
No, I don't see. That's the case was very comprehensive.
So let's move to the next subject. Uh Senegal
of the presidential election slated for 25 February
following reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of
force against protesters and restrictions on civic space.
We call on the authorities to ensure that they uphold Senegal's
long held tradition of democracy and respect for human rights.
At least three young men were killed during protests,
and at least 266 people have reportedly been arrested across the country,
Investigations into the killings must be prompt,
thorough and independently conducted,
and those found responsible must be held to account.
The authorities should also ensure due process
for individuals arrested during the protests.
Amid rising tensions and reports of planned further protests.
It's crucial that the authorities unequivocally order the
security forces to respect and ensure human rights,
including the rights to freedom of expression,
association and peaceful assembly.
We also urge all actors to refrain from resorting to violence,
given challenges and concerns related to the
circumstances surrounding the postponement of the election.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights folk
calls on the government to ensure that the proposed national dialogue be
as broad based as possible and ensure genuine participation of opposition groups,
women, youth and marginalised groups.
Thank you very much. Liz, we have a couple of questions. We'll start with, uh, Dina
of a PTN dina over to you?
Yes. Good morning. Thank you. Uh, Ronaldo.
Um, actually, my question is about the northeastern part of Syria.
Um, after one year on the earthquake, Uh, how is the situation?
There are people able to survive. Are they receiving aid?
Please. Can you give us a general idea about this? Thank you.
Yes, indeed. With regard. Sorry about
I was just being told something about the microphone that was not on.
Your question is about North East Syria, about the situation.
obviously there's issues in north east Syria.
What this report that our colleagues have put
together put out is really stressing is,
of course, the situation that is faced by all Syrians.
But returnees are particularly vulnerable
and one of the many issues there.
One of them, of course, is the situation of conflict and violence.
Although the conflict has decreased in some parts of Syria somewhat,
there's also the economic situation which is so difficult.
I think what is really important to stress is that
over the past few weeks we've seen an intensification of attacks in Syria.
We've also seen this escalation taking place in
the context of weeks of growing tension and
armed activities between third states and non state
armed groups present on the Syrian soil.
And that's also indicating a potential spillover of the conflict in Gaza
and the tension in the region.
So I think what we're really stressing is the report itself is focused on returnees
and the challenges they face,
both going back to Syria and then also for the people who are in
other countries or may feel that they have to go back to other countries.
But the overall situation is of course, incredibly worrying.
which is described in the report as bleak by
some of the people our colleagues spoke to,
So that's why we're highlighting it
and painting this overall picture of the difficulties faced by returnees,
but also in the wider context of Syria.
Today, some 13 years after the crisis started and the conflict ensued. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Liz.
I will ask those putting their hands up if this is on Syria, maybe Lisa,
or if there are any colleagues who want to ask on Syria,
let's just exhaust this subject first.
Um, no, it's on Senegal. So
In fact, I think maybe, uh, Dina has a follow up on Syria. I see Your hand is back up.
Yes. Thank you, Ronaldo. My question is about the Israeli attacks on Syria.
We saw this repetitively, um, this year and last year.
And, uh, recently the US attacks on several spots.
Uh, do you mention anything about this in your report, please? Liz?
The report itself, as I've said, is looking at the situation of returnees.
So it's based on a number of interviews done with returnees both inside Syria.
As you may know, that we're not actually physically present in Syria.
We do have a team of focus on Syria.
So a range of interviews with returnees,
both based in Syria but also some that may have then left Syria
after initially returning.
What is the background to? This is, of course, that we have seen
intensification of attacks on Syrian soil over the past few weeks.
These included Iranian backed armed groups present in Syria
as well as third states such as Israel and the US.
So, as I said in response to an earlier question,
we are concerned because this escalation is taking
place amid growing tensions and armed activities in the region.
And, of course, the concern, as I've said,
of a potential spillover of the conflict in Gaza
and the tension in the region
and on to the Syrian conflict. Thank you.
Thanks. Liz. I think Katherine, uh, has a question on sir
as well. So back to you, cat.
Thank you, Rolando. Good morning, Liz.
Uh, my question is, regarding all what is in the report and you just mentioned
Um, would you say that it is not safe for refugees?
Syrian refugees to return to Syria?
Yes, Understood. Very clear. I think.
I don't know if you've had a chance to actually look at the report, which details it.
one of the main findings, as it were of the report,
is indeed there are reasonable grounds to believe that the
overall conditions in Syria still do not permit safe,
dignified and sustainable returns of Syrian refugees to their home country.
And then, of course, this is really important to stress.
Any envisaged return should be voluntary,
based on case by case assessment of the conditions for a safe,
dignified and sustainable return.
OK, I think we will now turn to Senegal.
But before we do so I think maybe in the interests of having the clear audio,
I think maybe you might want to read the statement over again.
If you can indulge us colleagues. Yes, absolutely sorry about that.
I thought I had pressed the microphone, but clearly it wasn't on.
So if you could bear with me while I
read it again because obviously it is incredibly important.
We are deeply concerned about the tense situation
in Senegal following suspension of the presidential election
that was slated for 25 February
following reports of unnecessary and disproportionate use of
force against protesters and restrictions on civic space.
We call on the authorities to ensure that they uphold Senegal's
long held tradition of democracy and respect for human rights.
At least three young men were killed during protests and at
least 266 people have reportedly been arrested across the country,
Investigations into the killings must be prompt,
thorough and independently conducted,
and those found responsible must be held to account.
The authorities should also ensure due process
for individuals arrested during the protests.
Amid rising tensions and reports of planned further protests.
It's crucial that the authorities unequivocally order the
security forces to respect and ensure human rights,
including the rights to freedom of expression,
association and peaceful assembly.
We also urge all actors to refrain from resorting to violence,
given the challenges and concerns related to the
circumstances surrounding the postponement of the election.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Folker
calls on the government to ensure that the proposed national dialogue be
as broad based as possible and ensure genuine participation of opposition groups,
women, youth and marginalised groups.
So thank you. Apologies for having to read it again.
But as I said, very important story. So hopefully the recording will be OK now.
Indeed. Very important. So we'll now take questions on Senegal. Lisa?
Uh, yeah, I have questions on Senegal, but I,
um you said something when you answered the question on
can I ask a question first about Syria and then get on to Senegal? Sorry.
OK, we'll keep it in the order, then.
If you can ask your question quickly on Syria, then maybe in the same,
um and then also Senegal and the same.
You were talking about your fear of what is
happening in Syria being a spillover into Gaza.
If you could elaborate upon that
What is it that you mean?
And then I'll ask you a question about Senegal. OK, thank you.
there are concerns about the spillover of the Gaza conflict into the wider region.
But if we think specifically about Syria,
this is a country, as I said that has endured some 13 years of crisis and conflict.
And the report itself sets out in detail
the challenges that are faced by Syrians and among them the returnees.
I think that's why we so concerned. Precisely because of the situation in Syria,
the fact that people are facing a host of challenges,
be they economic, be they human rights violations and abuses.
so much so often in the headlines, it's much less so now.
But of course, over the years, we have seen
on Syrians on the country.
And, of course, we are really concerned about any flare up.
There is conflict taking part in some parts of the country.
We are concerned indeed about the spillover into Syria and, of course,
in other parts of the region.
Thank you very much, Liz. Ok, And back to you, Lisa, for a question on Senegal.
yeah, yeah. Got it on Senegal.
Um, the situation in Senegal seems to be deteriorating rapidly,
and it started out with largely peaceful,
They now you have, uh, reported I think, the first deaths that have occurred.
Are you afraid that this might actually get out
of control and turn into a huge emergency.
whether the High Commissioner himself or other, uh,
representatives in your office have been in direct contact with
the authorities about the situation and about toning down what is happening.
And if so, if there has been
any kind of a response or anything that you believe
that indicates that maybe, uh,
the authorities are listening to the people. Thank you.
that is that is an important and quite wide ranging question.
I think if I may take it in stages, first of all,
we're concerned by the circumstances that led to the postponement of the
elections that were scheduled to take place on 25th of this month.
And so our broader concern there is any decision to postpone elections should be
based on broad based consultations to ensure
inclusion and political consensus and to preserve democracy
now moving on to the specific situation within Senegal.
As we said, at least three young men were killed during protests.
We are concerned by reports that protests against
the postponement have been met with unnecessary force.
The signal of a leading TV channel
has been cut off and access to the Internet restricted.
So that's why we've made this call on the authorities to uphold human rights,
including the right to access information,
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
consistent with Senegal's human rights obligations.
This is something that we stress repeatedly.
It's essential that any restrictions imposed on
access to information and freedom of expression,
including through broadcast suspensions and Internet restrictions,
are in pursuit of a legitimate aim under international law.
And they need to be limited to
what's strictly limited to what's necessary and proportionate
to accomplish a legitimate aim expressly spelt out in law.
You're asking about contacts with the authorities? Well, yes, indeed,
we are in contact with the authorities.
We do have a regional office based in Senegal.
So this is something that the office obviously
has been taken up with the authorities,
we're putting this out today
as the High Commissioner's saying,
there are challenges and concerns related to the
circumstances that led to the elections being postponed,
that's why he's calling on the government to ensure that
the proposed national dialogue be as broad based as possible.
and it's really key to ensure or genuine participation
of a whole range of people.
Opposition groups, women, young people and marginalised groups.
Thank you very much, Liz.
And maybe just needless to say, the Secretary General, Antonio Guterres,
is following the situation in Senegal very closely.
He issued a statement on Friday which we did share with you Friday afternoon,
through which he urges national stakeholders to engage in dialogue,
uh, to uphold a peaceful political environment,
to refrain from the use of violence and to
ensure the holding of an inclusive and transparent presidential election
within the framework of the Senegalese Constitution.
That statement we shared with you on Friday evening
Yes. Hi, everybody, Uh, thank you for taking my question on on Senegal.
Um, please, you you mentioned that, uh,
you are in discussion with the authorities through your original office.
Uh, and so far, what has been, uh, the or what have been the the answers of of the, uh,
uh, today the there is a shutdown of the mobile internet there.
Uh, so I, I wanted to ask you, um,
how do you think this could affect the the situation,
yes. Thank you for those two questions.
Yes, we are in contact with the authorities
We're not going to say what the authorities have said to us,
but just to stress that we are in contact with them
with regard to the shut down of the mobile networks, the Internet that I alluded to
Yes, we are concerned. As I said, I read out our general position.
It is really important to guarantee the right to access to information.
So any restrictions on access to information be cutting the Internet Cutting
mobile systems should be really pursuing a legitimate aim under international law
and be strictly limited to what's necessary.
And that includes being as limited as possible in time.
Um, thanks. I'm sorry. It's It's back to Syria. Sorry to jump back.
Um, I was just wondering, Liz,
um, given the dangers that Syrian returnees are facing, um,
do you have a message for for governments who may be pressuring them to go back?
and are you concerned about this?
And and maybe UN HCR might be able to jump in to give us, uh,
the picture of how many Syrian refugees are still in the world
and maybe in Europe and what portion of them have gone back?
Uh, and if they're concerned about this as well, Thank you very much.
Thank you, Emma. I think the report, as I was saying, has two elements.
It focuses on the people who fled Syria
and they may have returned for a number of reasons.
It may have been the economic situation in the country that they had fled to.
It may be that they felt pressured that there has been, in some cases,
a hostile environment rhetoric.
They may have felt that they needed to return,
So that is one element of the report.
The other element is, of course,
what happens to the people once they're back in Syria.
And our report details the numerous challenges they face and of course, the
human rights violations and abuses that they may also face.
And that's why some of the returnees, in fact,
I think many of the returnees that our colleagues spoke to
they were considering trying to trying to leave Syria again,
really is the two sides to it.
So it's a very difficult situation for some of the people
who fled and therefore they want to return or they return.
a very difficult situation of the people who go
back to Syria and what they encounter there.
There are some numbers in the report but of course they are
UNHCR's numbers because they really are the ones that have the details.
their data portals and their website has very detailed figures on the latest,
So I will give you a ballpark figure.
But of course I would encourage you to reach out to
and then the figures that we have. But I think my colleagues from UNHCR
About 388,000 as of November 23 had returned from neighbouring countries,
but I'll leave it to UNHCR
That's very helpful, Liz. Thank you.
Yeah, we do have Eugene, our colleague from, uh UN HCR who's online and could add
according to our data that it's just a note that this is a monitored one.
Strictly. Uh, that, uh, we have at the moment is that, uh I
would just have a look. And then,
um, just please note that, uh, like, uh,
over 5.1 billion Syrian refugee as of the 31st of December
2023 is most of them are staying in neighbouring country.
Of course, the turkey is the the the the country that hosting the most of, uh,
Syrian refugee, uh, 3.2 million.
And then, uh, strictly talking about the refugee returnees from, uh, 2016 to, uh,
last year December that we monitor that 391,000.
I seen refugee return to their country.
Um, and, uh, 2023 alone. That 37,000, uh, returnees.
But, uh, please, uh, please note that this is a monitor number.
So, uh, the the actual number might be, uh might be even bigger than,
uh than what we have at the moment.
Thanks for jumping in, Eugene. If you'd be so kind as to send, uh, those figures, Um
uh, by email to our colleagues, that would be most helpful.
Any further questions on either Syria or Senegal?
In that case, we can turn to the next subject, Uh,
from human rights business and human rights.
Yes. Thank you, Rolando. Indeed, this is about business and human rights.
We've issued a press release this morning
from the High Commissioner.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Fur
urged EU leaders to approve a
groundbreaking agreement on business and human rights
amid reports that support for the measure may
now be in question in the European Council.
The High Commissioner is stressing that the adoption of
the directive it's called the Corporate Sustainability Due diligence directive
would show historic leadership by the EU at a
time when global leadership in support of human rights is needed more than ever.
work on the directive has seen unprecedented involvement by many stakeholders,
including business and by the UN Human Rights Office,
as well as political commitment from EU institutions
and member states to push it forward.
This process has really raised hopes of ensuring more
effective management of human rights risks by large companies,
so for the directive to fail now would be a massive blow.
The EU wide directive would require certain large EU and non
EU companies to identify and address adverse human rights risks.
Human rights due diligence is feasible and supports sustainable business
processes that deliver long term value to society at large.
And for that reason or for those reasons, it makes eminent business sense.
Many of the companies that would fall within
the directive scope have backed its adoption.
The agreement on the directive is reported to be substantially aligned with the UN
guiding principles on business and human rights
and other relevant international human rights standards.
The high commissioner says in his press release that he's convinced
that the directive can make a positive contribution to respect for human right.
Its adoption would send an important message of
solidarity to those at risk from business activities.
We understand a vote on the directive is possibly due later this week,
So the call from the high Commissioner
to EU member states is to demonstrate
principled leadership on this landmark piece of legislation
and bring it across the finishing line.
And thanks for having shared that press release
questions on business and human rights for Liz.
El Processor over to you.
Yes, Thank you so much, Orlando. But I have a question on another issue,
What? What is the issue then?
Because we have We still have a couple brief
OK, maybe in the interest since we since we can, uh, we saw
on the briefers. We'll take your question now on human rights.
Yes. It's about the forced disappearance or arbitrary detention
of Venezuelan activist Rocio San Miguel,
President of the NGO Control.
Ciudadanos Miguel was detained on Friday at the Matia
uh, near Caracas with her daughter,
but, uh, her daughter and
I think her their brother,
her, her brothers, her father
E. Everybody is detained, her family. So if if
Elise is following your office is following this case.
And what can you say about this. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Gabriela. Yes, indeed. We are aware of this.
We are following up on the detention of the human rights defender, Roo
San Miguel with deep concern.
As you're saying, her whereabouts remain unknown.
Therefore, qualifying her detention as an enforced disappearance.
We urge her immediate release and respect for her right to legal defence.
for the questions for Liz before we release her.
No, I don't see us. A OK, so thank you once again, as always, for joining us here.
Very pleased to, uh, introduce our colleagues here joining me on the podium.
ao, of course. So you know, from Unit A
and joining me to my left is, uh, doctor Prevo Barranco,
who is a cross cutting specialist on
non communicable diseases and special initiatives at
And they're going to address global action on cervical cancer. So maybe I I
Do you want to start off?
Yes, Thank you. And, uh, we understand that's a busy briefing.
Will try to be, uh, not too long.
I am here today to speak on behalf of a coalition of 11 partners.
The government of Colombia,
the Pan American Health Organisation, the World Health Organisation,
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
the Global Financing Facility,
the United States Agency for International Development
woman somewhere in the world dies of cervical cancer shortly every two minutes.
fourth more common cancer among women worldwide.
It is also one of the few types of cancer
Vaccination against human papilloma
virus, the leading cause of cervical cancer,
together with screening and treatment,
is a proven path to elimination.
Yet due to supply constraints, delivery challenges and the pandemic,
just one in five girls have been vaccinated.
Cost effective and evidence based virus screening and
treatments is also critical to saving life,
but inequities remain too high.
Fewer than 5% of women in low and middle income countries
are ever screened for cervical cancer. In
an estimated 348,000 women who died of cervical cancer in 2020
are coming from low and middle income countries.
Major progress can be made by integrating cervical
cancer services in existing primary health care delivery.
We have cost effective and evidence based tools for screening and treatment.
recommendation of one dose HPV vaccine opens new opportunities
to reach more girls worldwide
and will significantly reduce cost and logistic barrier.
annual death from cervical cancer,
we will likely reach 410,000 by 2030 if we don't change course
If we make the right commitments, we can
eliminate for the first time ever, a full category of cancer globally.
11 cohorts will organise the first ever global Cervical Cancer elimination forum,
the first week of March in Cartagena de
The forum will bring together senior ministry
officials with leading global health development agencies,
donors, academia and others
to galvanise the global movement to eliminate cervical cancer.
New and ambitious commitments will
be announced financial policy and programmatic
to advance the cervical cancer elimination agenda.
The forum offers a moment for the world to
collectively accelerate progress
on the groundbreaking promise made in 2020
when nearly 200 countries signed on the
global strategy to eliminate cancer cervical cancer worldwide.
targets to meet by 2030 in order to put countries on the path to elimination
very quickly. That's 90% of girls vaccinated by age 15
70% of women screened by high performance tests by age 35
and 90% of women with cervical disease receiving treatments.
Now it is the time for government and international organisations to
step up and to prioritise the fight against cervical cancer.
And that's why those 11 important partners
are stepping up and hosting that important forum
at the beginning of March. And I would like to introduce Dr
We will briefly develop the subject,
cancer, like has been mentioned,
is the fourth most common cancer in women globally.
But we know that in 25 countries in the African region,
cervical cancer is number one cancer that affects women.
And in places where cervical cancer
is the most common cancer, it actually demonstrates
inequities in access as well as social and economic deprivation.
for the first time, like he
mentioned, the global community
adopted the W strategy for elimination of
cervical cancer as a public health problem
and through those targets of vaccinating
HPV and screening women eligible women
by 8, 35 and 45 as well as
having access to treatment for 90 per cent of this,
if this can be achieved by 2030 it will put countries
on the pathway towards elimination.
has eloquently highlighted
the opportunities that there are for vaccination for screening and treatment.
But we know it is not an either or
of vaccinating girls of screening women and ensuring that they
are those that are detected with disease are treated early
will be needed to make sure that countries are
on the track towards elimination of cervical cancer.
access to screening has been very, very low.
Most countries very low and middle
income countries have low coverage for screening
for this. W-2 has also released guidelines to ensure that
cervical cancer screening
is cost effective, so the HPV
DNA testing has been recommended. But
uptake of this has been quite low.
With support from our partner unit.
We have actually been supporting countries to ensure that
the cost of this because the cost of HPV DNA testing is a significant barrier.
low and middle income countries to be able to
to improve access to using these
technologies for screening and ensuring that treatment
we also recommend strengthening capacity for treatment because it is not
just screening but ensuring that capacities for treatment
is available. And we know that in low and middle income countries,
access to cancer treatment is an issue. The report that
shows the inequities in access to treatment for cancer.
benefit package in most low and
So it's a combination of that package that we are
here to ensure that countries are able to make commitments
towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.
I just want to add that for the 11 co
the opportunity the first week of March. To put this on the agenda,
a problem that we need to face because we have all the tools to do so.
Then we need political leadership Obviously, we need money.
We have already on the technical part all what we need to do.
So then that's the call of today for the 11 organisations. Thanks to welcome us.
Thank you both very much. Very important messages indeed.
I have questions for our colleagues.
No, I Well, yeah. Lisa Schlein, Voice of America. Lisa?
Yeah. Uh huh. Hi, Harve. Nice to see you. Um
yeah. II. I don't understand.
What are the supply constraints that you're talking about? And
uh, this is a cost-effective treatment. What does that mean? In terms of money,
How much money is there? And,
uh, I don't know. The The thing that
kind of bothers me or I can't quite understand, is
why If it is cost effective, and it is so, um,
you know, you know, effective in terms of, um,
preventing these, uh, young girls and then women from getting this awful disease.
Why? This isn't happening.
Uh, is there not enough publicity? Do the governments do not understand this?
Or does it have something to do with the fact that you're dealing with girls? Sorry,
but discrimination does exist and not boys, because cancer treatments.
Um, have been notorious in terms of favouring
I will leave my my colleagues developing that. I just want to
to ponder that in terms of price for exa M for HPV tests.
Together with our partners United secure agreements to have a
reduced price for those states by nearly 40 per cent.
And in terms of what we call the thermal ablution device
United and partner safe negotiator reduction in 45% of the price of those devices.
developing your question.
with regards to the constraints with
the girls the recommended Adrian of 9 to 14 years
fall outside the normal vaccination for Children.
it needs to they they are a unique group.
and we know that during COVID-19 there was a drop,
a significant drop even in the uptake of these vaccines, because
schools were closed. If it was,
if they were using school based approach
for vaccinating these girls schools were closed. And we know that
most facilities were repurposed to be able to
to the emergencies. So because of that, we saw a significant drop in
so that's one of the challenges. Second challenge is that
initially it was two doses of HPV vaccines to be given to.
That was a recommendation.
Immunisation on the stage
has recommended and found out that
one dose is not inferior to two doses.
So so far, 37 countries have migrated to the one dose schedule, makes it easier,
it reduces cost of vaccination, and it also improves access to vaccines.
So that's the strategy that's been used
the same issues that affect health systems.
Weakness in most low and middle income countries, where cervical cancer
is the most common preventable cause of cancer mortality
So lack of awareness or lack of access or lack
of capacity of the healthcare workers to be able to
carry out this simple screening tests
or even when they have the capacity probably
the technology is there is not there.
So those are all challenges that
that account for the low coverage rates we are seeing. And
so one of the reasons why we are having this
governments and civil society organisations are
able to ramp up community awareness
involvement of the communities to be able to advocate and raise awareness.
Of course, you are also aware that
There are also misconceptions
on both on the vaccine and on the screening. So it's all it's a total package that
will be needed to be able to
vaccination and screening coverage is improved. That's an important message.
And yesterday we received from Carly and myself a lot of additional technical
information and the codes of this briefing
Thank you both very, very much. Uh,
Mr Doctor Barranco And, of course,
for joining us here, I don't see any further questions. So,
this is a very important role for you
to raise awareness about this important situation.
So thank you once again for joining us here at this press briefing,
Jean Rodriguez of, uh, UN EC UN uh,
Economic commission for Europe has an announcement on an upcoming, uh,
the Inland Transport Committee
beginning next week over to you.
86th annual session of the Inland Transport Committee,
which is the UN Regulatory Platform for Inland Transport, which covers road rail,
intermodal transport as well. So
ICAO for air civil aviation
It gathers delegates not only from our 56 member states but delegates of the 152 UN
member states which are parties to at least
one of the 60 international transport agreements.
Under the purview of the committee,
we expect over 20 ministers and deputy ministers from our region and beyond,
including from the Netherlands, the US, the Russian Federation, Ukraine,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan as well as Iran, Lao,
Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Peru.
The session is called to adopt a strategy to decarbonise inland transport by 2050.
Let me recall that the transport sector is responsible for some 23% of global
greenhouse gas emissions,
with road transport alone accounting for around 77% of these
with the estimated increase of population economies and
the need for mobility over the coming decades.
The World Bank estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from transport could
increase by as much as 60% by 2050 if left unchecked.
So clearly the strategy to be adopted next week will be very crucial to make sure
to try that member states comply with their obligations under the Paris agreement
to get on track with net zero emissions scenarios by 2050 CO two,
emissions from the transport sector must fall by more than 3% per year by 2030.
The objective of the strategy
that is expected to be adopted next week is to set a medium and long term
course towards the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050
enabling parties to deliver on their climate commitments.
The strategy also encompasses shifting to low carbon transport modes
and moving, moving freight and passenger from
road to rail and inland waterways.
In addition to climate change,
the session will see the opening for signature of the
Convention on the Contract for International Carriage of Goods by Rail
that was adopted last November.
The convention aims at unifying the legal system for the carriage of goods of cargo
and facilitate rail freight between Europe and Asia.
The session will also feature several high level events,
Forum for Road Safety and round tables on Digital and green
as well as a ministerial side events on the spec.
A roadmap for the digitalization of multi modal data
Caspian transport corridor, which is a corridor linking, uh,
Asia and Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus.
So we will send you the details and stand ready to answer questions, if you have any.
Thank you very much, Jean. Merci. Beco.
Uh, do we have questions for John?
No, I don't see. That's the quest,
Uh, the issue. So I thank you very much once again.
Appreciate you, uh, briefing us on this committee. And good luck next week
before we close. I just have a couple of announcements.
But firstly, just to mention that, uh, as regards the press stick out with, uh,
Mr Lazzarini, it's running a little late.
Maybe 1015 minutes from now. It is being webcast,
uh, live so you could go to Web tv.un.org and find
it's in the schedule. Uh, should start in maybe around 10 minutes or so.
just to mention we have a couple of committees in
session this week The Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
is, uh, today concluding its observations of the eight, rather, uh,
Pardon me. This coming Friday,
it will conclude its session, Uh, at which time it will, uh,
issue its concluding observations for ***, Tajik,
Tajikistan, Italy, Turkmenistan, Greece, Oman,
Djibouti and the Central African Republic.
and the Committee on the Economic, Social and Culture on economic,
social and cultural rights uh, yesterday opened its 75th session,
and today it's, uh, reviewing one moment, uh, this afternoon,
it will continue its review of Mauritania
according to my notes. And last note is
a, uh, festive one. I should say there is a concert this coming
Thursday, the 15th of February. It's, uh you may be familiar with the anti
jail concert series. There is an anti jail concert taking place here at the Palais
this coming Thursday, the 15th of February at 8 p.m.
Uh, this is hosted by the UN Research Institute for Social Development Unrest,
O, the UN office at Geneva,
and they've joined forces with, uh, shop shop which is a local nonprofit,
focused on fighting global inequality and racial
and gender based discrimination through cultural projects.
So we have a number of artists, uh,
including Colombian Afro indigenous artist Lido Pimenta,
who will be performing this Friday. If you want to register,
uh, you could find a link on indica.
Or, better yet, you can contact our colleague at UNR
to register your interest and attend this nice event this Thursday.
That's it for me. Any questions
on that note? Have a good afternoon.
