1. HEADLINE: UNITED NATIONS -- The following information was released by the United Nations: The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard the presentation of reports by the Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter Kalin, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Yakin Erturk, and the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Juan Miguel Petit.

Mr. Kalin said his work continued to be governed by three pillars of activity: a strong normative framework; the political will to implement it; and the capacity to protect. While the international community had grown more aware of the human rights of internally displaced persons, there was much still to be done in prevention of displacement and on finding durable solutions. He was convinced that the suffering and human rights crises arising from conflict could be avoided if concerned Governments were committed to search for peaceful solutions to conflict, ensured that armed forces respected international humanitarian law, and addressed impunity, and if international support were given early and in enough quantity.

Ms. Erturk said although in many parts of the world significant degrees of deviation from the universal norm of gender equality had been achieved, no country or society had fully established equality between the sexes, and consequently, violence against women, which was embedded in gender inequality, remained a universal phenomenon. It was important to underline the universality of violence against women and its socio-historical causes, as there was an increasing observance of strengthening cultural relativist claims over women's lives, as well as a worrying trend towards singling out certain types of violence and essentialising certain cultures as the source of the problem.

Ms. Erturk hoped the Council would strengthen the violence against women mandate as well as all of the other mandates of the Special Procedures to ensure an enhanced and effective protection of human rights around the world.

Mr. Petit said the first topic mentioned in the report was that of illegal trafficking of children's organs and tissues and it remained a sensitive issue, especially when involving vulnerable victims such as children. The second topic of the report, the issue of missing children, had become a serious concern in a number of States. Concerning the recommendations, it should be highlighted that it was primordial that all States adopted legislation and standards regulating organ and tissue transplantation in line with the Guiding Principles that had been developed in order to enforce bilateral and regional cooperation through the elaboration of common standards and establishing an effective information network. Regarding the abduction of children, all States should set up rapid-response programmes and incorporate this issue in their national legislation provisions.

Speaking as concerned countries in response to the reports were Cte d'Ivoire, Turkey, Sweden, the Netherlands and Ukraine. Speaking in the context of the interactive debate were the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Germany on behalf of the European Union, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, South Africa, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Conference, Australia, Mexico, Democratic Republic of Congo, New Zealand on behalf of itself and Norway, Switzerland, Georgia, Albania, Republic of Korea, Uzbekistan, Norway, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Guatemala, Uruguay, Serbia, Iran, Indonesia, and India. (States News Service March 20, 2007)

2. HEADLINE: UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations Office of the Secretary General issued the text of the following statement: Pledging to work closely with Member States in "putting our house in ?order", United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the General Assembly to begin deliberations on the recommendations of a blue-ribbon panel to better harmonize the world body's diverse development, humanitarian and environmental activities to produce a more efficient and responsive Organization.

"Improving the ability of the UN to deliver in development, humanitarian assistance and the environment is ?a matter of life and death to millions of men, women and children around the world who depend on us to meet their basic human needs," Mr. Ban said, introducing the report of the High-Level Panel on United Nations System-Wide Coherence, which presents an ambitious vision of a better coordinated and a more efficient and accountable United Nations system.

Mr. Ban said that the Organization was seen as "fragmented and weak" at the country level, where more than one third of United Nations country teams now included 10 or more United Nations agencies, funds and programmes working on the ground at any one time. "[The United Nations] is seen as lacking in synergy at the global level, where, in some sectors, up to 20 United Nations entities can compete for limited resources without a clear, collaborative framework," he added.

The report, entitled Delivering as One, recommends, among other things, a country-level consolidation of United Nations agencies - tagged the "One UN" approach; the strengthening of leadership on humanitarian and environmental activities; the establishment of a "leadership forum" within the Economic and Social Council to upgrade that body's policy coordinating functions; and the creation of both a new funding system and a new women's organization.

"I believe that the report ?has produced thought-provoking and far-reaching proposals to address these shortcomings. These recommendations merit our full engagement", Mr. Ban said, expressing his broad support for the principle of a "stronger, more coherent United Nations", and adding that in exploring a way forward for inter-governmental review, he was convinced that the Assembly needed to place the Panel's recommendations firmly within the context of the wider United Nations reform agenda.

Moving forward on system-wide coherence, he said in closing, was not in the interests of any one group of countries, nor against those of another. Rather, it was a "triple win" solution and vision. It was a "win" for the United Nations, because it would lead to a more effective Organization; a "win" for developing countries, who stood to gain more coherent assistance and better service delivery; and a "win" for developed countries, who would be able to explain and justify to their constituents why it was right to channel resources through the United Nations and demonstrate real results.

Before Mr. Ban presented his report, General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa ( Bahrain) stressed that the promise of achieving the Millennium Development Goals was central to delivering the broader development agenda, saying that it was the international community's duty to ensure global economic stability and prosperity. The Panel's report presented an important opportunity to do just that. Donors and developing countries had agreed that the United Nations system could play a critical role in development; that the Organization should remain at the heart of the multilateral development system; that its development activities needed to be strengthened; and that the United Nations could deliver more and better development assistance.

When delegations took the floor, most speakers generally agreed with the broad thrust of the Panel's recommendations and applauded the Secretary-General's call for an open and transparent intergovernmental review on ways to implement them.

But, a speaker representing the Organization's largest negotiating bloc of developing countries cautioned against diving into this new exercise without giving due consideration to the impact on countries already struggling to meet the demands of achieving a host of other development objectives. Development cooperation should be demand-driven and pursued on the basis of national strategies and plans of developing countries, stated Pakistan's representative. Speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" and China, as well as the Non-Aligned Movement, he added that it should be voluntary and grant-based in nature, and that there should be no "one-size-fits-all" approach. Also, he would not support the introduction of new conditionalities through the reform process.

In response, a speaker from a donor country said that the Panel's recommendations were an opportunity to match the vision contained in the Millennium Declaration with a world class United Nations delivery system. That was an opportunity that all Member States needed to seize, stated the United Kingdom representative. He urged the Assembly not to waste time debating whether change was needed, but to use the Panel's findings and agree on "how and when" change would be delivered. The "One UN" approach was about putting good Governments in the driver's seat in deciding how external assistance could best support national priorities with better accountability for results. It was not a backdoor to more conditionality. Rather, it was an open door to new partnership and trust.

Also participating in the discussion today were the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (speaking on behalf of the European Union) and the Minister for Development Cooperation and Francophonie of France.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Rwanda (speaking also on behalf of Belgium, Cape Verde, Denmark, Eritrea, Sweden and United Republic of Tanzania), Canada (speaking also on behalf of Australia and New Zealand), Japan, Indonesia, Russian Federation and India.

The Assembly will reconvene tomorrow, 17 April, at 10 a.m., to continue its consideration of the Secretary-General's report on the High-Level Panel's recommendations.

Background

The General Assembly met this afternoon to consider the Secretary-General's report (document A/61/836), entitled "Recommendations contained in the report of the High-level Panel on United Nations System-Wide Coherence in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment", to be presented by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In its report, Delivering as One, the Panel puts forth a vision of a significantly more effective and coherent world body, very much in line with the demands and concerns of Member States. That vision was predicated on overcoming fragmentation and bringing together the system's many assets to "deliver as one" at all levels, particularly the country level, in line with country ownership. That initiative was vital as the true measure of success for the United Nations was not in how much was promised but in how much was delivered to those most in need, the Secretary-General says.

The Delivering as One report should be considered within the context of ongoing reform processes, the report says, including the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. Noting that the United Nations Development Group had initiated eight pilot projects in which the "One United Nations" approach would be tested, the Secretary-General endorsed those pilots, as they would provide an essential test of the application of principles advocated by the Panel in different countries, and results analysis would be presented to relevant governing bodies at year-end.

On strengthening the Organization's gender architecture, the Secretary-General agreed fully with the Panel's assessment of the need to consolidate and strengthen several current structures in a dynamic entity focused on gender equality and women's empowerment, and he would continue to recruit competent women to be part of his senior team. Regarding the proposal on gender equality and women's empowerment, including the establishment of an Under-Secretary General for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, the Secretary-General also says he would await the outcome of substantive discussions of Member States in order to be further guided by the inter-governmental process.

In the Delivering as One report, the Panel puts forth its vision for overcoming systemic fragmentation and develops recommendations based on five strategic directions: ensuring coherence of activities at all levels (country, regional and Headquarters); establishing appropriate governance, managerial and funding mechanisms to empower consolidation; overhauling business practices of the system to ensure a focus on outcomes, responsiveness to needs and delivery of results; ensuring significant opportunities for consolidation through an in-depth review; and undertaking implementation urgently but not in a manner that could compromise permanent change.

Among its recommendations, the Panel suggests the establishment of one United Nations at the country level, with one leader, one programme, one budget, and one office, where appropriate. That "One UN" programme must be developed and owned by the country, and managed by an empowered Resident Coordinator. A Millennium Development Goals funding mechanism should be established to provide multi-year funding for the One UN country programmes and for agencies that are performing well. On humanitarian assistance, the Panel says the Organization's lead role in addressing humanitarian disasters and the transition from relief to development should be enhanced, with coordination carried out through a "cluster approach" to deliver on specific needs. Regarding the environment, the Panel calls for strengthening international environmental governance to improve effectiveness, and the Secretary-General should commission an independent assessment to that end.

A dynamic United Nations entity on gender equality and women's empowerment should be developed, with the three existing entities consolidated into one independent gender entity that would have a stronger normative and advocacy role, and be ambitiously funded. To further streamline United Nations activities, the Secretary-General also should establish an independent task force to eliminate duplication within the system. (US Fed News April 16, 2007)

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4. HEADLINE: UNITED NATIONS -- The following information was released by the United Nations Population Fund: The Malawi Government today launched a Road Map to combat maternal and infant death, with the theme, "Maternal Death is Preventable; No More Silence, Act Now!"

Every day, 16 Malawian women die due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. The new Road Map provides strategies that will reduce these numbers and ensure that women go through pregnancy, childbirth and post-delivery safely, while also ensuring that their babies are alive and healthy.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations family in Malawi, Ms. Esperance Fundira, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative said, "Pregnancy and childbirth are supposed to be joyful occasions. For many mothers in Malawi, they turn into a very sad occasion that tears families apart. Too many women are dying giving life, and that is unacceptable, particularly when we know how to prevent it."

Malawi has one of the highest levels of maternal deaths in the world. According to the 2004 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey', the maternal mortality rate is 984 out of every 100,000 live births. This adds up to 6,000 maternal deaths a year. Globally 529,000 women die every year in pregnancy or birth, according to estimates by UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF. The Malawi Road Map highlights strategies including access to contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, skilled attendance at births, functional referral systems, timely and quality emergency obstetric and infant care. The Road Map also promotes community empowerment and action to reduce maternal and infant deaths.

"The Road Map demonstrates the Government of Malawi's commitment to international agreements, particularly the Maputo Plan of Action of September 2006. Here, 48 countries in Africa unanimously agreed to ensure maternal health and universal access to reproductive health", said Ms. Fundira.

Successful implementation of the Road Map will enable Malawi to attain Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 to reduce maternal and child deaths. Pilot implementation of the Road Map has already started at national and district levels. UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF have provided financial and technical support for the development of the Road Map. The United Nations and development partners will continue to support the Government of Malawi and other countries throughout Africa in their implementation of national Road Maps to reduce maternal and infant death.

Malawi's Minister of Health, Marjorie Ngaunje, launched the Road Map at a ceremony in Lilongwe. The launch was held during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Health Ministers meeting and attended by officials from the United Nations, donors and other development partners. (States News Service March 30, 2007)

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5. HEADLINE: INDIA -- The UNICEF India head was today accused of sexual harassment and attempted rape by a former employee of the same organisation. Additional commissioner of police (crime against women cell) Tajender Luthra said, "We have received a complaint and are examining it. In her complaint, 44-year-old Archana Pandey accused Cecilio Adorna of attempted rape."

The police have not even registered a first information report (FIR). It makes me wonder if we are living in a civilised, democratic country or in some medieval kingdom, where the victim is blamed for the violation of her body. Under normal circumstances, the police is supposed to register a case of sexual harassment and attempted rape immediately as an FIR. Then the victim has to be counselled and provided security. The statement of a woman is enough to conclude that a crime is committed. Yet, in this case no action is initiated against the UNICEF official.

Why has UNICEF India not implemented the Supreme Court's VisakhaGuidelines to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace? Why has the United Nations not yet spelled out the actions it would initiate against Cecilio Adorna? The U.N. releases volumes on sexual harassment and rape of women in the world and claims to work to stop all these atrocities on women. Then why is it silent on this serious issue? The biased Indian media is also completely silent as it involves UNICEF. None of the TV channels reported this serious incident. This shows that even today it is not easy for a victimised woman to avail justice and support, when the alleged perpetrator holds an influential position.

About a year ago, feminist Indira Jaisingh accused a honest sincere Justice S. N. Dhingra of sexual harassment of a female lawyer, when he started taking action against striking lawyers. But, today she is completely silent, when a victimised woman runs pillar to post to seek justice. Even though the UNICEF was created to fund children's causes, it spends two billion dollars towards feminist issues like domestic violence and rape. It's high time the UNICEF practices what it has preached all along. Internationally in such cases, a woman's word is considered enough to assume a man guilty till he is proven innocent in a court. The recent case is that of designer Anand Jon, who was accused of rape in the U.S. Indian women have suffered for centuries. A woman must have great courage to report any sexual assault on her, as Indian society still stigmatises women who are sexually assaulted. People must protest against UNICEF and the police who appear to be shielding this high ranking official. (Desicritics.org April 1, 2007)