UN Information Centre DC

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Washington, D.C.

Ban calls for postponement of Zimbabwe election due to campaign violence

In light of the ongoing violence in Zimbabwe, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged authorities to postpone the presidential run-off election slated for Friday, June 27.

Morgan Tsvangirai, of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, who was to face President Robert Mugabe in the run-off election, announced he was withdrawing due to the violence.

"Conditions do not exist for free and fair elections right now in Zimbabwe," Mr. Ban told reporters in New York. "There has been too much violence, too much intimidation. A vote held in these conditions would lack all legitimacy."

Photo: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefs journalists on the latest developments in Zimbabwe at UN headquarters in New York on June 23. UN Photo by Devra Berkowitz

Mr. Ban, who has been in touch with a number of African leaders on the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe, added that they all agreed that the elections should be postponed until the right conditions are in place.

"I would strongly discourage the authorities with going ahead with the run-off on Friday. It will only deepen divisions within the country and produce a result that cannot be credible," he stated.

The country has been marred by deadly political violence since the first round of the presidential election on March 29.

"The campaign of threats and intimidation we have seen in Zimbabwe goes against the very spirit of democracy," said Mr. Ban. "Instead of openness, free competition and transparency, we have witnessed fear, hostility and blatant attacks against Zimbabwean citizens."

The Security Council condemned the violence against the political opposition in Zimbabwe and noted that the results of the March 29 elections must be respected.

A statement released by the Council notes that "the Security Council further condemns the actions of the government of Zimbabwe that have denied its political opponents the right to campaign freely."

The Council called on the government to stop the violence, to cease political intimidation, to end restrictions on the right of assembly, and to release the detained political leaders.

Last week, Mr. Ban sent senior UN political official Haile Menkerios to Zimbabwe in an attempt reduce political tensions. Mr. Menkerios remains in the region, after having met with officials in both Zimbabwe and neighboring South Africa.

Condoleezza Rice at UN headquarters

Photo: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice briefs the media at UN headquarters in New York on the outcome of a roundtable discussion on the Zimbabwe presidential run-off election. UN Photo/Jenny Rockett

Ban calls for end to 'silent war' of sexual violence in conflict areas

United Nations officials including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are calling for greater efforts to combat the "silent war" of sexual violence afflicting women and girls in conflict areas.

"Violence against women has reached unspeakable and pandemic proportions in some societies attempting to recover from conflict," Mr. Ban told a Security Council debate focusing on sexual violence in situations of armed conflict.

The meeting comes almost eight years after the Council adopted its landmark resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and was chaired by United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The U.S. holds the 15-member body's rotating presidency for this month.

Reese Witherspoon

Photo: Actress Reese Witherspoon addresses a press conference announcing a partnership between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and Avon to promote women's economic empowerment and to end violence against women at UN headquarters in New York. UN Photo by Eskinder Debebe

Mr. Ban stressed that responding to this "silent war against women and girls" requires leadership, comprehensive strategies and the involvement of everyone, from the UN and national governments to rape survivors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In March, Mr. Ban launched a global campaign to end violence against women, including the practice of sexual violence in armed conflict.

He is also bringing together UN entities in a concerted effort called UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. It brings together experts on various issues, including peacekeeping, HIV/AIDS and human rights, to help stop rape and other sexual crimes in conflict-ridden countries.

Sexual Violence Victims

Photo: Survivors of sexual violence receive treatment at the Hospital of Panzi, a non-profit health center focusing on improving the quality of medical care for the population, reducing the maternal and infant death rate, and providing treatment for the victims of sexual violence in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. UN Photo by Marie Frechon

On the issue of UN operations, Mr. Ban added, "Let me be clear: the United Nations and I personally are profoundly committed to a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation or abuse by our own personnel."

He also called for the greater involvement of women in conflict prevention, peace negotiations and recovery after the guns fall silent. "By creating a culture that punishes violence and elevates women to their rightful role, we can lay the foundation for lasting stability, where women are not victims of violence, but agents of peace," he said.

Nearly 50 sites nominated to join UNESCO World Heritage List

Forty-seven new natural and cultural sites have been nominated for inscription on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

The World Heritage Committee will consider the requests in early July during its annual meeting in Canada.

The nominations are comprised of 13 natural sites and 34 cultural sites and will include five countries that have no sites currently inscribed on the World Heritage List. They are: Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu.

When a site is listed on the World Heritage List, it is protected by UNESCO's 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The convention encourages international cooperation to safeguard the sites and it also provides appropriate legal and regulatory protection.

There are currently 851 sites in 141 countries that have been inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Photo Above: Al-Hijr (Mada'in Saleh), located in AI-Medina Al-Munawarah Province Northwest of Saudi Arabia, is one of the cultural properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List.

MEET THE UN

Koïchiro Matsuura

UNESCO Director-General

Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has led the organization for the past eight years, carrying out major institutional reforms while advancing a range of programs from universal basic education to freshwater management to the preservation of living arts and cultures.

Mr. Matsuura began his diplomatic career with a posting to Ghana in 1961 covering ten West African countries, which led to a lifelong passion for the cultures and people of Africa. He worked in development cooperation throughout his career, and in political affairs with a focus on North America.

Mr. Matsuura has authored books in Japanese, English and French on UNESCO, international relations, the intersection between diplomacy and development cooperation, Japan-US relations, Japan-French relations, and a history of the G-7 Summit.

- Read more about Koïchiro Matsuura...

UN SNAPSHOT

Outdoor Learning

Classes at Awak Kol Primary School in Uganda are still conducted under trees because there are not enough classrooms.

About the United Nations in Washington

As the UN Secretary-General's office in Washington, D.C, the United Nations Information Center serves as the focal point for UN news and information to advance understanding of the UN and its work, and to serve as a resource for United States government officials, NGOs, civil-society organizations and the American people.

For more information about the Center or any of the UN-affiliated agencies, please call 202-331-8670, email unicdc@unicwash.org or visit us online at www.unicwash.org.