Executive Committee on Peace and Security (Ec|»S)B I .Pjlm3i£Si

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Executive Committee on Peace and Security (Ec|»S)B I .Pjlm3i£Si 05/07/2002 22:15 FAX 1 212 963 5065 JS 001/013 v/ Note to the Deputy Secretary-General EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON PEACE AND SECURITY (EC|»S)B I _.PJLM3I£SI With apologies for the delay in submission, I attach a pjipjar jon the.functioningjof theJBxecjifeYS^^IEffiiffJ6. oS.PeacejandSecurity, as requested on 1 April 2002. The paper is the result of a full consultation with members of the committee and represents a broad consensus on areas where improvement is needed. Discussions on follow-up are already under way. 2. The committee has already improved substantially in effectiveness and efficiency over the past couple of years. In seeking inputs, we disseminated a membership satisfaction survey originally conducted in 1999. In all areas; significant improvements were registered by the members. 3 . Additionally, a standing support secretariat for the ECPS is due to be established by the autumn of 2002. To date, the committee has functioned without any full- time support. The establishment of a secretariat should allow for the implementation of many of the recommendations made in this paper. Kieran Prendergast 6 May 2002 cc: Members of the ECPS Kenzo Oshima, ECHA Mark Malloch Brown, UNDG 05/07/2002 22:16 FAX 1 212 963 5065 DPA OUSG RIZA H002/013 The Executive Committee on Peace and Security Review of its Effectiveness and Recommendations for Reform 6 May 2002 I, Origins of the Executive Committee and the responsibilities of the convenor have also grown, with new focal point tasks in areas In January 1997, four Executive Committees such as peace-building. were established in the main sectoral areas of the UN's work - peace and security, Efforts are underway to improve the capacity humanitarian affairs, development and and performance of the committee so that it economic and social affairs - with human rights can adapt to this growing number of as a cross-cutting theme in all committees. This responsibilities. In 1999 a satisfaction survey step was an important part of the UN reform was conducted and changes introduced in process initiated by this Secretary-General and, response to the feedback received. One five years later, it is clear that the committees example is the provision of videoconferencing have contributed to a new culture of cross- to allow for direct participation of members not sectoral communication and cooperation within headquartered in New York. The functioning the UN, of the committee has improved greatly since 1999. In establishing the committees, the Secretary- General noted "the aim ... was to sharpen the Most significantly, following a lengthy process contribution that each unit makes to the overall related to the Brahimi report, in December objectives of the Organization by reducing 2001 the General Assembly approved the duplication of efforts and facilitating greater establishment of a small support secretariat for complementarity and coherence. The Executive the ECPS. Since the ECPS was, to this point, Committees were designed, therefore, as the only of the four Executive Committees -with instruments of policy development, decision- no full-time support, this was a long overdue making, and management. The heads of United development. The secretariat is expected to be Nations entities consult with one another on in place by the autumn. work programmes as well as other substantive and administrative matters of collective This review is most timely, since it the concern, to identify and exploit ways of pooling establishment of the secretariat will present an resources and services so as to maximize opportunity for the ECPS to function more program impact and minimize administrative effectively. The process of consulting ECPS costs, and more generally to facilitate joint members on the effectiveness of the committee strategic planning and decision making"1. does not end with the production of this paper, therefore, but instead will feed into the work The Executive Committee on Peace and plan and objectives of the new secretariat. For Security (ECPS) was intended as "the highest diis paper, written feedback was solicited from poJlicy development and management all ECPS members. The committee twice instrument witiiin the UN Secretariat on discussed the subject at meetings. Unless it critical, cross-cutting issues of peace and states otherwise, the quotes interspersed security". Since its establishment, the ECPS has throughout the narrative come from this expanded substantially in terms of membership consultation process. Frequent, comparative reference is also made to the findings of the 1 "Renewing ibc United Ninons: A Programme for Reform" 1999 satisfaction survey. (A/51/950 of July 1997), para 29. 05/07/2002 22:16 FAX 1 212 963 5065 DPA OUSG •* RIZA S1003/013 II. How the ECPS works the ECPS by teleconference on the situation there3. With the establishment of the ECPS Overall, the feedback from members is that support secretariat, more such initiatives should ECPS is "well prepared, well organized and well be possible. attended" and that "in terms of the rationale that underpinned [its] establishment... [it] has, compared to other bodies, demonstrated irs ECPS Membership, April 2002 usefulness". However, "its potential as the Full Members principal advisory body on peace and security Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs matters remains under under-utilised1*. (Convenor); Members agree that the committee needs to Assistant-Secrecary-General for Political Affairs "refocus its attention and product" and that its (Asia, Americas, Europe); Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs primary purpose should be the "submission to (Africa); the Secretary-General of policy papers" on Special Advisor on Africa; matters that merit collaborative Under-Secretajy-General for Peacekeeping recommendations. Operations; Assistant-Secretary-Genejffll for Peacekeeping Operations; i) Committee Composition Under-Secretaty-General for Disarmament Affairs; Under-Secrecary-General for Legal Affairs; ECPS has evolved significantly since its Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; establishment. Firstly, it has more than doubled Special Representative of die Secretary-General for Children & Armed Conflict; in she. Upon, establishment it had an official Administrator of United Nations Development membership drawn from seven UN Programme; 2 departments . It now has a membership of Assistant Administrator of United Nations seventeen, with two regular observers and four Development Programme; participants whose applications for membership High Commissioner for Human Rights; High Commissioner for Refugees; are pending (see table). This expansion reflects Executive Director of United Nations Children's the growing awareness of the linkages between Fund; peace and security and other sectoral areas. Of Vice-President for External Affairs of the World course, it has also placed a greater Bank; administrative burden on DPA as the convenor United Nations Security Coordinator. of ECPS. Observers Executive Director of Office for Drug Control and In the 1999 satisfaction survey, ECPS members Crime Prevention*, overwhelmingly thought that the then- Executive Director of World Food Programme*, composition of the committee was appropriate Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Special Adviser on Gender but felt that occasional participation by heads Issues and the Advancement of Women*, of field duty stations might be helpful. Some Interim Head of Department of Public also felt that a representative of the Executive Information1*; Office of the Secretary-General should attend. Office of the Deputy-Secretary-General; Since that rime, efforts have been made to Office of the Spokesman of the Secretary-General. invite senior representatives from the field, * Membership applications pending. In the meantime, either in person (when they are in New York) full participation in the committee. or by video or audio link. Most recently, the UNRWA West Bank Office Director briefed * DPA, DPKO, OLA, DHA, UNHCR, OHCHR and UNRWA (Internal Memorandum from Secretary-General, 29 January 1997). 3 ECPS Meaning, 15 April 2002 05/07/2002 22:16 FAX 1 212 963 5065 DPA OUSG RIZA 0004/013 The question of composition raised more distributed ahead of rime... [and] the USGs concerns this time. Many ECPS members felt would have had the chance to seek the views of that the committee had become too large, their staff*. It would also require a continuation noting "the size of ECPS seems to have of the new practice, whereby meetings notes increased gradually over time and is in danger are produced and disseminated on the same day of becoming too large to be effective" and as the meeting. On an exceptional basis, certainly "too large for highly sensitive matters "heads of agency/department... could bring a to be tabled and thrashed out in a candid colleague if they believe that his/her manner'* participation in the discussion would be indispensable". Some proposed a reversion to the original membership, while others suggested a structure The special situation of liaison offices - for UN akin to UNDG, with an executive committee entities based outside New York - would core and a larger group, convening on alternate obviously be taken into account under any new fortnights. Some felt that die larger group arrangements on level of representation. might usefully convene in various permutations depending on the issues at hand. ii) Meeting Schedule Another concern, both in 1999 and this time, The frequency and duration of ECPS meetings was the
Recommended publications
  • U.S.-Japan Approaches to Democracy Promotion
    U.S. JAPAN APPROACHES TO DEMOCRACY PROMOTION U.S. JAPAN Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA 1819 L St NW #300 Washington, DC 20036 [email protected] U.S.-JAPAN APPROACHES TO DEMOCRACY SASAKAWA USA SASAKAWA PROMOTION Edited by Michael R. Auslin and Daniel E. Bob ISBN 9780996656764 51000 > 9 780996 656764 U.S.-JAPAN APPROACHES TO DEMOCRACY PROMOTION Edited by Michael R. Auslin Daniel E. Bob Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA is an independent, American non-profit and non- partisan institution devoted to research, analysis and better understanding of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Sasakawa USA accomplishes its mission through programs that benefit both nations and the broader Asia Pacific region. Our research programs focus on security, diplomacy, economics, trade and technology, and our education programs facilitate people-to-people exchange and discussion among American and Japanese policymakers, influential citizens and the broader public in both countries. ISBN: 978-0-9966567-6-4 Printed in the United States of America. © 2017 by Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA LCCN Number applied for Sasakawa USA does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views expressed herein are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sasakawa USA, its staff or its board. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by and means without permission in writing from Sasakawa USA. Please direct inquiries to: Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA Research Department 1819 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 P: +1 202-296-6694 This publication can be downloaded at no cost at http://spfusa.org/ Cover photo: © EPA/Barbara Walton Contents Preface .............................................................................................................................v Dennis Blair and Yasushi Akashi INTRODUCTION U.S.-Japan Approaches to Democracy Promotion ............................................
    [Show full text]
  • IV International Conference CHERNOBYL CHILDREN – HEALTH EFFECTS and PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION June 2-6 2003, Kiev, Ukraine
    1 First Announcement IV International Conference CHERNOBYL CHILDREN – HEALTH EFFECTS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION June 2-6 2003, Kiev, Ukraine … Millions of people continue to be directly affected by the consequences of this disaster. I remain deeply concerned by their plight. It is particularly disturbing that few people realize the multitude of problems that are still linked to this event and its aftermath. Acute suffering continues. At least three million children require physical treatment. Vast areas of forest and agricultural land have been contaminated. Radiation levels in some areas are still well above normal. People still live with great fear, and those who contemplate having children see one of the great joys in life become yet another source of insecurity. This disaster is a matter of global concern. International assistance has been an important part of the response, including through the United Nations. We are now moving towards a long-term approach that would bring help to the most affected people and communities, and promote a return to normalcy… Kofi A. Annan Secretary-General of the United Nations (Remarks at visit to the museum of Chernobyl, Ukraine, 3 June 2002) 2 ORGANISERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA) WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP), UKRAINE ASSOCIATION “PHYSICIANS OF CHERNOBYL” In co-operation with: • United Nations Representative Office in Ukraine • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) • International Atomic
    [Show full text]
  • 2011 Overview Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized
    world development report2011 Overview Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Conflict, Security, and Development world development report2011 Confl ict, Security, and Development world development report2011 Confl ict, Security, and Development Overview © 2011 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org All rights reserved 1 2 3 4 14 13 12 11 This document summarizes the World Development Report 2011. It is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. The fi ndings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgement on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this publication is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank encourages dissemination of its work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly. For permission to photocopy or reprint any part of this work, please send a request with complete information to the Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; telephone: 978-750-8400; fax: 978-750-4470; Internet: www.copyright.com.
    [Show full text]
  • CPC Outreach Journal #531
    USAF COUNTERPROLIFERATION CENTER CPC OUTREACH JOURNAL Maxwell AFB, Alabama Issue No. 531, 10 October 2006 Articles & Other Documents: U.N. Warns N. Korea On Nuclear Test U.N. Council Urges N. Korea Not To Conduct Nuclear Test Six Powers Agree To Take Next Step On Iran Nuclear Test Threat Strains Korea Border North Korea's Nuclear Intentions, Out There For All To N. Korea Might Lose Its Only Ally See U.S. Project Could Start Atomic War, Experts Warn U.S. Urges Sanctions On North Korea U.S. Doubts Korean Test Was Nuclear Pentagon Assesses Responses, Including A Possible Blockade For U.S., A Strategic Jolt After North Korea's Test Condemnation Swift, But Options Are Limited Pentagon Hunting For Clues On Power, Makeup Of Even If Device Was Flawed, Test Crossed A Threshold Weapon Welcome to the CPC Outreach Journal. As part of USAF Counterproliferation Center’s mission to counter weapons of mass destruction through education and research, we’re providing our government and civilian community a source for timely counterproliferation information. This information includes articles, papers and other documents addressing issues pertinent to US military response options for dealing with nuclear, biological and chemical threats and attacks. It’s our hope this information resource will help enhance your counterproliferation issue awareness. Established in 1998, the USAF/CPC provides education and research to present and future leaders of the Air Force, as well as to members of other branches of the armed services and Department of Defense. Our purpose is to help those agencies better prepare to counter the threat from weapons of mass destruction.
    [Show full text]
  • In-Depth Study on the United Nations Contribution to the Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action
    In-depth study on the United Nations contribution to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework For Action External study commissioned for the Mid-Term Review 2010-2011 In-depth study on the United Nations contribution to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework For Action External study commissioned for the Mid-Term Review 2010-2011 Prepared by Ms. Eva von Oelreich January 2011 … The Chile earthquake is yet another tragic reminder that disaster risk is increasing globally. The Hyogo Framework for Action commits all countries to make major eff orts to reduce their disaster risk by 2015. The entire UN system is engaged in supporting these eff orts. It is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure that disaster risk reduction becomes natural part of our development eff orts. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s remarks to informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly on Chile, 10 March 2010. Hyogo Framework for Action Acknowledgements UNISDR is grateful to all members of the Advisory Group of the Mid-Term Review, who dedicated their time and advice to this project free of charge and with great commitment to the cause of disaster risk reduction, including by providing insightful comments on various drafts of this report under time pressure. In particular, we want to thank Susanne Frueh for advising on the methodology of the Mid-Term Review, Mukesh Kapila for facilitating the online debate on a post-2015 framework, Ronald Jackson for initiating the study on disaster risk reduction in the Caribbean, Virginia Murray for spearheading the study on databases for disaster risk reduction, Marco Ferrari for helping in defi ning the issue of international governance for disaster risk reduction, and Kenzo Oshima for requesting that the Japan International Cooperation Agency conduct an internal review of its contribution to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action.
    [Show full text]
  • 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation 4 May 2005
    NPT/CONF.2005/Misc.1 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation 4 May 2005 of Nuclear Weapons Original: English New York, 25 April-May 2005 PROVISIONAL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS (Subject to corrections) ∗ I. STATES PARTIES ALBANIA Address: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations 320 East 79th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021 Telephone: (212) 249-2059 Mr. Agim Nesho Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative to the United Nations Head of Delegation Mr. Lublin Dilja Minister Plenipotentiary Permanent Mission Alternate member Mr. Ilir Melo Minister Counselor Permanent Mission Alternate member Ms. Elvina Jusufaj Second Secretary Permanent Mission Alternate member __________________ ∗ Corrections to be submitted to Room S-3140. 05-33749 (E) 090505 *0533749* NPT/CONF.2005/Misc.1 ALGERIA Address: Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations 326 East 48th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017 Telephone: (212) 750-1960 M. Hocine Meghlaoui Secrétaire Général du Ministère des affaires etrangères Chef de la délégation M. Abdallah Baali Ambassadeur Représentant Permanent auprès de l’ONU à New York Membre M. Noureddine Bendjaballah Commissaire à l’Energie Atomique Membre M. Abdelaziz Lahiouel Directeur des Affaires politiques Internationales au MAE Membre M. Mourad Benmehidi Ambassadeur Représentant Permanent Adjoint auprès de l’ONU à New York Membre M. Larbi Alioua Conseiller auprès du Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique Membre M. Mohamed Belaoura Sous-directeur du Désarmement et des Questions de Sécurité Régionale au MAE Membre M. Larbi El Hadj Ali Ministre Plénipotentiaire près la Mission Permanente auprès de l’ONU à New York Membre M.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Official Records Fifty-Sixth Session
    United Nations A/56/PV.65 General Assembly Official Records Fifty-sixth session 65th plenary meeting Tuesday, 27 November 2001, 3 p.m. New York President: Mr. Han Seung-soo ........................................ (Republic of Korea) In the absence of the President, Mr. Ouch (c) Strengthening of international cooperation and (Cambodia), Vice-President, took the Chair. coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl The meeting was called to order at 3.10 p.m. disaster Agenda item 20 (continued) Report of the Secretary-General (A/56/447) Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian (d) Participation of volunteers, “White Helmets”, and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, in the activities of the United Nations in the including special economic assistance field of humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and technical cooperation for development (a) Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations Report of the Secretary-General (A/56/308) Reports of the Secretary-General (A/56/95, (e) Assistance to the Palestinian people A/56/307, A/56/384 and Corr.1) Report of the Secretary-General (A/56/123 and Note by the Secretary-General (A/55/649) Corr.1) Mr. Ling (Belarus) (spoke in Russian): The Draft resolution (A/56/L.14) debate under agenda item 20 (c), “Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to (b) Special economic assistance to individual study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the countries or regions Chernobyl disaster”, is taking place during this session of the General Assembly against the background of the Reports of the Secretary-General (A/56/158, fifteenth anniversary of the disaster at the Chernobyl A/56/264, A/56/269, A/56/338, A/56/361, nuclear power plant, a tragedy whose devastating A/56/389, A/56/412, A/56/470 and A/56/632) consequences continue, because of their very specific and long-lasting effects, to adversely affect the Draft resolutions (A/56/L.15, A/56/L.16) development of our country.
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée Parlementaire
    Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE POLITICAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly Sub-Committee on External Relations Synopsis N° 2006 / 06 24 October 2006 The Sub-Committee on External Relations (of the Political Affairs Committee) meeting in New York (United States of America) on 19 and 20 October 2006, with Mr Schieder (Austria, SOC) acting as Head of Delegation: - held exchanges of views with: Ambassador Johan L. LOVALD, Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN, Vice- Chairman of the Peace building Commission; Mrs Louise ARBOUR, UN High Commissioner of Human Rights; Mr Jean-Marie GUEHENNO, UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping operations; Ms Angela KANE, UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs; Mr Nicolas MICHEL, UN Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs; Mr Rashid KHALIKOV, Director, UN Office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Mr Shashi THAROOR, UN Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public information; Mr Ilya Y. ROGACHEV, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations; Ambassador Kenzo OSHIMA, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, President of the United Nations Security Council; Ambassador Juan Antonio YANEZ-BARNUEVO, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations, Co-Sponsor of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. cc Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly Director General and staff of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly
    [Show full text]
  • Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council 1 August 2005
    S/INF/61 Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council 1 August 2005 – 31 July 2006 Security Council Official Records United Nations • New York, 2006 NOTE The present volume of Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council contains the resolutions adopted and the decisions taken by the Council on substantive questions during the period from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006, as well as decisions on some of the more important procedural matters. The resolutions and decisions are set out in parts I and II, under general headings indicating the questions under consideration. In each part, the questions are arranged according to the date on which they were first taken up by the Council during the period under review, and under each question the resolutions and decisions appear in chronological order. The resolutions are numbered in the order of their adoption. Each resolution is followed by the result of the vote. Decisions are usually taken without a vote. S/INF/61 ISSN 0257-1455 Contents Page Membership of the Security Council in 2005 and 2006 ................................................................................................................. vii Resolutions adopted and decisions taken by the Security Council from 1 August 2005 to 31 July 2006 .............................. 1 Part I. Questions considered by the Security Council under its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan.........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • United Nations Day
    THE JAPAN TIMES MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016 5 United Nations Day A future of greener, cleaner and low-carbon growth Future challenges require growing role, global youth Ban Ki-moon threshold lies our best chance for greener, SECRETARY-GENERAL, THE UNITED NATIONS cleaner, low-carbon growth. Michiru Mekata tries (Japan, Germany, India The U.N. is also in transition, from its SPECIAL TO THE JAPAN TIMES and Brazil) made concerted ef- This year’s observance of eighth secretary-general to the ninth. I forts to reform the U.N. Security United Nations Day occurs have been honored to serve “we the peo- Tis year, Japan is celebrating 60 Council. Te following year at a time of transition for ples” for the past ten years. Together, we years of U.N. membership. On marked the 50th anniversary of the world and for the U.N. have put in place some solid foundations this occasion, U.N. Information Japan joining the U.N. and I have Humanity has entered for shared progress — which we must Centre Director Kaoru Nemoto fond memories of a commemo- the era of sustainability — build on by working even harder to em- met with Kenzo Oshima, a well- rative event, featuring the New with a global commitment power women, engage youth and uphold respected international fgure York Asian Symphony Orches- to fulfil the great promise human rights for all. But we have also suf- who has held senior positions at tra. It provided an opportunity of the 2030 Agenda for fered enormous heartbreak — including top-notch institutions in and for up-and-coming Japanese Sustainable Development.
    [Show full text]
  • Burmese Security Forces and Personnel Implicated in Serious Human Rights Abuses and Accountability Options
    Burmese Security Forces and Personnel Implicated in Serious Human Rights Abuses and Accountability Options (name redacted) Specialist in Asian Affairs Updated October 22, 2018 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R45388 SUMMARY R45388 Burmese Security Forces and Personnel October 22, 2018 Implicated in Serious Human Rights Abuses name redacted and Accountability Options Specialist in Asian Affairs [email protected] At least 17 different reports by United Nations (U.N.) entities and independent human rights organizations have been released containing allegations that certain Burmese security force For a copy of the full report, officers and units committed serious human rights violations dating back to 2011. These reports please call 7-.... or visit name nearly 40 individuals and over 100 security units as responsible for such gross human www.crs.gov. rights violations as murder, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and forced labor. Some of these individuals, including Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, were identified in four or more of the reports. Similarly, some of the security units, in particular Infantry Division 33 and Infantry Division 99, were cited by six or more of the reports. The reports suggest that the commission of human rights abuses by Burma’s security forces is pervasive, systematic, and endemic. CRS did not independently verify the credibility of these reports. The Trump Administration has labeled the alleged human rights violations as “ethnic cleansing” and has imposed “limited targeted sanctions” on five Burmese military officers and two military units it considers responsible for serious human rights violations against the Rohingya in Burma’s Rakhine State.
    [Show full text]
  • Diplomacy in Action: Expanding the Un Security Council’S Role in Crisis and Conflict Prevention
    DIPLOMACY IN ACTION: EXPANDING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL’S ROLE IN CRISIS AND CONFLICT PREVENTION RICHARD GOWAN N Y U CENTER ON INTERNATIONAL C I C COOPERATION May 2017 CENTER ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The world faces old and new security challenges that are more complex than our multilateral and national institutions are currently capable of managing. International cooperation is ever more necessary in meeting these challenges. The NYU Center on International Cooperation (CIC) works to enhance international responses to conflict and insecurity through applied research and direct engagement with multilateral institutions and the wider policy community. CIC’s programs and research activities span the spectrum of conflict insecurity issues. This allows us to see critical inter-connections between politics, security, development and human rights and highlight the coherence often necessary for effective response. We have a particular concentration on the UN and multilateral responses to conflict. TABLE OF CONTENTS DIPLOMACY IN ACTION: EXPANDING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL’S ROLE IN CRISIS AND CONFLICT PREVENTION By Richard Gowan 1. INTRODUCTION: THE SECURITY COUNCIL’S LIMITATIONS 3 2. THE COUNCIL AND CRISIS DIPLOMACY: HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS 5 3. THE COUNCIL AND CRISIS DIPLOMACY: CURRENT SITUATION 8 4. THE SECURITY COUNCIL’S MISSING OPERATIONAL ROLE 12 5. RECOMMENDATIONS: INCREASING THE SECURITY COUNCIL’S OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS 14 ENDNOTES 17 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The UN Security Council has the potential to play a greater direct role in crisis response and mediation not only in New York, but in the field. It has done so sporadically in the past. In its early years, the Council experimented with inter-governmental missions to investigate potential conflicts and undertake mediation in cases including the Balkans and Indonesia.
    [Show full text]