Annan flags human rights issue in latest
report on Ethiopia/Eritrea
20 September -- Amidst persistent accusations of human
rights abuses by both Ethiopia and Eritrea, Secretary-General
Kofi Annan said in a report released today that he intends to
establish a human rights component in the newly authorized
United Nations peacekeeping mission for the two countries.
In his latest status report on the UN Mission in Ethiopia
and Eritrea (UNMEE), Mr. Annan also warns that the complex
humanitarian emergency situation in both countries, resulting
from a combination of war and drought, is "a cause for
major concern."
According to the report, large numbers of the estimated
350,000 Ethiopians who were displaced by the recent fighting
have been returning to their homes, but they need assistance
in almost every aspect of their lives, and many of the areas
they are returning to are heavily mined. Meanwhile, drought
has left over 10 million in need of emergency assistance.
Continued humanitarian assistance is also needed in
drought-affected Eritrea, where some 400,000 internally
displaced people and some 50,000 refugees have returned to the
areas they come from and require assistance. Another 200,000
internally displaced people are held back by the lack of
resources or security concerns, while 35,000 Eritreans
continue to live as refugees in the Sudan.
In order to prevent the situation from deteriorating
further, the Secretary-General calls on both countries to
continue to exercise restraint. He also appeals to
international donors to respond to requests for assistance,
particularly in the areas of nutrition, health, sanitation and
agriculture.
As for the security situation, Mr. Annan reports
improvement over the past month. Also, deployment of UNMEE is
moving ahead, with the first military observers and civilian
support staff already in both countries, and the next wave of
observers coming in mid-October. The Secretary-General says he
will nominate a Special Representative and a Force Commander
in the near future.
Security Council extends UN mission in
Sierra Leone
20 September -- The United Nations Security Council
today unanimously approved a resolution that extends the
mandate of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) until 31
December 2000.
In resolution 1321, the Council also decided to review the
situation of the UN peacekeeping operation no later than 31
October.
UNAMSIL's mandate was due to expire today.
During its deliberations, the Security Council had before
it the most recent report on UNAMSIL by Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, who noted that the priority tasks for the UN operation
included restructuring the peacekeeping force, strengthening
its headquarters, equipping infantry battalions and boosting
deployment at areas close to Revolutionary United Front
positions.
In another development, the Security Council is to dispatch
a mission to Sierra Leone from 7-14 October, according to a
letter being sent to Mr. Annan from Council President Moctar
Ouane of Mali, a UN spokesman told reporters today in New
York.
