Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Media Revolution: GAMBIANS PAY HIGHEST PRICE FOR ELECTRICITY IN THE ...
Media Revolution: GAMBIANS PAY HIGHEST PRICE FOR ELECTRICITY IN THE ...: European Union (EU) programme manager Sylvain Lequere has said the rate at which Gambians continue to pay electricity in The Gambia is among...
GAMBIANS PAY HIGHEST PRICE FOR ELECTRICITY IN THE WORLD – EU
European Union (EU) programme manager Sylvain Lequere has said the rate at which Gambians continue to pay electricity in The Gambia is among the highest in the world.
“Gambians pay one of highest price for electricity in the world, thus limiting again the access to energy for the population,” he said.
Representing EU Charge d’Affaires Mrs Agnes Guillaud at the launching of a renewable energy project funded by Global Environment Fund (GEF) and United Nations
Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) held recently, Mr Lequere continued his testaments on the poor electricity rate and power supply systems, saying the country’s energy system is currently dealing with major constraints such as ageing power plants, inefficient transmission and distribution system. Another constrain, he noted is the high dependence to fuel and “legal frameworks that are unfavourable to private investments”.
The consequences of these constraints have gravely resulted in low access to electricity for majority of Gambians. Only 35% of the country’s 1.8 million have access to power, of which only 6% is for the up-country.
“This is also limiting the development of the privates sector in the country,” he noted.
hike in oil price may lead to further electricity cost improvement in Gambia
For the minister of Petroleum Teneng Mba Jaiteh, the energy situation in the country is characterised by high dependence on biomass fuels, limited access to modern energy services and unsustainable dependence on imported fossil fuel.
“Almost all of the Gambia’s modern energy service requirements are met from imported fossil-based energy sources, which is not only affecting the country’s foreign exchange reserve, thus making the country vulnerable to fluctuations in world oil prices, but it also results in the emission of greenhouse gases,” she said.
despite the cost of power, many households run 24hr without light
She noted government’s commitment to reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy sources and help fight against climate change.
Whilst she hailed the conceptualisation of the launched project, minister Jaiteh said the move seeks to support enterprises in the rural areas of the country, thereby “improving rural incomes and reducing poverty”.
“The project will also create the necessary market environment by developing the appropriate legal and regulatory framework that will ensure full participation of the private sector in the renewable energy sub-sector,” she added.
She unveiled government’s intention to redefine the country’s energy supply system on a more sustainable path. “The government stands ready to champion the global campaign as we firmly believe that renewable energy is the energy for the future,” she pointed out.
The project is expected to generate multiple benefits to different players and stakeholders within the country and at the global environmental level.
“Gambians pay one of highest price for electricity in the world, thus limiting again the access to energy for the population,” he said.
Representing EU Charge d’Affaires Mrs Agnes Guillaud at the launching of a renewable energy project funded by Global Environment Fund (GEF) and United Nations
Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) held recently, Mr Lequere continued his testaments on the poor electricity rate and power supply systems, saying the country’s energy system is currently dealing with major constraints such as ageing power plants, inefficient transmission and distribution system. Another constrain, he noted is the high dependence to fuel and “legal frameworks that are unfavourable to private investments”.
The consequences of these constraints have gravely resulted in low access to electricity for majority of Gambians. Only 35% of the country’s 1.8 million have access to power, of which only 6% is for the up-country.
“This is also limiting the development of the privates sector in the country,” he noted.
For the minister of Petroleum Teneng Mba Jaiteh, the energy situation in the country is characterised by high dependence on biomass fuels, limited access to modern energy services and unsustainable dependence on imported fossil fuel.
“Almost all of the Gambia’s modern energy service requirements are met from imported fossil-based energy sources, which is not only affecting the country’s foreign exchange reserve, thus making the country vulnerable to fluctuations in world oil prices, but it also results in the emission of greenhouse gases,” she said.
She noted government’s commitment to reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy sources and help fight against climate change.
Whilst she hailed the conceptualisation of the launched project, minister Jaiteh said the move seeks to support enterprises in the rural areas of the country, thereby “improving rural incomes and reducing poverty”.
“The project will also create the necessary market environment by developing the appropriate legal and regulatory framework that will ensure full participation of the private sector in the renewable energy sub-sector,” she added.
She unveiled government’s intention to redefine the country’s energy supply system on a more sustainable path. “The government stands ready to champion the global campaign as we firmly believe that renewable energy is the energy for the future,” she pointed out.
The project is expected to generate multiple benefits to different players and stakeholders within the country and at the global environmental level.
GAMBIA BRACES UP FOR SEVERE FAMINE
At least thirteen million people are projected to go hungry in West Africa in the coming months and Gambia will severely be affected after a poor harvest characterised by erratic rainfall gripped Sub-Saharan Africa.
Already the West African country has set in train mechanisms that would counter contingency liabilities of the crisis by preparing a report that identifies food, seed and farm inputs deficit for the upcoming 2012 cropping season – a measure that would likely reduce the degree of the coming famine.
Government intends to start in earnest a seed multiplication program for the main food and cash crops, and provide general relief food distributions to the entire farming population particularly those in the hardest hit regions and districts.
The country says it is difficult for the government to make provisions for the magnitude of the impending crisis if the international community and NGOs do not intervene to salvage the situation; thus making it possible for thousands lives to live by less than three meals a day.
“While food stocks in some of the major markets/areas are still at an acceptable level, price increases are progressively becoming a severe strain on the incomes of poor households and hence their access to food,” an impeccable source explains.
Already the average market price of agricultural commodities is taking an upward swing. As at the second week of March the kilo of Maize and Sorghum in Banjul stands at D18 whilst Millet and local rice hang at D15.78 and D24.5 respectively.
“The resources urgently needed to realize [... a hunger free nation] is well beyond what the national capability can guarantee and thus our resort to ask for external help from our friends and development partners [becomes necessary],” the agriculture ministry says.
The West African country needs foreign assistance with funds amounting to about six hundred and ninety million Gambian Dalasi (US$23) to save its 1.8 million people, three quarter of which live under the breadline.
The magnitude of the crisis, which will seemingly be felt by poor communities in rural Gambia, has already started to show its ugly face local communities: hoarding is fast becoming the order of the day, whilst many people have begun to look for new avenues to eke out a living.
These local communities, who are dependent on rainfall, are made more vulnerable by below normal and poorly distributed rainfall, which indicated a reduction in total crop production of more than 70%.
However, while the rural population anticipates the coming famine and are beginning to run helter-skelter to keep their heads above water, the government on the other hand is mobilising all available emergency funds for immediate action to assist the most affected.
POOR WEATHER RUINS FARMERS' HOPE, AFTER CATTLE DEATH INCREASES
“I have two options as a farmer: to sell my sheep and go to the city to find a job before the raining season starts, or sell one of my cows and buy enough provisions and stay with the family,” Muahamed Baldeh, a resident of Sare Fally in the Central River Region (CRR) told this reporter during a telephone conversation.
Baldeh, whose wife prefers him to stay put in the provinces, says even if he should go, the issue of selling the goat or the cow in the long run is inevitable.
“This is because I cannot amass enough to cater for the entire family,” he says.
Some of the people who have realised bumper harvest in millet have already started hoarding their produce for rainy days. “They do not want to go to the market and sell their commodities at this time of the year; they want to wait until when commodities of that type become rare and expensive, then they kill us with an very expensive price.”
The poor harvest impacts is made worst by skyrocketing global food prices, which is severely affecting under-privileged farming communities.
“This poor harvest is also exacerbated by the soaring world food prices, which in turn have resulted in the rapid depletion of household incomes,” a release from the agriculture ministry states.
Already the West African country has set in train mechanisms that would counter contingency liabilities of the crisis by preparing a report that identifies food, seed and farm inputs deficit for the upcoming 2012 cropping season – a measure that would likely reduce the degree of the coming famine.
Government intends to start in earnest a seed multiplication program for the main food and cash crops, and provide general relief food distributions to the entire farming population particularly those in the hardest hit regions and districts.
The country says it is difficult for the government to make provisions for the magnitude of the impending crisis if the international community and NGOs do not intervene to salvage the situation; thus making it possible for thousands lives to live by less than three meals a day.
“While food stocks in some of the major markets/areas are still at an acceptable level, price increases are progressively becoming a severe strain on the incomes of poor households and hence their access to food,” an impeccable source explains.
Already the average market price of agricultural commodities is taking an upward swing. As at the second week of March the kilo of Maize and Sorghum in Banjul stands at D18 whilst Millet and local rice hang at D15.78 and D24.5 respectively.
“The resources urgently needed to realize [... a hunger free nation] is well beyond what the national capability can guarantee and thus our resort to ask for external help from our friends and development partners [becomes necessary],” the agriculture ministry says.
The West African country needs foreign assistance with funds amounting to about six hundred and ninety million Gambian Dalasi (US$23) to save its 1.8 million people, three quarter of which live under the breadline.
The magnitude of the crisis, which will seemingly be felt by poor communities in rural Gambia, has already started to show its ugly face local communities: hoarding is fast becoming the order of the day, whilst many people have begun to look for new avenues to eke out a living.
These local communities, who are dependent on rainfall, are made more vulnerable by below normal and poorly distributed rainfall, which indicated a reduction in total crop production of more than 70%.
However, while the rural population anticipates the coming famine and are beginning to run helter-skelter to keep their heads above water, the government on the other hand is mobilising all available emergency funds for immediate action to assist the most affected.
“I have two options as a farmer: to sell my sheep and go to the city to find a job before the raining season starts, or sell one of my cows and buy enough provisions and stay with the family,” Muahamed Baldeh, a resident of Sare Fally in the Central River Region (CRR) told this reporter during a telephone conversation.
Baldeh, whose wife prefers him to stay put in the provinces, says even if he should go, the issue of selling the goat or the cow in the long run is inevitable.
“This is because I cannot amass enough to cater for the entire family,” he says.
Some of the people who have realised bumper harvest in millet have already started hoarding their produce for rainy days. “They do not want to go to the market and sell their commodities at this time of the year; they want to wait until when commodities of that type become rare and expensive, then they kill us with an very expensive price.”
The poor harvest impacts is made worst by skyrocketing global food prices, which is severely affecting under-privileged farming communities.
“This poor harvest is also exacerbated by the soaring world food prices, which in turn have resulted in the rapid depletion of household incomes,” a release from the agriculture ministry states.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Council hears from Commission of Inquiry on Libya in follow-up to its 15th special session
The Human Rights Council held its interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Libya on 9th March 2012.
Philippe Kirsch, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry opened the dialogue with his presentation of the Commission’s report. Mr Kirsch confirmed in his opening statement that the human rights violations perpetrated by Qadhafi forces amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In addition, he stated that the Thuwar (anti-Qadhafi forces) had also committed serious human rights violations that constituted war crimes and breaches of international human rights law were continuing.
He confirmed that NATO had taken extensive precautions in its operations to ensure civilians were not endangered. However, there were limited civilian casualties, and the Commission of Inquiry had been unable to conclude whether all necessary precautions had been taken to protect civilians. During the interactive dialogue Cuba, Venezuela and the Russian Federation strongly condemned the NATO intervention, suggesting that it was in fact a campaign to ‘overthrow the regime’.
The Commission of Inquiry recognised the challenges that lie ahead for the new Libyan government in rebuilding its infrastructure after 40 years of serious human rights violations. Mr Kirsch emphasised that the interim Government must concentrate on restoring the judicial system and hold those to account, irrespective of the perpetrator, for human rights violations committed. In addition, Mr Kirsch highlighted to the Council the considerable support that the transitional government will need from the international community and the United Nations.
Speaking as the concerned country, the Deputy Minister of Justice for Libya said that the Libyan authorities had 'worked around the clock' to support the Commission of Inquiry and had responded positively to the requests of the Commission. However, he hinted that there had not been enough time to study the final report, commenting that the report is very long and only available in English. In addition, he pointed to failings in the report such as a failure to 'shed light on the attacks of those that committed the most heinous crimes on the Libyan people' and that 'placing the acts of the executioner on an even footing with the reactions of the victims was not logical'.
He also emphasised that the root cause behind disputes between the people of Misrata and Tawerghar had not been explained in the report and said that the old regime 'had tricked them into hating each other'. In his concluding statement, Mr Kirsch responded to Libya's concerns that the report was placing ‘victim’ actions on an equal footing with the crimes of the ousted regime by explaining that this report was a supplement to an earlier report that had dealt more fully with the actions of the Qadhafi regime.
He went on to say that the Government of Libya will hold every person accountable for their crimes, that the Government condemns acts of revenge and that it is committed to fair and effective justice.
Key issues that were raised time and again during the interactive dialogue were those of accountability and restoring a functioning judiciary. Participating States were keen to see a commitment to hold all perpetrators to account for human rights violations committed, to see the interim Government bring an end to continued human rights violations and to see an end to arbitrary detention by bringing all detainees under a central governmental control.[1]
The involvement of NATO came under fire with strong condemnation by Cuba, Venezuela and the Russian Federation. In its condemnation, Cuba accused NATO of ‘criminal aggression’ and stated that the real motivation was to gain control of the oil and water reserves in Libya. Venezuela accused NATO action of leading to the deaths of thousands of people in Libya and suggested that the main goal was that of the ‘assassination’ of Muammar Qadhafi. The Russian Federation criticised the Commission of Inquiry for not investigating further the deaths of Muammar Qadhafi and Mutasssim Qadhafi. In addition, the delegation accused NATO of supporting a campaign to overthrow the regime. In contrast, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA welcomed the Commission of Inquiry’s conclusions that NATO had conducted a highly precise campaign with a determination to avoid civilian casualties. Others, including Malaysia, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called for further investigations into the deaths of civilians.
States generally acknowledged the enormous challenges ahead and extended support to the Libyan government. States such as Indonesia, UK, Czech Republic and the European Union asked how the international community could effectively give assistance to Libya. Responding, Mr Kirsch stated that there is much Libya could do by itself, however external assistance would be useful in the reconstruction of the judicial system and that governmental ministers of Libya were requesting assistance with training in various areas. He added that once the government decided on the support it requires, the whole of the UN system would be available to enter into a dialogue.
Philippe Kirsch, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry opened the dialogue with his presentation of the Commission’s report. Mr Kirsch confirmed in his opening statement that the human rights violations perpetrated by Qadhafi forces amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In addition, he stated that the Thuwar (anti-Qadhafi forces) had also committed serious human rights violations that constituted war crimes and breaches of international human rights law were continuing.
The Commission of Inquiry recognised the challenges that lie ahead for the new Libyan government in rebuilding its infrastructure after 40 years of serious human rights violations. Mr Kirsch emphasised that the interim Government must concentrate on restoring the judicial system and hold those to account, irrespective of the perpetrator, for human rights violations committed. In addition, Mr Kirsch highlighted to the Council the considerable support that the transitional government will need from the international community and the United Nations.
Speaking as the concerned country, the Deputy Minister of Justice for Libya said that the Libyan authorities had 'worked around the clock' to support the Commission of Inquiry and had responded positively to the requests of the Commission. However, he hinted that there had not been enough time to study the final report, commenting that the report is very long and only available in English. In addition, he pointed to failings in the report such as a failure to 'shed light on the attacks of those that committed the most heinous crimes on the Libyan people' and that 'placing the acts of the executioner on an even footing with the reactions of the victims was not logical'.
He also emphasised that the root cause behind disputes between the people of Misrata and Tawerghar had not been explained in the report and said that the old regime 'had tricked them into hating each other'. In his concluding statement, Mr Kirsch responded to Libya's concerns that the report was placing ‘victim’ actions on an equal footing with the crimes of the ousted regime by explaining that this report was a supplement to an earlier report that had dealt more fully with the actions of the Qadhafi regime.
He went on to say that the Government of Libya will hold every person accountable for their crimes, that the Government condemns acts of revenge and that it is committed to fair and effective justice.
Key issues that were raised time and again during the interactive dialogue were those of accountability and restoring a functioning judiciary. Participating States were keen to see a commitment to hold all perpetrators to account for human rights violations committed, to see the interim Government bring an end to continued human rights violations and to see an end to arbitrary detention by bringing all detainees under a central governmental control.[1]
The involvement of NATO came under fire with strong condemnation by Cuba, Venezuela and the Russian Federation. In its condemnation, Cuba accused NATO of ‘criminal aggression’ and stated that the real motivation was to gain control of the oil and water reserves in Libya. Venezuela accused NATO action of leading to the deaths of thousands of people in Libya and suggested that the main goal was that of the ‘assassination’ of Muammar Qadhafi. The Russian Federation criticised the Commission of Inquiry for not investigating further the deaths of Muammar Qadhafi and Mutasssim Qadhafi. In addition, the delegation accused NATO of supporting a campaign to overthrow the regime. In contrast, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA welcomed the Commission of Inquiry’s conclusions that NATO had conducted a highly precise campaign with a determination to avoid civilian casualties. Others, including Malaysia, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called for further investigations into the deaths of civilians.
States generally acknowledged the enormous challenges ahead and extended support to the Libyan government. States such as Indonesia, UK, Czech Republic and the European Union asked how the international community could effectively give assistance to Libya. Responding, Mr Kirsch stated that there is much Libya could do by itself, however external assistance would be useful in the reconstruction of the judicial system and that governmental ministers of Libya were requesting assistance with training in various areas. He added that once the government decided on the support it requires, the whole of the UN system would be available to enter into a dialogue.
Saturday, 10 March 2012
GAMBIA DECLARES 2011-2012 FARMING SEASON A FAILURE
After a poor harvest characterised by erratic rainfall gripped Sub-Saharan Africa, the government of The Gambia through the minister of Agriculture has declared 2011-2012 farming season a failure resulting from severe crop failures and a corresponding soaring of food prices.
A media release from the Ministry, signed by the Permanent Secretary Ada Gaye, have it that: “The post-harvest assessment of the 2011 farming season, which was characterised by below normal and poorly distributed rainfall, indicated a reduction in total crop production of more than 70%” -- a serious cause for alarm.
In a more alarming note, the release describes the harvest a “very poor”, describing the little that was harvested from rice, groundnuts, millets, maize and sorghum as “unsatisfactory”, and could barely guarantee self-provisioning of 2 months”. In an average year, self-provisioning is put at 4-6 months, which means the ‘famine season’ is expected to start early compare to previous seasons.
This release could be seen as a document that resonates a news MarketPlace reported two weeks ago, in which a potential food crisis in the region was portrayed. The report has it that several countries would be affected more severely this year and that up to 11 million people would be affected in the West Africa region, if UN’s early warning systems are ignored.
However, in response to this severe emerging crisis, the government of The Gambia is mobilising all available emergency funds for immediate action to assist the most affected, and calls on the international community and NGOs to assist in addressing current needs and preventing further deterioration of the situation.
The release adds that the poor harvest impacts is made worst by skyrocketing global food prices, which is severely affecting under-privileged farming communities.
“This poor harvest is also exacerbated by the soaring world food prices, which in turn have resulted in the rapid depletion of household incomes. While food stocks in some of the major markets/areas are still at an acceptable level, price increases are progressively becoming a severe strain on the incomes of poor households and hence their access to food,” it reads.
In response to this emerging crisis, according to the release, the government of The Gambia is mobilising all available emergency funds for immediate action to assist the most affected, and calls on the international community and NGOs to assist in addressing current needs and preventing further deterioration of the situation.
Furthering reading, the release unveils that responsible authorities have prepared a report identifying food, seed and farm inputs deficit for the upcoming 2012 cropping season.
“Government intends to start in earnest a seed multiplication program for the main food and cash crops, and provide general relief food distributions to the entire farming population particularly those in the hardest hit regions and districts,” the release highlights.
Immediately response from the International community has been solicited, as national response would not satisfy the potential crisis that is about to unveil in the West African country.
“The resources urgently needed to realize the above is well beyond what the national capability can guarantee and thus our resort to ask for external help from our friends and development partners.”
The National Seeds requirement is put at 25, 000 Metric Ton (MT) valued at three hundred million Gambian dalasi (US$10 Million); fertilizer requirement is estimated at 37, 500 MT valued at two hundred and forty million Gambian dalasi (US$8 Million); and Food Relief is estimated at 40, 000 MT valued at one hundred and fifty million dalasi (US$5 Million).
“Excellencies, the current situation poses a serious threat to both food security and nutrition security which in turn will negatively impact the Gambia’s socio-economic development considering our serious resource constraint to address them. Accordingly, we join our sister affected Sahelian countries in declaring the 2011-2012 cropping season, one of severe crop failure,” the release reads.
A media release from the Ministry, signed by the Permanent Secretary Ada Gaye, have it that: “The post-harvest assessment of the 2011 farming season, which was characterised by below normal and poorly distributed rainfall, indicated a reduction in total crop production of more than 70%” -- a serious cause for alarm.
This release could be seen as a document that resonates a news MarketPlace reported two weeks ago, in which a potential food crisis in the region was portrayed. The report has it that several countries would be affected more severely this year and that up to 11 million people would be affected in the West Africa region, if UN’s early warning systems are ignored.
However, in response to this severe emerging crisis, the government of The Gambia is mobilising all available emergency funds for immediate action to assist the most affected, and calls on the international community and NGOs to assist in addressing current needs and preventing further deterioration of the situation.
The release adds that the poor harvest impacts is made worst by skyrocketing global food prices, which is severely affecting under-privileged farming communities.
“This poor harvest is also exacerbated by the soaring world food prices, which in turn have resulted in the rapid depletion of household incomes. While food stocks in some of the major markets/areas are still at an acceptable level, price increases are progressively becoming a severe strain on the incomes of poor households and hence their access to food,” it reads.
Furthering reading, the release unveils that responsible authorities have prepared a report identifying food, seed and farm inputs deficit for the upcoming 2012 cropping season.
“Government intends to start in earnest a seed multiplication program for the main food and cash crops, and provide general relief food distributions to the entire farming population particularly those in the hardest hit regions and districts,” the release highlights.
Immediately response from the International community has been solicited, as national response would not satisfy the potential crisis that is about to unveil in the West African country.
“The resources urgently needed to realize the above is well beyond what the national capability can guarantee and thus our resort to ask for external help from our friends and development partners.”
The National Seeds requirement is put at 25, 000 Metric Ton (MT) valued at three hundred million Gambian dalasi (US$10 Million); fertilizer requirement is estimated at 37, 500 MT valued at two hundred and forty million Gambian dalasi (US$8 Million); and Food Relief is estimated at 40, 000 MT valued at one hundred and fifty million dalasi (US$5 Million).
“Excellencies, the current situation poses a serious threat to both food security and nutrition security which in turn will negatively impact the Gambia’s socio-economic development considering our serious resource constraint to address them. Accordingly, we join our sister affected Sahelian countries in declaring the 2011-2012 cropping season, one of severe crop failure,” the release reads.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Human Rights Council opens its 19th session with focus on the situation in Syria
The escalating situation in Syria and the international community’s timid response dominated the opening of the Human Rights Council’s (the Council’s) March session in Geneva on 27 February. At the end of its first meeting, the Council decided by consensus to hold an further ‘urgent debate’ on the situation in Syria on 28 February, despite signs of dismay by the Russian Federation and Cuba.
The situation in Syria was one of the key preoccupations during the address of the President of the General Assembly (PGA), Mr Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, who pointed to the concerns expressed by ‘an overwhelming number’ of States in the General Assembly in respect to the ongoing killings and human rights violations in the country. Several other high-level speakers echoed these concerns during the first meeting of this session of the Council, including the President of the Federal Council of Switzerland, the Vice-President of Colombia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Qatar, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, and the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The Council’s decision to hold an urgent debate on the situation in Syria was questioned by the Russian Federation and Cuba. They both took the floor to state that they would not object to the meeting, but expressed hopes that the debate would be ‘objective.’ The Russian Federation added that any written document resulting from the debate would be ‘counter-productive’ as a means of resolving the crisis in Syria. Cuba stressed that the debate should not be used as a pretext to endorse military action in the region, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty of States.
The PGA in turn praised the Council for the ‘effective’ efforts it had made in the case of Syria, pointing to the three special sessions that the Council has held on the State to date. However, he also encouraged the Council to consider ‘creative approaches’ for dealing with situations of conflict or opposing views, such as mediation. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navaneetham Pillay, also noted the Council's increasing responsiveness to violations of human rights on the ground. She added, however, that the Council must improve its follow-up to recommendations it makes to States and develop ways of ensuring that States cooperate with the Council and comply with those recommendations.
A number of other notable themes were raised during the debate. The High Commissioner pointed to the greater involvement of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in monitoring the human rights situation on the ground. She particularly emphasised the role of human rights defenders in supplying field presences with the information needed to react quickly to developing situations. Unfortunately, as she went on to relate, many of these individuals continue to suffer reprisals and intimidation on the basis of their engagement with the UN, and she called for increased efforts to protect those who seek to expose human rights violations.
The High Commissioner drew the Council's attention to the report it is due to consider at this session on discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. She praised the Council's readiness to discuss all human rights issues, even those that may be controversial. The Council will hold a panel discussion on sexual orientation, gender identity, and human rights on 7 March.
The situation in Syria was one of the key preoccupations during the address of the President of the General Assembly (PGA), Mr Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, who pointed to the concerns expressed by ‘an overwhelming number’ of States in the General Assembly in respect to the ongoing killings and human rights violations in the country. Several other high-level speakers echoed these concerns during the first meeting of this session of the Council, including the President of the Federal Council of Switzerland, the Vice-President of Colombia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Qatar, the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, and the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The PGA in turn praised the Council for the ‘effective’ efforts it had made in the case of Syria, pointing to the three special sessions that the Council has held on the State to date. However, he also encouraged the Council to consider ‘creative approaches’ for dealing with situations of conflict or opposing views, such as mediation. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navaneetham Pillay, also noted the Council's increasing responsiveness to violations of human rights on the ground. She added, however, that the Council must improve its follow-up to recommendations it makes to States and develop ways of ensuring that States cooperate with the Council and comply with those recommendations.
A number of other notable themes were raised during the debate. The High Commissioner pointed to the greater involvement of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in monitoring the human rights situation on the ground. She particularly emphasised the role of human rights defenders in supplying field presences with the information needed to react quickly to developing situations. Unfortunately, as she went on to relate, many of these individuals continue to suffer reprisals and intimidation on the basis of their engagement with the UN, and she called for increased efforts to protect those who seek to expose human rights violations.
The High Commissioner drew the Council's attention to the report it is due to consider at this session on discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. She praised the Council's readiness to discuss all human rights issues, even those that may be controversial. The Council will hold a panel discussion on sexual orientation, gender identity, and human rights on 7 March.
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