In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the Council expressed deep concern over the violence, noting that “recent developments pose particular serious challenges for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons.”  The UN continues to monitor developments in Myanmar, where the army seized power in February.  Subsequent pro-democracy protests were met with brutal crackdowns. 

Ensure COVID-19 vaccine delivery 

This week, international media reported that the army has begun to amass heavy weapons and troops in Chin state, located in the northwest of the country, suggesting an imminent attack against militia groups which have surfaced since the coup.  members also underlined the importance of steps to improve the health and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, including the need to facilitate unhindered delivery and distribution of vaccines.  They reiterated their full support for the “positive and constructive role” played by regional bloc ASEAN in facilitating a peaceful solution, and underscored support for its Special Envoy.  “The Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support for the people of Myanmar and the country’s democratic transition, and their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar,” the statement said. 

Humanitarian situation worsening 

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is deteriorating, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said in in the week.   Rising conflict and insecurity, along with the pandemic and a failing economy, have left some three million people in need of assistance, while violence since the military takeover has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.  Mr. Griffiths added that the situation in the northwest has become “extremely concerning” in recent weeks.  This follows an escalation in hostilities between the armed forces and the Chinland Defence Force in Chin state, and with the People’s Defence Forces in Magway and Sagaing regions.  Although humanitarians are providing assistance to people across the country, and are ready to do more, they remain hampered by lack of access and funding, he said.  Mr. Griffiths urged the international community to fully support a $385 million humanitarian plan for Myanmar, which so far is less than half funded.   

Participating by teleconference, Mr. Grundberg briefed the Council Members about his  to Taiz governorate, where he held meetings in Taiz city, Turbah and Mokha, and discussed the urgent necessity for an end to the violence.  “These visits have given me a first-hand experience of the impact of the conflict on civilians in Taiz, including the difficulties they face moving through their daily lives”, Mr. Grundberg said in a statement.   The visits also gave him “the opportunity to hear directly from Yemeni men, women and young people, on how a UN-led political process can help to address the situation in Taiz as part of a sustainable solution to the conflict.”  

Dialogue 

In Taiz city and Turbah, the Special Envoy met the local Governor, Nabil Shamsan, political party representatives, civil society, Members of Parliament, business leaders and journalists.  The representatives raised concerns about the targeting of civilians in residential neighborhoods and severe restrictions on the safe and free movement of people and goods due to the continued road closures. They also discussed the sharp deterioration of the economy and basic services.  Mr. Grundberg stressed the need for comprehensive solutions and inclusive political dialogue. He called for all stakeholders to engage in discussions on political, military and economic issues that concern all Yemenis.  In Mokha, he met with the local authority, the Political Bureau of the National Resistance and the Al-Hirak Al-Tihami. 

Humanitarian situation 

The Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, , also briefed the .  According to him, fighting continues along nearly 50 front lines, including in Ma’rib, where at least 35,000 people have been forced to flee since September.  The humanitarian community is scaling up assistance, but it is quickly getting outpaced by the increasing scale of humanitarian needs.  The UN is deeply concerned that the conditions could quickly get much worse. If fighting reaches the city itself, agencies estimate it could displace another 450,000 people.  The UN continues to call for an immediate end to the Ma’rib offensive and a nationwide ceasefire.  So far, aid agencies have received about 55 per cent of the funding they require this year. This has helped to keep famine at bay and achieve other important results, but money is quickly running out.  

Murdered journalist 

In a separate statement, the Special Envoy also condemned the assassination of Yemeni journalist, Rasha Abdullah Al Harazi, in Aden, last Tuesday. She was pregnant and her husband was also seriously injured.   “I offer my condolences to the bereaved family and reiterate my calls for justice and accountability. Journalists everywhere must be able to work without fear of retaliation", Mr. Grundberg said.   Mrs. Harazi was killed when a device planted in the car she was travelling in with her husband, detonated. Both were employed by a Gulf-based television channel.  The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s () Director-General also condemned the “”, noting that Mrs. Harazi had been a trainee in 2019.  “Attacks on journalists undermine freedom of expression and the media’s capacity to keep the public informed, which can prove vital in times of conflict. Information is also essential to nourish public debate, counter hate and contribute to conflict resolution”, Audrey Azoulay said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the Council expressed deep concern over the violence, noting that “recent developments pose particular serious challenges for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons.”  The UN continues to monitor developments in Myanmar, where the army seized power in February.  Subsequent pro-democracy protests were met with brutal crackdowns. 

Ensure COVID-19 vaccine delivery 

This week, international media reported that the army has begun to amass heavy weapons and troops in Chin state, located in the northwest of the country, suggesting an imminent attack against militia groups which have surfaced since the coup.  members also underlined the importance of steps to improve the health and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, including the need to facilitate unhindered delivery and distribution of vaccines.  They reiterated their full support for the “positive and constructive role” played by regional bloc ASEAN in facilitating a peaceful solution, and underscored support for its Special Envoy.  “The Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support for the people of Myanmar and the country’s democratic transition, and their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Myanmar,” the statement said. 

Humanitarian situation worsening 

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is deteriorating, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths said in in the week.   Rising conflict and insecurity, along with the pandemic and a failing economy, have left some three million people in need of assistance, while violence since the military takeover has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.  Mr. Griffiths added that the situation in the northwest has become “extremely concerning” in recent weeks.  This follows an escalation in hostilities between the armed forces and the Chinland Defence Force in Chin state, and with the People’s Defence Forces in Magway and Sagaing regions.  Although humanitarians are providing assistance to people across the country, and are ready to do more, they remain hampered by lack of access and funding, he said.  Mr. Griffiths urged the international community to fully support a $385 million humanitarian plan for Myanmar, which so far is less than half funded.   

The drafting process between Government and opposition Co-Chairs of the Syrian Constitutional Committee (Small Drafting Body) and civil society  and was led by Mr. Pedersen. The aim was to produce a text that would help support a peaceful future for the country, after more than a decade of war. The development followed close to nine months of negotiations by the Special Envoy to reach a consensus on constitutional reform. In January, he said that insufficient progress had been made at the fifth meeting of the 45-member Small Drafting Body and that there was a realization that “we could not continue the way we have been going”. Under discussion were four agenda baskets set out in 2017 by then UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura. These describe the general terms of governance and political transition, constitution, elections and counterterrorism.

First meeting in nearly 9 months

It is nearly two years since the first meeting of the full Syrian Constitutional Committee, a 150-member body which comprises 50 representatives of the Syrian Government, 50 from the opposition and 50 from civil society, represented by the so-called “Middle Third”. Fifteen members of each bloc represent the Small Drafting Body. For the first time ever, committee co-chairs Ahmad Kuzbari, the Syrian government representative, and Hadi al-Bahra, from the opposition side, met together with Mr. Pedersen on Sunday morning. 

‘Ups and downs’

“It’s fair to say it was ups and downs over the four days,” Mr. Pedersen said. “We had three days which went well and one more difficult day. In the end, we had good discussions on the different principles”. Now they will have to concentrate on bringing the principles forward and agree on what they disagree over. But he warned that a proper understanding needed to be developed to move forward. On a positive note, the negotiator said that trust had been established this week which could be built on. But he emphasized that political will was needed to find a way to deal with the process, so differences were minimised and areas of commonalities were identified. Mr. Pederson added that he “could see possibilities, but as long as the parties have not concluded this, I’m not the one to conclude this on their behalf”.

The drafting process between Government and opposition Co-Chairs of the Syrian Constitutional Committee (Small Drafting Body) and civil society  and was led by Mr. Pedersen. The aim was to produce a text that would help support a peaceful future for the country, after more than a decade of war. The development followed close to nine months of negotiations by the Special Envoy to reach a consensus on constitutional reform. In January, he said that insufficient progress had been made at the fifth meeting of the 45-member Small Drafting Body and that there was a realization that “we could not continue the way we have been going”. Under discussion were four agenda baskets set out in 2017 by then UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura. These describe the general terms of governance and political transition, constitution, elections and counterterrorism.

First meeting in nearly 9 months

It is nearly two years since the first meeting of the full Syrian Constitutional Committee, a 150-member body which comprises 50 representatives of the Syrian Government, 50 from the opposition and 50 from civil society, represented by the so-called “Middle Third”. Fifteen members of each bloc represent the Small Drafting Body. For the first time ever, committee co-chairs Ahmad Kuzbari, the Syrian government representative, and Hadi al-Bahra, from the opposition side, met together with Mr. Pedersen on Sunday morning. 

‘Ups and downs’

“It’s fair to say it was ups and downs over the four days,” Mr. Pedersen said. “We had three days which went well and one more difficult day. In the end, we had good discussions on the different principles”. Now they will have to concentrate on bringing the principles forward and agree on what they disagree over. But he warned that a proper understanding needed to be developed to move forward. On a positive note, the negotiator said that trust had been established this week which could be built on. But he emphasized that political will was needed to find a way to deal with the process, so differences were minimised and areas of commonalities were identified. Mr. Pederson added that he “could see possibilities, but as long as the parties have not concluded this, I’m not the one to conclude this on their behalf”.