Thank you very much for staying after this incredibly interesting press conference of USG Fletcher.
So let's start now with the usual press briefing of the Information Service here in Geneva.
Today is Tuesday, 3rd of December.
And I would like to start by introducing you, Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona, the new Director of UNRIS.
You may remember that we have distributed to you the announcement by the Secretary General of her nomination.
And now she's here in flesh and bones to tell us about her new appointments and the priorities for her mandate.
It's a pleasure for me to be here.
I've been a month in this new role as the director.
Delighted to meet you as the first Latin American women to lead the organisation.
I bring a deep commitment to social justice, human rights and social inclusion, which are the main values of unrest.
Mission through my career and before this, for example, being the United Nations Special Rapporteur and extreme poverty.
I've been seen first hand the importance of policy back research and how this research can make a change and transform societies.
So why Andres and why is?
Andres important and I guess that.
That is the reason and I'm I'm I'm here.
Andres is uniquely positioned as the only autonomous Research Institute.
To do research on social development, and we are.
Coming to very important event in 2025 in which.
Andres Can played an important role.
We have the second the World Summit on Social Development, the second summit in Qatar, we have the Financial for Development summit.
For 60 years, Andres has been providing cutting edge research to tackle the root causes of inequality and injustice and we will be bringing this topics to the discussion in the next year.
Our main value is our network.
Of researchers annually we work with more than 400.
And today I want to say that.
One important task of unrest.
To translate complex research into.
Real world story to highlight the impact behind the data and bring critical issues to light.
So we would like to work closely with all of you.
We are actually for those who are located in Geneva, we are in the S1 building, one floor below you, and we wish to start a closer collaboration with all of you as we move.
Forward to this important event.
And of course, you know, Karima Sharif, my right was in charge of communication.
So if you listen to Magdalena's appeal for a stronger communication and relation with the journalist, Karima is here to to help on this.
Any question to Andres then to to Magdalena in the room.
I see no hands or on the platform.
So thank you very much for coming introducing yourself.
Hopefully the first big events.
We'll wait for you to brief the journalist here.
So let's go now to Syria and I'd like to ask Jeremy to come to the podium.
We have Jeremy Lawrence for HCHR to tell us about the latest developments in Syria and its impact on human rights.
And Margaret has brought us Christina Bethke, Hope I pronounce it well was the acting WHO representative in Syria and she is joining us from Damascus.
I can see you're there, Christina.
So I'll start with with Jeremy and then we will go to you and then we will take questions from the journalist.
Thanks Alexandra and good morning everyone.
UN **** Commissioner for Human Rights Volcker Turk is extremely concerned about the escalation in hostilities in northwest Syria since the 27th of November, which further compounds the suffering injured by millions of civilians.
This is tragic as many have lived in misery since the outbreak of conflict nearly 14 years ago.
Our office has documented a number of extremely concerning incidents resulting in multiple civilian casualties, including a **** number of women and children, stemming from attacks by both Harat Tahrir al Shams or HTS, and by pro government forces.
The hostilities are resulting in destruction and damage to civilian objects including health facilities, buildings hosting institutions dedicated to education and food markets.
We are in the process of verifying deadly attacks impacting civilians.
For example, on the 29th of November, 4 civilian men were killed, reportedly as a result of multiple ground based strikes by HDS hitting an area hosting the Aleppo University student dormitories in the Hamdania neighbourhood in the western part of the city of Aleppo.
According to information gathered by our office, all victims were students of the university and following that many other students fled the university complex.
On the 1st of December, 22 civilians were killed, including three women and seven children, and at least forty others were injured, reportedly as a result of multiple air strikes by pro government forces in Idlib.
According to information received, multiple air strikes hit a local market and five residential areas in the city.
Most of the victims were in the streets, near their homes and in the market at the time of the air strikes.
The air attacks also caused significant damage to civilian houses, shops and the local market.
That Al Hayat Mosque and that Al Fatir Elementary school.
We remind all parties of their obligations and responsibilities under international human rights law and humanitarian law.
Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected.
Even before half a million people fled across the border from the fighting in Lebanon in September, an estimated 16.7 million Syrians were in need of humanitarian assistance.
It is tragic that so many have had to put up with such hardship for so long.
10s of thousands more people have been displaced since the 27th of November and their situation is now critical as winter draws in.
Life saving assistance is largely unable to reach the conflict zone.
Hospitals and public health facilities in Aleppo are running at maximum capacity and have limited staffing and supplies.
We urge all parties to de escalate, protect civilians and allow vital aid to flow to those in need.
Furthermore, we call on third parties with influence to do everything in their power to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law, promote dialogue and to prevent this ongoing violence from exacerbating the suffering of the civilian people and from further inflaming regional tensions.
Thank you very much, Jeremy.
And before giving the floor to WHOI just would like to remind you that yesterday we have distributed it to you.
The Secretary General said he was indeed alarmed by the recent escalation of violence across northwest Syria.
He called for immediate cessation of hostilities, reminded all the parties of their obligations under international law, including humanitarian law, and called for the immediate return to the UN facilitated political process in line with the Security Council Resolution 2254.
As you know, Syria is already one of the world's last largest humanitarian crisis as we have already heard of, with 16.7 million people in need of assistance and over 7 million people internally displaced.
More than half of million people have also fled to Syria from Lebanon in recent weeks and winter conditions will only make the needs in the coming weeks more acute.
Syrian have endured the conflict for nearly 14 years.
They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future, not more bloodshed.
The Secretary General emphasised the urgent need for all parties to seriously engage with GAIL Peterson, his Special Envoy for Syria, to chart a comprehensive path out of conflict in line with this resolution of the Security Council and on the health conditions in the area.
Let's listen now from Christine.
And Margaret is over here on the podium with me if you want to ask more questions.
So, Christina, you have the floor.
Thank you so much and good morning.
Good afternoon to folks from Damascus indeed.
It's helpful to have Jeremy.
Address all of you first because we share many perspectives.
Around the recent and rapid.
Escalation of violence across northwest Syria.
It's cost not only lives, but has also.
Fragile health system under.
Aleppo, Idlib and Hama are at the forefront of.
This unfolding crisis, and we have already.
Heard that people are bearing the weight of so many compounded emergencies over these many years.
City itself is home to 2 million people, including over 100,000 persons who were recently displaced from Lebanon to Syria and sought refuge there.
One week ago, 109 health facilities were functioning to provide life saving services.
As a result of so many years of investments by WHO and other partners to revitalise that health system today than 8 hospitals continue to operate at minimal capacity and.
Are overwhelmed as we've.
Already heard at the same time yesterday's airstrikes and it caused significant damage to healthcare facilities and that includes the University Hospital there and the maternity hospital and the local Health Administration in that area.
Before the attack we had 60.
And 84 primary healthcare facilities functioning and while we're still counting the casualties, the injuries of which there are so many, numbering in the thousands.
We see brave first responders.
Including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Sark.
Evacuate the patients through coordinated referral systems.
Those referral hospitals are overwhelmed with those trauma cases and thousands of injuries have.
Already been admitted in the.
Last four days alone, doctors and nurses, well, they're.
Limited are working around the clock to save lives, even at great personal risk to themselves and their families, choosing to stay instead of to flee.
Insecurity and restrictions on movement have forced around 65 non governmental organisations that were previously.
Operational in Aleppo and Idlib to suspend their activities and in many cases this is.
Leaving health facilities overwhelmed or out of service.
That includes 1 of Idlib's largest hospitals, Bathahawa.
And Eldrazi Hospital in Aleppo.
Both of which are reduced to serving emergency cases only and leaving countless patients.
The referral system itself is a lifeline.
Risk in Aleppo city, a fleet of nearly 40 ambulances.
Desperately need repairs and fuel to continue operating in other.
Parts of the Northwest currently.
Only 86 of an original 125 ambulances remain functional.
By the end of the year, that number will drop to just 19 ambulances that will be available to serve 5 million people.
Unless urgent funding is secured.
Course the most vulnerable.
And urgent pieces without access to care.
At the same time, as we've already heard, thousands of people have fled the growing insecurity and violence to different areas across Syria in search of safety.
And so many of those have actually already experienced repeated displacements, including those who recently fled the escalating violence in Lebanon.
And they are now being uprooted once again.
Displacements compound the.
Suffering of already vulnerable communities and leave families without.
Essential services, including healthcare.
In the midst of this crisis, public health concerns are escalating.
If you recall Aleppo and Islip, we're at the centre of the 2022-2023 outbreak of cholera in Syria and.
Of course, we're among the.
Hardest hit areas in the 2023 earthquake which damaged already fragile health facilities as well as water and sewer networks.
We are very conscious of the risks of waterborne diseases and restrictions on movements as well as closures of health facilities reduce our capacity for outbreak protection.
We also know that overcrowded shelter settings will also leave populations vulnerable and at risk for illnesses like respiratory disease.
Since the 27th of November, W Joe has received, through its surveillance system for attacks on healthcare, reports of at least six attacks on healthcare in Syria.
We echo the messages of the previous speaker advocating for the protection of healthcare workers and health facilities in Syria.
Medical facilities are protected infrastructure under international humanitarian law and.
And respect healthcare devastates twice.
Again, for the months and years it takes to.
Rebuild the health system despite these immense challenges.
WHO and its partners are?
Working tirelessly to try to ensure that aid reaches those in need.
On 1st of December, WHO supported an evacuation of 41 patients from even Helduin Hospital to other parts and other communities.
These are vulnerable mental health patients who desperately needed to ensure continuity of care and yesterday on 2nd of December.
Following the devastating airstrikes and health partners acted quickly.
To relocate all those patients that were needed, continuity of hospital care, assess the damages and restore those services.
In the midst of some of the most.
Violent escalation we've seen in the last four years in Syria.
We are seeing countless examples of UN.
And its partners committing to stay and deliver humanitarian.
Assistance to the affected areas, but let me be clear, this will only be possible because of two.
Critical elements, access and funding.
Funding, continued unhindered access and all sides is crucial to save lives and serve populations in need.
Our hearts and minds are with our with Aleppo city in.
Particular where the UN and.
NGO community is awaiting reassurance.
Non essential staff and their.
Families, while our critical staff remain.
Behind to continue to serve.
HealthPartners urgently need an injection as well as emergency resources to rapidly scale up the response.
And so to our donors today, we are appealing for your urgent and generous response to.
HealthPartners to provide emergency trauma.
Essential health services.
Interrupted and deliver those life saving medicines and supplies.
Medical teams are on the ground and life saving supplies are being distributed.
****** as our already existing funding gaps grow wider to the media partners here, we urge you to continue to amplify the voices of Syrian people.
Your coverage is not just reporting, but it is a lifeline.
By highlighting stories like the imminent collapse of an ambulance referral system, you ensure that we cannot turn away to the international community we echo.
The remarks of our previous.
Speaker as well, we must ensure that health workers, health facilities are secured and health services are.
For those who need the most, the people of Syria continue to pay an unthinkable price in this conflict.
They need our solidarity, our action.
I understand your note and in fact Jeremy's note have been distributed.
And before opening the floor to question, just a reminder that this afternoon, New York time, the Security Council will meet on the situation in Syria.
And Jennifer, you will probably send out some more information after the meeting of the Security Council.
And also you have received in your mailboxes a press release by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the City and Arab Republic.
I think we've told you everything we had on this question and I'll open the floor now.
And yes, so I'll introduce you for Christina and yes, Pedrero, AFP.
Thank you for taking my question.
It's a question concerning what you mentioned about the fact that in Aleppo city the UN and NGO communities, no, OK, sorry, repeat it, sorry.
So a question about what you said about Aleppo city where the UN and NGO communities are waiting for a safe passage to relocate the non essential staff and families.
Could you let us know more about how many people are you talking about globally?
Assurance are you waiting from from which parties?
And you are also asking for more phones, emergency phones?
How much are you waiting?
So prior to the outbreak of this recent escalation, the UN in Aleppo had around.
All of the UN agencies have defined their critical staff that they would like to.
Also planning to evacuate both the family members of those staff who stay behind as well as other non critical staff both international and national.
And I am not personally in charge of the evacuation.
Process that is handled by.
As I understand it, they are looking to de conflict with all.
As you know, clashes ongoing in many parts of the of the country right now, including the the road that we would use to evacuate, which is called.
Khanasan Rd and because of.
Continued ongoing hostilities.
That hasn't been a safe moment for us to be to relocate those staff and I want to emphasise that this at this.
An evacuation but a relocation of those non essential staff.
They would be moved to Damascus at this time.
Course the UN will reassess after.
After that, we're able to move, folks.
The current situation and the future situation would be from security wise prior to in your second question, prior to the outbreak of these hostilities, The Who itself was had about an 89%.
Overall health sector humanitarian response plan was only around 21% funded, so we would certainly continue to do some of the same.
Activities that are planned.
Under the humanitarian response plan, and of course, those will be additionally, additional needs will result.
Because of this escalation.
And the displacement that we're seeing.
And yes, you have a follow up.
Given yes, he's still in the room, maybe he can.
Brief us about this relocation.
Oh, I can't see you again.
Please come to the podium.
He was hiding under Mika.
So let's go to a second question where he answer organises his notes.
Any other question in the room?
I've got quite a few on the platform which is Nina.
Sorry I had this another question which.
Jeremy, I was just wondering, you mentioned.
The civilians who've been killed.
Wondering if you're seeing signs of targeting of war crimes, if you could talk to that, and for Christina, if you could.
Tax that you've seen on healthcare, if it looks like they are, they're targeted.
We can't go into the specifics on, on, on the war crimes angle, but what what we can say is that we're aware of a large number of civilians and civilian infrastructure, which as you know is protected under IHL have been damaged and civilians have been killed.
It's early days of verifying the information that we're getting.
I gave you some examples this morning.
There are many more examples, sadly many more.
We hopefully will be able to share some more details on this with you imminently.
And yes, given one more more moment to answer any other question in the room.
I asked WHO also about attacks on.
That's right, that's right, I was talking.
Just to clarify, WHO surveillance?
For attacks on healthcare.
Focuses on the impact of those attacks and it doesn't have a mandate to look at perpetration, assign blame or motive to those.
So I apologise, I cannot speak to your question.
Christina, I give the floor to the end now to answer and yes question.
Could could you repeat the question please?
If you could give us more explanations and numbers about how many people and the UN and the.
NGO communities is trying to relocate from Aleppo city, right?
There is a number of UN staff in Aleppo city and also in in Hama.
They are there for the time being.
And as you know, we also have other staff that support the the cross-border operation and the the cross-border.
The three entry .3 remain open so there's response there, so I cannot go into details for security reasons exactly.
Are where, but they are, they're there and we are concerned for their.
For their for their well.
Yes, the question was also about the non essential staff that.
Christina was saying that.
UN is trying to relocate outside outside Aleppo city.
In a situation like this, I don't go into what is clearly safety and security procedures of the United Nations, so.
If I understood, I understood that.
AID is unable to reach the.
The the the parts of Syria, Aleppo, Hama and the other is unable to reach people there.
So what are the coordinations that OSHA of the UN in general is doing with?
To to be able to get to the the to the people in need, or to do whatever is.
Support people in this situation.
If you can explain who are the interlocutors?
It's a valid and fair question.
It's also valid and fair to say.
And constantly changing situation we have for a very, very long time because this.
Has been going on for 1314.
Years a very solid coordination mechanism inside Syria as as you know and also run out of Gaziantep in in Turkey for the cross-border operation, particularly looking at Idlib and and the northwestern part where all this is happening.
So they're both looking looking at this and there are coordination mechanisms in place which are run by Ocha and have been run by Ocha for as long as I can remember.
Remain in in contact with the Ng.
Work with we know like we have been forced to put our operations on hold because of the insecurity and number of them have done the same.
It is when I say insecurity and lack of access.
It's of course the active acts of of.
But it's also roads that are that are, that are closed, right?
It is unfortunate, however.
Area that is just locked down, there are still places where we can respond, For example in the reception centres in Idlib to where we have seen a number of people moving to, there is a response going on there.
We have two situation reports out last night and I will share them with you after the briefing where you can see some of the details of what is possible, where it, where security.
Should I go to the platform and see other hands here?
Gabriella Sotomayor, Processor.
Thank you very much, Alessandra.
My question is for Jeremy on Syria.
And then after Syria, I have another question for Jeremy.
Jamie has another briefing.
Jamie has another briefing issue.
So let's stick it to Syria and then when he gives his second point, we will ask questions.
Question is, if you observe Jeremy, the same pattern of attacks of military against civilians, do you see the same pattern that we saw at the manifestations for example?
Military just ***** it and targeted civilians very in a very aggressive way.
And I don't know if we can go into into such detail on that.
What we can say is we gave you those two examples of specific cases.
So it was a school that was affected, that was a mosque, that was markets affected, classic civilian infrastructure which is protected under international humanitarian law.
And when civilians are killed, that is of real concern and they are also protected clearly under international humanitarian law.
I don't think we can jump to anything at at this stage and say patterns with respect to other conflicts or or or situations, but we can present the facts to you and the and the facts are as they as I've said earlier.
Thank you very much, Musa Musa AC almeidin.
Jeremy, the about the residents in in Aleppo, can you tell me if you have some details about the situation, new situation after the control of Haya Tahrir El Sham, formerly Jabhat al Nusra, and if there is?
Any displacement from this city?
And second question for WHO we saw difficult things.
Killed and injured in the corridors.
Do you have a clear picture or clear image?
Of the situation of hospitals.
I can go first on that as this is an evolving situation.
I haven't got any more details to share with you on the situation as it stands in Aleppo.
As I say, we're following the the situation closely and we will be providing an update.
So also echoing those remarks, it is a very fluid situation.
The early days, the hospitals were completely overwhelmed and most were closed and shut.
8 hospitals are functioning with some minimum capacity.
And I do want to acknowledge that actually in terms of reaching Aleppo, there has been the possibility for some medical teams working from the cross-border side to reach and support at least one hospital in Aleppo city, from what we have understood.
But we continue to monitor the situation and things are very, very fluid on the ground in terms of the security situation as well as healthcare workers presence in the city.
So we will continue to update when we have information.
Musa, you have a follow up.
Yes, I don't remember if.
Of killed and injured in on the beginning of this.
At this stage, we don't have that number.
But what I can say is that we are verifying numbers.
I can tell you that I've seen some of the data which is coming out and it suggests that there are certainly dozens upon dozens have been killed.
We will have more clarity on that hopefully within the next 24 hours.
And I'm sure you'll keep the journalist informed that Yuri.
Yuri, April 11th University.
I have one question for Jeremy about Syria and after.
About Georgia, but I will.
Wait for the briefing on Georgia.
So about Syria, I'm quite surprised because I when I'm reading your statement and also when I was reading the.
Statement of the Commission of.
Inquiry on Syria that was published this morning.
Your office is not calling.
Hayati Russia, a terrorist group, Hayati Russia are.
Al Qaeda in Syria this is not something new they changed the name in 2016 because they needed some Monday and weapons from.
Other countries that were not.
Agreeing to give weapons to al Qaeda.
So they just changed the name so.
Surprising when I'm reading your statements that there is nothing about that we're talking.
Territory of sovereign country attacking by.
A A terrorist armed group.
So is your office considering the HTS as an opposition group?
Like any other or as a terrorist group and.
Is your office considering that here when we're talking about this situation, it is about the state attacked by an armed.
Is just something that is intern to Syria, has nothing to do with terrorism.
Yes, I, I really don't want to get drawn into the politics of who's fighting who and for what reason.
What we are drawing your attention to is applicability of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
That's what our office is calling out here, protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure.
Thank you very much, Jamie.
Question for Christina, if I might.
Sorry Jamie Keaton AP Thank you.
Press Thank you very much.
I just wanted to get a clarification.
On the figures that you came out with at the beginning, you mentioned that one week ago 109 to health facilities were functioning and.
Today, fewer than 8 hospitals.
Continue to operate at minimal.
Capacity and overwhelmed.
Presumably those hospitals are just part of the.
109 Could you tell us how many health facilities in general are?
Thank you so much for the question.
Again, I'm sorry to keep echoing the same remarks, but it's very fluid on the ground and of.
Course access in our ability.
To monitor in real time is somewhat restricted by the security situation.
As of yesterday, we knew at least 8 hospitals had minimal functionality.
We also saw some promising changes where some hospitals were able to even start accepting internal medicine cases, not just trauma and and emergency cases.
Additionally, we have also heard reports of at least three primary healthcare centres.
Of the Directorate of Health.
As well as at least one primary healthcare centre operated by an NGO being able to restart.
Some minimal services, but I.
Think it's really important for us to understand this is really hour by hour and.
The access situation is very dynamic and really again echoing back to the main points that have been said.
Protection of healthcare and healthcare workers and health facilities and.
Emphasise in this situation so that we can ensure that these health services are restored through whichever access point and means we can use.
Services are there for the population.
Yes, just a quick follow up to.
So you say that eight hospitals?
With minimal minimal capacity, but.
Eight out of how many for Aleppo city?
So before the before the 27th of November, we had sorry, I'm just looking for the numbers so I don't misquote to you and it's in your script remarks as well, if it's helpful.
So we had 42 hospitals and 67 primary.
Health care centres that were.
Either fully or partially functional ahead of the 27th of November.
That includes both public, academic, private and faith-based.
Sorry, thank you for that, Jamie.
Two and then eight are minimally functioning.
I'm doing the maths here.
34 that are now affected, I mean can you give us an impact on those 34 and is that all resulting from?
What's happened since November 27th?
Yes, I think your numbers are right and that's what we know today.
And again, it's possible because we're not able to travel to all parts of Aleppo city right now and we're trying to remain in touch with all health facilities as much as we can, literally with doctors, nurses on the ground.
But indeed, this is the overall impact as we understand it.
And I think day by day we are hearing from different institutions that are starting to just restart services ever so slightly, getting their healthcare workers back, finding a way to operate and provide minimal services there certainly.
Has been on almost unanimous.
Desire by HealthPartners that we speak to, to want to support and restart services.
And I also want to acknowledge that the support from the other side is also been quite earnest and committed to try to work from whatever means we can to restart health services irrespective of who is the actor, who is the operator, but making sure that.
Those services are there so.
I do believe you will start to see bit by bit a change and a restarting of services, but that will be very dependent upon the security situation and the access situation.
Can you hear me there, Ken?
My question is to the representative from WHO, if you can bring us up to speed the number of medical professionals that have left Syria since the conflict started back in 2.
That have left I know the numbers.
Were very big, for instance, in Iraq during the conflict.
Do you have to give us an idea what is the total that have left?
Thank you for your question.
In terms of exact figures, I don't have because we don't have a full health workers census.
Movement throughout the conflict, but estimates range between 50 and 70%.
A number of different figures have been published on that.
And most of the time we see between 50 and 770% figures quoted.
I think this concludes the question on this important subject.
Christina, thank you so much for being here.
I don't know if there will be more questions for you, but I'll let you go.
And hence too, but I keep, I keep Jeremy for the second part of his briefing.
And this time it's on Georgia.
And I haven't forgotten the Gabriella you have a question for for Jeremy later on, but and Yuri will have a question on Georgia.
So I'll let you brief on Georgia 1st and then we'll take Gabriella's question.
As you know, we issued yesterday evening a statement on the events taking place in Georgia.
Last night, the protests continued in the capital Tbilisi, and police forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in front of the parliament building.
We reiterate the call by the UN human rights chief Volcker Turk on Georgian authorities to respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against demonstrators and media workers is extremely worrying.
Any use of force by security personnel must remain an exception and comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution and non discrimination.
All Georgians from across the political spectrum should be able to express their views about the future of their country freely and peacefully.
Question in the room on Georgia.
Then I'll ask Yuri to ask his question on this matter.
It's also about the yesterday's statements.
Your office is considering that the authorities are using this proponentiated force against the protesters.
Yet the past days we have seen videos and footage of hooded.
Protesters wearing Molotov cocktails, fireworks.
Stones and bottles against the policemen.
So I I'm asking, is your office considering that this protest protestations are peaceful and what should should be the reaction of the authorities and of the police, according to your office to attempt the inflamed of policemen and the the.
Take possession of Parliament.
Because this is what is we're talking about the the protests are in front of the parliament and the protesters are trying to take it by force.
The last time when we have seen Jordan protesters trying to forcibly take over parliament, it was in the capital in 2021.
In the capital, 4 protesters were killed, 6600 people were arrested.
And your office never said that the policemen in Washington DC were uses using this proponent seated force.
Wondering what is the difference?
Yes, thanks for your question.
One, the **** Commissioner in his statement yesterday did refer to to force by the police in the capital.
Secondly, the **** Commissioner did also refer to the to the protesters themselves and reminded them called upon them to act peacefully in their demonstrations.
He we indicated yesterday in the in the press release that that reports had shown that on occasions rocks had been thrown, fireworks and bottles at the security forces and damage had been caused to the Parliament building.
Other question on Georgia, don't see any hand up.
So, Gabriella, you want to ask your question to Jeremy before we let him go?
Yes, thank you, Alessandra.
Jeremy my my friend, my Mexican friend, journalist Johali Resendis.
Then I will write the name she had she had received.
And she received, she received threats that they are going to, to buy, to **** her, to cut her in pieces, to **** her.
I mean, she received serious threats.
So my, my question is what can, what should, what she needs to do?
Because the the authorities in Mexico are not giving her any security, so she's not in the mechanism of protection of journalists.
So she has the the help of Article 19 but I don't know if you can suggest her any more things to to do or what can she do.
Thanks for your question.
And what you're telling me sounds sounds truly awful.
I cannot really make detailed comment because we don't know the extent the the, the information.
We need more information and and listen, if you could share that with us, obviously we will follow it up.
But let me just be clear that threatening journalists is, is abhorrent in any form.
And journalists should be allowed to carry out their work in a manner which is, which is the right way to, to do their job.
And that is to provide information to, to the public.
Listen, I, I, I, what you've just explained to me sounds, sounds awful.
And perhaps you can share some more information on that.
Thank you very much to Yeah, take this offline because it sounds very serious.
R on the ground in Georgia at the moment, I mean staffing levels, I know you have an office there, but are they monitoring first hand the.
Situation or as most of the.
Sourcing that you're, I mean the stuff that you're mentioning.
Based on secondary source, Jamie, I'll, I'll need to get back to you on the precise numbers, but we are following the situation very, very closely, yes.
Thank you very much, Jeremy, for these briefings.
Let me go to my right to Babar.
Happy Tuesday and thank you very much for being here to tell us about the pledging conference that you're going to have soon.
Just a short announcement.
Unit CRS annual pledging conference is currently taking place here at the Pele.
This is an annual event and it can be followed by the UN TV and it's expected to run till 1:00 PM today.
We will issue a press release in the afternoon including the pledges announced by our donors.
Donors will pledge against UNICR's 2025 Global Appeal, which is a detail of of our operations, needs and and programmes globally, which seeks 10.248 billion U.S.
dollars in funding for 2025 to support forcibly displaced and stateless people in 136 countries across the world.
Unicer's Global Appeal describes our expectations for 2025, the budget we will require to respond to their needs and actions that we plan to take.
Thank you very much for this announcement.
Announcement Any question to UNHCR online.
Just a a clarification, the 10.24 billion will that be folded into the global humanitarian overview appeal that's being launched tomorrow in Geneva.
In other words, your figure will be part of that global appeal along with other agencies just to avoid confusion with in editorial rooms.
I think my simple understanding is that John, but I can cross check.
Yeah, the global appeal that you've heard from Mr Fletcher this morning, I think that's what he refers to.
No other question from your HCR.
Thank you very much, Babar.
And our last speaker is Anna Copeland from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Hannah, you are online just to announce the Did I hear something?
No, it's she online to tell us about the upcoming International Volunteers Day.
Thank you Alessandra, good to be here in the lead up to International Volunteers Day on Thursday 24 National.
Red Cross and Red Present societies around the world, including among others Venezuela, Italy, Greece, in the Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore and Pakistan, are and have been gathering in their cities to pay tribute to colleagues.
That we have, very sadly.
Lost this year 31 volunteers and staff from the IFRC network have been killed in 2024 while.
Performing their humanitarian duties.
And many other humanitarian workers from other organisations.
Those 31 people were not just our colleagues, but also beloved family members, friends and pillars of their communities who risked their lives to help others.
2024 has become the deadliest.
Year on record for local.
Humanitarian staff and volunteers and this trend must stop.
Humanitarians, including our staff and volunteers, must be protected.
Journalists to attend a protect.
Outside IFRC headquarters in Geneva tomorrow.
That's the 4th of December, beginning at.
Honour the memory of those colleagues killed.
In the line of duty and raise.
Awareness of the urgent need to protect humanitarians everywhere.
Tomorrow there will be approximately.
250 IFRC staff members and volunteers.
Secretary will make some remarks, as will volunteer from the Geneva Red.
The colleagues we have lost this year will also be read out with candles, the Red Cross, red present emblems and.
Pictures of those colleagues as a backdrop.
We think it will and hope it will be a powerful and moving visual and AV materials are available.
From the different National Societies taking part globally on request.
Any question to IFRC in the room or online, I don't see any.
So thank you very much for that.
A few announcements from me.
First of all, just to remind you that you are the lucky persons, we're going to listen from the ****, the UNI Commissioner for Human Rights for Couture that is giving you a press conference on Monday 9th of December at 10:30 from this room.
And this is the, I think it's, I could say usual end of year press conference by the **** Commissioner.
So again, 9 of December 1030 here.
We have sent you the invitation online.
Also on human rights, the two committees which are on at the moment, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is examining this morning the review of the report of Armenia.
And we'll go on with the one of Greece and the one of Kenya.
While the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrants, Workers and Members of their family is concluding this morning the report of Benna.
And this afternoon we'll start with Egypt, followed by Peru and Seychelle on an important day today, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The Secretary General said in his statement, in his message that we have distributed to you that this year's International Day of Persons with Disability reminds us that we need to the leadership of persons with disabilities more than ever.
Persons with disability are already dispersionate.
I would say that disproportionately bear the brunt of the crisis scouring our world because of persistent discrimination, stigma and barriers to basic rights and services.
He goes on saying through the recently adopted Pact for the Future, the countries of the world committed to correcting this injustice for persons with disabilities of all ages, for present and future generations.
Next year's World Summit for Social Development that we've heard about this morning will be a key moment to carry these and other commitments forward.
And the Secretary Channel to conclude on this important day.
And every day let's work with persons with disabilities to achieve an inclusive and sustainable future for all people.
There is a commemoration for this important day at the UN in New York, and we do have our own events here at the Palais.
It's an event on neurodiversity and it will see this is organised by, you know, together with the Opito University de Geneve.
It's a panel discussion which title is Neurodiversity at Work, Sustainable Employability and Disability Inclusion in the Workplace and it aims at improving understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace and promote inclusive practises that enhance sustainable employability.
For all but a few speakers.
It will take place in room 23 at 12:00, so very soon until 2:00 PM.
And yeah, I think that is all I have for you.
Two more international days tomorrow and the day after International Day of Banks and International Volunteer Day for an Economic and Social Development and World Soil Day.
We've sent you the statements of the Secretary General.
Is there any question for me in the room or online and all?
So thank you very much for following this briefing and the press conference review as Chief Fletcher and I'll see you on Friday.
