The United Nations Office at Geneva
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UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 Janvier 2025
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1:17:04
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MP4
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4.5 GB
UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING
7 January 2025
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by spokespersons of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, and the World Meteorological Organization.
Executions in Iran
Elizabeth Throssell, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that the OHCHR was deeply troubled by the marked increase in executions in Iran in 2024. At least 901 people had been reportedly executed in 2024, including some 40 in one week alone in December. At least 853 people had been executed in 2023. Most of the executions in 2024 had been for drug-related offences, but dissidents and people connected to the 2022 protests had also been executed.
“We oppose the death penalty under all circumstances,” said the High Commissioner in a statement. “It is incompatible with the fundamental right to life and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people. And, to be clear, it can never be imposed for conduct that is protected under international human rights law.” Some 170 States had either abolished the death penalty or imposed a moratorium on its use, informed Ms. Throssell.
Full statement is available here.
Answering questions from the media, Ms. Throssell explained that there was a lack of transparency around executions in Iran, but the OHCHR had figures from several reputable human rights organizations with which it had been working for years. Most of the executions seemed to have been because of drug offences but there were concerns that some executions concerned people arrested in the context of the demonstrations. However, precise numbers of those executed for political offences were not available, explained Ms. Throssell. At least 31 women were reported to have been executed in 2024, the highest number in a decade; many of them had been convicted of murdering their husbands and had been reportedly victims of domestic violence or forced, child marriage. The method of execution was understood to be by hanging. Iran was a party to a number of international human rights treaties, she reminded, and the OHCHR and the treaty bodies had been consistently calling for the death penalty to be halted or at least for a moratorium to be implemented. It was difficult to determine how free and fair the trials in Iran were because the system was quite opaque. There were also people currently awaiting executions, added Ms. Throssell, which was why it was important to speak out about these situations.
Over 5,500 killed in gang violence in Haiti
Elizabeth Throssell, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), stated that at least 5,601 people had been killed in Haiti in 2024 as a result of gang violence, an increase of over 1,000 on the total killings for 2023, according to figures verified by the OHCHR. A further 2,212 people had been injured and 1,494 kidnapped. “These figures alone cannot capture the absolute horrors being perpetrated in Haiti, but they show the unremitting violence to which people are being subjected,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in a statement.
In one of the deadliest and most shocking incidents in 2024, at least 207 people had been killed in early December 2024 in a massacre orchestrated by the leader of the powerful Wharf Jérémie gang in the Cité Soleil area of Port-au-Prince. Many of the victims had been elderly people accused of causing the death of the leader’s son through alleged voodoo practices. To erase evidence, gang members had mutilated and burned most of the bodies, while other bodies had been thrown in the sea. In 2024, OHCHR had also documented 315 lynchings of gang members and people allegedly associated with gangs, on some occasions reportedly facilitated by Haitian police officers. In addition, there had been 281 cases of alleged summary executions involving specialized police units in 2024.
Restoring the rule of law had to be a priority. To this end, the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti needed the logistical and financial support to successfully implement its mandate. The National Haitian Police, with the support of the international community, also had to strengthen its oversight mechanism to hold accountable police officers reportedly involved in human rights violations. OHCHR noted that the acute insecurity and resulting human rights crisis in the country did not allow for the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Haitians, and called on all States not to forcibly return anyone to Haiti.
OHCHR’s press release is available here.
Answering questions from the journalists, Ms. Throssell said that there were about 400 Kenyan police officers in Haiti, along with recently deployed Guatemalan and Ecuadorian police officers. They needed adequate financial and logistical support. UN Secretary-General had appealed to UN Member States to provide such support without delay, added Alessandra Vellucci, for the UN Information Service. Ms. Throssell stressed that the crisis in Haiti was complex and long-lasting; this was a deep-seated problem which had to be tackled at multiple levels, including security, political, economic, social and human rights aspects.
Update on respiratory viruses currently circulating in the northern hemisphere
Margaret Harris, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that, based on what was reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on 2 January 2025, and shared in meetings between the WHO and Chinese authorities, there had been a rise of common respiratory infections in the country. The pathogens causing these infections were known ones and included seasonal influenza virus, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), hMPV (human metapneumovirus), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). The seasonal influenza was by far the most common and increasing; the test positivity rate was over 30 percent. China’s reported levels of respiratory infections were along usual and expected rates, said Ms. Harris. There had been no emergency declarations and no emergency responses triggered.
WHO’s global influenza surveillance system had observed a rise in influenza across the northern hemisphere, where it was currently winter, so this was expected. Regarding human metapneumovirus (HMPV) , she stressed that this was not a new virus, as it had first been identified in 2001. It was one of the many viruses that caused the common cold and usually did not cause a serious illness in humans. In some cases, it could lead to a more serious disease in those with weak immunity, such as newborns, very old persons or people undergoing a cancer treatment. Simple measures could prevent spread: if they had symptoms, people should stay at home; wearing a mask in crowded space would be recommended; covering one’s face when coughing and sneezing was a sensible thing to do; regular handwashing would help; and getting the vaccines recommended by one’s doctor.
Responding to questions from the media, Ms. Harris explained that the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention had shared its data with the WHO, and its latest report had been published on 2 January. Pregnant women were a vulnerable category and should discuss possible vaccinations with their doctors. Regarding COVID-19, Ms. Harris stressed that the primary concern remained investigating the origins of the virus. The case mortality rate for HMPV was very low, she responded to another question. WHO was aware of reports that a man over 65 with an underlying illness had died of H5N1 (bird flu). The United States was doing a comprehensive surveillance on animals, while the risk assessment for the general population remained low, she explained. The risk was always there, which was why working together with animal health organizations and experts was critical. Whenever there were seasonal influenza and animal influenza circulating at the same time, it was extremely important to keep the global surveillance system fully running. Data sharing was as critical as ever.
Answering further questions, Ms. Harris said that most people had by now been exposed to COVID-19 one way or another, and our immune systems were much better prepared than before. The newborns, the very elderly, or the immunocompromised people were still vulnerable, though, stressed Ms. Harris. WHO was still monitoring the situation around the world and was not seeing much sicker populations or overwhelmed hospitals.
Venezuela
Responding to a question on the upcoming presidential inauguration in Venezuela and possible demonstrations, Margaret Harris, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that the WHO had guidance for mass gatherings and trauma management, shared through its country office.
Elizabeth Throssell, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that it was not up to the OHCHR to establish the validity of election results. She stated that there had been arbitrary detentions following the 2024 presidential election, and the OHCHR urged for the release of all those detained. She emphasized the right to peaceful assembly, association and freedom of expression.
Syria
Answering questions from the media, Elizabeth Throssell, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the OHCHR had had initial contacts with the new authorities in Syria. The Office had been monitoring the situation in Syria for many years and had its contacts with the Syrian civil society. OHCHR had deployed a small team of four staff to Syria to start engaging on human rights issues on the ground. She stressed that all parties ought to abide by their obligations under international human rights law, including respect and protection of minorities, and avoid any behavior driven by desire for revenge. Human rights had to be central for a just transition. Women and different ethnic and religious minorities had to be given an opportunity to enjoy full human rights.
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service, informed that the UN Special Envoy for Syria would brief the Security Council on 8 January at 4 pm Geneva time. The briefing would be open, and the Special Envoy’s remarks would be circulated afterwards.
Ms. Vellucci informed that the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic had a new staff in charge of media relations, Nermine Abdelhamid (nermine.abdelhamid@un.org)
Announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), stated that the Human Rights Council would convene at 10 am on 8 January to select by lot of the UPR “troikas”, the sets of three States which would act as rapporteurs in the Universal Periodic Review process. From 3 pm the same day, the Council would hold an interactive dialogue on the oral update by the High Commissioner on the findings of the OHCHR report on human rights in Ukraine. Deputy High Commissioner Nada al-Nashif was to present the report, published on 31 December 2024. More information is available here.
Zeina Awad, for the International Labour Organization (ILO), informed that the ILO would publish its World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) 2025 update on 16 January at a closed breakfast with the ILO Director-General with accredited journalists who needed to register. This report would provide a detailed analysis of the state of global labour markets, including key trends and challenges. It would explore issues such as the slowdown in labour market recovery, the persistence of youth unemployment, and the widening global jobs gap. Embargoed copies of the report, the press release, and other materials could be made available to accredited media on request. The embargo would end on 16 January at 11:30 am.
Clare Nullis, for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), informed that on 10 January the WMO would be issuing a press release on global temperatures in 2024, which was expected to be the warmest year on record. The consolidated global figure to be presented would be based on six different data sets from around the world. The exact timing of the press release was to be determined, but it was likely to be in late afternoon on 10 January. Ms. Nullis said that 2025 was the International Year for the Preservation of Glaciers; on 21 January an event would be held at the WMO to formally launch the initiative.
Ms. Vellucci informed that the Committee on the Rights of the Child would open on 13 January at 10 am its 98th session, during which it would review the reports of Slovakia, Eritrea, Honduras, St Kitts and Nevis, Peru, Gambia, and Ecuador.
She also said that on 8 January, UNIS would be sending to the press corps embargoed World Economic and Social Prospects Report, under embargo till 6:30 pm on 9 January. Published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, WESP 2025 would present global and regional outlooks, highlighting that despite falling inflation, improving labour market conditions, and stabilizing prospects for growth at the global level, considerable uncertainties remain, and divergences across countries and regions call for urgent attention.
Finally, Ms. Vellucci informed that the Bar des Délégués/Salon Suisse at the Palais des Nations would reopen the following week.
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The webcast for this briefing is available here.
The audio for this briefing is available here.
Teleprompter
Good morning.
Welcome to the first press briefing of the Information Service here in Geneva.
Today is Tuesday, 7th of January and I would really like to start this briefing by wishing you all a serene and peaceful New Year.
I think the most important word is there is peace.
And that's really what we wish everyone for this 2025.
And let's start immediately.
And as they say in good English, let's start with the announcements.
I like to give the floor to Claire a new list for WMO.
Claire, the first of the year.
Happy New Year.
Go ahead.
All right, I I know she's there.
Just one second to let her connect.
I don't know what's happening with that.
So let's go to the second announcement.
Let's go to Zaina for ILO.
So you are the first one.
Zaina, welcome and happy New Year.
You have an announcement on the upcoming World Employment and Social Outlook report launch.
Thanks.
Thank you very much, Alessandra.
Good morning to colleagues and a very happy New Year to all of you.
Hopefully it'll be a year of of peace for everyone.
As Alessandra has mentioned, the ILO will be publishing our World Employment and Social Outlook or Research report for 2025 next Thursday, the 16th of January.
Now this report is a flagship report.
It comes out on the eve of the World Economic Forum in Davos and it gives us a detailed analysis of the state of global labour markets, including key trends and challenges.
We'll be looking at issues like slow down in labour market recovery, the persistence of youth unemployment, especially in certain parts of the world, and a widening global jobs gap.
We're also going to be looking at how geopolitical tensions, climate change and income, income inequalities, part of the economic inequalities are affecting labour markets worldwide.
Now, the report itself and all associated materials will be under strict embargo until the 16th of January at 11:30 AM our local time, which is 1030 GMT.
But we will make embargoed copies, copies of the report, press release and other materials available ahead of the launch sometime next week, available to accredited and recognised media.
And you could obviously contact us via our newsroom at ilo.org in order to request that closer to the date.
And for any broadcast coverage or any interviews, including ones that you may want to conduct ahead as you prepare a story, you can also reach us to to set those up.
Now in order to do the launch, we're doing this launch rather a little bit differently.
We're doing it during a closed door breakfast with our DG Director General, Juba F Humbo.
And this breakfast will be held at the ILO on the 16th of January at 9:45 AM.
Now, as I mentioned, this is a closed event only for UN Pele accredited journalists.
We had sent out the invites before the holiday break and we received a number of confirmations.
So thank you very much for those who responded.
And just to remind you that if you are planning to attend, we would really appreciate it if you could let us know by COB tomorrow, Wednesday, the 8th of January so that we can move forward with the with the planning.
And thank you very much.
And I do hope that we will get a chance to welcome you all with us at the breakfast on the on next Thursday, the 16th of January.
Thank you very much.
Back to you, Alessandra.
Thanks, Zaina.
Any question to Ayalo in the room or online?
Lisa Schlein.
Good morning, Lisa, welcome.
Happy New Year.
Thank you.
Happy new Year to you, too, and to all everyone else.
Yeah.
Is the press conference going to be recorded?
I mean, it's it's kind of.
I mean, it's one thing to have breakfast.
It's another thing to record and actually do the work.
And if I'm unable to attend, I'm able to get an other journalist as well, a recording of what happened.
Or is it possible to do A to stream into the event?
Thank you.
All right, I think you have to unmute yourself first.
Yeah.
Now you should be on.
OK.
Yeah, great.
Thank you for that, Lisa.
So this is a closed door event.
It's not a press conference per SE like the traditional one.
It's it's more of a, you know, a meeting with the DG who's going to present the findings and who then will be answering questions with the media.
And the reason why we are opting out to do it this way is because of the timing.
It's ahead of Davos.
And it might be an interesting, it is in fact at a time to have an interesting conversation as opposed to just trade out press conference.
It won't be live streamed.
But as I had mentioned earlier to you, the the press, the the press release and the reports and the executive summary and all the multimedia material will be available to you and all of our UN accredited colleagues ahead of time.
Thank you Zaina, any other question toy?
Hello, let me see on the platform, but I don't see any other hand up.
Thank you very much, Dana.
So good luck for this, for disappointments for this events.
And let me welcome my first guest of the year in person.
Margaret, welcome.
You have an update on respiratory viruses that we have seen circulating also during the holidays.
Thank you.
That's right.
That's so, so it's something that happens every New Year.
And wishing you all a hopeful and happy New Year and a healthy new year.
Let's hope we get peace, genuine peace this year.
Indeed, there's been considerable media interest in respiratory viruses circulating, particularly in China and particularly the human meta pneumovirus or HMPV is the shortening in particular.
And so I'd like to share what WHO knows about the situation and our advice to the public.
So based on what's been reported by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention or better known as the China CDC in the report of 2nd January 2025, and that covers data to the 29th of December 2024.
But also we've had meetings between WHO and Chinese authorities.
There has indeed been a rise in a number of common respiratory infections in the country and this is entirely expected during the winter.
China has a Sentinel surveillance system for influenza like illness and severe respiratory infections.
According to the Chinese CDC data, the pathogens causing these infections are known ones and they include the seasonal influenza virus, the respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, and of course the human meta pneumovirus HMPV, as well as our old friend SARS COV 2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Now among the pathogens reported by China CTC, seasonal influenza is by far the most common.
That's coming up in all the testing and it's increasing.
The test positivity rate for influenza at the end of December was over 30% among people presenting with the flu like symptoms in outpatient and emergency department Sentinel sites, China's reported levels of respiratory infections are within the normal range.
It's what we expect to see for the winter season.
Authorities report that hospital utilisation is currently actually lower than usual, is currently lower than this time last year and have been no emergency declarations.
This is really important.
There have been no emergency declarations and no, no emergency declaration.
Sorry, I have just lost my oh and, and no emergency responses triggered.
So really important.
No emergency declarations and no emergency responses triggered.
WH OS global influenza Surveillance and Response system has registered rising transit influenza in the northern Hemisphere.
So this is across the Northern Hemisphere where it's currently winter.
And so again, this is what we expect.
We're seeing this across parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and a few countries in the Caribbean.
Regarding human metameria virus, it's not a new virus.
So it's it's got an unusual name.
So there's been a lot of interest, but it is not a new virus.
It was first identified in 2001.
It's been in the human population for a long time.
It is a common virus that circulates in winter and spring.
It usually causes respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold.
It's one of the many viruses, the hundreds of viruses I had to learn as a medical student that caused the common cold.
And most of the time they don't make it to the media because they don't cause serious disease illness in humans.
They do 'cause colds and nobody likes having those.
In some cases, like any of the common cold viruses, it can lead to more severe disease in people who've got no immunity or have got very weak immune systems.
That's the very young, that's newborn babies.
That's why you don't go and visit a newborn baby and kiss it when you've got a cold and the very old again.
That's why you should not go and visit your over 90 great grandmother in hospital when you've got a cold.
Also, people who are immunosuppressed, so people who are undergoing cancer treatment and other treatments that are weakening their immune system, they can get ill from any virus, including this virus.
So our advice to those who are in the winter season is to try to avoid getting ill in the 1st place.
Try to avoid getting infected always.
Good idea and simple measures.
As we know, we've all been very well trained by coronavirus by by COVID-19.
A simple measures can prevent spread and these include if you're, if you're sick, if you've got symptoms, stay home.
We can all now work from home.
We can do anything from home.
So stay home.
No need to come to the office or to visit your friends and share your little present.
And also if you're in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, when you know that there's a virus currently circulating, think about wearing a mask.
Improve ventilation where you can and of course cover coughs and sneezes with the tissue.
So if you are out and you're coughing and sneezing, do the bent elbow, use the tissue, cough, don't share the I was going to say don't share the joy, but it's not joy.
So practise regular hand washing that works for everything.
We're seeing norovirus and other gastro virus is rising as well.
So regular hand washing is going to protect you from everything.
And get the vaccines, if you're in a group that is identified as somebody who needs a particular vaccine, a winter vaccine, get those vaccines.
And of course, if you're in the highest risk group, older or immunocompromised people, if you do get ill, if you do get a respiratory on this, seek advice OF1.
Sorry, I'm making my laptops, making noises and that's it.
I don't know why I feel terrible.
And you're sneezing now.
Sorry.
I'll get your tissue.
Thank you very much.
Thanks, Margaret, for this important update.
And yeah, it clears up a lot of things that we've seen during the holidays.
Let me start with Nina.
I have a question and another.
Yeah, let me see if there are questions on the viruses first.
I see some of the of the hands on the on the platform.
So question on the viruses in the room.
No, Gabriella, you raise your hand very at the beginning of Margaret's briefing.
So maybe you have a question on this.
Go ahead.
Yes, thank you, Alessandra.
Happy New Year to all of you.
My question is, if you are, how confident are you on the report on China?
I mean it's not a little bit late or from which date is this report that you are talking about, Margaret?
And then this called I think I have it.
So I don't know if it's longer than a common cold.
I mean I have been like 2 weeks with a lot of coughing and you know congestion and whatever, I mean temperature and everything.
But I don't know if it's longer than the common cold.
If you if you have any comments on that and also on pregnant women if because there's no treatment, no, I mean this is a viruses paracetamol or something like that is a treatment or what are you advising and especially for pregnant women.
Thank you.
Thanks.
I'm not sure I should be giving you advice on your own health.
I'm not sure doctor, but there are a lot of virus circulating.
But indeed, if you've got something that persists, go see your doctor and get checked out.
Gabby, on the China, yes, as I said, and we'll send these notes, they might have already been sent out to you as well.
We indeed have been receiving, the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has shared all their data in meetings between WHO and Chinese authorities.
And it's also been reported their last report was the 2nd of January 2025.
And we can send you the link, it's in Chinese, but you've probably got Google Translate On the third thing, pregnant women are always a vulnerable group for respiratory infections.
And that's something that they, if there are various vaccinations that for instance, Sage recommended late vaccination against RSV in late pregnancy.
That was a recommendation we made I think last September and and the influenza vaccine.
But again, that's something each pregnant woman should discuss with her doctor.
It should be in terms of where she is in her pregnancy and what the situation is.
Thank you very much.
Thank you so much.
Yeah, I think I also, Gabriella.
Yeah, I also have a call.
So This is why I'm not here today again.
But let's not transform this conference into medical examination.
But I'd like some, I could use some advice.
Also, Margaret, I was wondering something really different China last week, I think China said that it's shared without any restriction information about COVID and I'm not sure that we had any response from from the virtual since then.
Well, what is your your comments on, on the Chinese, Chinese reality?
I'm not sure I completely answered you saying that China said that they had been had there been a fallen fair and free provision of all data on COVID-19.
Is that, is that what you're asking?
And, and what is our response?
Is that your question, Jeremy?
Can you unmute yourself again?
Yes, yeah, I think it was, it's, it was last week, I think the, the, the Chinese government said that it shared info on COVID without any restriction.
This is something that was published on, on, I think on the US eve basically.
And I'd like to have your, your, your comment on that.
Do you agree with what China said?
I think if you look at our what we put out on COVID-19, five years on, our biggest concern and it's important that this this occurs around the world is more information on the origins and the opportunity to do fuller in as full as possible investigation on the origins.
So that's the issue that's that's concerning us.
Nick, happy New Year.
You have the floor.
Yeah, likewise, Happy New Year to you too.
And this is also on a different topic though.
So do you want to push me to the back or do you?
I do, actually.
I do because there are more questions on this virus issue.
John, John Zaracostas, you, you probably have one of these.
Good morning and happy New Year to all.
Margaret, do you have perhaps it's in the briefing note the case mortality rate for the HMPV and I'm wondering if you're also going to brief on the first death from H5 N one in the US.
Thanks.
I don't the the case mortality rate is very, very low.
The only group in which you would see mortality are the the the really, really vulnerable and you would normally see pneumonia.
You would see the the more severe respiratory infections as but I don't have an actual case mortality rate.
I'll look up in my notes.
It might be somewhere, but because this is not a pathogen that normally leads to deaths in humans, it's I think I don't have really clear numbers on that, but I will double check for you.
John, you've had another question.
Oh, I don't have anything specific on that.
Yes, we are aware indeed that a man over 65 with according to reports underlying illness and who'd been had some exposure to poultry has sadly died after a long illness in hospital.
But I don't have any more detail for you, John.
I suspect that this was also Nina wanted to ask you just just last question to Musa.
Musa, you had a question on the on the previous briefing or also on another subject, in which case I go to Nina.
We see a concern John A Posey like May John Reservoir more details about the H1H5 and one in the United States one death yesterday and from many, many days they announced something in the United States about this virus.
Can you tell us more details about that?
Thank you.
Sorry, go ahead and then ask Margaret.
Thanks.
Hi, Margaret.
So yeah, I had a question on that.
It was it was about the death and if you could say if you think that the US has done enough surveillance or to monitor the cases and if not, sort of what the risk is for the rest of the world.
And then also in connection with that, how do you see?
The possible mix between HH5 N 1 and a seasonal flu and what are your what are the concerns around how those could possibly combine?
Thank you.
So thanks.
I didn't come with a prepared briefing on the US situation, but indeed they are doing a lot of surveillance.
That's why we're hearing about it.
They're doing surveillance in the animals.
I think you got a comprehensive briefing from our team a couple of weeks ago on exactly that with the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agricultural Organisation.
And it's critical that it's more than just in the human population, that it very much has to be looked at in the animal population and in the methods we use for farming, for our food production.
And all those things need to be combined because indeed it always does pose a risk.
As you know, our risk assessment to the general population is still low and it remains that and we certainly are receiving information on a regular, regular basis.
The risk of for a combination of the currently circulating seasonal influenza and the ovine influenza is always there.
And that's exactly why this work with the animal organisation, animal experts, the food production experts is critical because indeed that's what we're looking for.
That's that's why all eyes are on what's going on, not just in the US, but in the animal populations in other parts of the world as well.
And whenever you've got circulating seasonal influenza and you've got the avian influenza circulating in the animal population.
And in, in sporadic cases, it's not circulating in humans, but it is jumping into humans who are exposed, particularly those exposed to poultry or to the dairy cattle, the two sort of groups where we're seeing most of the, the movement from animal to human, but we're not seeing sustained circulation.
And, but indeed, it's a time we have to really keep our eyes on.
And that's what all the work about pandemic preparedness, human influenza, that, that's why we have the global influenza surveillance system.
And that's, and that was set up 02030 years ago.
And it has been the, one of the most valuable networks because it really, really in real time gets the numbers, looks at what's going on.
But indeed, we all need to do in the public health sphere as much work as possible or more and ensure that we keep up our energy on this.
Sorry, just the follow up could there were apparently mutations seen in in the the man who who died compared to the poultry that he was exposed to.
How concerned are you about the possible mutations that could make it easier for this to spread between humans?
So I don't have any information suggesting that there's that there's raised the concern level or risk level, but I'll have to double check on that.
You do see mutations.
If the thing about flu as a as a virus, the reason why we we don't like it is it's really, really good at mutating all the time.
So again, you have to see did it jump from that person to another person easily?
What, how did how did the virus he's got behaved?
At the moment we're not seeing behaviour that's changing our risk assessment.
But that's exactly why investing in surveillance, being serious about surveillance, being open about data sharing is absolutely critical to the health of us all.
Mr Liang and I haven't forgotten Nick and then Gabriella.
Mr Liang, thank you.
Alexandra.
Thank you, Margaret.
My question is about the HMPV and now we are at the five year anniversary of the COVID.
I think a fair question to ask without specifying on any country is how would you could anyone say how much a percentage of our immune system was damaged or destroyed by the COVID?
And now we are at the five year anniversary, are we still living in the trail of the COVID in a human equivalent of something like a metal fatigue and would be in a position to say maybe in the next 5 years at when we're at a 10 year anniversary, we we could kind of get out of this metal fatigue.
We would be having our immune system kind of restored or is it possible to have it restored?
This is my question.
Thank you.
Interesting question.
In fact, COVID has trained our immune systems to be very good to responding to it.
That's really the two things that got us out of the pandemic was vaccination that gave us an artificial immune protection and then our exposure and our experience.
So we've all, now most of us have been exposed at one point or another and carry that immune memory.
And that's why it's not making us nearly as sick as it did in 2000 and 22,000 and 21.
There are still some people who are at risk.
They're older, as I said, the the vulnerable groups I mentioned your newborns completely innocent of any exposure to anything.
So they need to be protected from all viruses and the elderly because they've lost their immune memory, and people who've got underlying conditions because, again, their treatment or their condition has weakened their immune system.
But on why do we suddenly seem to respond to other things?
Some of it is down to the fact that we're actually better at surveillance.
So we're looking for things.
My old professor said if you don't take a temperature, you don't find a fever.
We're actually looking for things.
So we're seeing things and as I said, when you what we look at are the hospitals full, are they overwhelmed?
Are the health workers exhausted saying that they can't, We're not seeing that.
So that tells us that yes, we're seeing more, we're picking up more viruses, but we're not seeing much sicker populations at the moment.
There is some discussion around, you know, did we sort of protect our our immunity, our lose sort of immune memory because we weren't exposed to things for a few years because many of us were in lockdown for so long?
There's some discussion about that.
But honestly, the jury's still out.
The science is still being looked at.
Nick.
Yeah, thank you.
And Margaret, just following up colleagues questions on H5 N 1.
I just wondered, are you seeing a significant trajectory in terms of wider geographic distribution and where you mentioned that it's heavily concentrated in cattle and poultry, are you seeing more species emerging as vectors for for this virus?
Thank you.
It's really a question for my colleagues in the World Organisation for Animal Health.
I don't have that, but I and I'm really relying on media reports, but we're certainly seeing reports of other species, like the felines, we're seeing cats, we're seeing big cats in other parts of the world and we are certainly seeing different avian species being affected.
But I direct that to the World Organisation of Animal Health.
They've got fantastic detail and I wonder whether we could have a follow up briefing between you and something.
Very good idea, really useful, I think and interesting for everybody.
Nick, you have a follow up.
Yeah, the the question was really specifically in relation to the US and whether you're seeing more species in the US particularly which are are are, you know, vectors and this question of of also whether the geographic spread of the disease is is, is something that's concerning you.
Thank you.
Oh, I see.
Well, certainly there are reports of it moving into domestic cats and into the, the, the big cats in zoos and others.
But again, to get the really specific numbers on that and the the detail I'd, I'd really ask you to go to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
That's I'm really relying on media reports there.
Indeed, we are concerned of course, but we look at the risk to the general population and as I said, it still remains slow.
But we do also a concern for those who work in the animal industries that and and advise that for them.
Some of them could be at higher risk and they need to be taking the precautions and they need to be protected by their employees and by their their systems and their employers are in their systems and their industries.
Gabriella, yes, thank you.
Alessandra.
My question, Margaret, is on Venezuela.
I want to know if you have any contingency plan for Venezuela because I don't know if you are aware that there's going to be huge demonstrations in Venezuela on the 9th of January supporting the new President Edmundo Gonzalez.
So I don't know if you have any contingency plan because you know, the last demonstrations in Venezuela there was a lot of people injury and they were denied treatment.
So I don't know if you have something on that.
And if Elizabeth is list is there, if you can talk about Venezuela, how worried are you, List about the threatening of Mr Maduro that if Mr Edmundo Gonzalez goes to Venezuela, he's going to be detained like in Russia they did with Navalny, something like that.
So what is your comment on that?
And if Alessandra has something to say about that, Because I know that UN supports democracy.
They have been supporting the elections in Venezuela.
So Maduro says that he won, but he didn't have any proof.
So what are your comments on that?
Thank you.
We do have plenty of advice on managing mass gatherings and we also have plenty of we we provide regular advice and support for trauma management.
So indeed, but that would be managed at our country office level at least.
I know you have the briefings, but maybe you want to answer just this question before we start.
Yes, sure.
Thank you, Gabriella, for the question about Venezuela.
Well, I mean, obviously we're following all the human rights developments, including ahead of the planned inauguration and the the elections schedule for this year.
With regard to the elections, it's not for us in the UN Human Rights Office to pronounce on the legitimacy or validity of election results, our concerns.
As the **** Commissioner told the Human Rights Council last month, other human rights defenders, members of the opposition and others have been subjected to threats and harassment, that there have been arbitrary detentions and while there have been initial releases with conditions, we urge the release of all those detained.
So we we really feel that political negotiations between the different stakeholders are urgently needed to agree on a viable pathway forward.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Liz.
I think I'll, I'll free Margaret unless there are other questions for her.
Thank you so much, Margaret.
Yeah, please, both things.
If you can send the the the notes and maybe think about a follow up briefing with the organic.
Yeah.
Thank you very much.
So let's go to for the full briefing of human rights.
Liz, thank you very much for being with us.
I think you have two, two points.
One start with AET.
Yeah.
OK, yes, I'll actually say good morning now and I'll repeat the best wishes that have been already been expressed for for a peaceful, healthy 2025.
On Haiti, we are issuing a press release with regard to the number of people killed in gang related violence.
Some 5601 people were killed in Haiti last year as a result of gang violence, an increase of over 1000 on the total killings for 2023, according to figures verified by the UN human rights office.
A further 2212 people were injured and 1494 kidnapped.
UN human rights chief Folk a Turk is saying that these figures cannot capture the absolute horrors being perpetrated in Haiti, but they do show the unremitting violence to which people are being subjected now.
In one of the most deadly and shocking incidents in 2024, at least 207 people were killed in early December in a massacre orchestrated by the leader of the powerful Wolf Jeremy gang in the city Soleil area of Port-au-Prince.
Many of the victims were older people accused of causing the death of the leader's son through alleged voodoo practises to erase evidence.
Gang members mutilated and burned most of the bodies, while other bodies were thrown into the sea.
The UN Human Rights Office has documented that there were 315 lynchings of gang members and people allegedly associated gangs on some occasions reportedly facilitated by Haitian police officers in 2024.
In addition, there were 281 cases of alleged summary executions involving specialised police units between the 1st of January and the 31st of December.
The **** Commissioner is saying that it's long been clear that impunity for human rights violations and abuses, as well as corruption remains prevalent in Haiti, constituting one of the main drivers of the multi dimensional crisis the country faces, along with entrenched economic and social inequalities.
Additional efforts from the authorities with the support of the international community are needed to address these root causes.
Restoring the rule of law must be a priority and to this end, the multinational security support mission in Haiti needs the logistical and financial support it requires to successfully implement its mandate.
The National Haitian Police, with the support of the international community, should also strengthen its oversight mechanism to hold accountable police officers reportedly involved in human rights violations.
The **** Commissioner also restated his call for the full implementation of the Security Council sanctions regime, as well as the arms embargo, crucial to prevent the supply of firearms and ammunition to the country.
Weapons flowing into Haiti often end up in the hands of the criminal gangs with tragic results.
Thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, Essential infrastructure and services such as schools and hospitals disrupted and destroyed.
The **** Commissioner is saying that the acute insecurity and resulting human rights crisis in the country simply do not allow for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of Haitians.
And yet deportations are continuing.
He reiterates his call to all states not to forcibly return anyone to Haiti.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for their numbers.
I'll open the floor to questions on Ahiti.
Don't see any in the room.
So, Lisa, Yeah.
Good morning and happy New Year to you.
What's happened to the Kenyan police forces, to the EUUN forces that some were sent to Haiti, I believe, some time ago?
All has gone quiet on that front.
Are they still there?
Is there any kind of hope that UN peacekeepers could in some way moderate the awful situation that's occurring in this country?
The the Multinational Support Mission, you're right.
There are some 400 Kenyan police officers there.
There have been some further additions recently.
I think there, there were a number of Guatemalan, Ecuadorian police officers that have been deployed.
From our point of view, as we're saying, it's really important that the the Multinational Security Support Mission, it, it's got the acronym MSS in Haiti.
It does need the logistical and financial support it requires to, to, to be successful in implementing its mandate.
Yeah, yeah.
And and the secretary general to me the the same call in December, in fact, pressing call to member states to provide the multination multinational security support mission with the financial and logistics support required to successfully assist the Asian National Police in addressing gang violence.
I had seen another question.
Moussa, is that just one second Moussa is that Onahiti because Lisa has other things.
OK, so let's let's wait on this Maida and then Catherine, thank you very much for maybe shall we focus the news Japan just can you be a bit more precise what the problem there?
I mean, everyone was hoping that the Kenyan forces could help to bring peace.
And now we are seeing that the number of of killed people is even higher than before.
So the Kenyans are are there, the mission is there.
They are trying to help.
And they're also lacking phones to stay there or you, you, you.
I hope.
I hope it's clear enough.
I mean, the just to be a bit more precise.
Thank you.
I think, I think with regard to Haiti, given its history, it's actually quite difficult to, to be precise about what the problem is because it is a, a multidimensional crisis.
As we're saying that the, you know, over many, many years, this, this multinational support mission is in place.
But it actually the, the fact that we are seeing the numbers of people being killed rising.
As I said, 5601 killed this year, that's a rise on 4450 killed in 2023.
And prior to that, in 2022, there were 2115 killed.
Now these these are just stark numbers behind every, every death obviously is an individual story, but it just shows the absolute problems that are being faced that why it is so important that there is international efforts, that there are efforts.
As we're saying that, you know, the, the arms flowing into Haiti are stemmed because the vast majority do end up in, in the hands of the criminal gangs.
You know, Haiti, the, the island of Hispaniola is, is an island.
So, you know, these come into criminal gangs.
Gang guns are not manufactured in Haiti as it were.
So it just underscores the the absolute deep, deep seated problem that is not just a police issue, a security issue, although that is very important, but it involves being tackled on so many levels, political, humanitarian, human rights, economic, of course.
Thank you very much.
I see.
Catherine Fianco, is that on IIT?
Catherine Monroe, Yes.
Good morning.
No and and all my best wishes for 2025 to both of you.
It's a question on Syria, so I can wait if there's if there are other questions on Haiti.
Yeah.
And also Lisa has another briefing point, but there are many questions or other things.
Lisa, I have got also in the chat.
Let me just finish with a hit, if it's possible.
Is there any other question on the situation in Haiti?
Don't see any.
So I have not forgotten Musa Kathin.
And there was another question somewhere just, oh, yes, Lianova Yuri.
But before giving you the floor for those, I'd like to let Liz brief us from the second point on her agenda, which is Iran and the rising executions.
Yes, we're deeply troubled by the marked increase in executions in Iran last year.
At least nine, one, 901 people were reportedly executed in 2024, including some 40 in one week alone in December.
At least 853 people were executed the previous year in 2023.
Most of the executions last year were for drug related offences, but dissidents and people connected to the 2022 protests were also executed.
There was also a rise in the number of women executed.
It's **** time that Iran stemmed this ever swelling tide of executions.
We oppose the death penalty under all circumstances.
It's incompatible with the fundamental right to life and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people.
And to be clear, it can never be imposed for conduct that is protected under international human rights law.
The UN human rights chief Falka Turk urges the Iranian authorities to halt all further executions and to place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to ultimately abolishing it.
Some 170 states have either abolished the death penalty or imposed a moratorium on its use.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Liz, Question on this, I see.
Yeah, Emma.
And then Nina.
Good morning.
There's a question on the data and also the methods of execution.
How long have you been monitoring the annual executions?
And when was the last time it was so ****?
Or maybe is this the highest ever?
Also, could you detail how many women were killed versus previous years?
And secondly, could you comment on how these people were executed and did they suffer greatly?
Thank you.
OK, thank you, Emma.
I'll try to address all your points.
Obviously.
Remind me if I've forgotten one.
I think first of all, let's just take a step back.
Clearly it is hard to get information from Iran.
Part of the problem is of course the lack of transparency around executions in the country.
So that's the starting point.
We do have figures from from from different human rights organisations, ones that we consider reputable, the Hirana Hengel and the Iran human rights organisations.
On women, I think you asked the number executed.
We understand that at least 31 women were reportedly executed in 2024.
Now that marks the highest number in 15 years, OK?
The majority of cases involved charges of ******.
A significant number of the women were victims of domestic violence, child marriage or forced marriage.
A number of them were were convicted of of murdering their husbands.
And we understand the number of executions overall.
Will we?
Yeah, We are concerned about this rising tide.
I'm just looking back at the information I have.
In 2015, Iran executed at least 972 people and that marked the highest number of executions in recent decades.
But as as we're saying it's 901 in in 2024.
Our office has been monitoring Iran overall, but also executions in Iran for, for a number of years.
And, and what we've seen is that you may recall that in 2017 there was a reform of the anti narcotics law because a lot of a lot of the people executed very executed for drugs offences.
So we we did see a notable decrease in executions.
However, what we've seen is that since 2022, the numbers have risen sharply.
And, and as I said, in, in in 2024, we had over over 909 hundred and one.
Now the the method of execution we understand that is by hanging Nina.
Yeah.
Hi Liz.
Yeah, my question was also about I guess the sources when you say reportedly, but could you say how confident you are that the that the number is, is around 901?
Do you think that it actually could be higher or how how much insight do you actually have?
Thank you.
Yeah, well, that's a pertinent question.
I think precisely given the lack of official data.
So we do have to rely on, on organisations that we've worked with over a number of years that we've received information from.
So I think what we're looking at is we're liaising with the organisations, we're getting the information, we're trying to to, to take a sort of a considered view of the numbers we've been given.
So really hard to say whether we think the number could be even higher, but we are confident of the the number because we're obviously we're we're going public saying that we're concerned about these numbers.
Yeah, when we go to the platform, I think Nick has added this hand.
Is that on Iran?
Yes, it is.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Liz, I just wondered if you had a an estimate of it or you knew how many of the executed people were convicted on specifically political offences.
And secondly, in relation to this week where 40 people were executed in one week, is that associated with one particular prison?
Are we talking about multiple hangings being carried out on the same day or is this what further detail can you provide about this?
Yeah, Nick, let me start with your last question.
The 40 in one week, I'd need to check back with colleagues specifically whether it's 40 in one prison or 40 overall.
So, so we'll try and get more information on that.
Convicted of political offences.
Again, I think it's, it's difficult to establish the numbers.
We are saying that, that we believe the majority are for drug related offences.
We, we do know that there have been a, a number of people connected, you know, considered political dissidents involved in the protests.
We don't have overall numbers.
What we, we do have, we're aware of some emblematic cases.
So, for example, in in January last year, there was Muhammad Gubadalu.
He was executed for what was termed waging war against God, a ****** accused of running over police officers during the Maha Amini protests.
There, there are a number of other sort of named individuals that we know have been executed.
But again, I'd need to double check on, on whether we have numbers on, on those convicted political offences.
I, I, I, I think that we probably don't have concrete numbers on that, but we do know that, that there are a number of people who, who you know, who've been sentenced, they haven't yet been been executed, but they have been sentenced with regard to, to political, what the term political offences.
Gabriella, is this on Iran?
Yes, on Iran.
And then another question on another subject.
My question is what, what are the consequences for Iran in the UN system?
I mean, human rights, are there any, you know, I don't know what measure can the UN do with the Iran with a country like that?
I mean, maybe they are they going to be part for the Human Rights Council or they can't something I mean something that your office can do to reprint or I don't know how to say it in English.
A country like that.
I think it's clear it's clear enough capital.
Thank you.
Go ahead, Liz.
Well, I think the point is, I mean that that we the human, human rights office, but other human rights mechanisms, we monitor and we advocate and we speak out with regard to Iran on the, the question of, of executions.
What we always say is, is that that all states are bound by their international human rights obligations.
And as I'm sure you're aware that that, for example, you know, Iran is party to a number of, of international human rights treaties.
So, so it's reviewed by, by the treaty bodies, for example.
It's this constant highlighting calling for, for the death penalty to stop.
And it's not just the death penalty in Iran.
It's overall, as I said, we're, we're opposed to the death penalty and we've repeatedly call, called for its halt.
We've repeatedly call for a moratorium.
So it it's not a question of us being able to to to to waive specific sanctions, but what we have done over many years and what we will continue to do is to highlight the executions being carried out in Iran and we will continue to call for a halt.
Indeed.
Liz, I see your hand.
Is that only run on?
I follow up on this and then I'll go to the others.
Yes, Hi.
Yeah.
Liz, just very quickly, did you say that this is the highest number of people that Iran has executed as far as you know, if you could make, you know, affirm that?
And also what sort of recourse, if any, do people who are arrested and convicted of of these serious crimes have in terms of appeals?
Do they have access to lawyers?
Is there any sense of fairness in the judicial process or not?
Lisa, with regard to the highest number, what, what, what, what we have noted is that since 2022, the number has been rising again.
We know that in 2015, at least 972 individuals were executed.
So we believe that this is the highest number in recent decades.
But clearly the number for 2024 is, is alarmingly, shockingly **** at at least 901.
With regard to, to the the judicial system in Iran, to the recourse that people have.
Well, again, as I I said in response to other questions, part of the problem is the lack of official data.
It's the opacity of the system.
I mean, people will have lawyers, but of course it's very hard to determine how, how free and fair a particular trial may be.
So I think This is why we believe it is so important to, to, to be speaking out, you know, on the executions, but also highlighting that there are people who are awaiting execution who are on death row, who have been charged.
So, so with regard to the actual judicial system, I don't, I don't have too many details, but we are concerned because because there is the, the lack of, of transparency around what happens in Iran with regard to the sentencing and the carrying out of the death penalty.
Thank you, Liz, I've got four people who have questions for you on other subject.
That's that with Moussa, then Katherine, Yuri and Gabriela.
Moussa, you have a question in Syria for Katrina, for Lisa.
Yeah, thank you.
We have seen many videos about violations against people in the street in Damas homes, especially homes and Latakia and other cities, especially against the Alawite minority.
Do you have another subject if you have some details about that?
And if you have any idea about the number of detainees is all of Bashar al-Assad regime.
Thank you.
I, I didn't catch the last bit.
The number of OK, OK detainees, the number of detainees since 8:00 this December 8.
Thank you.
With the new regime.
Yeah, I don't I don't have numbers on the detainees.
With regard to, to what you're referring to is, is the reports and the videos have been seen with regard to the Alawite, we are aware of the reports and, and obviously our colleagues are working to to to corroborate.
We, we know that the authorities have issued a statement calling on all to avoid retaliation.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
And sorry.
And maybe just we're speaking on Syria.
Jennifer asked me to inform you that the event special involved for Syria, we'll brief the Security Council on this this Wednesday, tomorrow at 10 AM New York Times, 4:00 PM Geneva.
It's a brief, it's an open briefing so the you can listen to it on on the UN Web TV and the remarks of the special boy will be circulated when he finishes as usual.
So what now?
I have Catherine on a question.
I don't know on which subject is it Catherine?
What had Thank you, Alessandra.
It's also on Syria.
In fact it was it's it's a follow up on the question asked by my colleague.
A lot of Syrian that are living abroad are reporting about the killing of men in Homs and in the cities around.
They're talking about four to 5000 Alawite men that have been killed the last weeks.
They also speaking about women being beating up, beaten up because they are talking or walking in the street with men that are not their their husband, brothers or father and also beating up and killing people that are not going to the Friday parade.
So I'd like to know how human rights is monitoring those allegations.
And if you have already had the opportunity to exchange with the authorities, HTS authorities about the respect of the rights of women and religious minorities.
We've seen recently that the head of HTS refused to shake hands with the Minister of Vice, Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Germany.
I'd like you to know more about your position on that and the kind of channel that you have in order to monitor and to exchange on those topics with the new authorities of Syria.
Thank you, Liz.
Yeah, thank you, Katherine.
We, we have had initial contacts with the caretaker authorities in Damascus at the technical level.
We've been engaging with, with obviously with other UN actors and diplomatic community as well.
So this, you know, as you know, our, our office has, has been, was, has been monitoring Syria for many years remotely because we weren't allowed in the country.
So, you know, we have, you know, been involved in, in human rights monitoring and protection advocacy.
We have close links with civil society actors and victims.
So, so, you know, this work is, is, is ongoing and is continuing because it's really important with regard to, to the specific reports.
You know, I, I, I replied on, on, on the issue of, of, you know, videos emerging from, from Homs and things like that.
I mean, I think what it is really important is that all parties abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and that includes the the respect and protection of minorities.
It's really important that that all measures are taken to avoid void sort of behaviour, conduct that that is driven by, by the desire for, for revenge.
We've, we've said this before, but it, it basically bears repeating that human rights must be central to an inclusive transition if Syria is to come to terms with its past and, and construct a society in which the rights of, of everyone will be respected, protected and fulfilled, irrespective of, of, you know, their gender, their ethnic or religious community, age or ability.
So I, I, we really believe that, that it's important that, that, you know, the, the caretaker authorities, you know, must act to ensure that security is restored, that those accused of committing crimes are held accountable, and that women, children and diverse ethnic and religious communities can fully exercise their rights.
So I think that that sort of speaks to it, to your question specifically about women.
Katherine, thank you.
Thank you very much.
Liz, I just like it's on that.
No, it's just like to take the opportunity to inform you that we have a new Comer and we welcome her in the Geneva communication community.
Nermin de Lamid.
Nermin is the new press first person for the independent institution Missing Persons in Syria.
And we have given her your contacts and we'll give you her contacts so that if there are questions on the issue of the missing person in Syria, you can contact her.
And I hope she'll be coming to the briefing soon if it's another subject.
Nina, wait a second because I have Yuri has been waiting with this question in writing.
Liz, I will read it to you.
And I think he has a problem with the.
With the with Mick.
So Yuri's asking you something about Ukraine and Russia, he says.
Saturday is several a kilometre from the front line, on the road between Donetsk and Gerlovka, A Ukrainian drone hit the civilian vehicle of five journalists from different Russian media.
The correspondent of the newspaper is Vestia Alexander Marty Manov Mianov.
Sorry, was killed and four other journalists were injured, including in their correspondent of the university.
Is your office aware of this situation?
Can you comment on it?
Thank you.
Yes, thanks Uri.
We, we are aware of the of the reports regarding the, the reported killing of the journalists.
We, we don't have specific information to be able to comment directly on this incident.
But obviously we would always repeat, repeat the importance that that, you know, journalists enjoy specific protection and should be allowed to, to go about their their work, you know, without fearing for their lives or or being being prevented from from doing their work.
If I may just also highlight that tomorrow the Deputy **** Commissioner and other Al Nashef will be presenting an update, a statement on Ukraine at the Human Rights Council so that that's tomorrow.
And I think it's at 3:00 PM, if if memory serves me correctly.
Thank you.
Yeah, just just speaking on that.
Let me inform you, Pascal has asked us to read this to you, that the Human Rights Council convinced at 10:00 AM in Room 20, tomorrow, Wednesday 8 of January, for the selection by law by a lot of the UPR troikas, which is the set of the three states which act as rapporteur in the UPR process.
And in the afternoon, from 3:00 PM, the Council will hold an interactive dialogue on the oral update by the **** Commissioner on the findings of the OHCHR report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.
This is the meeting that was postponed and you may remember from the end of last year, the Deputy Commissioner Nadhar Shahef will present the Ukraine report to the Council.
The report was published on the 31st of December.
It can be found on the website of OHCHR.
And of course, you can contact Pascal and his team if you have any, if you want any more information on this, on this meeting on Ukraine.
And obviously, this will be the first meeting under the chairmanship of Switzerland, the Presidency of Switzerland.
OK, now I'm lost because there are so many other hands.
I hope they are not on this subject.
I'll go 1 by 1 after you.
We said Gabriella.
Yes, thank you, Alessandra.
It would be nice if Carla Quintana, the one representing disappearing persons in, in, in Syria, could give us conference or something like that.
I mean, a press conference would be nice.
I don't know if she's going to be based in Geneva or in New York or where she's going to be, but it would be very nice to have her here in, yes, corps with the press corps.
And then I'm so sorry, but coming back on Venezuela, the Organisation of American States, they already validate the elections in Venezuela.
So I don't want you to talk about elections, but if, if you list can give us what are the obligations of a state when huge demonstrations are in in the streets?
Because there's going to be huge demonstrations in Venezuela tomorrow.
And we remember that last last time people were killed, targeted and killed in in demonstrations in Venezuela.
So if you can say something on that, I would appreciate it.
Thank you, Gabriela, thank you very much.
On your question about Mrs Quintana, I'll ask Naomi to look into it.
And maybe that would be the occasion for her to introduce herself to you.
And on the Venezuela question, Liz, yes, well, the obligations of Venezuela are the obligations of, of, of any state.
It's, it's international obligation to abide by the right to peaceful assembly to, to ensure that people can, can exercise their right to freedom of expression and association.
And of course, the, the stress as well, of course, is, is that it's peaceful assembly.
So, so that is something that we would we would definitely reiterate.
Thank you, Nina.
Yeah, sorry, on the other subject, I, I was wondering how concerned your office is about the fact that you have billionaires like Ellen, Elon Musk, who are clearly meddling in in European political systems when it comes to the to democratic rights in those countries.
Thank you.
Well, I mean, obviously we're we're seeing, you know, what is being said, what is being expressed and we're also aware that that, shall we say politicians that that are maybe you know, being attacked are are well able to respond for themselves.
Thank you, John.
Yes, good morning.
Happy new Year.
Liz, I've got a general question.
I was wondering if the Office of the **** Commissioner or any of the special thematic rapporteurs have made any comment on the decision by the interim authorities in Syria to suspend the Constitution that does not absolve them of their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, correct?
They they are bound by international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Indeed, Musa.
In Syria, again, my question is very, very specific.
Please do you have your own information regarding the violations in Syria today?
And I don't understand if you have your own team in Syria and if, if this is the case, the team work normally.
Thank you.
Yeah, thank you, Musa.
As I said earlier, our office has long experience in, in working on Syria, not working in Syria, but working on Syria, you know, playing a leading role in, in human rights monitoring, building up relationship with civil society, producing reports, getting information, monitoring.
That work continues.
Now, obviously there's been this seismic change in Syria so that we, we have, we did deploy a small team for people to, to Syria to, to, to, to start, you know, engaging on the ground on, on human rights issues, really, because we know that this is such a crucial moment in Syria's history.
And as I said earlier, that human rights will be central to, to any just peaceful transition for the country.
So yes, we, we are working, we're, we're well monitoring that work continues.
The expertise that we've, we've accumulated over the years is, is, is being continued to be put to use.
We have some colleagues on the ground.
So that that is really, you know, vital to to start getting, you know, direct information, building contacts with people, building relationships and and seeing, you know, what we are able to contribute with regard to, to human rights protection and promotion in Syria.
Thank you very much, Liz.
I think we can let you go.
But before we close completely the human rights issue, just sorry, just let me remind you that on Monday the Committee on the Rights of the Child opens his first session of 2025, which is actually their 98 session until the 31st of January.
They will be meeting in Para Wilson and reviewing the reports of Slovakia, Eritrea, Honduras, Sankitsa, Navies, Peru, Gambia and Ecuador.
And in the afternoon of the 30th of Thursday, the 30th of January, the committee will also have a meeting with states.
We remind you, the countries as long as we in in the in the course of of the month of January, I think we really told you everything we had on human rights issues.
So I'll let Oh, Satoko, is that for Liz before I let her go.
Happy New Year.
You have the floor.
We can't hear you, Satoka.
You have to unmute yourself.
It's strange.
I can see you.
You are wrong.
But so we can't hear you.
Sorry.
Yeah.
Let's try again.
Let's try now.
I see you're you're on on the on the platform.
I'm sorry, it's a Taco.
We can't hear you.
Maybe you can jot down the the question and I'll I'll send it to Liz in Maybe if it's, you know, in a minute you can still be on.
So let me go to oh, oh, that's your question.
It's a Taco.
That's very good because yeah, it was not for Liz, but she's asking what happened to WMOWMO is online.
I see Claire on on the screen, so let's give her the floor as the last briefer of the of the morning.
Good morning, Claire.
Happy New Year.
You've got the floor.
Yeah.
Happy, happy New Year, everybody.
WMO is is definitely still still here.
And it's our 75th anniversary this this year, so you'll be hearing lots about that.
On Friday, the World Meteorological Organisation will be issuing a press release on the temperature, the global temperature in 2024.
There's obviously been, you know, a lot of coverage of this already that, you know, we do expect it to be the warmest year on record.
So what we are doing on Friday is to sort of crunch the numbers together and come up with a consolidated global figure.
WMO uses 10-6 individual data sets, one from NASA, one from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one from the UK's Met Office, one from Berkey Earth, one from the Japan Metrological Agency and one from E US Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Each of these data sets will have their own individual figures findings and each I think will be released separately on Thursday, on Friday.
And So what we will then do is just to consolidate them all and get one consolidated global figure which then goes you know forward to the UN Convention on climate change for the COP negotiations etcetera.
The timing of this we have to coordinate with all the other data set producers and we, so we won't be able to send it much under embargo simply because we'll be waiting for the last figures.
We will be trying to time it coincide with the release of the NASA and NOAA data, which unfortunately for you is 5:00 PM Friday afternoon Geneva time.
If we can send it out under embargo ahead of that time, we will do so will be a press release.
We won't be able to send it much ahead of time just because you know, we're waiting.
We're waiting for the numbers.
In addition to the global temperature ranking this year, we're also coordinating with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which overseas a global consortium which will be producing a paper on sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content.
So this will be a study from them rather than WMO, but we will, you know, we will also be talking about it in the in the press release and send, you know, sending you a link to that very important study.
That's Oh, and so that that's As for the temperatures, this year marks the International Year of the preservation of glaciers.
It's a year which the WMO is Co facilitating along with with UNESCO.
The actual launch event of that will be the 21st Tuesday, the 21st of January there will be an event at WMO in the afternoon.
To set the scene for that, we are having a background virtual briefing with, you know, everybody from all journalists and all over the world will be invited.
And that is taking place on Wednesday the 16th of January.
It's in the afternoon.
So it won't it won't clash with the eye of the breakfast briefing.
You will be getting more details of that with a along with a SIM link and my colleague Appreciita Behana is, is dealing with that.
So thanks very much.
Thank you very much, Claire, for this announcement.
Any question to WMO in the room or online?
No, I don't see any.
So thank you very much.
Good start of the year with the with the the oldest information.
I just wanted to wrap up with an announcement on our side to inform you that we will be sending you tomorrow the UN World Economic Situation and Prospect Report for 2025 along with an accompanying press release.
This is the report.
The report and the press release are on the street embargo until 6:30 Thursday, 9th of January, which is actually noon 1230 New York time, marking the time of the global launch of the flagship report.
As you know, the report is launched in New York and has several accompanying regional launches.
The report is produced by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN and presents the global and regional economic outlooks for 2025, addressing the latest global trends and regional economic forecasts, and underscores the importance of global cooperation to lift growth.
We'll send you the material around noon tomorrow, and we will also send you a list of experts available for interviews.
Normally we have a press conference around this report, but this year, unfortunately, it was not possible to organise it, but there will be experts will be available for interviews in English, French and Spanish, among other languages.
Rolando is following this launch for Unis, so if you have any question for him on this, don't hesitate to ask.
And I just wanted to give you a good nice information that starting from I think from today, if not the end of this week, the bar, the delegate is reopening.
So you if you want to go and have a coffee after the briefing, which we probably all need, just go up three floors and we'll find our Salon Suisse opening again.
I'm not sure about the dates, but I think it's this week Monday of next, next Monday the the coming Monday.
Great.
Thank you very much.
So thanks to everyone.
Oh, John, you have a question.
Is that for me?
Yes.
Good morning, Alexandra.
Again.
I was wondering if there's any statement or decision on the appointment or renewal of the Director General of UNOC?
Thank you.
No, John, not for the moment.
If we have anything to share, of course, we will do it immediately, but not for the moment.
Thank you.
Anyone else?
No, no hands up.
So thank you very much for following this first briefing of the year.
We made it in almost one hour and 20 minutes.
And I will see you on on Friday.
And again, Happy New Year to everyone.
Thank you.