Monthly Action Points (MAP) for the Security Council: October 2011

Afghanistan

The Council is expected to extend the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as per SCR 1943 (2010). Reports indicate increased civilian displacement by military operations, with numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) doubling since last year. As of July, a gradual transition of security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) began, with a view to full transition and the withdrawal of NATO combat troops by the end of 2014. Afghan women’s groups, continue to raise serious concerns about the prospect for human rights in Afghanistan if the Taleban are invited to join the political process. The Council is therefore urged to:

• Ensure all necessary steps are taken to reduce displacement, and to share information on displacement resulting from military activities with UNHCR, OCHA and other humanitarian actors, in a timely and appropriate manner, to meet IDP needs;
• Strengthen ANSF oversight and accountability mechanisms to protect civilians from ANSF abuses;
• Recommend the establishment of an effective, adequately resourced and independent police ombudsperson, with the authority to investigate complaints against the police, and of police failure to investigate other offences including crimes against women;
• Ensure that members of the Afghan government and insurgent groups are not granted impunity for war crimes;
• Demand that any political agreement between the Afghan government and insurgent groups must include verifiable benchmarks for the parties’ conformity with their human rights obligations; including trends in the school attendance by girls; and the ability of aid workers and civil society activists, in particular women’s human rights defenders, to operate in areas under the control of the parties;
• Insist that reconciliation talks be inclusive and reflective of Afghan civil society, including women and the minority groups.

The Council is expected to extend the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as per SCR 1943 (2010). Reports indicate increased civilian displacement by military operations, with numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) doubling since last year. As of July, a gradual transition of security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) began, with a view to full transition and the withdrawal of NATO combat troops by the end of 2014. Afghan women’s groups, continue to raise serious concerns about the prospect for human rights in Afghanistan if the Taleban are invited to join the political process. The Council is therefore urged to:

• Ensure all necessary steps are taken to reduce displacement, and to share information on displacement resulting from military activities with UNHCR, OCHA and other humanitarian actors, in a timely and appropriate manner, to meet IDP needs;
• Strengthen ANSF oversight and accountability mechanisms to protect civilians from ANSF abuses;
• Recommend the establishment of an effective, adequately resourced and independent police ombudsperson, with the authority to investigate complaints against the police, and of police failure to investigate other offences including crimes against women;
• Ensure that members of the Afghan government and insurgent groups are not granted impunity for war crimes;
• Demand that any political agreement between the Afghan government and insurgent groups must include verifiable benchmarks for the parties’ conformity with their human rights obligations; including trends in the school attendance by girls; and the ability of aid workers and civil society activists, in particular women’s human rights defenders, to operate in areas under the control of the parties;
• Insist that reconciliation talks be inclusive and reflective of Afghan civil society, including women and the minority groups.

Darfur / Sudan

The Council is expected to receive and discuss the Secretary-General’s report on UNAMID, per SCR 2003 (2011). There must be an immediate end to the Government of Sudan’s access restrictions on UNAMID and humanitarian organizations operating in Darfur. Efforts should be increased to end impunity for sexual violence, including by security forces, and perpetrators should be brought to justice. The Council should demand an end to aerial bombardment, attacks against civilians, and the state of emergency in Darfur; and demand UNAMID and relevant UN agencies and programmes access to all areas where civilians need protection, and to regularly publish comprehensive information on the human rights and humanitarian situation.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Secretary-General’s report on MONUSCO is expected. In its discussions on the situation in the DRC, the Council should:

• Question the resources and provided, including by UNHCR, to better assist and protect internally displaced Congolese;
• Request an update on measures taken by the DRC Government and UN to bring to justice suspected perpetrators of mass acts of sexual violence this year and last, including in Fizi and Walikale, as well as the provision of services to survivors;
• Request a status update on the status of women’s right and capacity to vote and to stand in the upcoming elections;
• Request information on UN and DRC government contingency plans to address possible destabilization resulting from upcoming elections, including enhanced protection of civilians, in particular at risk groups including IDPs and women.

The Secretary-General’s report on MONUSCO is expected. In its discussions on the situation in the DRC, the Council should:

• Question the resources and provided, including by UNHCR, to better assist and protect internally displaced Congolese;
• Request an update on measures taken by the DRC Government and UN to bring to justice suspected perpetrators of mass acts of sexual violence this year and last, including in Fizi and Walikale, as well as the provision of services to survivors;
• Request a status update on the status of women’s right and capacity to vote and to stand in the upcoming elections;
• Request information on UN and DRC government contingency plans to address possible destabilization resulting from upcoming elections, including enhanced protection of civilians, in particular at risk groups including IDPs and women.

Haiti

The Council is expected to renew the mandate of MINUSTAH SCR 1944. In its discussions, the Council should address:

• Capacity to include initiatives for the empowerment and protection of women and girls in light of continued concerns for violence against women in camps, including sexual violence, and access to services for survivors of violence;
• Concrete measures to improve security for women and girls by identifying best practices and feedback from community patrols;
• Strongly reiterate the obligation to enforce the UN zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as on any other kind of abuses committed against the civilian population by all MINUSTAH personnel, and the need for troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs / PCCs) to ensure that acts involving their personnel are properly investigated and punished and for the UN Secretariat to actively follow-up on measures taken to ensure the administration of justice in those countries.

The Council is expected to renew the mandate of MINUSTAH SCR 1944. In its discussions, the Council should address:

• Capacity to include initiatives for the empowerment and protection of women and girls in light of continued concerns for violence against women in camps, including sexual violence, and access to services for survivors of violence;
• Concrete measures to improve security for women and girls by identifying best practices and feedback from community patrols;
• Strongly reiterate the obligation to enforce the UN zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as on any other kind of abuses committed against the civilian population by all MINUSTAH personnel, and the need for troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs / PCCs) to ensure that acts involving their personnel are properly investigated and punished and for the UN Secretariat to actively follow-up on measures taken to ensure the administration of justice in those countries.

Kosovo

When discussing the expected UNMIK report, the Council should request information on the advancement of human rights, as required by the Security Council (SCR 1244 OP11; and SCR 1889, OP5). This includes women’s right to political participation, and the prosecution of war crimes, including crimes of sexual violence, as well as the need for protection of witnesses.

Libya

The Council is expected to continue discussing the situation in Libya. The Council should ensure the National Transitional Council (NTC) provides immediate protection of those displaced by conflict, regardless of political allegiances, including third-country nationals who have been targeted for their perceived allegiance to Col. Gaddafi. It is essential that the NTC leadership and commanders on the ground do all they can to prevent reprisal attacks against these individuals. The NTC should:

• Ensure all disarmament and demobilization efforts address the specific concerns of women and girls;
• Support women’s leadership and ensure women’s rights are an explicit component of all truth and reconciliation processes, and that women have full access to these processes;
• Ensure strong support for women’s rights to be addressed substantively in the drafting a new constitution, and in the development of new, democratic political processes and institutions;
• Support the Libyan authorities to take all appropriate measures to increase women’s political participation and representation;

The Council is expected to continue discussing the situation in Libya. The Council should ensure the National Transitional Council (NTC) provides immediate protection of those displaced by conflict, regardless of political allegiances, including third-country nationals who have been targeted for their perceived allegiance to Col. Gaddafi. It is essential that the NTC leadership and commanders on the ground do all they can to prevent reprisal attacks against these individuals. The NTC should:

• Ensure all disarmament and demobilization efforts address the specific concerns of women and girls;
• Support women’s leadership and ensure women’s rights are an explicit component of all truth and reconciliation processes, and that women have full access to these processes;
• Ensure strong support for women’s rights to be addressed substantively in the drafting a new constitution, and in the development of new, democratic political processes and institutions;
• Support the Libyan authorities to take all appropriate measures to increase women’s political participation and representation;

Middle East

The Council will hold its monthly briefing on the Middle East situation, including Palestine. The Council should focus on the reduction of indiscriminate attacks harming civilians in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and upholding accountability for violations of human rights and crimes under international law.

Abyei / South Sudan / Sudan

The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the UNISFA report, as per SCR 1990 (2011). Aerial bombardments continue, following the displacement of 150,000-200,000 persons since June 2011. In discussions on Sudan and South Kordofan, the Council should: call for an immediate ceasefire, and for humanitarian access, per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); and conduct a fact-finding mission in South Kordofan to assess the humanitarian and human rights consequences. Discussions on the situation in Sudan will be held also in the context of UNMISS. The Council should: ensure appropriate support for TCCs / PCCs in their pre-deployment training of troops, specifically on how to best operationalize the women, peace and security and protection elements of the UNMISS mandate; and support expert capacity in the mission regarding early warning and conflict prevention, and to monitor and report on human rights threats against civilians.

Syria

The situation in Syria is being discussed by the Council, as the government continues its repression of pro- reform protests. The Security Council should refer the situation in Syria immediately to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court; impose a complete arms embargo on Syria preventing the transfer of all weaponry, munitions and related equipment and the provision of personnel and assistance; and implement an asset freeze against President Bashar al-Assad and others who may be involved in ordering or perpetrating serious violations of human rights or international humanitarian law

Timor-Leste

The report on UNMIT is expected in October per SCR 1969 (2011). The last report of the Secretary-General on Timor-Leste (S/2010/522) failed to detail actions being taken in compliance with SCRs on women peace and security. In the next report, the Council should request information on the post-conflict situation for women in Timor-Leste, and the relevant work of UNMIT. This may include gender training for the PNTL (police); and progress on gender mainstreaming.

Women Peace and Security

On 28 October, Nigeria will host an Open Debate on Women Peace and Security, marking the 11th anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). This presents an opportunity for the Council and every UN Member State to take further action to ensure full implementation of SCR 1325 and all relevant Women, Peace and Security commitments. In particular, the Council should ensure that its resolutions, including mission mandates and renewals, consistently integrate and advance the Women Peace and Security agenda, with the full support of the UN system and all relevant UN Member States. The recommendations in the Secretary-General’s forthcoming report on Women Peace and Security should be taken forward; and Member States held to account for previous commitments they have made. The Council, UN system and Member States are strongly urged to agree to timetabled measures, in order to ensure in peace processes, the meaningful engagement of women and civil society and the inclusion of their concerns.