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	These despicable attacks on civilian populations are to be condemned in the strongest possible terms by United Nations News, agencies   23 July 2016   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), Tadamichi Yamamoto, have strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a peaceful demonstration in Kabul that killed at least 80 people and injured some 245 others.   Mr. Ban said the terrorist attack was a “despicable crime” that targeted citizens peacefully exercising their fundamental human rights. The terror group IS/Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack.   Graphic television news footage from the site of the blasts showed many dead bodies lying on the bloodied road, close to where thousands of Hazara had been demonstrating over the route of a planned multi-million-dollar power line.   Mr. Yamamoto, called the attack “an outrage that cannot be justified. An attack deliberately targeting a large, concentrated group of civilians amounts to a war crime”.   The explosions occurred at Dehmazang square in Kabul city, targeting the peaceful demonstration. A suicide attacker detonated his device among the demonstrators.   “This attack is particularly heinous because it targeted civilians as they exercised their rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.” Mr. Yamamoto said, “It is an attempt to spread terror amongst civilians and stifle the freedoms that Afghans have sacrificed so much to obtain.”   Mr. Yamamoto highlighted that international humanitarian and international human rights laws underscore the protection of civilians.   15 July 2016 (France 24)   A lorry has ploughed through crowds of people in the southern French city of Nice towards the end of a fireworks display to celebrate the Bastille Day holiday.   Officials have said that at least 84 people have died including several children, and another 18 are in a critical condition, over 200 people were injured in the attack.   The driver of the lorry was shot dead by police. Reports have said that the driver opened fire on the crowd and that weapons were found in the lorry. France''s anti-terror unit is handling the investigation. http://f24.my/29zBBik http://bit.ly/29PXgCz   “Following the appalling attack in Nice last night, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) expresses its utmost sadness and extends its sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” says FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty, on behalf of the Agency and all its staff.   “This heinous and despicable act was perpetrated against innocent men, women and children. It demonstrated a barbaric disregard for fellow human beings, depriving the victims of their most fundamental right: their right to life. It also struck out against the rights of those who have been injured and traumatised, as well as those of the friends and loved ones affected. Such deeds also serve to threaten the wellbeing and stability of our societies.”   “It is harrowing that this atrocity took place in the context of Bastille Day, a moment in the year when all of us, not only France, celebrate the principles of liberté, égalité, and fraternité. These form the bedrock of our European fundamental rights. The Nice attack is an attack on all of us.”   “We both expect and appreciate that States must take the necessary action to prevent acts of terror and to investigate and prosecute the offenders. It is no less imperative that all measures taken by governments in response to such attacks are respectful of the fundamental rights of us all. By doing so, we send out a clear signal: our response is not driven by hatred and fear; we will not be led down the path set out by the perpetrators”.   “The Europe of Values is strong. However hard it may be, we must remain true to it. We will find our strength in solidarity and our commitment to liberté, égalité, and fraternité.”   4 July 2016   Iraq has begun three days of national mourning for more than 200 people killed by a suicide bombing in a busy Baghdad shopping district claimed by IS/Daesh terrorists, the deadliest attack in the capital this year.   Shiites, Sunnis and Christians wept and lit candles together at the scene of one of the blasts that killed 125 people, while distraught families wandered around the destroyed street carrying pieces of their loved ones away in blankets.   The death toll from the attack climbed during the day as rescuers pulled out more bodies from under the rubble and people succumbed to their injuries. Officials said more than 180 people were wounded.   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the terrorist bombing saying “he is appalled by the utter disregard for human life displayed by the perpetrators, who struck as residents prepared for Eid al-Fitr celebrations”.   The Secretary-General appeals to the people of Iraq to reject any attempts to spread fear and undermine the unity of the country, calling on the Government to ensure that the perpetrators of this horrific crime are brought to justice as soon as possible, the spokesperson added.   Mr. Ban expressed his deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Government and people of Iraq, wishing the many injured a speedy recovery.   Mogens Lykketoft, the President of the UN General Assembly, also condemned the attack.   “This horrific act of violence perpetrated upon people, including many children, just going about their business during the holy month of Ramadan is outrageous,” he said.   "This despicable attack is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms."   2 July 2016   The United Nations Security Council joined international condemnation of yesterday''s terrorist attack on a café in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, for which IS/Daesh has claimed responsibility.   In a press statement issued today, the Council “condemns the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack, which resulted in more than 20 Bangladeshi nationals and foreigners, including development workers, killed and many injured.”   The 15-member body underscored the need for all States to combat such threats by all means.   The Council reiterated that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is “criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” and “should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group.”   The Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.   Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the terrorist attack and stressed the need for international efforts to prevent and combat terrorism.   29 June 2016   Three suicide bombings in Istanbul''s main international airport have left at least 41 people dead and many injured, Istanbul''s Governor said.   The Governor''s office released a statement saying a further 239 people were wounded, adding that 109 of those injured had been discharged from hospital. Thirteen of the dead were foreign nationals, the statement said.   The statement revised an earlier death toll of 36, given by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. Initial findings point to IS/Daesh terrorists as being responsible for the attack, Mr Yildirim said.   Turkey has suffered a spate of bombings this year, including two suicide attacks in tourist areas of Istanbul.   http://bit.ly/29cQnvh http://www.un.org/victimsofterrorism/en/news http://bit.ly/29gpF3s Visit the related web page
	Privatising security must not lower standards of protection and accountability by Christof Heyns UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions   20 June 2016   The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, today has called for greater scrutiny and accountability of the use of force by private security providers in law enforcement activities.   “The unregulated or improper use of force by private security providers can severely jeopardize the protection of the right to life,” Mr. Heyns warned in his final report to the UN Human Rights Council.   “States must ensure their laws regulating private security –both in their conduct domestically and overseas– are in line with international human rights standards and best practice regarding the use of force, and must ensure that such providers are subject to meaningful oversight and accountability,” he stressed.   The expert recognized that private security services provide some benefits, but cautioned that, at the same time, the sector presents major challenges. “Since States are primarily responsible for human rights fulfilment, the increasing movement toward the privatization of security raises questions as to roles, responsibilities, and ultimately accountability in relation to human rights violations and abuses.”   Security provision has become a global marketplace, with private security providers guarding shopping malls, providing security during public demonstrations, running prisons and detention centres, training armed forces and police, escorting convoys and ships, providing personal security for diplomats, and offering many other services.   “Some of these companies are employing hundreds of thousands of people in more than a hundred countries,” Mr. Heyns noted. “That makes them not only significant economic actors in their own right, but also powerful agents for the greater protection of human rights in a law enforcement context.”   In his report, the Special Rapporteur outlines the legal framework within which private security providers should operate, and the steps that should be taken to regulate the industry, monitor its conduct, and hold it accountable when infractions occur.   “With respect to the use of force, it is vital that adequate training and equipment be provided, that operations are, where applicable, planned in such a way as to avoid as far as is possible the use of force, and that, where it must be used, force is proportionate,” Mr. Heyns said.   The Special Rapporteur reminded States that regulation of the private security sector should establish robust standards for vetting and training, both before certification, and on a continuing basis, alongside strict control of the weapons and other equipment available to private security personnel.   “After any use of force there should be some form of review, with a full investigation wherever life has been lost or serious injury inflicted, and accountability mechanisms in place where such an investigation suggests the use of force may have been unlawful, including remedies for victims,” he stressed.   The Special Rapporteur also noted that full accountability may often require corporate liability. “Corporations should not be able to avoid responsibility for intentional or grossly negligent excessive force resulting in death or serious injury, simply by demonstrating that their employee was appropriately selected and trained,” the expert stated. “Without a strict standard of liability, victims will often have no effective recourse, as the individual perpetrator is often devoid of means.”   Mr. Heyns also expressed his concern about internal grievance mechanisms that encourage victims of serious violations to sign waivers of their legal rights to redress in order to benefit from swift resolution of the grievance.   The Special Rapporteur praised multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at setting standards for the industry, particularly in complex environments where other mechanisms of control and oversight are weak.   * Access the report: http://bit.ly/28ODbLG Visit the related web page
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