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	UN rights experts urge greater accountability for private security by UN human rights office (OHCHR)   April 2015   The outsourcing of national security to private firms creates risks for human rights and accountability, the United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries confirmed today as it welcomed the sentencing of four former Blackwater Worldwide personnel for the 2007 killing of 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians.   The four security personnel were convicted for the shooting deaths of 14 unarmed Iraqis in Baghdad’s crowded Nissour Square in 2007. Another 17 Iraqi civilians were also injured when the private contractors opened fire.   According to a press release issued by the UN’s human rights office (OHCHR), one Blackwater security guard was convicted to life in prison while three others were sentenced to 30 years.   “We endorse the sentences meted out to the private military actors in this landmark trial,” said Elzbieta Karska, the working group’s chairperson, in the press release. “Private military and security companies must always be held accountable for violations committed under international human rights and humanitarian law.”   However, Ms. Karska added, such examples of accountability are the “exception rather than the rule.”   “The difficulty in bringing a prosecution in this case shows the need for an international treaty to address the increasingly significant role that private military companies play in transnational conflicts.”   Ms. Karska and the Working Group acknowledged that the adoption of a new international legal instrument within the UN would provide a clear framework to effectively monitor abuses and violations of human rights committed by private security contractors and develop an independent avenue to compensate victims of such violations.   The Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination was established in 2005 by the then Commission on Human Rights. It is composed of five independent experts.   The UN human rights experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name of the independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms of the Council that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.   Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.   “There can be no justice without effective accountability and redress mechanisms for victims,” Ms. Karska continued, noting that human rights violations committed by private security companies cannot remain unpunished.   “States have a responsibility to ensure that victims and their families have equal and effective access to justice, as well as adequate, effective and prompt reparation for the harm suffered.”   http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Mercenaries/WGMercenaries/Pages/WGMercenariesIndex.aspx Visit the related web page
	The deliberate targeting of civilians is an abhorrent act of murder by UN News, agencies   8 August 2015   UN urges halt to attacks on Afghan civilians after day of record casualties.   The United Nations on Saturday called on anti-Government elements in Afghanistan to stop targeting civilian-populated areas, after a series of attacks yesterday killed at least 40 people, injured more than 300 and caused extensive damage to homes and property.   This was the highest number of civilians killed and injured in one day since the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) began systematically recording civilian casualties in 2009.   In a statement issued following the three attacks carried out in Kabul on Friday, UNAMA repeated its call for anti-Government elements, including the Taliban, to cease the use of complex and suicide attacks in civilian-populated areas.   “Those responsible for suicide and complex attacks in civilian-populated areas can no longer shrug off the disproportionate harm to the civilian population they cause,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General''s Special Representative and head of UNAMA.   “The Afghan people are resilient, but the suffering caused by these tactics in terms of civilian deaths, injuries, and the loss of family members, is extreme, irreversible and unjustifiable in any terms.”   20 July 2015   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the deadly terrorist attack that took place in the Turkish town of Suruc, which has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 28 people and injured more than a hundred.   “The Secretary-General hopes the perpetrators of this act will be swiftly identified and brought to justice,” said a statement issued by a UN spokesperson in New York, which added that “no cause or grievance ever justifies the targeting of civilians.”   Through the statement, Mr. Ban sent his deepest condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the people of Turkey, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.   According to the media, an apparent suicide bombing occurred at midday at the Amara Cultural Park in Suruc, a town bordering Syria.   18 July 2015   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned in the strongest terms the devastating bomb attack perpetrated on 17 July in the market of Khan Bani Saad, an Iraqi town north of the capital Baghdad.   The attack, which comes at a time when the Iraqi people are celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, reportedly left over 130 civilians killed and many more injured, including children.   “The Secretary-General"s thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”   17 July 2015   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the terrorist attacks that killed over 60 people and injuring many others in the towns of Gombe and Damaturu, in northeast Nigeria over the last two days.   “These heinous crimes came as the victims, along with Nigerians nationwide, were conducting Eid prayers, a sacred time for families and communities to come together. As such, the attacks constitute an assault on the beliefs of all people,” said the UN Spokesperson in a statement issued this afternoon.   Mr. Ban offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.   26 June 2015   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the strongest terms terrorist attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France.   A bomb attack in a Shiite mosque in Kuwait City, Kuwait, killed at least 24 people and injured over 200 others. A gunmen attacked a tourist hotel near Sousse, in Tunisia, killing at least 37 and injuring many others. In Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, France, a terrorist tried to destroy a chemical factory, whilst triggering an explosion thankfully it was quickly brought under control, sadly the attacker killed at least one person while injuring others.   Mr. Ban stressed that such heinous acts and all other attacks targeting innocent people are criminal and completely unjustifiable.   “Crimes as such these, will only lead to more hatred and violence,” he said extending heartfelt sympathy to the victims’ families and loved ones. He also expressed his support to the peoples of Tunisia, Kuwait and France.   Also condemning the attacks, President of the UN General Assembly Sam Kutesa said the unrelenting wave of terrorist attacks across the world today, across three continents, once again attest to the need for continued resolve and engagement by States to combat violent extremism and intolerance."   2 April 2015   Kenya University attack: 147 killed and 79 wounded in terrorist attack on Garissa campus.   A terrorist attack carried out at a Kenyan college campus has ended with 147 students killed, the country"s interior ministry says. At least 79 others were wounded after Al Shabaab gunmen stormed the Moi campus at Garissa University College near the border with Somalia, authorities said.   Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinet said the attackers had "shot indiscriminately" when they entered the university compound.   Police and soldiers were called and surrounded the campus and exchanged gunfire with the attackers. Many of the injured university students were airlifted to Nairobi, Kenya"s national disaster body said.   Somali Islamist group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the murderous attack targeting the students.   The terrorist group has links to al Qaeda and a record of deadly attacks on Kenyan soil. It was responsible for an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013, that resulted in the death of 67 people.   Students who managed to escape said five gunmen wearing masks broke in to their university campus on Thursday morning about 5:30am (local time).   "Some of us were still asleep in that mist of confusion, no-one had an idea what was going on, screams from ladies and every person, it was evident everyone was running for their lives," one witness said.   http://globalvoicesonline.org/2015/04/06/twitter-users-garissa-kenya-victims-147notjustanumber/   2 April 2015   Afghanistan: Suicide attack deliberately targets group of civilians   The United Nations envoy for Afghanistan has condemned “in the strongest terms” a deadly suicide attack in the city of Khost, in the country’s far east, which left dozens of people dead and injured.   According to reports, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive devices among a group of civilians participating in a peaceful demonstration against corruption not far from the Khost Provincial Governor’s residence. The attack killed 16 people and injured at least 40, including four children.   “Such an attack deliberately targeting a group of civilians is an atrocity,” said Nicholas Haysom, the head of UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).   The bombing is the latest in a series of targeted attacks in Afghanistan which made 2014 the deadliest for civilians. Last year, 3,699 civilians were killed and 6,849 injured – the highest number of civilian casualties recorded in a single year.   21 Mar 2015   Yemen suicide bombings leave over 130 dead after mosques targeted   A series of suicide bombings targeting mosques in the capital Sana’a killed 137 people and injured 345 others. At least 13 children were among the dead.   Members of the terrorist group IS claimed responsibility for the sickening attack. The Badr and al-Hashoosh mosques were targeted when they were full of worshippers during noon Friday prayers.   United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned "the terrorist attacks" and called on all sides in Yemen "to immediately cease all hostile actions and exercise maximum restraint."   20 Mar 2015   Nigeria, March 20 (Reuters) - Soldiers from Niger and Chad who liberated the Nigerian town of Damasak from Boko Haram militants have discovered the bodies of at least 70 people, many with their throats cut, scattered under a bridge, a Reuters witness said.   In what appeared to be an execution site for the Islamist group, the bodies were strewn beneath the concrete bridge on one of the main roads leading out of the town.   Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in a six-year insurgency aimed at controlling northeast Nigeria. Damasak was seized by the Islamist group in November but recaptured by troops from Niger and Chad on Saturday as part of a multinational effort to stop the militants.   All but around 50 of the town"s residents had fled by the time Damasak was recaptured. Those who remained were mostly too old or too sick to leave.   "People were in town when they (Boko Haram) attacked, they fired at us, we ran away to the bushes but they continued to fire and chased some people to kill them," said Damasak resident Mbodou Moussa.   http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16176&LangID=E   19 March 2015   Tunis museum attack: 20 people killed after hostage drama at major tourist site   At least 20 people have been killed and at least 44 people were wounded,in Tunisia after two gunmen stormed the Bardo National Museum – one of the country’s leading tourist attractions in the capital, Tunis – sparking a three-hour siege and hostage situation.   More than 100 European tourists freed at the end of the siege were driven out of the museum gates, their faces showing a mixture of anxiety and relief.   “This is a black day for Tunisia,” said Karim Ben Sa’a, a manager in the tourism industry. “We are very sad for these tourists. They visit our country and it is so, so, sad to see this. Our hearts are black.”   Elsewhere in Tunis there was shock and dismay that terrorists had managed to launch an attack at the very heart of the capital, at a museum that shares the Bardo palace complex with the national parliament.   Last month, Tunisia arrested more than 30 suspected militants – some of whom returning from fighting in Syria – who were planning attacks, officials said at the time.   Prime Minister Essebsi said measures were being taken to prevent further attacks.   The attack comes amid mounting anxiety that jihadi violence is spilling over Tunisia’s border from neighbouring Libya. Troops are deployed on the Libyan border to interdict what the authorities believe are terrorist groups bringing in men and equipment.   Tunisia has seen the democratic revolution of 2011 bear fruit, celebrating free national elections held in December.   30/3/2015   Thousands of Tunisians march in show of solidarity against extremism. (AFP)   Tens of thousands of Tunisians marched through the capital in a show of solidarity against terrorism.   Some 12,000 people chanted "Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!" and waved Tunisian flags as they marched to the Bardo Museum, where foreign tourists were killed in a terrorist attack on March 18.   French president Francois Hollande, whose country held a similar march after January"s attacks in Paris, was among the leaders attending, along with Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi.   The attack on the Bardo Museum nearly two weeks ago was one of the worst in the North African country that had mostly avoided violence since its 2011 uprising.   The Tunisian government said the attack was aimed at destroying vital tourism industry, which makes up around 7 per cent of its economy.   Four years after its Arab Spring uprising, Tunisia had been praised by members of the international community as a model of democratic transition with a politics of compromise, a new constitution and free elections. Visit the related web page
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