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Sunday 25 December 2005 |
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MIDDLE EAST: Weekly round-up Number 34 for 5-11 August 2005[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]Key Humanitarian Developments in Iraq IRAQ: Insecurity threatens to leave students with late start The start of the academic year for schools and universities in Iraq could be delayed by widespread insecurity, especially if a surge in terrorist attacks derails or delays the constitutional drafting process, according to local government officials. Full report IRAQ: Annan waives official’s immunity after Oil for Food inquiry report United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday waived the immunity of a former UN procurement officer accused of looking for kickbacks under the former Oil-for-Food Programme for Iraq, and said he would do the same for another high-ranking official implicated. Expressing “deep concern? at the latest findings of an independent commission investigating the operation of the programme, released on Monday, Annan promised to act quickly to strengthen controls on UN procurement. Full report IRAQ: Freak sandstorm brings rush on Baghdad hospitals At least two deaths and more than 2,000 cases of people with breathing difficulties were reported in Baghdad on Monday after an unseasonal sandstorm, believed to be the worst in the country’s history, hit the Iraqi capital. The largest number of patients was recorded in one particular hospital in the city. Full report IRAQ: Focus on boys trapped in commercial sex trade Hassan Feiraz, a 16-year-old boy, has started a desperate new life since being forced into the sex trade in Baghdad, joining a growing number of adolescents soliciting in Iraq under the threat of street gangs or the force of poverty. "Every day I cry at night,? Feiraz said. “I’m a homosexual and was forced to work as a prostitute because one of the people I had sex with took pictures of me in bed and said that, if I didn't work for him, he was going to send the pictures to my family.? Full report IRAQ: US $20 billion needed for electricity projects in next five years Iraq has been in intensive discussions with major Western donors to accelerate disbursement of billions of dollars of pledges for electricity projects, designated as priority needs to speed up reconstruction, the country's electricity minister said. Full report LEBANON: Growing concern over diamond imports Lebanon is importing rough diamonds, raising serious concern that the proceeds could be used to fund African conflicts, according to international investigative NGO, Global Witness. Lebanese customs data published online showed that industrial rough diamonds worth US $156 million were imported during the year. Full report SYRIA: Religious leaders take active role in raising HIV/AIDS awareness More than 80 Christian and Muslim religious leaders from the Arab region attended a workshop on Tuesday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on raising HIV/AIDS awareness. "Religion plays a major role in making changes in society here, and it is high time to have religious leaders engaged in beating this epidemic," said Mohammad Chrietah, a Syrian government national trainer. Full report SYRIA: Syrians call for revamping election laws A series of workshops have been taking place across Syria this week in a move to modernise local election laws and encourage community involvement. The workshops, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), complement the country’s recently established modernisation and reform programme. Full report SYRIA: Government “satisfied? with UN human rights report The Syrian government has declared itself “satisfied? with points highlighted by the United Nations Human Rights Committee last week, accentuating the positive in the committee's conclusions about progress on civil and political rights. The committee, which monitors 154 countries signed up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, received Syria's periodic report in early July. After discussion and debate throughout the month, it published its conclusions and recommendations last week. Full report IRAN: Interview with Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Miloon Kothari Access to adequate housing in Iran is fraught with difficulties. Iran is riddled with earthquake fault lines and prone to severe droughts. The burgeoning population, coupled with massive population migration from rural to urban areas has resulted in a surge in demand for housing. Full report UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Interview with UN Resident Coordinator Nadir Hadj-Hammou Supporting women’s advancement, tackling HIV/AIDS and pushing the prospects for broader democracy and governance are a few of the issues addressed by the United Nations in the United Arab Emirates since 1977. With the emergence of Dubai Humanitarian City and Dubai Aid City in recent years, and their vigorous promotion by the authorities, the commercial capital, Dubai is bidding to become an operational and logistical hub for aid agencies in the region. In an interview with IRIN, outgoing UN Resident Coordinator, Nadir Hadj-Hammou, spoke of the work carried out so far and the UAE’s support for humanitarian work overseas. Full report EGYPT: Local NGOs receive funding to monitor elections A coalition of Egyptian NGOs has received funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to monitor the country’s presidential election in September and legislative elections to follow in November. "The main aim of the monitoring process is to ensure that there is transparency and integrity in the coming elections," said Muhammad Zarea, coordinator of the national campaign to monitor elections. Full report [ENDS]
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