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UN Chief Appoints Canadian Diplomat Gagnon as Resident Coordinator for Libya - Spokesman Tue 22nd December 2020 | 12:20 AM
UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd December, 2020) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Canadian diplomat Georgette Gagnon for the position of Assistant Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing on Monday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced today the appointment of Georgette Gagnon of Canada as his new Assistant Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Dujarric said.
Gagnon has over 25 years of professional experience in human rights, humanitarian action and coordinating teams in conflict and post-conflict settings.
US Ambassador Joseph N. Mondello
The United States Embassy in Port of Spain said the Maduro regime and his backers, not sanctions, are to blame for the Venezuela crisis.
In a statement posted to its Facebook page on Sunday, the Embassy stated there are no sanctions or restrictions on the importation of food and medicines to Venezuela.
It added that the United States is the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance for the Venezuela regional crisis and has contributed more than $1.2 billion to the cause since 2017 alone, including over $11 million to support Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts in helping Venezuelans living in the country.
Thailand defends lese-majeste law after UN voices concern 1 minute read
Bangkok, Dec 20 (efe-epa).- The government of Thailand has defended its lese-majeste law, which stipulates up to 15 years in prison for criticizing the royal family, after the United Nations called for its reform and cautioned against using it on pro-democracy protesters.
Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement on Saturday that the law does not curtail freedom of expression or debates over the monarchy and is equivalent to the libel law that protects any Thai citizen.
Anucha said that the law, officially known as Article 112 of the criminal code, is similar to laws in other countries, and insisted that Thailand was protecting the demonstrators’ right to protest peacefully.
‘Maduro and his backers not sanctions are to blame’; US reject culpability for Venezuela crisis
“[…] It is Maduro and his backers not sanctions who are to blame for the Venezuelan people suffering dire economic, political, and human rights conditions, and have caused millions to flee their homes since he assumed power.
“The Venezuela sanctions program is designed to limit the Maduro regime’s sources of revenue and promote accountability for those who stand in the way of restoring democracy in Venezuela…”
The following press statement on the impact of US sanctions on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela was released by the United States Embassy in Trinidad: