RELIEF, JOY AT UN REFUGEE AGENCY OVER RELEASE OF COLLEAGUE ABDUCTED IN PAKISTAN

The United Nations refugee chief and his staff around the world have welcomed the safe release of colleague John Solecki, who was freed over the weekend in Pakistan after two months in captivity.

"It is a very happy day," António Guterres told hundreds of staff gathered in the Geneva headquarters of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) yesterday. "We were all ecstatic the day before yesterday when the news came and when finally – I must say, it was one of the best days of my life – I could speak to him late Saturday."

Mr. Solecki, the agency's head of office in Balochistan's provincial capital Quetta, was abducted in an attack on 2 February that also left another colleague, Syed Hashim, dead.

Following a message from his abductors, the Baloch Liberation United Front, the 49-year-old Solecki was located on Saturday night in Khadkhutcha, some 50 kilometres south of Quetta. He was flown out of Pakistan on Sunday and is now undergoing medical examination before flying to the United States to see his family.

Mr. Guterres said his Saturday night phone call with Mr. Solecki convinced him that he had endured his ordeal "with lots of courage and determination and that we can all be very proud of him. And I think the same can be said about his family.

"I hope John will be able to join us soon, and it will be a great moment for all of us," he added.

At the same time, Mr. Guterres highlighted the increasing dangers faced by aid workers and called for respect for the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence.

"It is important that in this moment of celebration we do not forget other colleagues in these dramatic circumstances," he said.

Just a couple of days ago, two international staff from the French non-governmental organization (NGO) Aide Medicale Internationale were kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur region.

"We need to make sure that these kinds of events do not go on multiplying in a way that is representing a major threat to the humanitarian community, narrowing our humanitarian space and a major concern for all of us," said Mr. Guterres.
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AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL DAY, UN AGENCY URGES RELEASE OF DETAINED STAFFER IN PAKISTAN

On the eve of the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, the UN refugee agency is again appealing for the immediate release of John Solecki, who was abducted in Pakistan nearly eight weeks.

"The last we heard, John's health was deteriorating and we are increasingly worried about his medical condition," Ron Redmond, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters in Geneva today, the 50th day of captivity for the agency's head of office in Quetta.

Mr. Solecki was abducted in an attack on 2 February that also left another colleague, Syed Hashim, dead.

A group known as the Balochistan Liberation United Front claims to be holding him and has demanded the release the people it says are in Pakistani custody. Since 2004, rebels in the province have called for political autonomy and a larger share of natural resource profits.

Mr. Solecki is one of 19 UN staff members currently under arrest, detained or missing.

The annual International Day is aimed at raising awareness globally of the risks faced by UN staff and its non-governmental organization (NGO) partners and journalists in carrying out their work.

"High Commissioner António Guterres and more than 6,000 UNHCR staff in some 120 countries around the world don't really need a special day to remember John because he and his family have been in our thoughts each and every day since 2 February," Mr. Redmond said.

"But the High Commissioner wants to take this occasion to remind everyone that attacks on humanitarian workers are occurring all too often and in far too many places around the world," he added. "People like John Solecki have one goal – to help those in need. Attacking them hurts all of us, but especially the most vulnerable."
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PAKISTAN: ABDUCTED UN STAFFER’S HEALTH REPORTEDLY WORSENING

PAKISTAN: ABDUCTED UN STAFFER'S HEALTH REPORTEDLY WORSENING
New York, Mar 18 2009 1:00PM

The United Nations said today it is very concerned about the condition of staff member John Solecki, who was abducted in Pakistan more than six weeks ago, after the group which claims to be holding him reported that his health was deteriorating.

"The United Nations is keen for John to receive immediate professional medical care in a clinic or hospital where the necessary medical tests can be carried out," according to a news release issued in Islamabad.

"The swift delivery of medical help is important. John's well-being is the responsibility of the group who is holding him and we hope they are taking steps to make sure John remains well and is not suffering," it added.

Mr. Solecki, the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Quetta, was kidnapped on 2 February during an attack in which his driver, Syed Hashim, who had been with the agency for 18 years, was killed.

A group known as the Balochistan Liberation United Front claims to be holding Mr. Solecki and has demanded the release the people it says are in Pakistani custody. Since 2004, rebels in the province have called for political autonomy and a larger share of natural resource profits.

The UN said it appreciates all efforts on behalf of the Baloch tribal leaders to ensure Mr. Solecki's safe release and remains in active communication and contact with them to support this goal.

"The UN is still willing to speak directly to those who have John, in the spirit of being ready to listen and to find a safe way to secure his release."
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