UN spokesperson says the organization stands by children-in-conflict report, declines to comment on election-linked allegation

At a UN briefing, the spokesperson said the Secretary-General stands by the facts and data in the annual "Children and Armed Conflict" report after the United States criticized the report for how it characterized civilian harm.

Asked whether the Secretary-General had a reaction to the U.S. remarks, the spokesperson said: "The Secretary-General stands by his report and the facts and the data that are in the report." She noted the report is produced in response to mandates from member states and that the printed report is available in six languages for review.

On a separate question about a U.S. Supreme Court decision that removed certain protections for Haitians and Syrians, the spokesperson said UNHCR colleagues were following the ruling closely and reiterated the UN's long-standing view that member states should uphold their obligations under the Refugee Convention and treat migrants and refugees with dignity.

When asked about an advocacy group's allegation that the Secretary-General struck a special arrangement with Spain during his 2016 candidacy, the spokesperson declined to comment, saying the reports were tied to the incoming election and that the UN is not involved.

The spokesperson directed reporters to the published report for details and said the Secretariat would not provide "color commentary" on every member-state reaction to its mandated reports.