YouSaid · the spoken record

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

lines on the record: 176
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2016-09-24
sittings or episodes: 13
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The targets should leave no one behind and be applicable and achievable in every country. In many societies, women and girls are the main drivers of development. Not allowing them to fulfil their potential through education, decent job opportunities and essential health services is to disregard the potential of one half of humankind. It is also important to remember that persons with disabilities have been one of the most excluded segments of our societies, although they often have serious difficulties with access to basic social services and decent job opportunities. Official development assistance will continue to play an important role in the sustainable development of many countries in the future, but it cannot compete with the flow of international private investment nor with domestically mobilized resources.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Accountability and the prevention of atrocities have been the priorities of Estonia as a current member of the Human Rights Council. In the Council, we also focus on the rights of women and children and on their disproportionate suffering during armed conflict. The post-2015 sustainable development agenda should transform the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) into Sustainable Development Goals. In the meantime, we have learned that the MDGs should have focused more on reaching the poorest and most- excluded groups in society. The main challenge of the post-2015 negotiations will be to formulate and reach global agreement on one concrete and measurable set of development goals that would keep the three dimensions of sustainability in its core and maintain a strong focus on poverty eradication.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Enormous amounts of money and resources are spent on arms, often at the expense of far more vital needs. We view the adoption in June of the Arms Trade Treaty, within the framework of the United Nations, as a historic milestone for the world community. As a responsible member of the international community, Estonia strongly supports and contributes to the activities of the International Criminal Court and the ad hoc tribunals established by the Security Council. We continue to call for more States to ratify the Rome Statute and the amendments to the Rome Statute relating to the crime of aggression. Universality is key to ensuring that the perpetrators of the worst crimes of concern to the international community are held accountable.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The international community must continue to assist that country in order to ensure that their efforts will bear fruit. As a long-term partner of Afghanistan, Estonia remains committed to assisting with the training and financing of Afghan security forces after 2014, while continuing to support educational progress, women’s empowerment, the rule of law and health care. It is also sadly true that conflicts can at times be alarmingly sustainable. For years, Estonia has emphasized that protracted conflicts around Nagorno Karabakh and in Georgia and Moldova must not fall off the radar screen of the international community. Without the will of all the involved parties, no lasting solutions can be found. Every year, over half a million people die as a result of illegal or irresponsible arms transfers.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In contrast, let me turn to a country and conflict where hope has been restored recently. That presidential elections in Mali were carried out in a peaceful and transparent manner has paved the way for optimism. The newly elected President has many important tasks ahead, beginning with reconciliation between the southern and northern parts of Mali. I wish Mr. Keita all the luck and energy he will need to rebuild his country, and I can assure him that Estonia stands among the countries that will continue to help if needed. I venture to say that another country whose future looks promising is Afghanistan. I believe that responsibility and ownership make people masters of their own fate, and I can see the willingness of Afghans to avail themselves of that opportunity.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I would also like to praise the good work of UNICEF, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and humanitarian workers in Syria who often by risking their own lives, have been able to organize and deliver assistance. Evidence collected by the Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry indicates that war crimes, crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations have been systematically committed in Syria. Estonia is among the countries that joined the Swiss initiative in January, asking the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. It is the responsibility of the international community to protect, if a Government fails to do so.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U.506. Corrections will be issued after the end of the session in a consolidated corrigendum. region. About 7 million Syrians are in urgent need of assistance. While there is no quick or easy fix to that complex situation, we must keep doing what we can to ease human suffering. Estonia is one of many countries that have been focusing on helping those who have been forced to flee from their homes and protecting the most vulnerable members of society: women and children.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is clear that chemical weapons must be destroyed quickly and verifiably. Therefore the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Security Council must — and I emphasize must — move forward and agree on the legally binding terms to resolve that issue, preferably under Chapter VII of the Charter, as soon as possible. Even without the use of chemical weapons, the military actions and brutality which have occurred in Syria have created suffering and a humanitarian disaster of unimaginable proportions. More than 110,000 people have been killed, and millions of refugees and internally displaced persons are scattered around the This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The report of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda notes that Governments bear the primary responsibility for assuring sustainable development and for improving the lives of people in their territories. Sustainability can be truly implemented, however, only if we instil it in the core thinking of Governments, societies, individuals and the international community as a whole. Let me start with what is clearly and without a doubt the most unsustainable situation in the world at the moment: the conflict in Syria. It has been repeated thousands and thousands of times, and must continue to be repeated over and over again, that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable under any circumstances and requires complete and unreserved condemnation.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The central theme of the sixty- eighth session of the General Assembly is sustainable development. With its three main pillars this constitutes a comprehensive agenda, even more comprehensive with all of its prerequisites: conflict prevention, bringing peace and security to war-torn countries and bringing perpetrators to justice through the implementation of international law. Helping the weakest to help themselves, shaping economies that pay focused attention to social-agenda and environmental issues and that effectively use e-technologies, protecting human rights and supporting the rule of law and democracy — these are all integral parts of sustainable development.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Entrepreneurs expanding the range of global knowledge networks are key partners in fighting poverty and creating a more transparent economy. They can also make an outsized difference in their communities and the world. However, Governments must provide a secure and fruitful environment for those sorts of ideas to emerge and prosper. Twentyone years after restoring our independence, Estonia is an example where a combination of responsible free enterprise, e-governance, international partnerships and eco-friendly policies can put a country in the fast lane of development. Experience shows that if we fail to act responsibly, we will, in the end, be forced to do so. Let us begin by acting responsibly.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Despite the world’s best efforts, millions remain in poverty. The information technology (IT) transformation will create massive opportunities all over the world. We must, however, avoid a digital divide that would stymie this historic chance to accelerate development in all parts of the world. I was a member of Kofi Annan’s high-level panel of experts on information and communication technology — already a decade ago — and I continue to be concerned about the gap between the digital haves and have-nots, especially because, by investing in IT, countries such as mine have leapt into modernity and transparency. New information and communications technologies have the potential to trigger the next industrial revolution, but governments cannot achieve it alone.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Burdening our children and grandchildren with mountains of debt is immoral, as is living at the expense of others. Growth without responsibility is illusory. We have learned that the hard way. Let us not make the same mistake again. We are another year closer to the deadline we set ourselves for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Were they too ambitious? I do not think so. Aiming high is the least we can do. There is no point in setting targets that we can be confident of achieving effortlessly. Yet we must resist the temptation to sell everything as a success if that is not the case. Failure to achieve all the MDGs is no excuse not to set new targets. The world needs sustainable development goals. We are still in a preliminary phase of the discussion. Let us aim high and do our best.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Governments benefit from involving non-governmental organizations, entrepreneurs and private individuals in governance. Estonia and many other countries increasingly and successfully do so. The challenge, however, is for the United Nations system — a multilateral organization based on modern, post-Westphalian States — to embrace those other actors and to involve them in finding solutions and decision-making. Allow me to continue by sharing some thoughts related to development and responsibility. Sustainable development is not a clichéd utopia; nor is it something forced on us from above. True development can be nothing other than sustainable. Yet we have seen unsustainability masked as development, despite the contradiction in terms. Consider the global financial crisis.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Most importantly, however, they have increased the possibility to exercise fundamental rights and freedoms and improve inclusive and responsible governance. Therefore, Estonia wishes to share its e-governance skills and to continue to facilitate exchanges with partners worldwide. My comments on the need to do more apply to the United Nations too. Without reform, its global mission will be unsustainable. We need change, ranging from reforming the United Nations in the broadest sense to cutting the waste of paper. In an information age it is increasingly necessary to distinguish noise from signal, to distinguish genuine data from spin. I have spoken thus far about what Governments can and must do. In our increasingly interconnected, wired and wireless world, civil society and the private sector play an ever-greater role.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The information revolution we experience these days has assisted Estonia to successfully and rapidly transform itself into a rule-of-law-based democratic society. Estonia was the first country where people could cast their vote online in parliamentary and municipal elections. Just a few months ago we conducted our census for the first time to a large extent online. This year more than 90 per cent of taxpayers in Estonia filed annual income tax returns via the Internet. E-government, e-school, e-medical prescriptions and e-parking are examples of Estonian innovation in the field of citizen-friendly public services. They increase transparency and help to prevent and cut down corruption. They reduce costs.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is therefore imperative to ensure that the International Telecommunication Union’s new regulation does not lead to the restriction of Internet freedom and unnecessary limits to the free f low of ideas and information. In fighting cybercrimes, the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime provides the appropriate and primary legal framework at the global level. Globally, there is a deficit of good and responsible governance. Its lack is the root cause of countless other ills. But again, some progress has been made. I was proud to represent Estonia when I signed on to the Open Government Partnership, along with representatives of 42 other countries. That multilateral initiative aims to take concrete steps to institute a new model of governance to maximize the potential of new technologies and, most important, to tackle corruption.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The resolution was a genuine milestone affirming that fundamental rights in the virtual world must be protected with the same commitment as in the real world. Internationally, there are worrisome developments related to Internet governance. Too many countries speak about the dangers of a free Internet from a security perspective. The truth is, as we know well, that cybersecurity is needed to prevent oppressive Governments and criminals from wreaking havoc. It is not to prevent peaceful individuals from speaking their minds or gathering information and exchanging ideas. Despite having experienced extensive cyber attacks during the so-called Web War One, five years ago, Estonia does not support more rigid regulation and censorship in cyberspace. Estonia is committed to an open, secure and reliable Internet.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Today, new media make it even more difficult to hide war crimes both on and off the battlefield. Modern technology brings home the reality and horror of war. We must therefore recognize the important role of technology in advancing human rights. Freedom of expression is a human right, whether in the city square, the press or in cyberspace. For the third year in a row, Freedom House has ranked Estonia first in the world in Internet freedom. We have joined the coalition Freedom Online, a group of States working closely together to advance human rights online. In addition, Estonia looks forward to discussing actively matters relating to Internet freedom in the Human Rights Council, which adopted a resolution on that topic this year (resolution 20/8).”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“As a result of the evolving nature of military conflicts, civilian casualties tragically are on the rise. Among civilians, women and children are the most vulnerable. When we take that into account, Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, takes on a whole new immediacy. Furthermore, conflict-related sexual violence requires more attention. Such violence can easily lead to further war crimes and crimes against humanity. Moreover, in advancing the rights of the child, the International Criminal Court’s recent decision to convict Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was a significant achievement and will, we hope, have a strong deterrent effect in the future to prevent crimes against children. The Crimean War, in the 1850s, brought the world the first extensive photographic reports of conflicts.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Under the principle of the responsibility to protect, States committed in 2005 to protect their people from ethnic cleansing, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Today the content of the responsibility to protect is not debated. The difficulty, however, lies with its application: when Governments do not live up to their responsibility, the international community must react and act. The international criminal justice system, especially the International Criminal Court, plays a crucial role in providing timely and decisive responses to such crimes. Investigations by the Court may deter further atrocities, prevent their escalation or accelerate their end. It is therefore essential to cooperate with the Court and apprehend those it has indicted.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The least that all parties must do is to allow for humanitarian aid to be safely delivered and to guarantee the security of humanitarian workers. Without an end to the armed conflict, without peace, there can be no political process. But it is not only Syria that needs our attention. We should not avoid the problem of protracted conflicts that have already waited for years to be solved. We shall speak with one voice against continuing violations of the territorial integrity of sovereign States and for the secure return of all forcefully displaced persons. Moreover, more attention to conflict prevention would help to avoid such violations in the future. A stronger commitment to conflict prevention and to the enhancement of the rule of law can help to avoid violent conflicts and the most heinous international crimes.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It also means making the most of new technologies in the service of fundamental rights and freedoms. The need to take responsibility and do more is also why Estonia looks forward to becoming a member of the Human Rights Council and to working proactively towards the fulfilment of its mandate. Permit me to touch upon the developments in Syria. We have witnessed the complete breakdown of any semblance of the rule of law. We continue to see extensive human rights and international humanitarian law abuses. It appears that both sides have committed serious international crimes. Yet we still see no solution. We cannot look on and wait for the violence to spread even more widely. The Security Council — especially its permanent members — must overcome their differences and find a solution to the bloodshed.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Therefore, the recent assaults in many parts of the world on diplomats, embassies and consular premises are deplorable. Regardless of their motivations, such acts are unjustifiable and must be universally and unequivocably condemned. All countries must fulfil their international legal obligation to protect diplomatic and consular properties and personnel. As recent events have demonstrated, when it comes to human rights it is not enough merely to keep your own house in order. As a conscientious member of the international community, Estonia feels the responsibility to do more globally. That includes paying attention to human rights violations in places torn by conflict, as well as doing more to stop and prevent the violation of the rights of women and the child.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is an honour once again to address the United Nations. This year I would like to focus on responsibility. The recent years of economic and financial turbulence have demonstrated a strong correlation between economic prudence and responsibility in fiscal matters. We have realized, I hope, that sustainability is not a term we apply only to development, but concerns all of us. Responsibility and sustainability apply to the three broad topics I shall address today: human rights, good governance and development. But before doing so, I would like to speak about diplomacy. The purpose of diplomacy is to prevent war. When diplomats are attacked we are all less secure. We know what we are talking about — we too have had our diplomats attacked, mercifully without the horrific consequences that occured in Benghazi.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Today, as we commemorate the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack ten years ago here in New York, we recognize how much the world has changed since the United Nations was founded 66 years ago. We must address and act upon these new challenges. It is we, the United Nations, who need to keep pace with changes and developments in the world we live in to protect and promote universal values across the globe.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“If nations are not given a fair and equitable voice, proportional and appropriate to its role in today’s world — not the world of 1945 — we will find that the Organization has ever less credibility. I propose that we adopt a new attitude of openness to new developments in order to make sure that the United Nations as a whole can better deliver on the undoubtedly important issues for which it is responsible. In conclusion, let me say that history did not end 20 years ago with the re-emergence of democratic nations in Central and Eastern Europe. Nor will history end with the Arab Spring. Democracy, freedom, human rights, the rule of law and sustainable development all require constant and consistent support and protection. The world faces challenges, new and old. We face them daily.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“If our taxpayers believe that Government is spending tax money unwisely or ineffectively, they will vote for a Government that cares less for foreign assistance expenditures. In these days of ever greater financial difficulty in donor countries themselves, this is not an observation to be ignored. The many times I have addressed the General Assembly, I have deliberated on the nature of the United Nations and the need for reform. The United Nations needs to change as the world around us changes. System-wide coherence, delivering as one, and revitalization of the General Assembly are steps in the right direction. We welcome these changes, yet at the same time Estonia sincerely hopes that the same spirit will prevail in reform of the Security Council.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We believe that sustainable development and the green economy need a global approach, as exemplified by preparations for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development next year. One already evident consequence of climate change is an increase in the number of people who need clean water and food. Estonia will continue to increase its contribution to the United Nations humanitarian system. While the world’s humanitarian needs grow, we require increased coordination and strict scrutiny of the real needs of aid recipients. As donor Governments, we are doubly accountable, first to those who require assistance; but we are also accountable to our taxpayers for the effective use of every Euro cent.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It was no accident that the democratic revolutions of Central and Eastern Europe were accompanied, and indeed often instigated, by environmental movements. Citizens had become fed up with the totalitarian system’s abuse of nature and disregard for human beings. Ignoring the state of its citizens’ health and surroundings, the totalitarian State exposed itself to be what it was — a self-serving clique hell-bent on maintaining its power, no matter what the cost to its people, no matter what pain and suffering ensued. Today, the challenge we face is global. It is climate change. Estonia’s 2010 national security concept states that climate change is also a security issue and can have a destabilizing effect. Estonia already has decided to contribute to the fast-track 49 11-50692 financing of efforts to combat climate change.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We are quite willing to continue to share our experience, especially in increasing transparency and openness in Government, with other countries. The Internet, however, poses many dangers as well. Increasingly disruptive cyberthreats and attacks that can seriously harm entire communities and, indeed, cause harm to countless individuals, are a new danger that we face. The large-scale cyberattacks against Estonia in 2007 created a new awareness among our people. The steps Estonia has taken towards a more secure Internet, however, do not restrict our people’s freedoms. In fact, Freedom House’s global assessment of Freedom on the Net 2011 rated Estonia as the freest in the world, demonstrating that a proper balance between rights and security can be found without compromising either. We also bear responsibility for the environment we live in.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The Internet has grown beyond all expectations since people began to use it regularly some 20 years ago. Its global, ipso facto cross-border nature allows users the world over to access information and ideas, to communicate with each other and to learn. Estonia firmly believes that States should ensure that their people can freely seek, receive and impart information and ideas and have access to the Internet. In fact, Estonia believes that, in this technological age, unimpeded access to the Internet is a human right. A transparent Government and administration, a liberal economic environment and a strong educational system all have contributed to Estonia’s success. Estonia’s development over the past 20 years is proof that information and communications technology can be a springboard to success for all States.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“The fundamental principles of international law must be followed by all members of the international community and not just the small, who have no other recourse. Additionally, we should continue to support the Geneva talks. The United Nations involvement is of the utmost importance and must continue in the future. Here today in the United Nations, our attention is also focused on Israel and Palestine. A viable two-State solution must take into consideration the legitimate concerns of both sides for their well-being, safety and prosperity. Another security- and human rights-related topic is the Internet, especially these days, when it has come to play such an important role in democratization by enabling political discussion and mobilizing popular movements.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Establishing lasting security there remains a key objective for Estonia. To reach that objective, we must focus on assisting Afghan efforts to further develop good governance and the rule of law. Along with human rights, these are the crucial elements of a sustainable society. We believe that we must all remain committed as long as is necessary to reach this goal. To that end, Estonia will continue to support the access of Afghans, in particular women and children, to health care and education through its development cooperation projects. Georgia is another country that continues to require our attention. The 2008 war ended with the violation of Georgian territorial integrity, which is a fundamental violation of international law that remains unresolved to this day.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“11-50692 48 It also means bringing the perpetrators of crimes and atrocities against civilians to justice. International law, in particular the International Criminal Court, and the understanding that justice will be done, no matter how long it takes, are the tools we possess to prevent the worst human rights violations. The rule of law and respect for international law are what will help ravaged and victimized societies to regain their dignity and rebuild their communities. The common efforts of the international community, the International Criminal Court and its States parties remain a priority for my country. While focusing on the pertinent issues of the present, we must not shy away from addressing the unresolved issues of the recent past. Afghanistan is one of those.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Our candidature to the Human Rights Council is a logical consequence of our work, but it is certainly not the culmination as we continue to live up to our national and international obligations. Once again, ongoing events underline the need for us to focus on the protection of civilians from atrocities. Even in the democratic part of my continent, the political project we today call the European Union was a reaction to mass murder and war. The very history of Europe motivates us to take preventive steps to avoid any repetition of such crimes. Therefore, it is vital that we develop common practices and the capacity to implement the principle of the responsibility to protect. Protecting civilians from atrocities, dear colleagues, is not just about protection.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“It is a profound source of concern to Estonia to notice that, while women are welcome to protest against corrupt regimes, they are not always welcome to participate in the political process. Estonia therefore places great hopes on the United Nations new gender entity, UN-Women, and will continue to insist that the United Nations as a whole do its part globally by standing up for women’s rights. We also expect that UN-Women will play an active role in helping to take the principles of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security from paper to reality. For as long as we have lived as a free nation, Estonia has always protected and promoted human rights and fundamental freedoms at home and abroad.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“They are not the privilege of a select few with the money, the guns or the power. For Estonia, it is of fundamental importance that the North African and Middle Eastern revolutions have been popular reactions to sustained violations of human rights, corruption and injustice. The revolutions confirm the universal aspiration to realize one’s human rights. They show once again, as throughout history, that people naturally want to be free from fear and repression. Notice I said people, not “men”. As long ago as 2,500 years ago, Aristotle noted that where “the state of women is bad, almost half of human life is spoilt”. This is no less true today and will remain so. The ongoing revolutions could not have occurred and cannot succeed without women.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Each country and each situation is of course different. No textbook rules can tell us how to make democracy work or how to build a prosperous society. A few basic tenets and lessons, however, hold across nations, experiences and cultures. The United Nations own Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a document everyone here is obliged to adhere to — after all, is based on the premise of common truths held by all. Democracy, as I said, is not only about voting and free and fair elections, vital though they are for any free and democratic society. Respect for human rights and the rule of law constitute the cornerstones of an open society. If one cannot speak their mind or be guaranteed a fair trial if arrested, it matters little that they can go to the polling booth. Rights and freedoms belong to each and every person.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“With those hopes in the hearts of so many people in this year of otherwise dismal and tawdry news, Estonia welcomes — indeed wholeheartedly encourages — the United Nations to move forward on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to focus during his second term on democracy and human rights. Estonia welcomes that decision because, frankly, the results of the democracy movements of a generation ago have not even come close to what we hoped for at the time. Most of the people who lived under undemocratic rule two decades ago continue to do so today. Of what was the Soviet Union then, only Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have earned the designation “free” in Freedom House’s annual report card on the rule of law, respect for fundamental freedoms and free and fair elections. That, I submit, is a poor result.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Today, 20 years after the bumbling coup and ensuing crumbling of that rusty edifice of totalitarianism, the Soviet Union, we again smell in the air the hope of liberty and democracy — this time in the Middle East and North Africa. Again people have come together and said, “Enough!” — of the lies, the corruption and the 3 a.m. knock on the door by the dull-brained goons of the secret police. People want to be able to speak their minds and to run their own lives, free of harassment, or worse, by the authorities. In a word, people want democracy. They want, too, the foundations of democracy: respect for human rights, the rule of law and the freedom of speech and assembly.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I would first of all like to congratulate Ambassador Al-Nasser on assuming the presidency of the General Assembly. The twentieth anniversary this year of the restoration of Estonia’s independence, not surprisingly, coincides with our twentieth year of membership in the United Nations and our participation in the General Assembly. Given where we were then, in 1991 — a poor and beleaguered country, brutalized by a half- century of thuggish Soviet, then Nazi, and then again Soviet occupation — our transformation in one generation to a modern, technologically cutting-edge European democracy is a testament to what a committed people can do. It is, as well, a challenge to those who find excuses for not implementing 47 11-50692 democracy, for not eliminating corruption and for continuing to brutalize their citizens.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“As a member of the European Union, Estonia firmly believes that the Treaty of Lisbon fundamentally enhances the ability of the Union to be a significant global actor, securing peace, stability and prosperity for all. With our shared commitment, I expect the vital and prominent role of the United Nations in the global arena to be further reinforced.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Alas, humanitarian emblems and flags no longer provide the shield of protection they used to. We must step up our efforts and press for increased security for humanitarian aid workers. After all, it is the responsibility of Governments to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel working on their territory. The effectiveness of humanitarian aid and upholding good humanitarian principles are other concerns of ours. Advocating these principles was one of the activities Estonia pursued during our recent co- chairmanship of the Good Humanitarian Donorship initiative. Finally, I would like to underline one simple truth. The United Nations, like any other organization, is only as strong and effective as the political will and commitment of its members. Big or small, we all bear responsibility.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Estonia supports the strengthening of the Human Rights Council and its capacity to promote and protect human rights around the world. We aspire to join the Human Rights Council in 2012. Estonia has also continuously increased its contribution to United Nations humanitarian activities, both through work in the field and financially. The United Nations coordination capability was crucial most recently in Pakistan and at the beginning of the year in Haiti, where it saved lives, and where Estonian logistics experts have been supporting United Nations activities on the ground for more than six months now. Our experience has made clear the need for more combined efforts in securing the link between relief efforts and development work. Estonia is concerned about increasingly frequent violations of humanitarian principles in conflict zones.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Estonia remains actively engaged in areas where our contribution can make a difference, particularly in humanitarian affairs and human rights issues. In this context, I would like to draw attention to the tenth anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, which must be a stepping stone towards further action at the United Nations, regional and national levels. Establishing operational guidelines for the protection of women and girls, strengthening accountability mechanisms and enhancing women’s participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict peacebuilding should be part of these efforts. To this end, Estonia is finalizing a national action plan to enhance our activities. Estonia is a strong and principled advocate of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“25 10-54965 Success in confronting the security challenges of the twenty-first century, including cyberthreats, depends on close cooperation among all States and international and regional organizations. Estonia urges broad cross-border and cross-sector capacity-building in protecting critical information infrastructure, the importance of which was highlighted in the report of the high-level panel of experts on information and communication technology (A/55/75). The necessity of closer cooperation among States, between the private sector and civil society, is critical, since during a cyber attack all traditional security measures may be rendered useless. I can assure you that all- encompassing preparedness will pay off when a real crisis strikes.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Furthermore, the free movement of people living within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia must be ensured. Without justice, efforts to ensure sustainable peace might easily be wiped out. I would like, therefore, to emphasize the importance of the adoption by consensus of a package of amendments on the crime of aggression by the Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, held in June 2010. Estonia strongly supports an international criminal justice system in which an independent and effective International Criminal Court plays a central role. It is also of crucial importance to support the activities of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia during its final years of existence. Estonia is doing its share with respect to the enforcement of sentences.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We all share equally the responsibility to apply the principles enshrined in the Charter, including the duty to refrain from any threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Estonia reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability of Georgia, on the basis of full adherence to international law. For the peaceful resolution of that drawn-out conflict, it is necessary to continue the Geneva talks in their initial format. Humanitarian issues, in particular ensuring the safe and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the question of increased access to the conflict zone, especially for humanitarian workers and international observers, need to be seriously addressed now.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is difficult to imagine the situation in major crisis areas, such as the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, without the active, multifaceted engagement of the United Nations. With its 15 military and 12 political operations, however, the United Nations peacekeeping force is clearly stretched thin. We need further reforms in order to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and to encourage regional actors to assume a stronger role. Estonia contributes to the United Nations peacekeeping budget at a voluntarily enhanced rate. We have done this for 10 years now and will continue to do so. The credibility of the United Nations in the promotion of peace and security depends on the commitment of all Member States.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)