YouSaid · the spoken record

Thomas Motsoahae Thabane

lines on the record: 109
first: 1998-09-24
most recent: 2019-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
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

“Women and children in particular face the worst forms of brutal abuse, especially in conflict-ridden countries. Poverty also continues to be a dreadful affliction for developing countries, undermining their efforts to re-orient their economies towards significant gains in real growth. The result is that most poverty-stricken populations are sometimes left with no option but to employ unorthodox methods for economic survival to sustain their livelihoods. It is in that context that we welcome the theme for this session: “Focusing on people: Striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet”. It resonates squarely with the principles that underpinned the establishment of the United Nations. That is what the Organization stands for.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The multifaceted and complex challenges that have besieged us are threatening to erode the laudable strides that the United Nations has made since its establishment. Inter- and intra-State conflict characterizes the modern-day world. From the global refugee crisis to the spread of terrorism, the ability of the United Nations to effectively resolve conflict is being put to the test. The heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, coupled with the flagrant violation there of Security Council resolutions and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, speak to the arms race brewing in that part of the world. As if that were not enough, respect for human rights and the rule of law — the principles that speak to the very fibre of the United Nations — continues to be flouted with impunity.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Now is the time for a true reflection on the role of the Organization in the twenty-first century, since it is on the United Nations that humankind places much faith and hope for a better life for all. The pall of despair that descended on the world following the Second World War was eased by our forebears’ adoption of lofty ideals when they came together in San Francisco and resolved “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and; “to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”. Sadly, today we speak of a world that is slowly regressing to resembling the one that existed seven decades ago.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“António Guterres, whose impeccable credentials and distinguished service within the United Nations, coupled with his wealth of knowledge and experience, leave us hopeful that he will handle the challenges of his new position with dexterity. We therefore congratulate him on his well-deserved appointment and wish him success in the long journey ahead. We also pay tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for a job well done. He performed the duties of his high office with consummate diplomatic skill and honour. We meet once again for the seventy-second time in the history of the United Nations in order to appraise the world’s political, security and economic situations. We do so at a critical juncture in human history.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Allow me to begin by congratulating the President on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. His illustrious career as a diplomat gives us confidence that we will see a successful session, and I assure him of my delegation’s full support and cooperation during his tenure. Let me also commend his predecessor, Mr. Peter Thomson, for his excellent leadership of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly. He handled that great responsibility very well and with much skill and devotion. During the previous session, we also witnessed the appointment of the new Secretary-General, Mr.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Our actions and decisions should embody themes of peace and development that look far beyond the immediacy of the moment. The challenges that confront us today must be, more than ever before, addressed with the candour and decision that the present global economic and political situation dictates to us all.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In the same vein, we express our unwavering support for the people of Palestine. As a small country that was surrounded by apartheid South Africa for almost a century, we understand the pain that others who still languish under that kind of situation feel. Those situations are a challenge that this body can easily remove from our agenda simply by doing what is right. In true brotherly solidarity, we appeal to this body to remove those final vestiges of colonial oppression. In conclusion, I need not emphasize that our peoples do not necessarily look at this Organization as a mirror reflecting a divided and troubled world. Rather, they yearn for progress and solutions to the problems besieging their world. They want ideas, leadership and concrete hope for the future.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In the face of the numerous global challenges existing in the world today, promoting more effective global governance should be at the forefront of the international agenda. We, the membership of the United Nations, should strive for an international Organization with improved efficiency and effectiveness. In our efforts to reform the United Nations, emphasis needs to be placed on enhancing, inter alia, its accountability and that of all its organs and bodies and the programmes of Member States, irrespective of their size and influence. It would be remiss of me not to express solidarity with the people of Cuba for having endured sanctions for so many years. We also want to express our unwavering solidarity with the people of Western Sahara, who have languished under the yoke of colonialism for far too long.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“With the presence of extremist groups and terrorist entities in the Middle East and elsewhere, terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to world peace, security and development. The ugly face of that scourge has once again resurfaced in Kenya. We condemn the barbaric killings of innocent people in the Westgate mall in Nairobi, committed by Al-Shabaab. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that have lost their loved ones. We all know that solutions to these problems cannot be through military means alone. We have to invest more in creating a holistic and integrated approach that targets, among other things, the improvement of economic development, the promotion of the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and good governance.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In so doing, we should guard against the misuse and abuse of the norm of the responsibility to protect by infringing on the national sovereignty or altering the legal obligation of Member States to refrain from the use of force except in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. From the Horn of Africa and across the Sahel region to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African continent is facing a rise in lawlessness and conflicts. As we celebrate the jubilee of the formation of our continental organization, the Organization of African Unity, we are resolved, as leaders of Africa, that Africa must open a new chapter going forward and extricate itself from the conflicts that have so soiled its reputation and compromised its development. We are determined to build a safe, secure and peaceful Africa from here forward.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“A decade has passed since the initiation of the notion of the responsibility to protect. Yet, the operationalization of that concept has not become a reality. The fact that crimes of mass atrocity continue to be committed around the world is a stark reminder that the time for a collective approach to protecting populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity is now. Most mass atrocities often do not occur spontaneously, but rather as part of a planned process. Over the years, we have learned the important lesson that the Organization cannot stand on the sidelines when challenged to take preventive action.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“History has revealed that human societies can enjoy peaceful, orderly progress only if the rule of law obtains. The conviction that peace and justice are inextricably intertwined has always underpinned the efforts of the United Nations in the area of the maintenance of international peace and security. Indeed, the International Criminal Court (ICC), created in 1998, is a beacon that speaks to that truism. We must use institutions, such as the ICC and other international legal tribunals, as a reflection of the international community’s increasing rejection of impunity and evidence that there is a rising tide in favour of the rule of law. At the same time, we need to ensure that institutions, such as the ICC, are adequately insulated against politicization. Selective prosecutions must be avoided.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The use of chemical weapons in Syria is not only abhorrent, but also a crime against humanity. We condemn it in the strongest terms, as it threatens to undermine the norm against the use of chemical weapons universally embraced by the international community. We welcome the partial report of the United Nations chemical weapons inspectors investigating the use of those weapons in Syria, and hope that the culprits will face the might of international law and justice. The crisis in Syria has the potential to engulf the whole Middle East region, with global ramifications. We call on the international community to find a quick and lasting solution to the conflict. Whether in Syria or anywhere else, perpetrators of crimes against humanity must be held legally accountable for their actions.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“As such, international support for conservation programmes and the protection of mountain ecosystems should be at the forefront of our plans. The state of peace and security in the world is gradually getting worse. The possession of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction remains the principal threat to the survival of humankind. The widespread sectarian strife in the Middle East and elsewhere and xenophobia are some of the great challenges to global peace. Sadly, discord remains among Member States on how to overcome those problems. Of particular concern to my delegation is the situation in Syria, which poses a serious and growing threat to international peace and security. Scores of civilians continue to be the principal victims. Women, children and the elderly are bearing the brunt of the conflict.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is equally important, in our view, to pay special attention to the perils of climate change for our physical world, as well as its destruction of ecosystems, all of which result in land degradation and contribute to the decline of agricultural productivity. Agriculture is the mainstay of our small economies. In order to address that challenge, agriculture and food security have to be given the necessary prominence in the envisaged development agenda. Similarly, sustainable mountain development should be our ideal. To a country such as Lesotho, with over 60 per cent of its land area covered by mountains, sustainable mountain development is imperative for the people to survive. Mountains are valuable water sources with rich biodiversity.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We need to reflect on the experiences and lessons learned in implementing the MDGs, the results achieved and opportunities missed. It is time for this body to come together and exercise its collective responsibility to finalize this one shared goal of articulating and shaping a development agenda that is inclusive and people-centred. A new development agenda, premised upon the sovereign equality of all States while recognizing their interdependence and mutually reinforcing roles, should be our goal. To achieve that, a renewed spirit of solidarity, cooperation and mutual accountability must underpin our efforts.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is in this context that we welcome the theme for this session, “The post-2015 development agenda: setting the stage”. One of the key outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) was that we launched a process to develop a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs), which would build upon the MDGs and converge with the post-2015 development agenda. We note the progress that has been made in that regard and hope that the letter and spirit of the Rio+20 outcome document, “The future we want” (resolution 66/288, annex), will be upheld. It is our hope that we will develop SDGs that are simple to implement, while also paying attention to the reality that no one size fits all. The post-2015 development agenda must be an integral framework that will build upon the successes and failures of the MDGs.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Nevertheless, much still needs to be done. Much of the world remains mired in poverty and disease, while peace, security and stability continue to be fragile. Economic development continues to be the greatest challenge in our history. As we ushered in a new millennium 13 years ago, we adopted the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to focus the world’s attention on ending extreme poverty in all its forms. The 2015 deadline for the achievement of the MDGs is fast approaching, yet it is clear that not much progress has been made in many countries in achieving the Goals. Alive to that fact, the United Nations is engaged in various processes in preparation for the post-2015 development era.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“At the very outset, allow me to congratulate Mr. Ashe on his well-deserved election to the office of the President of the General Assembly. I assure him of my delegation’s full support and cooperation during his tenure of office. I also wish to commend his predecessor for the exemplary leadership he demonstrated during the previous session. From the humble beginnings of a fledging organization more than six decades ago to a massive expansion in membership today, the United Nations has undoubtedly stood the test of time. Its worth as an indispensable entity in shaping the world of our time is a matter of common cause. Some of the great strides the United Nations has made span the peaceful settlement of disputes, restoring calm in many countries through peacekeeping, raising awareness of human rights and eradicating diseases.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“With the necessary commitment and political will, that goal can indeed be attained.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The United Nations, which has remained the same for the past 67 years, cannot be effective in efficiently addressing the challenges of our time. The need for the early reform of the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, was universally agreed by the international community at the World Summit in 2005. Yet, seven years later, negotiations on the reform of the Council are still without progress. As the status quo is maintained, the Council remains largely inept in the discharge of its mandate. Let us resolve to make the Assembly’s sixty-seventh session one of action and less rhetoric. Allow me to conclude by pointing out that a responsive, effective and efficient multilateral system is the only answer to the problems of the twenty-first century. It must be a United Nations that draws on the full diversity of its membership.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Regrettably, the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development did not meet everyone’s expectations. A lack of a concrete commitment by developed countries to provide developing countries with financing and technology is a source of concern. Nevertheless, there is still hope that a sustainable future is within reach. We must continue to work for the future we want and deserve. As we march forward, we must ensure that the formulation of the sustainable development goals and their interphase with the post-2015 development agenda is done carefully and in an inclusive manner. We must avoid parallel tracks for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the sustainable development goals, which should be viewed as being complementary to, and not a substitute for, the MDGs.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In my country, drought and f loods have heightened food insecurity, and famine is looming. In August, my Government had to declare Lesotho in a situation of food crisis and called on its development partners to assist. That followed a severe drought that afflicted Lesotho in the last planting season. I am humbled to repeat that call for help before this body. Our response to the crisis will focus on the priorities of subsidizing agricultural input and promoting drought-resistant crops, as well as scaling up conservation farming and providing nutrition services to mothers of infants and young children. We went to Rio de Janeiro in June with a determination to adopt ambitious and measurable steps to address sustainable development.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“International law is the very foundation of peaceful coexistence between nations. The role played by the International Court of Justice as an instrument for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the bedrock of the international legal order is sacrosanct. Lesotho reaffirms its support for the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and for other established international courts and tribunals. But those bodies must not be politicized, so that they can retain their integrity and fairness. It is almost four years since the multiple global crises befell us, yet the prospects for economic recovery remain gloomy. Evidence of climate change is all around us. Extreme weather conditions, f loods, drought, soil degradation and the rise of sea levels threaten the very existence of humankind.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It does not matter if it is sponsored by States or individuals, or whether its evil schemes are carried out by crude means or the most sophisticated weaponry. The recent murder of American diplomats in Libya demonstrates the brutality and senselessness of terrorism. It deserves our strongest condemnation. We extend our sincere condolences to the people and Government of the United States of America. A few days ago, we had an opportunity to reaffirm our resolve to uphold the rule of law both at the national and international levels. Respect for the rule of law is a precondition for guaranteeing fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights. Similarly, strengthening the rule of law at the international level is critical for effectively addressing our current global challenges.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We need to step up efforts during this sixty-seventh session and live up to our responsibilities. Conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons, are the real weapons of mass destruction in Africa; they fuel conflict and account for the death of scores of our people every day. Across the globe, military and political repression have combined with religious intolerance to sustain the spectre of terrorism that continues to besiege our world. While the international community must address those root causes, there can be no acceptable justification for terrorism, because it is both brutal and indiscriminate, and it is innocent people, including women and children, who bear the brunt of it. Lesotho condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Some States possess those weapons in large quantities and have not remained faithful to their commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Those States often threaten to humiliate non-nuclear-weapon States. That is why other countries aspire to acquire nuclear weapons. We must renew our collective commitment to a nuclear-weapon-free world — a world that is safe for future generations, sustained by the shared values of universal peace and prosperity. In the same way, for as long as international trade in small arms, light weapons and other conventional weapons remains unregulated, peace will continue to elude us. The failure of the international community, less than three months ago, to conclude a robust, legally binding arms trade treaty has left an indelible mark on our generation.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The positive results of that joint effort are beginning to be visible. Remarkable strides towards democracy and State-building have been registered. The election of the President less than two weeks ago is a cause for celebration. Today, the people of Somalia have reason to hope that they can put the unfortunate era of instability behind them. It is important to recognize, however, that the road ahead for the Government and the people of Somalia is still long and steep. The continued and unfaltering support of the international community is indespensable to ensuring that Somalia does not relapse into conflict and become a failed State. The development and possession of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction remains a serious concern for the peace and security of humankind.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“It is indeed a mockery of the United Nations, as an Organization that cherishes democratic values and principles, to accord legitimacy to unconstitutional regimes by allowing them to participate in its activities on an equal footing with bona fide Members. In Africa, we have adopted a policy of zero tolerance to unconstitutional changes of Government, and have remained steadfast in our resolve to refuse to recognize Governments that have no democratic legitimacy. We urge the international community to support that policy and to make it universal. Africa has not been without successes in pursuing the settlement of disputes by peaceful means. The United Nations, the African Union and other stakeholders have worked together with the Somali authorities to pave the way for peace in Somalia.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“At the same time, we call on all countries to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Syria in a manner that undermines the prospects of peace in that country. True revolutions need no external sponsors. The efforts of the international community must focus on helping the Syrian people find a negotiated, peaceful and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict in their country. Africa, too, is trying hard to rid itself of wars and conflicts. While we thought we had dealt with the scourge of the coups d’état, it has recently reared its ugly head in a few African countries. We call on the international community to join hands with the African Union and stand firm in refusing to recognize any Government that comes to power through unconstitutional means.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“That is why we welcome as timely and relevant the choice of theme for this session, “Bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means”. Today, many nations are rising up against dictatorial regimes in defence of their basic human rights and freedoms. The popular democratic uprising in the Arab world has underscored the frustration of the people with longstanding political repression and lack of accountability. In some Arab countries this quest for freedom, human rights and democracy has been met with atrocious force and brutality. The Government of Syria must accept the popular legitimacy and supremacy of the people’s aspirations before it is too late. Further militarization of the situation in Syria will make the conflict too costly in terms of human life.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our thoughts are with the ordinary people of Cuba who for decades have been denied the fruits of globalization and prosperity through no fault of their own. This unfortunate situation has continued for too long and must be resolved. We call on all stakeholders involved to search for a just and peaceful solution, just as we continue to call on the Kingdom of Morocco to cooperate with the international community and facilitate the independence and self-determination of the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Peace within and among nations is a fundamental condition for development. The dream of a prosperous world will continue to be an illusion if tensions persist and our world is perpetually at war with itself.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“In the Middle East, it is about time that individual interests gave way to compassion and reason, so that the people of Palestine can enjoy their inalienable right to self-determination in our lifetimes. Two States existing side by side in peace and security have long been recognized by the international community as the only plausible route to enduring peace and stability in the region. The State of Israel must be prevailed upon to support that solution. It must stop building illegal settlements on Palestinian lands, which have the potential to render the prospects of a two-State solution irrelevant. Our call for lifting the economic embargo against the Republic of Cuba has gone unheeded for the past 20 years.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“That looming crisis can be avoided not through the threats being made against Iran, but through negotiations based on respect for sovereign equality and the recognition of the rights and legitimate fears of all parties involved. Our generation is already facing too many problems. Surely we cannot afford another avoidable war. We are saddened by the increasing tension in the East China Sea between two of the most respectable members of the international community, the People’s Republic of China and Japan. No one should take advantage of the situation to fan the flames of discord between those two great nations and ancient civilizations. Instead, we must encourage them to resolve their differences with maturity and through peaceful dialogue.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We know the solutions that can effectively address the multifaceted challenges that confront our world. But it is increasingly difficult to arrive at those solutions within the multilateral system. On the international stage, unilateral actions that defy civility and international law are growing more frequent, and increasingly go unpunished. Despite the lessons of history, there are countries that still believe they can solve the political problems of our time through war and coercion. It does not matter to them that history has shown that the goal of domination through the use of force is not only elusive and dangerous but also unsustainable. Humankind derives no comfort from the potential conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Western Powers over Iran’s nuclear programme.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Allow me to congratulate the President on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session. I would like to assure him of my delegation’s full support and cooperation during his tenure of office. His impeccable credentials and experience will ensure a successful session. I also wish to commend his predecessor for his sterling leadership during the previous session. The establishment of the United Nations by 51 countries following the Second World War ushered in hope for collective security, shared prosperity and justice in international relations. Six decades have passed and the membership of the Organization has swelled more than threefold. But obstacles still remain in the path towards creating a world that was envisioned by our forebears.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“This situation has seriously jeopardized efforts at consolidating peace, security and stability in the Great Lakes region. Lesotho supports all efforts aimed at promoting a climate of peace and security in that region, including the SADC initiative as carried out by Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola. Finally, we remain disappointed by the slow pace of efforts at finding a lasting solution to the long-running problem of Western Sahara. We therefore appeal to all parties concerned to respect and commit themselves to the letter and spirit of the United Nations settlement plan, within the context of the Houston accord, so that the people of Western Sahara can at last join the rest of the international community as a peaceful, democratic and stable society as we move across the threshold of the next millennium.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Lesotho is deeply concerned by the failure of UNITA to comply with the agreed timetable for the resolution of the conflict in Angola, in accordance with the provisions of the Lusaka Protocol and the relevant Security Council resolutions. We thus call on the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to assume its responsibility to apply firmly and resolutely the measures decreed by the Council, especially within the context of resolutions 1135 (1997) and 1173 (1998). Lesotho, as a member of SADC, supports the resolution of the recent SADC summit in Mauritius, which held Mr. Savimbi accountable for the resumption of hostilities in that country and thus declared him a political criminal. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is another source of concern to the Government of Lesotho.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“For the great majority of States, the United Nations is an indispensable tool for the realization of our dream for collective security and development. We are therefore troubled that the efforts to reform the Organization are bogged down in the most crucial area, namely, the reform of the Security Council. The Charter has conferred on that organ the most important responsibility for international peace and security. The Working Group on Security Council reform has been working for almost five years without reaching a conclusion. The time has now come for a negotiating text to be prepared and for negotiations to commence. Otherwise, the whole exercise will turn into a charade in which all will lose interest. The scourge of conflicts in Africa continues to undermine efforts towards economic and social development in that continent.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The recent testing of nuclear weapons by India and Pakistan was a self-fulfilling prophecy. As much as we deplore the measures taken by these two countries, we must not lose sight of the fact that they have been led down that path by the resistance of nuclear-weapons States to fulfil their obligations towards negotiating in good faith for a total ban of all nuclear weapons. We call upon all nuclear- weapons States to respond to the wishes of all humanity to ban nuclear weapons from human experience by negotiating a binding treaty for such a ban. Lesotho supports the efforts of the Secretary-General towards reforming the United Nations Organization. There is general agreement that the Security Council must be made more democratic and its working methods more transparent.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“A question that has plagued the United Nations since its founding has been that of disarmament, and in particular nuclear disarmament. Nuclear weapons pose a serious threat to all humanity and its habitat, yet they remain in the arsenals built up during the height of the cold war. Their time has passed, yet assertions of their utility continue. Nuclear weapons are held by a handful of States which insist that these weapons provide security benefits, and yet reserve uniquely to themselves the right to own them. This situation is highly discriminatory, unstable and untenable. The possession of nuclear weapons by any State is a constant stimulus to other States to acquire them. For these reasons, it is a central reality that nuclear weapons diminish the security of all States.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“While the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations has resulted in significant improvements in market access conditions for the majority of countries of the world, the expected gains for the least developed countries from the stimulus to world trade arising from the Uruguay Round are less clear. These countries continue to face significant obstacles to market access for their exports. There are still tariff peaks and tariff escalations against their major export items. Furthermore, 11 some standards are too difficult to meet due to the differences in technological advancement. The problems enumerated above attest to the importance of the United Nations in shaping a world of peace, prosperity and development.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Lesotho remains ready to work towards the accomplishment of these tasks. During the current session of the General Assembly and the twelfth summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, recently held in Durban, South Africa, the concern of the international community has focused on the phenomenon of globalization, an issue of particular importance for the least developed countries. The liberalization of trade regimes and the promotion of an open and secure multilateral trading system are central requirements for the promotion of economic development.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“While not everything that we had hoped for has been included in the Statute, we believe that the positive aspects of the Statute far outweigh its negative elements. If, in the years ahead, there is to be greater respect for international law and international humanitarian law, all States will have to take the International Criminal Court seriously and adopt measures to ensure the coming into operation of the court without delay. We thus urge the Secretary-General to convene the Preparatory Commission in early 1999 to begin work on the rules of procedure and evidence, guidelines for the court on the elements of crimes, the headquarters agreement and other instruments. We also call upon the Assembly to endorse the Rome Statute and urge States to ratify it in sufficient numbers so that the court can start its work.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Over 50 years ago, this idea was conceived out of the realization that domestic courts are often inadequate to deter crimes under international law, resulting in impunity for perpetrators of human rights abuses. The adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court less than three months ago was the culmination of a long battle fought by courageous men and women for justice. The Statute is therefore our proud bequest to future generations. Over the years of negotiation on the Rome Statute, Lesotho always affirmed the need for a court in which we could have faith: an effective, independent and impartial Court that enjoyed universal acceptance. In order to achieve this, a number of thorny and sensitive issues had to be resolved over the five-week period of the Rome Conference.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“In the post-cold-war era, attention has unfortunately been focused almost exclusively on civil and political rights, with less attention being paid to economic, social and cultural rights. That development is a human right is often forgotten. Such a narrow approach misses the important link that exists between the enjoyment of civil and political rights and development. The Declaration on the Right to Development was intended to emphasize such a link but, regrettably, this latest of recognized rights has yet to be factored into our human rights programmes. As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, no topic is of greater significance than the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Fifty years ago, the peoples of the world set down standards for their security, happiness and well-being in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the intervening period, the international community and the United Nations have made great strides in the area of human rights. Of great significance are the major human rights treaties which have been adopted and which include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The battle to make human rights truly universal has regrettably not been won decisively, although there is no doubt that we are on the way to achieving that goal. We therefore need to redouble our efforts to pursue it.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Their production, trade and possession remain essentially unmonitored and unregulated. Lesotho therefore strongly supports current efforts to find an international solution to these problems posed by the unregulated proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons. The Government of Lesotho is understandably disappointed that its efforts to build and consolidate a culture of democratic governance seem to have suffered a setback, especially this year, when we are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, Lesotho will not be deflected from the path it has chosen of moving forward to truly democratic governance in which all citizens enjoy their right to political freedom and personal happiness.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“Small arms and light weapons have become so commonplace that they have encouraged habitual recourse to violence, thus threatening the cohesion and well-being of many societies. These low-tech, inexpensive and easy to use weapons — numbering hundreds of millions — cause as much as 90 per cent of the deaths in contemporary conflicts. Their proliferation contributes to violence, loss of life and property, social instability, the disruption of economic development and the threat to democratic governance. 10 During the cold war, arms control and disarmament efforts focused exclusively on major weapons systems, such as tanks, jet fighters and nuclear weapons. Although this has begun to change in recent years, there are still no international standards regarding small arms.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)
“The Government of Lesotho is grateful for the support of the countries of SADC in once again reversing a coup in Lesotho. SADC has given practical expression to what has become an all-Africa commitment to the abhorrence of military overthrow of legitimate Governments, such as occurred recently in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The extent of recent lawlessness in Lesotho has underscored the need to control the illicit possession of small arms and light weapons. In Lesotho recently, young people, many of them in their teens, were able to intimidate law-abiding citizens with guns and to force them to surrender Government property and to evacuate Government offices and private industrial enterprises.”
1998-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 53 (1998)