YouSaid · the spoken record

Agyeman

lines on the record: 1,567
first: 2022-01-05
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 204
sources: un-security-council

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

“We therefore encourage support for regional actions, such as the Accra Initiative, which has become the platform of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for intelligence- and information-sharing on questions of terrorism, transnational organized crime and violent extremism. Thirdly, while regional initiatives, including the ECOWAS counter-terrorism strategy, and the deployment of regional counter-insurgency forces are useful, they can benefit from an enhanced partnership from the United Nations in terms of financing support and greater burden-sharing. We therefore take this opportunity to reiterate the call for the mobilization of additional funding support from partners for these regional and continental arrangements to enable effective responses to be developed for the insecurity situation posed by terrorists.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“First, technical assistance for enhancing national capacities continues to be critical for many countries. We encourage the ongoing cooperation and capacity- building support of CTED and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, as well as regional groups and friendly countries, for Member States that have a need to strengthen their security and counter- terrorism strategies. Secondly, intraregional and cross-regional intelligence-sharing must be enhanced to address the reinforcing effects of cross-border collaboration by terrorist groups. There is a need to better understand these groups, their modus operandi, their networks and structures.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“Notwithstanding those measures, we continue to experience, in varying degrees of intensity, terrorism and violent extremism, including the influx of foreign terrorist fighters, as well as growing linkages among terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organized crime. The attendant social, economic and humanitarian impacts are indeed disturbing. Besides the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic- related economic hardships, manifested by rising unemployment, as well as growing poverty and inequality, these situations continue to serve as fodder for the radicalization and recruitment of vulnerable groups, including women and youth. Against this backdrop, Ghana would like to make a few points, grounded in the situation of our region.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“More effort is nonetheless required as incidents of terrorism have proliferated and networks of terrorist organizations have become more agile and global, with adapted disparate leadership and operational structures. In response to the increasing number of incidents of terrorism on the continent of Africa, several measures have been taken over the years by the African Union, including the adoption of the African Union Plan of Action on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism of 2002 and the establishment of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism, which is based in Algiers and undertakes a range of research, analysis, knowledge management and capacity- building activities.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“From 1970 to date, more than 170,000 incidents of acts of terrorism have been recorded, with many killed, maimed or having their livelihoods destroyed. The financial cost of terrorism has also been heavy, with some estimates a few years ago putting its annual economic impact, at that time, at approximately $26.4 billion. As we see surges in the incidence of terrorism, particularly in countries engaged in armed conflict, it is important to once again recall the landmark decision of the Security Council in resolution 1373 (2001), which signalled the commitment to a global approach to addressing the menace of terrorism. Through the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, as well as binding obligations to enhance legal, operational, and institutional responses to counter the threat of terrorism, significant progress has been made.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the Russian Federation for convening this briefing on the threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Ghana welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on the subject (S/2022/63) and thanks Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary- General of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, and Mr. Weixiong Chen, Acting Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), for their additional perspectives. Without a doubt, terrorism is a major threat to international peace and security. From Afghanistan in Asia to Yemen in the Middle East, from Syria to Iraq and from Somalia to the countries of the Sahel, we are living witnesses to the destabilizing influence of terrorism.”
2022-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8963 (2022) · source
“We are also aware that the humanitarian consequences of sanctions have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease pandemic. In such exceptional circumstances, we expect and support clear measures of exemptions for humanitarian-related goods, especially those that do not have dual-use purposes. In the case of ECOWAS, our exemption regime has been specific and has included virus-related treatment products among the exempted items. Finally, let me reiterate that the credibility and legitimacy of sanctions are manifested not only in their ability to achieve desired goals and policy objectives, but also in their capacity to avert humanitarian catastrophes and other unintended consequences.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Although that issue is not within the scope of this debate, it is in line with the accepted principles of international law. Suffice it to say that, as a member country of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, which have active sanctions regimes in place, I must note that the sanction regimes of those regional bodies have often been effective and usually of a shorter duration. For instance, the sanctions imposed on Mali in August 2020 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS were lifted by October 2020 when Mali showed its commitment at that time to undertake actions to restore constitutional order following its breach of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“In addition, guided by the knowledge of the socioeconomic plight of their people due to sanctions, national Governments should desist from actions that are inimical to international peace and security and could potentially attract sanctions. In my statement, Ghana has not focused on the imposition of unilateral sanctions in violation of international law because that has not been indicated as the primary object of this debate. We nonetheless reaffirm our position that unilateral sanctions that are in violation of international law, which often have far-reaching consequences for affected populations, are unacceptable. I have also not dwelt on sanctions by other international and regional organizations against their erring members.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“Thirdly, Ghana underscores the need for enhancing humanitarian exemption mechanisms to safeguard the livelihoods of populations, as envisaged by Article 50. Present exemptions, however, do not appear to fully tackle the humanitarian problem, especially when comprehensive sanctions have been imposed. Fourthly, Ghana wishes to indicate that, while the responsibility rests on the Security Council to mitigate the humanitarian crises associated with sanctions, national Governments and entities also have a part to play in ensuring full and unhindered access to humanitarian goods and the utmost cooperation with humanitarian aid workers.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“In that regard, the panels of experts appointed to assist the work of sanctions committees should increase their engagement and collaboration with the national, regional and international humanitarian organizations working within their areas of operation in order to collect information and data on the impact of sanctions on the work of humanitarian organizations so as to contribute as much as possible to monitoring, reporting and policymaking. The Council should also regularly assess how Member States ensure that their implementation of sanctions does not violate international humanitarian law. The impact on the vulnerable should be assessed, along with the effect of sanctions on third States.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“With an eye on how we could better implement United Nations sanctions regimes with a view to mitigating the humanitarian and other unintended consequences on populations, Ghana would like to focus on four points. First, sanctions must be imposed only as a last resort when a threat to international peace and security exists. Before sanctions are imposed, serious efforts must be made to exhaust all measures of pacific settlement contained in Chapter VI of the Charter. Secondly, the processes followed by the Council’s sanctions committees could benefit from greater transparency and accountability. The application of guidelines requires careful consideration, particularly regarding requests for exemptions to assets-freeze provisions that have a direct link to humanitarian issues.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“In particular, if all Member States would fulfil their obligations by implementing, in good faith, the decisions of the Council, as envisaged in Articles 25 and 48 of the Charter of the United Nations and in a manner that prevents their circumvention by the States placed under sanctions, we believe that sanctions could be short, effective and less damaging to civilian populations. Unfortunately, some of the sanctions regimes have been long-lasting and their humanitarian impact and unintended consequences on civilian populations and third States quite damaging. We therefore have a responsibility — not only within the Council but also among the wider membership of the Organization — to fine-tune the implementation of sanctions in a manner that is more targeted and effective in modifying the erring behaviour of sanctioned States.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“While the imposition of broad sanctions has had disproportionate adverse effects on populations, some successes can also be seen in the areas of the reversal of illegitimate regimes; the disruption of planning, funding and organization of terrorist networks; the dismantling of illicit networks and financial flows of armed groups, particularly non-State actors; the curbing of the illegal flow of small arms and light weapons; and the increased focus on massive human rights violations, among others. Regardless of the outcomes achieved, sanctions continue to be an important tool for maintaining international peace and security.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“As envisaged by the Charter, sanctions are not intended for extraneous objectives but are required as a tool to modify the behaviour of any State whose actions are in breach of its Charter obligations, where those actions constitute a threat to international peace and security, without resorting to the use of force. Since the late 1960s, when the Security Council activated its first sanctions regime, in response to the illegitimate seizure of power in the then Southern Rhodesia, 30 sanctions regimes have been established in all, with varying degrees of success and uneven consequences in their implementation.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“It is a delight to see you, Madam President, presiding over the Security Council for the month of February. Ghana assures your delegation of its cooperation and remains confident of your able leadership. I would also like to congratulate Ambassador Mona Juul and the delegation of Norway for the excellent leadership they provided to the Council during the month of January. We welcome the focus of today’s debate and express appreciation to the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, for their insightful briefings. The question of sanctions is one that is rooted in the principles of international law and provided for in Chapter VII, Article 41, of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2022-02-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8962 (2022) · source
“We note with concern the implications that the situation has had for the economy of Ukraine and neighbouring markets and welcome in that regard the call by the President of Ukraine for an easing of the strong narratives on the situation. This must be a time for confidence-building so as to facilitate the restoration of normalcy for the people of Ukraine. In conclusion, Ghana believes that in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the Organization, differences between Member States should be resolved only through peaceful means. We remain encouraged by the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the parties and reiterate our support for those efforts, which should also take into account the delicate nature of the situation.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“We also have taken note of the fact that while the military build-up of the troops of the Russian Federation is within its borders, that has caused Ukraine and other parties concern over the intentions behind the build-up and its prospective implications for international peace and security. We therefore welcome the ongoing dialogue between the Russian Federation and the United States to address primary and secondary security concerns that have implications for the situation in Ukraine as well as the recent face-to-face dialogue between the representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine under the Normandy format in Paris after several months of no contact, to enhance trust and eliminate any possibility of an accidental incident.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“I have also listened carefully to the briefing that we just received from the Secretariat as well as the statements of those delegations that spoke before me. We have paid careful attention to the perspectives of the parties key to the situation and hope that by the end of this meeting, the views of members of the Council will be closer to each other than when we first begun. We note from the situation in Ukraine that while there has been a build-up of Russian troops at the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, those troops are currently within the national territory of the Russian Federation.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“A few moments ago, the Security Council voted to adopt the agenda for this meeting to consider the situation in Ukraine. Our responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security makes it imperative to encourage the path of dialogue and preventive diplomacy. That is the only way to end the tensions, bridge the differences between the parties and forge a unified and pacific position on the situation in Ukraine. Let me begin by thanking Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, for her briefing. I also welcome the participation of the representatives of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and Lithuania in this meeting. Ghana has been following closely the situation in Ukraine.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to appeal for a united front in the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), which embodies the Council’s collective objective of supporting a just and lasting peace in Syria.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“Thirdly, Ghana welcomes the approach to make women part of the solution to the conflict in Syria, noting that women account for nearly 30 per cent of the participants of the Constitutional Committee. The Special Envoy’s consultations in Geneva with the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board must also be sustained as part of the measures to involve women in the wider political process. We equally advocate for the participation of young people and civil society in order to ensure an inclusive and durable solution. Finally, we call for an end to the persistent human rights violations and abuses and highlight the need to address the issues of forced disappearances and the arbitrary detention of persons, including children, in violation of international law.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“We urge the Council to collectively support a nationwide ceasefire and the recommitment of all sides to the political process within the parameters of resolution 2254 (2015). Secondly, notwithstanding the modest progress made by the Constitutional Committee over its previous six sessions, its work remains an important aspect of the transitional process that should not be obstructed on the pretext of procedural challenges. We know that the real issue is a lack of trust. Enhanced confidence-building measures will therefore be necessary if substantive progress is to be made in subsequent sessions. We support the early convening of the seventh session, with a clear and mutually agreed strategy for the drafting phase, at least in those areas of commonality identified in previous sessions.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“Such attacks in Syria continue to hinder the already difficult process of seeking a peaceful resolution through dialogue and consensus. We express our condolences to the families of those who died and restate our firm condemnation of all acts and manifestations of terrorism by whomever and wherever they are committed. The international community must be relentless in the fight against terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable. Against the backdrop of these worrisome but familiar conditions in Syria, let me first of all reaffirm Ghana’s support for a political solution to the ongoing conflict and stress the importance of constructive engagement by the parties in a spirit of good faith, mutual respect and compromise.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for his briefing and commend his tireless efforts to support the political process in Syria. I also welcome Ms. Thuraya Hijazi, Director of the Release Me project in northern Syria, and appreciate the perspectives that she brought to the discussions of the Security Council today. I also welcome the participation in this meeting of the representatives of Syria, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Over the past week, we have been witnessing violent clashes in the north-eastern city of Hasakah in the aftermath of the attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant on the Ghweiran prison attempting to release detained members of the armed group. More than 100 people have reportedly been killed, while some 50,000 have been displaced from their homes.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8955 (2022) · source
“Let me conclude by saying that, now more than ever, we must collectively and constructively work to keep the focus on a coordinated, comprehensive and balanced approach in resolving the complex issues of Afghanistan, devoid of geopolitical considerations and interests. It should be clear to everyone that there is no alternative to Council unity on the vexing matter of Afghanistan. The Afghan people have demonstrated resilience and fortitude and will require the full support of the international community in order to pull out of the cycle of war and internal conflicts as they forge a common vision of an Afghanistan that accommodates the various perspectives of their rich society and unique past.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Fourthly, the Taliban authorities have a responsibility to ensure that reports of extrajudicial killings, particularly against former members of the Afghan security forces, are swiftly investigated and that the perpetrators are held to account. That duty extends to guaranteeing the safety of all civilians and humanitarian workers within Afghan territory. Lastly, we note that the events of August 2021 created a new situation in Afghanistan. We therefore keenly look forward to the Secretary-General’s report at the end of this month on the strategic and operational recommendations for the UNAMA mandate, which is due for renewal in March 2022. We believe UNAMA should be vested with the necessary capacity to enable it respond effectively to the profound changes that have taken place in Afghanistan.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Thirdly, we are deeply concerned about the alleged and reported cases of violations of the human rights of vulnerable persons within Afghan society, in particular the suppression and erosion of the rights of women, girls and children and their access to education. Ghana believes that Afghan women and minorities are legitimate stakeholders of Afghanistan and must be given every opportunity and support to protect and enhance their effective participation in the country’s reconstruction and future growth and development. Precluding any group from the political process is counterproductive and denies the country the contributions of all its citizens.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“It is quite paradoxical for a country with enormous financial resources locked up in foreign banks, including $9.6 billion in international financial assets belonging to the central bank of Afghanistan, to be on the brink of starvation and economic collapse. Secondly, we urge the de facto authorities to open up the country to humanitarian agencies by removing all restrictions placed on humanitarian operations, including the acceptance of women humanitarian workers. The Taliban should choose the path to be a force for good by cooperating unconditionally and facilitating the unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to every Afghan, without discrimination, in line with international humanitarian law.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“In the face of this unfolding monumental humanitarian catastrophe, the Council has a responsibility to be united on what must be done in order to comprehensively address the challenges. It is imperative now, more than ever, to adopt swift and consequential decisions that will resonate positively on the lives of the Afghan people. Ghana would like to make several recommendations in that regard. First, Ghana firmly supports and echoes the Secretary-General’s call for Afghanistan’s assets to be unfrozen and immediately channelled into funding emergency social and health services for the Afghan people.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“While we acknowledge that resolution 2615 (2021) is a commendable step in tackling the tragic humanitarian catastrophe engulfing the country, we are clear in our minds that, given the sheer size and scale of the humanitarian needs, it is not enough to get Afghanistan out of the woods. The fact that more than 20 million Afghans, according to reports by the United Nations, remain food insecure and a staggering 8.7 million of the Afghan population are on the brink of starvation, should be disconcerting for the Council. The plain truth is that time is running out for the international community to avoid an already dire humanitarian situation from spiralling out of control. The risk of a catastrophic outcome is real because, as we speak, millions of Afghans are being threatened by hunger and destitution.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“The Security Council and, indeed, all regional and international actors, including Afghanistan’s partners and neighbours, can contribute positively to help Afghanistan overcome its multilayered political, humanitarian, economic and security difficulties. Last month, the Council unanimously adopted two important resolutions on the Afghanistan situation. It is worth noting that the adoption of resolution 2615 (2021) determined, in paragraph 1, that “humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan” will not constitute a violation of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph 1 of resolution 2255 (2015), of 22 December 2015, which prohibits the provision of funds, financial assets or economic resources to individuals listed under the 1988 Afghanistan sanctions regime.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“I also acknowledge the participation in this meeting of the representatives of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ghana remains committed to a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan. We are convinced that a resurgent Afghanistan is in the best interests of the international community. We believe that, if it is actively and constructively engaged, Afghanistan can return to the international stage as a bona fide member of the comity of nations, but only if it fully and effectively utilizes the resourcefulness and ingenuity of all of its citizens to spur national development. In that regard, I would like to highlight the need for the international community to remain steadfast in the provision of all the support required to eliminate the needless suffering of the Afghan people.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Let me begin by commending you for Norway’s very able leadership of the Security Council this month. We also warmly welcome the remarks by the Secretary-General and the briefing by the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011), Ambassador Tirumurti. We also welcome the briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ms. Deborah Lyons, and pay tribute to the entire UNAMA team for the incredible work they are doing under difficult circumstances and in a very challenging environment. We also thank Ms. Mahbouba Seraj, Executive Director of the Afghan Women Skills Development Centre, for her valuable perspectives.”
2022-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8954 (2022) · source
“Lastly, we urge the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia and the entire United Nations country team to continue leveraging their respective mandates and programmes to support peace implementation efforts, including on matters of reintegration, security guarantees, transitional justice, rural reform and alternative livelihoods.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“The upcoming congressional and presidential elections this year provide yet another unique opportunity for Colombians to help drive forward their democratic aspirations. The campaign period should be devoid of divisive acts that are conducive to violence. Fifthly, we are concerned that, even in a post- agreement period, indigenous and Afro-Colombian former combatants, including civilians, still suffer the consequences of violence. We want to state that there is no alternative to a complete cessation of hostilities. We strongly call on all dissident groups and other illegal armed groups to abandon their armed struggle and embrace dialogue by joining the peace process without any pre-conditions to avoid taking the country back into needless conflict.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“The parties to the Final Agreement must work together to protect the participation and enhance the role of women leaders involved in the peace process. Women leaders in Colombia act as peace facilitators and collaborators and are not a burden to the process. Secondly, the economic and social reintegration of indigenous and Afro-Colombian former combatants, including all vulnerable groups seriously affected by the armed conflict, must be accelerated. Thirdly, there must be full cooperation and respect for the transitional justice system as a key guarantor for lasting peace and reconciliation. Fourthly, we encourage the Colombian Government and, indeed, all actors to ensure inclusive political participation and progress on all institutional and democratic reforms, as they constitute a veritable way to build a stable and lasting peace.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“It is critical for all actors involved in the Colombian peace process to recognize that they have a shared responsibility to not only consolidate the peace, but to ensure that all Colombians without exception enjoy the tangible benefits and dividends of the peace agreement. In the months ahead, the support of the Council will be vital in addressing the lingering challenges and risks to the Colombian peace process, which for many remains fragile. The full and comprehensive implementation of all the provisions of the Final Agreement will be critical. There should be no room for cherry-picking, which could be counter-productive and derail the successful implementation of the Final Agreement In that regard, first of all, Ghana urges the prioritization of the gender provisions of the agreement.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“Ghana therefore commends the Government of Colombia, the leaders of the Comunes party, the heads of the transitional justice system, civil society leaders, victims of the armed conflict, former FARC-EP combatants, State institutions, academia and the international community, as well as the wider Colombian society, for actively engaging in the peacebuilding efforts. We are pleased to observe that the Colombian people are using State structures and institutions to foster dialogue and build trust among themselves. Strong, vibrant and inclusive State institutions, as we know, have the enduring capacity to safeguard the interest of citizens and are well placed to protect the rights and dignity of all persons, especially vulnerable persons and minorities.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“Two months ago, the people of Colombia and the international community marked an important milestone in their worthy search for a durable and sustainable peace. The commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the signing of the historic 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace opened a positive chapter for all Colombians and cements further their commitment to ensure that the peace process takes deep root in Colombia. The valuable lessons learned over the past five years should reinforce our conviction that peacebuilding, peace consolidation and genuine reconciliation can be achieved in incremental steps and with determined efforts. There are no magic wands.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“I thank Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his informative briefing on the recent developments in Colombia and for bringing further clarity to the Secretary- General’s latest 90-day report on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (S/2021/1090). I also thank Ms. Luz Marina Giraldo, former combatant of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and a leader in reintegration initiatives, for her useful perspectives on the situation in Colombia, which will no doubt enrich the Council’s deliberations. It is also a pleasure to welcome the participation of His Excellency Mr. Emilio José Archila, Presidential Adviser for Stabilization and Consolidation of the Republic of Colombia in this meeting.”
2022-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8951 (2022) · source
“In that connection, Ghana calls on the Court to do more in getting the victims involved in the whole process and giving them the needed protection before, during and after the trials. We believe that this will give victims the confidence required to testify during trials. In concluding, I would like to urge the Prosecutor to be encouraged by Lady Justice, who, being blindfolded and holding suspended scales, looks neither east nor west but towards the evidence in order to deliver fair, impartial and equitable justice for victims. Ghana therefore hopes for a balanced and global approach to the investigation of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court, devoid of the perceived region-centric approach.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“We therefore encourage the Court to work with national judicial systems that may require capacity-building, including those on the African continent, to take ownership of some of those trials. Certainly, the independence of those national courts should be paramount in capacity-building efforts. The third issue of importance to our delegation is witness protection before, during and after the trial process. As the Court proceeds with investigations into the cases in Darfur and other areas of interest, it has been observed that in some instances witnesses have been recanting, which adversely impacts the case for the prosecution and invariably casts a slur on the Court.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Ghana welcomes the confirmation of charges in the Ali Kushayb case, since that is the first confirmation of charges in a Security Council referral. The voices of the victims continue to cry out for justice; they should not be made to wait any longer. Secondly, while calling on all States that have indicted persons to cooperate with the Court, Ghana believes that the efficiency of the Court lies in effectively implementing the principle of complementarity, which is a core principle of the Rome Statute. In that regard, Ghana reaffirms its call on States parties to consider the issue of complementarity as a key tool in trying the crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court and one of the options in reducing the workload of the Court. After all, it is primarily the responsibility of States to protect their citizens.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“In that regard, Ghana calls on the Sudan to assist the Office of the Prosecutor with access to documents, archives and other evidence in the Sudan. The Office of the Prosecutor should also have access to witnesses, including those in custody in the Sudan, and, finally, full and safe access to the territory of the Sudan, including crime scenes in Darfur. While taking note of the efforts made by the transitional Government of the Sudan towards the ratification of key human rights treaties, Ghana encourages the transitional Government to fully translate into reality its commitment to the rules-based international order and to ending decades of impunity by transferring the ICC’s outstanding fugitives without delay.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“It is in that respect that in the case of the former Sudanese President, Omer Al-Bashir, and the other individuals facing ICC arrest warrants for the alleged crimes they committed in Darfur, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, we reaffirm the position that accused persons should be made to face the course of justice and given an opportunity to account for their actions or inaction in connection with the very serious crimes with which they have been charged. We recall the Council’s resolution 1593 (2005), by which it decided, in operative paragraph 2, that “the Government of the Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court”.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“As the sixth State party to join the Rome Statute, we remain committed to the objectives of the Court and to the development of a complementary international criminal justice system that holds accountable the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of international concern, seeks justice for victims of atrocity crimes and, above all, acts as a deterrent to perpetrators of the four classes of egregious crimes that the Court has jurisdiction over. Ghana therefore welcomes the Prosecutor’s report on the activities of the Court with regard to the Sudan file and wishes to focus on the following three points. First, we reiterate the shared conviction that impunity cannot and must not be allowed to stand wherever it occurs and for whomsoever.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“I thank Mr. Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), for briefing the Council on the report on the activities of the Court’s file on the Sudan. As a new member of the Council, Ghana would like to take this opportunity to assure the Prosecutor of its full cooperation in the implementation of his mandate, especially as it relates to cooperation with the Council. We wish him every success in his new role with the Court and note that this is his second briefing to the Council in his present capacity. Ghana believes that the Court plays an important role within the global justice and security architecture in helping to maintain international peace.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“In this regard, we call for support for comprehensive approaches by States of the region and international partners, including through the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and the priority investment plan of the Group of Five for the Sahel, all of which will help improve the situation in West Africa and the Sahel. Finally, we also call for support for the draft presidential statement on UNOWAS that will soon be initiated in the Council.”
2022-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8944 (2022) · source
“We therefore urge vaccine equity and justice and note the funding support the ECOWAS Commission requires from the international community and donor partners to strengthen humanitarian interventions focusing on building community resilience and recovery. While welcoming investment in military capabilities and in such areas as border management and intelligence-sharing to help in early detection to better manage the instability in the region, we hold the view that these investments are only rudimentary in the fight against terrorism and the myriad challenges in the region. New and additional investment is required in the region to address the root causes of the persisting challenges, particularly in addressing governance and development deficits, with a prioritization of women and youth in decision-making processes.”
2022-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8944 (2022) · source