YouSaid · the spoken record

Allen

lines on the record: 1,072
first: 2017-08-15
most recent: 2020-12-07
sittings or episodes: 159
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

“While they compromised in good faith to secure a consensus text, they were not ready to compromise to that extent. It is my hope — and I hope that I can ask our Russian and Chinese friends to join me in that hope — that, despite those abstentions today, all Council members will support the resolution and the new Special Envoy — who, we hope, will soon be appointed — in working with the Libyan parties and external actors to bring about a sustainable political settlement, which is what the Libyan people desperately need.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8758 (2020) · source
“We understood the concern around consultation, which is why we added new language to the draft text in response, and that new language makes clear that UNSMIL would only be involved in implementing a ceasefire “once it is agreed by the Libyan parties” (resolution 2542 (2020), para. 1 (iv)). I cannot think of any way in which this does not make clear that there will need to be consultation with the Libyan parties or that they are not responsible for any decisions about a ceasefire. Again, I listened to the explanation of vote of my colleague from China. Indeed, there were a number of requests from China to remove language supporting the human rights agenda and on conflict-related sexual violence. We removed a number of those references at China’s request. However, other members of the Council feel that they are important issues.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8758 (2020) · source
“Let me begin by saying that we welcome the very wide support from members of the Security Council for resolution 2542 (2020), adopted to renew the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). I would also like to say that I am surprised by the decision of Russian and China to abstain in the voting. I listened very carefully to the Russian Ambassador’s explanation of his vote. Council members and Council colleagues will know that once the Russian Federation raised its concerns over the language in the resolution after it had gone under silence, we were very quick as penholders to accommodate them.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8758 (2020) · source
“The parties need to move quickly to agree a ceasefire and engage in a comprehensive political process. If they do not, the Council should be ready to take action.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“I urge the Council and the wider international community to send a strong, unified message to the Houthis that they must cease their offensive on Ma’rib and negotiate peace. Finally, we must not forget the FSO SAFER oil tanker, on which the Council has been briefed many times, including in various meetings earlier this summer. The tanker poses a significant environmental and economic threat to the region. While I welcome progress made in negotiations between the Houthis and the United Nations Office for Project Services on the scope of the assessment and repair mission, the mission needs to happen urgently. The Houthis must follow through on their promises by allowing the United Nations experts to board the tanker to carry out their work as soon as possible. Time is running out.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“It is in their hands to act in the interests of their people. Are they ready to do so, or will they act in their own self-interest? I welcome Security Council unity on this issue here and at the ministerial level. Later this week, we will be co-hosting an event on Yemen, with the Secretary- General and others, that will demonstrate our close Council and international coordination. We must stay united in our messages to the parties and our support for Special Envoy Griffiths so that he can reach an agreement. The United Kingdom remains extremely concerned about the situation in Ma’rib. The Houthi offensive is not only leading to a distressing loss of life, but it also threatens to derail the political process at this crucial stage. We welcome and fully support the Special Envoy’s strong statements on Ma’rib.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“We welcome other countries’ announcements of extra funds but call on all donors to play their part and urgently provide funding to the United Nations appeal. We call on all countries that have given money in previous years to do so at the same level this year. A political solution is needed desperately to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and end the conflict for good. As I have said repeatedly in the Council, the United Kingdom fully supports the painstaking and patient efforts of Mr. Griffiths. Today I urge the Yemeni parties — by which I mean the Government of Yemen just as much as the Houthis — to cooperate with him and to agree to his proposals as soon as possible. The window of opportunity to end this conflict will close. It is in the hands of the parties to work with Mr. Griffiths and reach an agreement.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“As we have heard, famine is now a realistic prospect in Yemen this year. In addition to economic support, the key action the international community can take to prevent famine is to urgently provide significant funding to the United Nations humanitarian appeal. With the General Assembly high-level annual debate fast approaching, the United Nations has received only $900 million this year, as compared to around $2.6 billion at this point last year. This funding gap is curtailing the humanitarian response, and 7 million people will stop receiving food if new funding is not in place by October. In response to this funding crisis, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary announced £25 million in funding for Yemen earlier this month, in addition to what the United Kingdom has already pledged.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“It is vital that public health mitigation efforts continue, and we call on all Yemeni parties to report cases transparently, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access and facilitate the response of the United Nations. The indirect effects of COVID-19, including on Yemen’s fragile economy, will have a far longer-lasting impact. Yemen’s currency has collapsed to record lows, leading food prices to rise by over 20 per cent since January. Urgent external financial assistance to the Central Bank is now needed to stabilize prices and enable more people to afford food. In the light of this economic crisis, recent food security and economic data suggest that conditions in Yemen already mirror, or are even worse than, those of late 2018, when pockets of famine were last identified across the country.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“Let me thank Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General Mark Lowcock for their briefings. I would also like to thank the Yemenis who today, through Mr. Lowcock, have spoken to the Security Council. It is because the situation is so desperate for Yemenis like those who spoke that the Security Council and the parties on the ground need to act. We are extremely concerned that the humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to plunge to new depths as the country battles an economic crisis, an increasing risk of famine and a major outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). While we assess that Yemen is over the initial COVID-19 peak, we are concerned about the potential for new waves of infection and even more deaths.”
2020-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8757 (2020) · source
“It must be a clear expectation of all of us in the Council that we expect the Yemeni parties to resolve the outstanding issues swiftly and to agree a ceasefire and a political process. Let us all resolve to use all the tools at our disposal to achieve them.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“This month in the Council, we also focused on the devastating impact of an oil leak from the FSO SAFER tanker (see S/2020/721), as set out earlier by Mark Lowcock. Although the Houthis have repeatedly agreed in principle to United Nations assistance, they have proved unwilling to take that forward in practice, instead imposing preconditions and linking it with other issues. After 14 days, the experts’ visas have not been approved. The Houthis momentarily approved them, only to cancel them the same day, claiming that was done in error. I urge the Houthis to facilitate the experts in that work. Anything less is extremely reckless. Let me conclude by echoing Martin Griffiths’s warning over negotiations slipping away from us.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“This behaviour has cast doubt over their intentions, and the escalations have resulted in civilians dying in missile and air attacks. The Houthis must cease such provocations. I welcome the close coordination of Security Council members, both here and in the region, in their support to Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. We must remain resolute and unified in our message to the Yemeni parties — to all Yemeni parties — that now is the time to cease hostilities and agree to the proposals on the table. There was a welcome announcement this week that the Saudi mediation has led to renewed impetus to implement the Riyadh agreement. I must stress the importance of its swift implementation, including the formation of a joint delegation for the United Nations- led peace process.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“We are also extremely concerned about the developing threat from desert locusts. We understand that favourable breeding conditions have existed owing to the heavy rain. There needs to be access to evaluate the options, including spraying, in order to mitigate this problem. The impact will be severe, not only in Yemen but also, potentially, across Africa and in Asia. We would welcome any update that Mark Lowcock can provide in the closed consultations. The risk of famine makes it all the more important that the Yemeni parties reach the necessary compromises to urgently agree a nationwide ceasefire and a comprehensive political process to end the war once and for all. While negotiations continue, the Houthis’ offensive on Ma’rib and cross-border attacks in Saudi Arabia have provoked an escalation in the conflict.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“The second action is to provide financial assistance to the Central Bank of Yemen so that it has sufficient hard currency to sustain food imports. That will be decisive to preventing a further collapse of household incomes and to stabilizing prices. The Government of Yemen has a role to play in that regard. We call on it to develop a credible and transparent plan that reassures donors and includes the payment of public salaries. The United Kingdom is responding through that $200-million funding commitment to the United Nations this year. We expect to conduct more than 700,000 medical consultations for a range of health conditions, train 1,500 health-care workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment and ensure a much- needed boost to nearly 600 health centres in order to continue delivering existing health services.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“There are two key actions the international community can take to prevent a disastrous famine from being realized in Yemen this year. First is to urgently provide significant funding to the United Nations humanitarian appeal. The United Nations has received only $800 million this year, compared with $2.6 billion at this point last year. This gap is hindering, or crippling, the humanitarian response, with 12 of the 38 major United Nations programmes, including for food assistance, already forced to scale back. In response, the United Kingdom has already disbursed over 50 per cent of its £160 million, that is, $200 million, of funding in Yemen this year. We urge all donors to now step up and provide significant humanitarian funding to the United Nations.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“We call on all Yemeni parties to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access, report cases transparently and facilitate the United Nations response. I am extremely concerned that the recent food security assessment for southern Yemen projects the fact that an additional 1.2 million people will be facing food insecurity this year. I note that the Houthis have obstructed the assessment in the north. This situation is driven by economic contraction. Yemen’s currency is continuing to depreciate to staggering new lows this year, with food prices rising by more than 10 per cent in June alone. Let us be frank with each other — famine is now a realistic prospect, as Mark Lowcock has made only too clear. As we heard, this will disproportionately affect those who are already marginalized, particularly persons with disabilities.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“I thank all our briefers. I hear what you say, Mr. President, about interactivity, but this is an open meeting, and we have not had one for a couple of months, so please excuse me if I set out the United Kingdom’s position. I promise that we will be interactive in consultations. The United Kingdom is extremely concerned that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is compounding an already devastating humanitarian situation in Yemen. The officially reported cases do not represent the reality. Modelling shows that in a worst case scenario, 85,000 Yemenis could die. We are frustrated that the Houthis, in particular, are not reporting cases, have resisted implementing many mitigation measures and are preventing critical health activities from taking place, including vaccinations.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8753 (2020) · source
“Such progress is vital to improving security for the people of the Central African Republic, combating the risk of arms proliferation and helping to ensure a peaceful, free and fair electoral process.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8750 (2020) · source
“Although we recognize and respect the desire of the Government of the Central African Republic to ease restrictions, we, like others, are concerned by the further easing of the arms embargo contained in the resolution. That risks contributing to the proliferation of rocket-propelled grenades within the Central African Republic and the wider region. We therefore encourage the Government of the Central African Republic to accelerate its efforts to meet the benchmarks and to take responsibility for ensuring effective storage and management of weapons and ammunition. The Council’s consensus on returning to an annual cycle for the renewal of these measures provides the Government with a clear window in which real progress can be made.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8750 (2020) · source
“I would like to start by aligning myself with the statement made by the representative of the United States. We welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2536 (2020), renewing the targeted sanctions and arms embargo aimed at curbing the armed groups that continue to perpetrate violence in the Central African Republic. Such unity on a 12-month renewal is particularly welcome as we approach elections in the Central African Republic later this year. We thank France for its efforts to achieve this outcome. We support the Government of the Central African Republic as it pursues security sector reform and the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process. We welcome the progress made so far in delivering on the benchmarks set by the Council in April 2019.”
2020-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8750 (2020) · source
“Mass stigmatization or repression of a minority or a religion is only likely to fuel grievances and create a narrative that can further radicalize individuals, locally and globally. Let me conclude by saying that the threat picture is changing in Africa, and terrorists everywhere continue to adapt their techniques and operations. We see a fast-evolving situation on the continent, with violent extremism spreading outside of terrorist- affected countries and incipient groups forming in new locations. That will have major long-term implications, not just for the continent but also for security and prosperity more widely. The United Kingdom stands by our African partners and friends in this fight. It is one that we must win.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Let me draw to an end by saying that the nature of the threat today calls for not just a whole-of- Government but also a whole-of-society approach, based on strong partnerships among Governments, communities and international and regional actors. But we also know that measures that infringe upon human rights and put citizens at odds with their own Government can exacerbate tensions and fuel radicalization and recruitment by terrorist groups. While States have legitimate concerns about terrorism, we must stress that all responses must be proportionate. As we so often reiterate in the Council’s resolutions, measures must not foster association between terrorism and any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. That is not just what is the right thing to do, but it is the most effective approach.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“I am therefore not going to respond to the Russian representative’s political points. But I do want to say that, when I listen to the concerns that he expressed, I want to reassure our Russian friends that the prevention of violent extremism — the prevention agenda — can never be an externally driven approach. It can work only in cooperation with States, whether at the national level or the local level, and it is not a dichotomy between the two. State involvement and community involvement should not be thought of as exclusive. I hope that provides some reassurance as to the United Kingdom’s view on the approach that we are trying to take.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Prevention needs to be, above all, a local endeavour, taking account of local factors and developed with local communities and local authorities. What works in London will not necessarily work in Manchester. What is needed in Eastleigh will not necessarily be what is needed in Mombasa. Earlier I talked about counter-terrorism being a common cause, even when relations between countries are difficult. I can say, as the Foreign Office’s National Security Director, that I also had the honour to visit Moscow, and I have regularly discussed this issue with my Russian colleagues. I feel that it is important to keep dialogue open and work together on counter- terrorism issues. We have enough arguments with our Russian friends here, and I do not see any need to do so on this issue.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Of course, security is vital, and, in all our countries, it is crucial that we provide a proportionate security response to stopping attacks and arresting known terrorists. But it is not of itself sufficient. An issue we face in many countries is the provision of essential services by terrorist groups in particular areas. Our approach must therefore be security-led, while providing services and ensuring a positive impact in communities. What about those whom our security forces have not been able to individually identify as terrorists or as conducting terrorist attacks? That is where the prevention agenda comes into play to prevent people from becoming or supporting terrorists or violent extremists. I want to stress Rosemary DiCarlo’s point here: there cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“I would also say, if I may, as the Foreign Office’s National Security Director, I took control of the Government’s response to the attacks in Tunis and Sousse, where over 30 British nationals were killed. We have worked tirelessly since with our Tunisian friends to build capacity and support their — and I stress the word “their” — security priorities. Elsewhere, we are also working with local law enforcement and criminal justice officials across different African countries to build robust cases based on evidence to process those terrorist cases through the court system to hopefully achieve conviction and imprisonment and develop rule-of-law-based operational responses. As highlighted by the presidential statement we adopted today, tackling terrorism is not simply a matter of security.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“For our part, the United Kingdom supports counter-terrorism capacity-building projects through bilateral programmes in countries throughout Africa, which tackle different dimensions of counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism, including through development, police, military and other forms of security cooperation. A few examples, if I might, are as follow. In East Africa, we have been working with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to construct detention facilities in Somalia, in line with international standards, while in Kenya, we are collaborating to strengthen crisis response and crime-scene management. In West Africa, we are working with prosecutors in Nigeria on counter- terrorism cases at the pretrial stage, with the aim of a higher conviction rate, and we have collaborated on aviation security.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“We stress the important role of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in working with States to strengthen compliance with counter-terrorism obligations and identify technical assistance needs. We encourage the Office of Counter-Terrorism, the United Nations Development Programme and others to follow up on CTED’s recommendations and help Member States to strengthen their capacities. We believe that the United Nations should continue to work to enhance capacity-building efforts in Africa, which also complement bilateral support given by members of the Council and other States Members of the United Nations.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Having the right mechanisms and partnerships in place is key to ensuring that we can exchange information about plots and ensure that the perpetrators can be arrested, investigated and prosecuted, in accordance with national and international legal obligations. Too often, information-sharing, even within Governments, is inadequate, let alone between countries. But there is a simple equation: the greater the information-sharing and cooperation, the worst terrorists do. I am afraid that the inverse is also true. Relations between countries can be complex, but terrorism should always be a common cause. The Security Council has developed a robust counter-terrorism framework. Member States must continue to implement relevant resolutions.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“As we have heard previously in this Chamber, the terrorist threat in Africa is rapidly evolving, and the threat of foreign terrorist fighters and returnees highlights the risks posed by Da’esh and Al-Qaida affiliates, including groups in Mali, the Niger and Burkina Faso, among others. We are very pleased that the United Nations has listed the Islamic State West Africa Province and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara under the sanctions regime of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). But we also know that the threat of terrorism does not follow boundaries. The United Kingdom therefore stresses the value of international and regional cooperation to identify threats, strengthen responses and ensure that those responses align with international norms and standards.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“We are grateful to China for organizing this meeting on an extremely important topic, and we very much welcome today’s adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2020/5. We are pleased in particular that it recognizes the importance of a holistic approach, regional strategies and action plans, as well as the importance of human rights, the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism and tackling that, and the importance of building inclusive and meaningful partnerships to counter- terrorism, bring perpetrators to justice and prevent violent extremism. It is relevant not only to Africa, but beyond. I also thank our briefers for their very rich and informative presentations.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“True leadership means being able to make compromises for the good of their people. I applaud them for that. But this is just the beginning. We need them and all South Sudanese politicians to demonstrate true leadership now. The hard work is just starting.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“It has been a very difficult time but the strong interest and focus, including our recent visit, have been important elements in support of peace. As a Council, we need to maintain that interest and focus. On the Security Council visit, I vividly recall the words of one of the representatives of civil society whom we met regarding South Sudan’s parties. The representative said: “When they are united, they loot us. When they are divided, they kill us. It is better that they are united.” The people of South Sudan deserve a world in which they are not in danger and in which they are able to fulfil their potential and live their lives to the fullest. As we say for all on the planet, let no one be left behind. The President and Vice-President have shown leadership to reach this point.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“The Council must remain alert to the risks. History has shown that the violence in South Sudan can rapidly escalate. In addition to the sustained commitment of the new Government, we therefore believe that the international efforts that we have recently seen reap such benefits and dividends must remain present with South Sudan in order to provide a conducive environment for sustainable peace. As part of that, we believe that it is important to maintain the sanctions regime to discourage any potential spoilers of the peace, as well as the arms embargo, which exists for the protection of the people of South Sudan. Necessary exemptions must of course be applied in the correct way. The Security Council has stood with South Sudan over the past years and months.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“In that regard, I would simply say that the 35 per cent quota should be the floor, not the ceiling. I welcome Ms. Sunday’s comments in general, and I particularly agree with her that South Sudan’s natural resource wealth should be used in support of its people, including girls’ education as a priority. The tasks that should have been completed during the pre-transition phase must now be addressed. That includes with regard to unifying forces and cantonment. Partial implementation would bring new security challenges, which must not happen. We would like to see full transparency in that regard, including concerning funds that have already been disbursed. Efforts to address the increasing levels of intercommunal violence and immediate steps to tackle the humanitarian situation would show the Government prioritizing its people.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to stand by South Sudan and its people in this endeavour. We remain one of the largest humanitarian donors. Last year the United Kingdom gave more than $220 million in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan. As I have said, recent steps are only the start of the next phase of delivering change for the people of South Sudan. Our hope is that this spirit of compromise will continue and swift progress will be made to address the many challenges ahead. Most immediately, we need to see the timely formation of an inclusive Government, with positions and portfolios allocated. One very concrete step that could be taken would be to ensure the meaningful participation of women, as Ms. Sunday made clear, both in this Government and in South Sudan’s future.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“However, he left out one person, so I wish to thank him personally for all that he has done. But let me also echo Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer’s words of caution. It is really important that the dividends of this progress be felt by the wider population. That has not yet happened. Our focus remains on helping the people of South Sudan to lead their lives free from hunger, violence and fear. Only through the genuine implementation of the commitments made by all sides will South Sudan move forward. Let us not forget that this conflict has killed nearly 400,000 people; left 7.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance; and has seen sexual and gender-based violence used as a weapon of war, more than 4 million people displaced and some 6.5 million people at risk of acute food insecurity.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“The people of South Sudan have long awaited this important step, and the people of the United Kingdom join them in celebrating that important progress. Let me therefore salute the leadership shown by President Kiir and First Vice-President Machar in making the necessary compromises, including on the number and composition of states in particular. Putting the people of South Sudan first is what matters and is their test of leadership. Let me also praise the role of the region in the efforts to bring the parties together. I agree wholeheartedly with the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on the important unity shown and efforts made by the subregion and beyond. Thanks are due widely, as he said, reflecting the wide concern and interest of the international community.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“May I say, Sir, how good it is to see you in the presidency during what I think is your last month with us in the Council, so it is very nice to see you there. Let me also thank Special Representative Shearer for his briefing and all he has done. I would also like to thank Ms. Sunday for her very insightful briefing and her continued efforts to seek justice and accountability for women in South Sudan. It was an inspirational part of our recent visit to Juba to meet her and her fellow civil-society activists, and I am pleased to hear from her that the Council’s interest then has helped her locally to open that space. Let me start, like others, by welcoming the very positive news of the decision of the South Sudanese parties to form the Transitional Government of National Unity.”
2020-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8741 (2020) · source
“We must therefore support the United Nations and Special Envoy Pedersen in securing a ceasefire in north-west Syria, in close consultation with the relevant parties and the Security Council. We call on all Member States to work with and support the United Nations in achieving this goal. Responding to Syria’s and Russia’s increased offensive against the Syrian people, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said today that: “There is no justification for such blatant disregard for international law or basic human decency”. Syria and Russia must immediately turn off this offensive. Russia should prioritize the Syrian people and the safety of the region over the interests of the murderous cabal at the heart of this conflict.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“It is the civilians, in desperate need of food, water, health care and assistance to survive the cold of winter, who suffer the most. It is vital that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to be able to deliver cross-border aid and that humanitarian and medical actors are able to provide assistance to all those in need in the north-west in safety. As we have said before, it is clear that the Astana format is not capable of achieving a lasting cease-fire. The fatal flaw in the Astana format is Russia’s uncritical support for the Syrian regime and its continued disregard for previously agreed ceasefires and agreements, as well as its disregard for international humanitarian law and the fate of Syria’s people.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“It is clear that the only way forward is an immediate cessation of hostilities and provision of humanitarian relief. I hope that all members of the Council will agree with that today. Let me say that we were shocked and appalled to hear of the tragic deaths of at least 33 Turkish soldiers as a result of those attacks yesterday. We condemn those attacks, and we express our deepest condolences to the Turkish Government and people, with whom we stand in solidarity as allies today. We are gravely concerned about the impact on civilians of any further escalation in hostilities. The bombing, shelling and fighting not only directly cause civilian suffering, but they also hamper the aid effort, magnifying the scale of this disaster.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“We called in the name of humanity for those waging this offensive immediately to cease hostilities. Yesterday we warned of the recklessness and brutality of the Syrian and Russian offensive and the risk that they could escalate conflict further. It is therefore with deep concern and regret that because of those reckless and reprehensible attacks on Turkish positions only hours after the conclusion of yesterday’s meeting, it has been necessary to call another meeting today. But meet we must. As members of the Council, we all have a duty, under the United Nations Charter, to take primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and therefore to seek to prevent further escalation of what is already a dangerous and fraught situation.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“We welcome the attendance and briefing by the Secretary-General today and, of course, by Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo. We share the Secretary-General’s concern at the gravity of the situation and the real risk of escalation and echo his call for an immediate ceasefire. The Council has met so often over the past few weeks to express its horror at the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Idlib. Indeed, we met only yesterday to discuss the suffering of the Syrian people, caused by the merciless and disproportionate campaign being waged by the Syrian regime and its Russian backers — the 948,000 people displaced in the last three months, the men, women and children living in tents in the open air, the children literally freezing to death and killed in attacks on hospitals, schools and makeshift camps.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“Together, we can work to stop the flow of arms, improvised explosive device components and illicit finance to Al-Shabaab and other armed groups that threaten Somalia’s stability. We also call for progress in agreeing individual designations under the Somalia sanctions regime, in particular those proposed in October 2019. Those listings represent an important element in ensuring that the sanctions regime has an impact. Somalia and its international supporters face a huge task in the coming years in delivering the full transition to Somali-led security. The United Kingdom will continue to stand firmly alongside Somalia, the United Nations and regional partners in those efforts.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8735 (2020) · source
“We welcome the Federal Government of Somalia’s recent engagement with the Panel of Experts and the Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia, including constructive meetings with the new Coordinator of the Panel and a visit by the Committee in January 2020, on which we have just been briefed. We hope that that engagement can continue with the support of the international community to enable continued progress in building long-term stability and security in Somalia and we look forward to a visit to Somalia by the other members of the Panel in the near future. We are currently at a critical juncture in the long- term future of Somalia’s security.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8735 (2020) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for your briefing this afternoon. The Somalia sanctions regime represents a shared effort by Somalia and its international partners to tackle the greatest threats to Somalia’s peace and security and to support long-term security sector reform. Its nature as a partial embargo means that the Federal Government of Somalia is able to access the equipment and training needed to tackle the scourge of Al-Shabaab. We greatly welcome the support provided by Council members in that regard. We strongly condemn the continued attacks by Al-Shabaab, which take lives in Somalia and beyond. At this point, I wish to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the Somali armed forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8735 (2020) · source
“Russia’s contribution to Syria has been through military hardware and bombs on his people, not development aid, and that will have to change. We are facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the worst conflict in the world. Innocent men, women and children are dying and will die if nothing is done. It is in the hands of Syria and Russia to take or to save lives. It is their choice. The human and humane thing to do is to cease the fighting and let the aid workers and medics in to act. It is in their hands.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“Since the conflict began, the United Kingdom has committed over $4 billion of humanitarian funding in response to the conflict, and we remain committed to providing help to those in need. We want to continue to provide this much-needed assistance. We must be sure that the aid is going to those who need it most, wherever they are, on a principled basis. Therefore, pending clarity about the future of cross-border operations beyond July, and given the clear interference and obstruction of aid by the authorities in Damascus, we will be looking very seriously at this question. As set out in this Chamber before and as others have said today, we will not consider providing any reconstruction assistance until a credible, substantive and genuine political process is firmly under way.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source