YouSaid · the spoken record

Baeriswyl

lines on the record: 694
first: 2013-06-24
most recent: 2023-12-22
sittings or episodes: 128
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

“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank the briefers for their valuable presentations. I would like to express our appreciation to the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif, for guiding the work of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). We look forward to working with his successor upon appointment. We also thank Ms. Giovanie Biha for her work as interim head of the Office. Switzerland has a long-standing commitment to peace and development alongside the countries of the Sahel. Our priorities — the protection of civilians, sustainable peace and climate security — are at the heart of the Office’s activities. The people of West Africa and the Sahel face multiple challenges.”
2023-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9238 (2023) · source
“Lastly, it remains clear that a political solution to the conflict in line with resolution 2254 (2015) must be found to improve overall living conditions in Syria. In our role as co-penholders with Brazil, we are guided by the humanitarian needs of the Syrian population and the universal principles represented by the United Nations and its agencies and partners. Today’s adoption is an important step to ensure that crucial life-saving aid continues to reach those in need. We will work in a spirit of shared responsibility with all Council members and engage with partners on the ground towards achieving that objective in the future.”
2023-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9237 (2023) · source
“It extends a crucial lifeline to the civilian population in north-west Syria, whose needs are greater than ever, and allows humanitarian actors to continue providing both life-saving and early- recovery assistance at scale. Rapid, unimpeded and sustainable access is needed. We call on all parties to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. We once again express our particular gratitude to the previous co-penholders, Ireland and Norway, for their tireless work on this file over the past two years and for their diligent engagement paving the way for today’s adoption. We also note with satisfaction the continued and united support by the elected members of the Council as we pass the baton from 2022 to 2023.”
2023-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9237 (2023) · source
“I am delivering this statement on behalf of Brazil and Switzerland, as the co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file. We welcome today’s unanimous adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2672 (2023), confirming the continuation of the mandate for the humanitarian cross-border mechanism in north-west Syria. It comes at a time when the 4.1 million people in need of assistance in north-west Syria are facing harsh winter conditions. I therefore want to warmly thank all Council members for their support. The resolution enables humanitarian actors, particularly the United Nations and its agencies, to continue to reach those in need in a coordinated and carefully monitored manner.”
2023-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9237 (2023) · source
“We are aware of the risk of escalation and the negative consequences that would have for peace and security in the region and beyond. We hope that this meeting will reaffirm the need to preserve the historic status quo and help to prevent further tensions. Switzerland calls on all parties to respect international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. We also encourage the parties to address the root causes of the conflict and restore a political horizon for a negotiated two-State solution. Switzerland is at their disposal to facilitate a resumption of a credible dialogue in that regard.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9236 (2023) · source
“We welcomed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s affirmation of that commitment on 3 January, and Switzerland calls on all the parties to demonstrate their commitment in that regard in practice. In an already tense context, particularly due to the record number of Palestinian civilian deaths last year and the deadly attacks in Israel, the visit of the new Israeli Minister of National Security to the Esplanade of Mosques on Tuesday is cause for concern. Such unilateral actions threaten to disrupt the status quo on the Temple Mount/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and thereby destabilize the entire region. We call on the leaders of all parties to avoid inflammatory and provocative language that could exacerbate the conflict and provoke further violence.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9236 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this emergency meeting. I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing and assessment of the situation. During its term as an elected member, Switzerland will work to promote peace in the region, based on a two- State solution negotiated by both sides in accordance with international law and the internationally agreed parameters, including Security Council resolutions. In line with that position, Switzerland stresses the need to preserve the historical status quo on the Al-Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount, including respecting the role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as Custodian of the Holy Sites.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9236 (2023) · source
“Resolution 2118 (2013) was adopted unanimously. Through it, the Security Council made a clear commitment to ensure the non-use of chemical weapons in Syria. For almost 10 years, regular Council meetings have served to remind us of a central issue — preventing the development, production, stockpiling, use and transfer of such weapons and ensuring their destruction. Those who use such weapons must be brought to justice; their impunity is unacceptable. That principle remains crucial today. Switzerland will continue to take the strongest possible stance against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances. Our collective security and the credibility of the instruments of the disarmament and non-proliferation architecture that guarantee depend on it.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“Their work is fundamental, and their integrity and professionalism are beyond doubt. Switzerland wishes to stress its full confidence in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and its support for all its missions. Since April 2021, the experts of the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team have been unable to enter Syria. That is of great concern to us. We call on Syria to allow the Team unhindered access to its territory so that it can carry out the necessary investigations and verifications. We are still not certain that the chemical-weapons stockpiles have been completely eliminated. There are currently 20 outstanding issues in that regard, and only four have been resolved in almost 10 years. All those obstacles must be removed without delay in order to verify Syria’s initial declaration.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“Ratified by almost all States, including Syria in 2013, the Convention offers overall protection against the threats and devastating effects of chemical weapons. However, over the past decade, its obligations have been repeatedly violated, particularly in Syria. We call on Syria to comply with its obligations as a State party and under resolution 2118 (2013). One such obligation is Syria’s full cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The OPCW’s monitoring activities play a key role in achieving the common goal of States — to completely exclude the possibility of the use of chemical weapons. To that end, the organization’s fact-finding missions and investigation and identification teams must be able to operate on the ground.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to wish you, Mr. President, all the best for your presidency. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the members of the Security Council for the kind words of welcome addressed to Switzerland and the other incoming States. We look forward to working with them and wish them every success. I thank Mr. Ebo, Deputy to the High Representative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, for his detailed briefing. As we begin our term in the Security Council, Switzerland wishes to affirm its unwavering commitment to respect for international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. Throughout our presence in the Council, we will work to support this important pillar of our collective security.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“Projects that link the security, humanitarian and development pillars can provide opportunities, particularly for young people, to become peacebuilders. What is the role of the Security Council? First, it must encourage joint action by multiple actors, for example by systematically seeking support from the Peacebuilding Commission. Secondly, it needs to speak out, including on the predictable and sustainable funding of United Nations missions and regional organizations. Above all, it needs to shape mandates that take into account the many challenges and enable missions to act directly and interact effectively with other actors in combating the root causes of violence. Resilience must, in turn, be encouraged and supported, but it cannot be demanded without collective action against violence.”
2022-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9181 (2022) · source
“Close cooperation between the Resident Coordinator Office and the mission leadership is a key aspect of that, as is coordination with the various donors and international financial institutions, such as the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund. We also encourage the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund to fully play its role as a convener within the United Nations system. We commend its written recommendations for this open debate, which warrant our close attention. Finally, the local population must be committed to the objectives of peacekeeping missions, with the equal and meaningful participation of women. Good strategic communication, as well as an effective response to the expectations of the civilian population, is the basis for that acceptance.”
2022-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9181 (2022) · source
“First, peacekeeping missions can promote prevention that addresses the root causes of violence. The affected population, in particular women, who are too often left out, must be able to engage in a substantive and relevant dialogue with local authorities on good governance, human rights and the rule of law, as well as the security challenges of climate change. In that regard, we are very grateful to Ghana for hosting the first Regional Course on the Prevention of Violent Extremism in West Africa last year, which Switzerland had the honour of organizing with the African Union. Secondly, coherent action by the United Nations system is of great importance, and the effective integration of actors becomes crucial during the transition of peacekeeping operations.”
2022-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9181 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I warmly thank you, Madam President, for having convened this open debate. Allow me to congratulate Ghana on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council again. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General and all the other briefers for their valuable briefings. Fauziya Abdi Ali, Chair of a network of Kenyan organizations dedicated to the prevention of violent extremism, recently defined resilience as “learning how to change so as not to be changed by external threats”. Resilience can be achieved only if the population is involved in that change. The peacekeeping mechanism must therefore be equipped with tools that are efficient, inclusive and adapted to the reality on the ground. We would like to highlight three aspects of that challenge.”
2022-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9181 (2022) · source
“The Council is regularly briefed by women peacemakers and human rights defenders. It is essential for the Council not only to rely on the resilience of those women but also to take action to fully implement the normative framework of the women and peace and security agenda, to which my country will contribute.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We will focus on women’s participation in peace processes and continue to listen to the voices of civil society. Finally, the success of all those efforts hinges on ensuring a safe environment for women’s participation. The increase in attacks on schools targeting female students and teachers, as well as the large number of incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, signal a disturbing negative trend. Respect for international humanitarian law is an absolute obligation for all actors, including non-State armed groups. When those rights are not respected, the Council must use the instruments at its disposal to ensure accountability. The inclusion of sexual and gender-based violence designation criteria in sanctions regimes is one such tool, and we will therefore lend our support to those efforts.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“In the Council itself, my country will seek to pursue a systematic, innovative and action-oriented approach. We will aim to integrate the women and peace and security agenda in all contexts into the Council’s agenda and to prevent reprisals. In that regard, we will join the women and peace and security presidency shared commitments. With regard to action on the ground, the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/740) illustrates that we are far from achieving the equal and meaningful participation of women in all their diversity and at all stages of peace processes. Switzerland will therefore continue to support the creation of networks of women mediators and peacebuilders, such as those in Lebanon, where we support networking efforts among women from different political backgrounds.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Women courageously engage in conflict prevention and resolution as well as in efforts for reconstruction, humanitarian aid and justice. In many countries, they are at the forefront of movements against authoritarian regimes and refuse to accept political proposals that do not guarantee their rights. Nevertheless, we are seeing challenges to our gender-equality gains. The gap between normative frameworks and reality continues to widen, while women are missing out on opportunities to invest their immense potential in the future of their countries. Relying primarily on women’s resilience is neither sustainable nor fair. The Security Council has both the duty and the power to support women peacemakers and ensure that their rights are respected. As an elected member of the Security Council, Switzerland will make the following contributions.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to warmly thank the President for organizing today’s open debate, and the briefers for their valuable contributions. The world is full of suffering, but it is also full of overcoming — that is how women’s rights activist Helen Keller described resilience. The Afghan author Homeira Qaderi also illustrates that in her memoir Dancing in the Mosque, in which she recounts her adolescence in Herat under the Taliban regime, where she managed, clandestinely, to teach young girls and become a literary scholar herself. Homeira Qaderi is exceptional, but she is not an exception. Women are very often on the front line of peacebuilding in their communities, not only in Afghanistan but also in Myanmar, the Sahel and Ukraine, to give only a few examples.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The situation of children in these new contexts, as in all countries mentioned in the report, must receive the necessary attention from the Council. Let us also ensure that there are sufficient human and financial resources for the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on the ground everywhere. To that end, we call on the Council to include child- protection provisions in all relevant mandates and on Member States to allocate the necessary resources. Switzerland calls on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, human rights law and international refugee law. Graça Machel’s aspiration must become a reality. As a future member of the Security Council, Switzerland will continue to work to ensure the protection of children in armed conflict.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096 (2022) · source
“Successful reintegration in turn contributes to sustainable peace. The Peacebuilding Commission should treat reintegration as a priority, also through the theme of mental health and psychosocial support, and keep the Council informed of its deliberations. Thirdly, to protect children in conflict, it is urgent to preserve the independence, impartiality and credibility of the instruments at our disposal. The criteria for listing or delisting parties responsible for grave violations in the annexes to the annual report must be clear, consistent and objective. This year the Secretary-General added Mozambique, Ethiopia and, following the Russian aggression, Ukraine to the list of situations of concern and called for the strengthening of monitoring capacities in the central Sahel region.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096 (2022) · source
“First, internally displaced children and children abroad are particularly vulnerable and exposed to grave violations. We have just heard some examples. Often, these children are also deprived of their fundamental rights, such as the right to education. Switzerland calls for the implementation of Security Council resolution 2601 (2021) which was introduced by Norway and the Niger, on the protection of education in conflict. We also call for the adoption of the Safe Schools Declaration by all States. Secondly, children associated with armed groups must be treated as victims. In line with resolution 2427 (2018), we call on all States Members of the United Nations to prioritize non-judicial measures focused on rehabilitation and reintegration and to use detention only as a last resort.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Brazil for organizing today’s debate, and all the briefers for their valuable briefings. “Children are both our reason to struggle to eliminate the worst aspects of warfare, and our best hope for succeeding at it.” (A/51/306, para. 6) Those were the words of Graça Machel in her seminal report on the impact of armed conflict on children in 1996. Her words still ring true, as the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/493) demonstrates. We are deeply concerned about the high number of grave violations against children. It is particularly alarming that sexual violence and abductions have increased by 20 per cent. Switzerland would like to highlight three points.”
2022-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9096 (2022) · source
“We welcome the Secretariat’s efforts to develop a general policy in that area. That should emphasize the need to integrate communication into strategic planning with the aim of achieving a proactive and anticipatory communication that contributes to the success of peacekeeping operations. Communication is also important for the Security Council. The inclusion of perspectives from Member States, troop- and police-contributing countries and the Peacebuilding Commission, as well as the voices of women and civil society, makes the Council’s communication transparent and credible, and therefore more effective. As a future member of the Security Council, Switzerland will work towards that goal.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090 (2022) · source
“Communication channels should also be tailored to target groups, including young people — for example, through community liaison teams or social media. Thirdly, action speaks louder than words. A United Nations mission that performs effectively and efficiently contributes to the implementation of its mandate and the safety and security of its staff, but it also communicates its capacity to act. Peacekeeping operations must become even more effective, particularly through training and the implementation of the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System, which allows for the visibility and communication of results. Finally, effective strategic communication requires an enabling framework for its implementation. That framework must advance coordination among the various pillars of peacekeeping operations.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090 (2022) · source
“Peacekeepers are often perceived by the population as the main guarantor of their protection, whereas they are deployed only in support of the Government of the host State. Peacekeeping operations face the challenge of explaining their mandate and the limits of their action. They should understand local concerns, particularly those of women, and respond appropriately in order to prevent additional risks to peacekeepers. That is particularly the case during the transition from a peacekeeping operation to another United Nations presence. Secondly, strategic communication must advance key United Nations agendas and use modern channels. The emphasis on diversity within missions underscores the importance of the equal role that women should play in peace processes.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Allow me first of all to wish you, Mr. President, every success in your presidency of the Security Council. Switzerland thanks you for organizing this open debate, the first of its kind, and the briefers for their valuable contributions. The Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiative emphasizes that strategic communication can promote success, manage expectations and help to address disinformation and hate speech. We commend the Secretariat for prioritizing this topic in the follow-up to A4P+, and would like to highlight the following. First, in several peacekeeping operations we observe a mismatch between the mandate and capabilities, on the one hand, and the expectations of local populations, on the other hand.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090 (2022) · source
“We call on all Member States to join the ACT code of conduct and to support Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Accountability, coherence and transparency are mutually reinforcing principles that must continue to guide improvements in the working methods of the Security Council. The ACT group is committed to doing its part and to actively contributing and supporting any initiative towards that end.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“Recalling that Members of the United Nations have conferred on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the ACT Group calls upon the members of the Council to fulfil all obligations to enable the Council to discharge its responsibilities, to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to act in the collective interests of maintaining international peace and security. We recall that Article 27 limits the participation of Members that are directly involved in a dispute in decisions relating to the peaceful settlement thereof. We deem it crucial to continue investing in creative ways to restore and expand space for dialogue among Council members.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“We commend the regular holding of interactive sessions by the presidency to discuss priorities and to wrap up the month by reflecting on achievements and challenges with the wider membership. Visiting missions by the Council are an important means to gather the views of a broad range of stakeholders and to gain first-hand understanding of dynamics on the ground. We encourage the Council to continue this practice and to debrief the wider membership upon return. We reiterate our call to the Council to make better use of the annual report to provide a more complete, substantive and analytical account of its work to the General Assembly. Thirdly, we urge Council members to use all available formats to forge consensus and to enable action in situations of which the Council is seized as well as in response to emerging threats.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“Secondly, we underline the need for inclusiveness, which is critical for the Council’s effectiveness. The ACT group welcomes the return to in-person participation by the wider membership in Council meetings and remains ready to engage with Council members in exploring creative ways to ensure that open debates are both effective and inclusive. We also hope that the Council will return to a more inclusive approach on the acceptance of rule 37 requests. The possibility for briefers, including civil society representatives, to brief the Council through video- teleconferencing is positive. Member States directly affected by Council decisions should be able to engage in a timely manner and through adequate channels.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“Shared thematic commitments on women, peace and security, which build on the initiative by Ireland, Kenya and Mexico and joined by a growing number of presidencies, have made a tangible contribution to implementation across the Council’s agenda. Letters on working-methods commitments by successive presidencies offer a way to promote agility and institutionalize commitments towards greater effectiveness and transparency. We encourage the continued exploration and use of virtual briefings, including data-based presentations, use of visual aids and/or augmented reality. We reiterate our call to continue the codification of best practices adopted during the coronavirus disease pandemic, with a view to future-proofing the Council against the risks of other crises or major disruptions.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“We welcome the timely transmission of a special report by the Council to the General Assembly in line with Article 24 of the Charter in the first application of this resolution (A/76/853, annex), and if the veto is used in future. The ACT group would like to highlight three areas to strengthen Council working methods. First, we call for a number of innovations to be continued and institutionalized. We recognize the contribution made by elected members to strengthen Council working methods. The ACT group hopes to see the comprehensive digital programme of work promoted by Norway and others, which made the Council’s work more accessible for the wider United Nations membership, become a permanent feature.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“The Security Council’s ability to deliver on its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security is put to the test by disrespect of the United Nations Charter and lack of compliance with international law. Prompt and decisive action by the Security Council is needed to prevent and respond to the devastating consequences of armed conflict for civilians across the globe. By adopting resolution 76/262, the General Assembly underscored the Council’s duty to apply the United Nations Charter to its best effect to prevent and resolve conflict. This new accountability mechanism mobilizes the broader United Nations membership whenever the Council is unable to fulfil its duties because of the use of the veto by a permanent member.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of 26 members of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group, namely, Austria, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Gabon, Ghana, Hungary, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovenia, Sweden, Uruguay and Switzerland. The ACT group remains convinced of the need to consolidate the strengths of Security Council working methods, address fundamental flaws and build on innovations made. We commend the efforts deployed by Albania in its capacity as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate, and we thank the briefers for their important contributions.”
2022-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9079 (2022) · source
“By emphasizing the rights of victims, survivors and their families and the accountability of perpetrators, transitional justice is a powerful tool for preventing the recurrence of violence. As former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, “The battle for freedom and justice is never hopeless, but it is never finally won. Every morning, we must wake up ready to fight it again”. Justice is a common good to be preserved and enhanced. We have a responsibility to put the tools for ensuring accountability to good use. As a candidate to the Security Council, Switzerland remains committed to ensuring that combating impunity is not just words but actions we take together.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052Resumption1 (2022) · source
“If the Council is unable to act, it is imperative to explore other avenues, such as the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 and the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, as well as to establish other instruments such as the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Switzerland calls on Member States to acknowledge and support the work of such independent and impartial mechanisms. Thirdly, accountability should therefore be complemented by other judicial and non-judicial measures related to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Secondly, the Security Council should act in a unified manner to support national, regional and international accountability efforts, In particular, it must refer situations to the ICC and support swift and decisive action to prevent or end atrocity crimes. We recall the importance of the code of conduct developed by Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group and encourage all Member States to join it. We also highlight the importance of General Assembly resolution 76/262, which provides for the convening of the General Assembly following the exercise of the right of veto in the Security Council.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052Resumption1 (2022) · source
“First, States have the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes and violations of international law. They must ensure that violations are documented and that they are independently and impartially investigated and prosecuted, regardless of their perpetrators. To that end, States must use existing tools, such as the relevant tribunals, accountability mechanisms, the exercise of universal jurisdiction and international judicial assistance. Switzerland encourages all Member States to ratify the Rome Statute, cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court (ICC), and support the International Court of Justice and comply with its decisions. We must also develop the tools at our disposal, such as by adopting a convention on crimes against humanity.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): At the outset, let me congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency and wish you and your team good luck. I would like to thank you for organizing this debate on such a critical topic, and I thank the briefers for their invaluable contributions A world without accountability is a world in which impunity replaces the rule of law and peace and security are no longer guaranteed — a reality that is unfortunately experienced by many victims. If impunity is allowed to go unchecked, it encourages new violations. Accountability is therefore crucial to preventing atrocities, and it is incumbent upon States and the Security Council to implement the existing accountability mechanisms, continually refine them and establish new ones where necessary. I should like to underscore three points.”
2022-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9052Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Finding political solutions to armed conflict must be part of our overall approach to ending hunger, ensuring that all people have access to sufficient and adequate food and promoting resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems. As a candidate for the Security Council, my country remains committed to preventing and resolving conflicts in order to break the vicious cycle of hunger and armed conflict.”
2022-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9036Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Valuing the skills of local actors, especially women and young people, is key to addressing the causes of food crises. Thirdly, accountability is essential for deterring potential violators and rendering justice to victims. The Council can now refer situations of internal or international armed conflict to the International Criminal Court when crimes involving famine appear to have been committed. Switzerland encourages the States parties to the Court to ratify the relevant amendment and United Nations Member States to criminalize such acts in their national legislation. While the world produces enough food to feed everyone, equal access to it is lacking and hostilities and violations of international humanitarian law make that worse.”
2022-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9036Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The Council has been united on the fundamental humanitarian norms and principles outlined in resolutions 2417 (2018) and 2573 (2021), which should be implemented in all the situations on the Council’s agenda and translated into legislation for all States. We hope that next week the General Assembly will adopt draft resolution A/76/L.55, on the state of global food insecurity, which Switzerland has sponsored. We also welcome the recommendations of the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance, launched by the Secretary-General to respond in a coherent and coordinated manner to the consequences suffered by the most vulnerable countries as a result of the aggression against Ukraine. We look forward to listening to the second briefing on local actors.”
2022-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9036Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The global projections for food insecurity resulting from Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine should therefore be a greater incentive for us to end that armed conflict and others around the world, all of which bring death, destruction, forced displacement and hunger. We fully support the Secretary-General’s efforts and use of his good offices to silence the guns. To that end, Switzerland would like to highlight three areas for action. First, it is urgent that we redouble our efforts, including within the Security Council, to facilitate humanitarian access without delay or hindrance, ensure respect for international humanitarian law and prevent armed conflict. Secondly, the international community must speak with one voice on food security.”
2022-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9036Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland would like to thank the United States for convening this debate as part of an important week dedicated to this topic. We also want to thank the briefers for their valuable contributions. Conflicts, the climate crisis, the coronavirus disease pandemic and soaring food and fuel prices have created a perfect storm. Those were the words that the World Food Programme used to sound the alarm in its 2022 Global Report on Food Crises. And this crisis will affect us all. The number of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance could reach 323 million this year. Switzerland is particularly concerned about people living in the most precarious circumstances and who are exposed to global market shocks. Armed conflict remains one of the main factors for hunger and malnutrition.”
2022-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9036Resumption1 (2022) · source
“It can also invite them to brief the Council. It can also increase its cooperation with regional organizations, international financial institutions and civil society. Our commitment to the women and peace and security agenda must at the same time be a commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Synergies between the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission must be intensified. Switzerland will continue and strengthen its commitment to the full implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. As a candidate for the Security Council, my country strives to continue to be a plus for peace and a plus for development.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“Thirdly, we welcome the priority the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) gives to funding initiatives that promote the empowerment of women. Switzerland has supported the PBF for many years. We are also a signatory to the Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action Compact. This Compact, which can also be joined by academic institutions and the private sector, is a good example of modern and effective multilateralism. Alongside the national action plans, the role of international cooperation and the work of the United Nations, what is the role of the Security Council and what can it actually do? In fact, it can do a great deal. To improve partnerships — the topic of today’s debate — the Council must promote networks, which it can do during field visits by meeting with women peacebuilders.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“Let me highlight three points. First, Switzerland’s national action plan emphasizes economic empowerment as an important factor for women’s effective participation in political and peace processes. We invite all countries to develop their national action plans and to include a focus on economic empowerment. This empowerment must be done with full respect for human and fundamental rights, as they are universal, indivisible and interdependent. Secondly, strengthening the socioeconomic position of women is a key issue for Swiss cooperation. For example, we support women running small- and medium-sized businesses in many regions of the world. Improving the socioeconomic position of women in their communities broadens their scope for social and political engagement.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source
“We thank the United Arab Emirates for organizing today’s debate and the briefers for their very precious contributions. Many times in my professional life, I have had the opportunity to meet women entrepreneurs who are impressive bridge builders — in Mozambique, Egypt, Nepal, and in my own country. When I asked them what the main obstacle to their full participation in political and peacebuilding processes was, their answers were as diverse as the women I met. Yet, on many occasions, the answers were also surprisingly short and clear: “poverty”. Is this surprising? It is not. Economic empowerment is an important driver for increasing women’s participation in peace processes. It is only through a certain economic independence that we will be able to fully realize our potential for creativity, efficiency and networking for peace.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989 (2022) · source