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

“The observation that the implementation of that resolution is untenable in the current circumstances means that that minimum of humanity is not ensured in Gaza today. Humanitarian aid is an obligation, but it is not an end in itself. It will save lives and bring a little dignity into a conflict that absolutely needs a political solution, in the terms repeatedly emphasized by the Council, and in accordance with international law.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“Respect for international humanitarian law and human rights is a necessity in order to prevent a regional escalation of the conflict, of which we are seeing worrisome signs both in the West Bank and in Lebanon. The humanitarian tradition, to which my country has close ties, was born in the midst of a battlefield and ruins. That tradition advocates the obligation to come to the aid of civilians in need. It is for that reason that Switzerland favourably considers the draft resolution presented by the Emirati delegation and scheduled to be put to the vote this afternoon. Resolution 2712 (2023) conveys that same duty of humanity. It recalls the need to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“The destruction of and damage to civilian infrastructure, including more than 60 per cent of housing units, the collapse of the medical system, the saturation of schools and other structures of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East — which have become places of refuge for more than a million people — has plunged the Gaza Strip into total insecurity. We call for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights while recognizing Israel’s right to ensure its security. We also remind the warring parties of their obligations in the conduct of hostilities, in particular that of respecting the principles of proportionality, distinction and precaution, under all circumstances.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“Switzerland has made respect for international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians in particular, a priority for its mandate on the Security Council. Alongside the Secretary-General, we make the bitter observation that there is “no effective protection of civilians” and that “nowhere is safe” today in Gaza (S/2023/962) — not even for aid workers, medical personnel and injured persons; not even for journalists, the number of victims among whom has risen to more than 63 since 7 October, according to the Media Freedom Coalition; and not even for the 138 hostages, whose immediate and unconditional release we call for. We recall that investigations must be carried out into all violations of international law committed in Israel and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“On a number of occasions, Switzerland has firmly condemned the acts of terror, indiscriminate attacks and taking of hostages perpetrated by Hamas since 7 October. They have claimed more than 1,200 victims in Israel, including many women and young girls, who have been exposed in particular to sexual and gender-based violence. Never in the region has the price paid by the Palestinian civilian populations been so heavy in such a short time. In two months, more than 17,000 Palestinians — 70 per cent of them women and children — have been killed in bombings in Gaza, according to available sources. Switzerland deplores the deaths of thousands of civilians in Israel and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory and expresses its most sincere condolences to the families of all the victims.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s debate in response to the call of the Secretary-General, whose presence in the Council today Switzerland welcomes. The fact that Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations has been invoked for the first time under his mandate is a testament to the tragic situation in the Middle East today. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our sincere condolences with regard to the 130 United Nations personnel who have lost their lives. Switzerland shares the Secretary-General’s concern. The situation could have irreversible consequences for peace and security in the entire region and even beyond. It is therefore imperative that the Security Council be seized of the situation and take action to prevent an even more serious deterioration.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“Finally, choosing prevention and sustainable peace means placing human rights at the heart of our national and multilateral efforts. As the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized during the open debate under the Swiss presidency in May: “respect for human rights is the basis of trust in our fight against threats to peace and security”. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a key opportunity to unite behind that common starting point, as the best antidote to organized crime and violence is a free and dignified life for everyone. Let us make that choice and let us make it now.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Such an analysis enables us to identify context-specific measures for effectively preventing and reducing violence. Ultimately, all our choices and decisions will determine whether organized crime will spread or whether sustainable development and peace will prevail. Each country is invited to make a greater commitment to prevention by adopting a national strategy on the matter. To monitor the implementation of national efforts, the international community can use the review mechanism of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Within the framework of that Convention, each member State is invited to opt for cooperation, with its neighbouring States and within the United Nations, to counter organized crime in the long term. Transnational challenges call for a multilateral response.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“That is why we support, for example, the Nigerian non-governmental organization Women Aid Collective, which is committed to preventing human trafficking and involves traditional and religious leaders, as well as social media influencers. This is also why, at the international level, Switzerland founded, together with Brazil and Sierra Leone, the Pathfinders initiative to promote peaceful and open societies, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Within that framework, my country is committed, alongside 45 other countries, to halving global violence by 2030. To achieve that, we are also relying on scientific research. In 2023, the Pathfinders carried out three national studies on the cost of violence, including one on Switzerland.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Indeed, it all starts with one fundamental choice: to make prevention — the concept at the heart of the New Agenda for Peace — a political priority, as the immediate task is to contain the spread of organized crime. But at the same time, we need to eradicate its roots. Prevention means building the confidence of societies in their institutions, strengthening the democratic framework and the rule of law, respecting human rights without fail — online and offline — and enabling all members of society to become agents of change. Among the latter, women who are often the essential pillars of a resilient community. Switzerland has opted for prevention.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“It is harmful because violence sows fear in societies and erodes their confidence in the capacity of institutions. It is harmful because violence undermines young people’s prospects and increases inequalities between social strata and genders. It is harmful because its criminal structures and patriarchal models of governance reinforce one another and promote sexual and gender- based violence, as evidenced by today’s briefings. That leads us to the following conclusion — we must rely on civil society and the gender perspective to devise relevant risk assessments and targeted responses to organized crime. What other choice can we make to break the cycle of violence engendered by transnational crime?”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting. I also thank Secretary-General Guterres, Executive Director Waly, Professor Cammett and Ms. Nyanjura for their remarks. As we heard, organized crime feeds on violence. It is a harmful cycle that often transcends borders. It undermines the efforts of national Governments and of the Security Council to promote peace and security. The Security Council itself has recognized that. The Geneva-based Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime has done the math — in almost half of its 2022 resolutions, the Council made reference to organized crime and illicit markets. But organized crime and the violence it engenders are not inevitable. It is up to us, as political leaders, to deprive this harmful weed of its breeding ground.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“We must all contribute to rebuilding — without further delay — the bedrock of two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, within secure and recognized borders.”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“We also recall that Israel is bound by international humanitarian law to guarantee, to the fullest extent possible, the satisfaction of the basic needs of the population throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. It must also respect and protect human rights. Independent investigations must be conducted into all violations of international law in Israel and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice. The Council must unite around the bedrock of the two-State solution, which is the only solution that can guarantee peace and stability in the region. We also heard the appeal to bring on board the voices and contributions of Palestinian and Israeli women, as called for by resolution 1325 (2000).”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“The impact of the conflict on women and girls also deserves our full attention, as we have just heard from the Executive Directors of UN-Women and the UNFPA. Access to medical care is essential, in particular for pregnant women. We must avoid at all costs an even more serious escalation or even a spreading of the conflict in the region. We see worrisome signs of that in both the West Bank and Lebanon. In the West Bank, Switzerland recalls that in the context of operations by the Israeli security forces, the use of force must in particular meet the criterion of proportionality and respect the rights of every individual to life and security of person.”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“My country also remains deeply concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian situation and its impact on all civilians. In Gaza, the health situation is deteriorating very quickly, in particular for the 1.7 million displaced persons, of whom again many are children. Switzerland has allocated $100 million in emergency aid to the region. We recall that all civilians, the wounded and sick, humanitarian and medical personnel and civilian infrastructure —including the schools of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East — are protected by international humanitarian law. All civilians must have access to services essential to their survival, such as drinking water, food and electricity.”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“Switzerland remains deeply concerned by the high number of civilian casualties in Israel and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory since the acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October, which we strongly condemned. We heard that two thirds of the victims are women and children. As the Executive Director of UN-Women told us, two mothers are killed every hour, seven women every two hours. That high number is unacceptable. Given their vulnerability and specific needs, the protection of children is of paramount importance. While recognizing Israel’s right to ensure its own defence and security, Switzerland has consistently called on the parties to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“That includes the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages still being held by Hamas and other groups in appalling conditions in Gaza, as well as the observance of pauses to allow the rapid, safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians through all possible crossing points. Allow me also to thank the Executive Directors of UN-Women, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Sima Sami Bahous, Catherine Russell and Natalia Kanem, for their poignant testimonies, which we will not soon forget. We also thank the Head of UNICEF for her visit to Gaza last week. I would also like to thank all those involved, in particular the World Health Organization, for the rescue last weekend of 31 newborn babies from Al Shifa Hospital.”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this meeting, devoted in particular to the situation of women and children in the context of the Middle East conflict. We are today accompanied by a glimmer of hope. Switzerland welcomes the agreement enabling the release of 50 hostages and the establishment of a four- day humanitarian truce. We thank all the countries that have contributed to the agreement, in particular Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and wish the freed hostages and their families a speedy reunion and wish the hostages a speedy recovery from their physical and psychological wounds. We call for the full implementation of resolution 2712 (2023), adopted a week ago by the Council, which stresses the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.”
2023-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9484 (2023) · source
“Finally, I underline Switzerland’s support for the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian programme. Just a few days before the second summit, we are looking forward to being able to continue today’s discussions in Kyiv. We will continue our commitment to global food security and to meeting urgent humanitarian needs. Together, we can return the mined land and destroyed infrastructure to their original state: a sea of grain fields — because hunger should never be used as a weapon of war.”
2023-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9483 (2023) · source
“Nearly 33 million tons of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported under the Black Sea Grain Initiative. We regret that by withdrawing from the Initiative, Russia has extinguished this beacon of hope. Since then, more than 150 ships have used the humanitarian corridor launched by Ukraine in the Black Sea. We call on all parties to refrain from any action that could harm civilian shipping, as happened on 8 November. We also express our gratitude to the World Food Programme (WFP), present with us today virtually. Its activities, in particular food distribution, cash assistance and, in Ukraine, the agricultural demining that we heard about, are essential to supporting vulnerable people. Switzerland is proud to have supported the WFP’s efforts with almost $15 million since February 2022.”
2023-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9483 (2023) · source
“We reiterate our call for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights. We want to remind everyone that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on goods essential to the survival of the civilian population. The serious damage that has been done to civilian property and objects, and the interruption of essential services such as water, electricity and heating, are particularly alarming as another winter season approaches. Those attacks must stop immediately. As the impact of Russia’s military aggression is felt around the world, we commend all the actors — including Ukraine itself — that are working tirelessly to help those suffering from food insecurity. Switzerland thanks the Secretary-General for giving priority to securing exports via the Black Sea.”
2023-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9483 (2023) · source
“As we have heard, one third of the country is potentially contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance, and targeted Russian attacks are destroying Ukraine’s Black Sea grain and port infrastructure. Switzerland is deeply concerned about the adverse consequences of those actions for food security, first and foremost in Ukraine but also throughout the whole world, especially in the most vulnerable countries. At a time when one in 10 people worldwide are suffering from chronic hunger, everything must be done to restore and protect Ukraine’s capacity to stabilize supply chains. There is a simple solution for that. With a view to protecting the right to food worldwide, we once again urge Russia to cease its combat operations and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.”
2023-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9483 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I join my colleagues in thanking Assistant Secretary- General Jenča and the World Food Programme representative and country director in Ukraine, Mr. Matthew Hollingworth, for their briefings. On the ninetieth anniversary of the Holodomor, I too would first like to pay tribute to the millions of victims of that great famine caused by the Soviet regime. Our thoughts are with the victims and above all with the Ukrainian people, who commemorate this wound to their soul every year. Ukraine is the breadbasket of the world. In normal times, it can feed 400 million people a year by itself. The combat operations that have been ongoing since the start of the Russian military aggression have affected some of the country’s best agricultural land.”
2023-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9483 (2023) · source
“We welcome the Secretary-General’s letter (S/2023/849) announcing an independent strategic review of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, led by Ian Martin, and hope that its recommendations will provide the Council with specific options for a viable and context- sensitive configuration. We will engage constructively in the discussions ahead.”
2023-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9480 (2023) · source
“Those efforts must be closely coordinated and complementary if they are to achieve lasting results. I would like to remind the Council that in September Mayada Adil, a representative of civil society, asked the Council (see S/PV.9417) on behalf of Sudanese women to consider their political participation in these processes as a priority. We want to emphasize that point. Given the gravity of the situation in the country and in the region, the Council must assume its responsibility to advance peace and security and protect the Sudanese people, who desperately want to live in peace. We believe that a United Nations political presence in the Sudan is essential to supporting diplomatic efforts in that regard.”
2023-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9480 (2023) · source
“Switzerland remains committed to the humanitarian response. Last week, we provided the World Food Programme in Egypt an additional $1.4 million so that the Sudanese people can continue to receive vital assistance. Thirdly, efforts have to be made to find a negotiated and lasting solution to the conflict. We know that the Sudanese people will not accept a military solution. Switzerland reiterates its call for a return to a credible and inclusive political process. In that regard, we welcome the efforts currently being made by civilian actors, especially women, to bring together diverse voices united against the war in order to establish common objectives for the country’s future. I also welcome the various diplomatic initiatives being put forward by regional and international stakeholders with a view to working for a peaceful solution.”
2023-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9480 (2023) · source
“Respect for international humanitarian law and human rights is not optional, but imperative. We demand independent investigations and justice for the victims. Secondly, we must improve the humanitarian situation. We welcome the launch this week of the Sudan Humanitarian Forum, which was envisaged at the last round of negotiations in Jeddah. We call on the parties to keep those promises and to take immediate and concrete steps to reduce access constraints and bureaucratic obstacles. We would also like to thank the countries of the region once again for welcoming people fleeing the conflict, keeping their borders open and facilitating cross-border humanitarian operations. As the Assistant Secretary-General noted, this conflict has led to the world’s largest displacement crisis, and humanitarian needs are reaching unprecedented levels.”
2023-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9480 (2023) · source
“The confidence-building measures adopted as part of the Statement of Commitments last week in Jeddah are a step in that direction. Those measures are all the more important as hostilities between the two parties have intensified during the resumption of talks, particularly in Darfur. We are extremely concerned to receive once again, this time from the Ardamata district of El Geneina, alarming and credible reports of further ethnic massacres committed by the RSF and allied militias, mainly against the Masalit community. We condemn those acts in the strongest possible terms. Two days ago, the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide again warned us of the growing risk of genocide and other atrocity crimes. We simply cannot ignore those warning signs.”
2023-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9480 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by thanking Assistant Secretary- General Martha Pobee for her briefing. As she indicated in her sobering remarks, fighting continues to rage in the Sudan, with no sign of abatement. Far from media attention, the conflict is taking a catastrophic toll on the civilian population, as previous speakers today have mentioned. And, as the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sudan pointed out last week, the conflict has few equivalents in terms of the scale of the crisis or the depth of the suffering. In that respect, I would like to highlight three priorities for my country. First, we must protect civilians. To that end, the fighting must stop immediately. We call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to seize every opportunity to commit to a ceasefire.”
2023-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9480 (2023) · source
“Switzerland condemns those terrorist acts in the strongest possible terms. We will continue to engage to advance the Council’s work on the draft resolution proposed by the 10 elected members, which addresses the situation as a whole and to which a great deal of effort has been devoted in the past few weeks.”
2023-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9479 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland welcomes the Council’s adoption of resolution 2712 (2023). That first step comes belatedly, however, as we deplore the victims of Hamas’s terrorist acts and the deaths of thousands of civilians in Israel and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory since 7 October, including a huge number of children. I would like to thank the Maltese delegation for all its efforts to reach a consensus within the Council. Switzerland recognizes Israel’s right to ensure its defence and security. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages. Their captivity in Gaza for more than a month and in appalling conditions is unjustifiable, as were the acts of terror and Hamas’s indiscriminate attacks on Israeli civilians since 7 October.”
2023-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9479 (2023) · source
“In addition, Switzerland remains very concerned about the sharp increase in violence in the occupied West Bank. In the context of the increase in settler violence, Switzerland recalls Israel’s obligations under international law, including its obligation to protect the civilian population. We call for the investigation of all violations of international law committed in Israel and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice. Finally, let us not lose sight of the fact that peace and stability can be built only on the foundation of a two-State solution with two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side, in peace, within secure and recognized borders. That is what all of us must together devote ourselves to.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“Switzerland will also continue to work within the Security Council to put in place urgent measures, such as humanitarian pauses or truces, which are necessary for ensuring safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. Since 7 October, Switzerland has condemned unequivocally all of Hamas’s acts of terror and indiscriminate attacks carried out against civilians in Israel. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the people taken hostage and currently held in Gaza. Switzerland recognizes Israel’s right to ensure its defence and security while also recalling that civilians must be protected and international humanitarian law must be respected. Respect for international humanitarian law must remain a priority for the Council.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“Owing to the lack of fuel, several hospitals and clinics have had to cease operations. It is imperative that water, food, medical supplies and fuel can enter into Gaza. Moreover, aid must also allowed to reach the hundreds of thousands of civilians in northern Gaza. The President of the ICRC stressed yesterday at the international humanitarian conference held in Paris, “The immediate imperative is to save lives and preserve humanity. Rapid and sustained humanitarian access and supplies are desperately needed.” We thank France for organizing that conference. Switzerland intends to provide additional emergency humanitarian aid through a contribution of CHF90 million across the region.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“A humanitarian convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) carrying emergency aid supplies to the Al-Quds Hospital came under fire last Tuesday. That incident, among the others that we have heard about, is indicative of the the environment in which humanitarian organizations, which are impartial and work under their universally recognized emblem, must be able to operate in Gaza. I pay tribute to the dozens of their members, including members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Red Crescent, who lost their lives in carrying out their duty. We also note with great concern the recurrent damage incurred by hospitals, such as the Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital. The quantity of aid is insufficient.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“The health situation continues to deteriorate rapidly for the civilian population, including the 1.5 million displaced persons, who have been completely besieged for more than a month, deprived of water, electricity and services essential to their survival. International humanitarian law guarantees the protection of the civilian population and civilian objects. It must be respected at all times, by all — in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities. The medical profession, including medical transports, hospitals, clinics, the people being treated there and the medical personnel working there, enjoys specific protection under international law. It must never be targeted.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Sir, for convening this open meeting and the moment of silence that we were able to dedicate to all the victims. I would also like to thank the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Mr. Ghebreyesus, and Mr. Marwan Jilani, Director General of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, for their work under the most challenging of circumstances and their briefings, which convey the extreme gravity of the current situation. Switzerland is deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on civilians — women, men and children — and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Civilians are in urgent need of protection and assistance.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“In view of the increasingly difficult conditions, we reiterate our full support for the work of UNISFA, the Special Envoy, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Switzerland remains committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve peace and prosperity in Abyei.”
2023-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9467 (2023) · source
“We welcome its key commitment to the protection of civilians and the operational flexibility it demonstrates in response to changing circumstances on the ground. We look forward to greater acceptance of the force thanks to the multinational contingent. Owing to the conflict, its reconfiguration has been delayed. Only with full operational capability would UNISFA be sufficiently mobile, agile and responsive in this difficult context. In that respect, we call on the Sudan and South Sudan to continue to respect the status-of-forces agreement. That includes ensuring that UNISFA and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism can continue to move freely and operate in safe and secure conditions.”
2023-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9467 (2023) · source
“Similarly, the increased involvement of youth networks in the dissemination of early warnings demonstrates their key potential as agents of peace. We fully support the efforts of the United Nations country teams in the Sudan and South Sudan to operationalize the joint Abyei programme, despite the difficulties encountered, in particular in northern Abyei. That is all the more important as economic activities and the supply of goods from the north are disrupted. In addition, we call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including allowing and facilitating the rapid and unhindered passage of humanitarian relief supplies. Thirdly, UNISFA plays an essential role for peace and security in Abyei.”
2023-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9467 (2023) · source
“We welcome the support provided by UNISFA in that regard and reiterate our call to the Sudanese authorities to facilitate the full deployment of the mandated police capacity. Moreover, the presence of security forces from both countries and the proliferation of weapons continue to worry us. Abyei must remain a demilitarized zone, as requested by the Council. Secondly, promoting an inclusive peace is fundamental in the current circumstances. It is therefore important to continue to invest in a climate of trust and to strengthen an inclusive community commitment. We welcome the active role played by women, whether through consultative forums, joint peace committees in the Amiet region or as human rights defenders.”
2023-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9467 (2023) · source
“All that is affecting the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Given the risk of increased instability, I would like to emphasize three points. First, more needs to be done to protect the population from armed incidents and to mitigate the impact of the arrival of those fleeing the conflict in the Sudan and displacement resulting from intercommunal tensions. In that respect, we congratulate the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka on the transhumance corridor conference in Noong and encourage them to continue that positive momentum. In the absence of the Abyei police service, the community protection committees and the joint protection committees are essential for the promotion of the rule of law and maintaining an early warning system.”
2023-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9467 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to join my colleagues in thanking Under- Secretary-General Lacroix and Special Envoy Tetteh for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representatives of the Sudan and South Sudan at this meeting. As the Secretary-General points out in his report (S/2023/777), and as we have just heard today, the conflict in the Sudan is having a worrisome impact on the situation in Abyei. It has put an end to the constructive momentum towards a resolution of the disputes related to the region that prevailed at the beginning of the year and is worsening an already critical humanitarian and security situation. Added to that are the clashes between the Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka on both sides of the southern border, which have escalated again in recent weeks.”
2023-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9467 (2023) · source
“We encourage him to include gender analysis in all his work. Promoting tolerance and strengthening social cohesion requires the daily efforts of all members of society — citizens, as well as Government and politicians. At the same time, concrete measures for dealing with the past, focusing on the victims and their families and for advancing reconciliation must be taken in order to resolve the deep-rooted tensions that are resurfacing. As we have been doing for 30 years and given the close ties that unite us, Switzerland will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path towards a united, peaceful and prosperous future.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“It is incumbent upon the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to act in good faith in the interests of the country as a whole and all parts of its society. It is incumbent on them not to inflame tensions and to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation in order to bring reforms to a successful conclusion on the European path. Credible efforts are necessary in order to strengthen the rule of law, protect human rights and fight corruption. The security, stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina also depend on the participation of women in all decision-making processes. Women are currently underrepresented in the political arena. There is an urgent need to prioritize gender equality. Switzerland welcomes the attention paid to those issues and to the worrisome cases of violence against women in the High Representative’s report.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“We thank the High Representative for his latest report, in which he refers to serious tensions and divisions that undermine a peaceful and multi-ethnic coexistence in the country. In recent months, inflammatory rhetoric and secessionist threats have intensified. The glorification of war criminals, historical revisionism and attempts to deny the genocide cannot be tolerated. The actions of the leaders of Republika Srpska have particularly contributed to deepening divisions, calling into question the country’s constitutional order and compromising the protection of fundamental rights. We deplore the legislative initiatives aimed at restricting independent media and civil society. Freedom of expression and freedom of association are essential to any democratic society.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“True to its long-standing commitment, Switzerland will continue to support the mission in fulfilling its mandate, including through the secondment of civilian and military experts. The security, stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina are based on its unity and territorial integrity. The Dayton Agreement must therefore be respected and implemented in its entirety. With regard to the civilian aspects of the Dayton Agreement, Switzerland reiterates its support for the Office of the High Representative, who must be able to fulfil his mandate throughout the country. While the High Representative still plays a key role, the primary aim continues to be to implement the 5+2 agenda and close the Office.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): First of all, allow me to join you, Mr. President, in congratulating the Brazilian delegation on its outstanding work during the month of October, as well as to congratulate you and your team on assuming the presidency. We assure you of our full support. Switzerland welcomes the Security Council’s unanimous vote on resolution 2706 (2023), which renews the authorization for the European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mission is making a significant contribution to peacekeeping in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is playing a key role in stabilizing the region. We thank all the members of the Council for their constructive engagement throughout the process.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“I want to conclude my remarks by recalling the grave regional and international implications of this military aggression, in particular with regard to global food security. Ensuring the safety of shipping across the Black Sea remains crucial. Switzerland welcomes the ongoing efforts of the United Nations to facilitate food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine and Russia to world markets. Achieving rapid and substantial progress on that front is critical for reducing the pressure on the most vulnerable around the world.”
2023-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9464 (2023) · source