YouSaid · the spoken record

Bermudez

lines on the record: 754
first: 2016-01-13
most recent: 2017-11-16
sittings or episodes: 121
sources: un-security-council

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“Mr. Bermudez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I thank Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenea for his briefing. The position of Uruguay with regard to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and, even more important, on how to reach an agreement that will end it, is well known, and I will therefore be very brief. Nevertheless, we must not forego such opportunities to encourage both parties in the search for peace. I will limit my comments today to several recent developments that have an impact on the peace process, and possible courses of action for the future. Uruguay is concerned about the lack of progress in connection with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with its humanitarian, political and security implications in both countries and throughout the region.”
2017-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8028 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to call on all the parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities so as to facilitate unhindered and permanent access to humanitarian aid as well as the resumption of political negotiations.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“As we did in the briefing in July (see S/PV.7999), Uruguay reiterates that the Council has the means and authority to establish impartial and transparent investigatory mechanisms for reported violations of international humanitarian law in Yemen, as committed by both parties to the dispute. I wish to briefly refer to the presidential statement adopted 9 August (S/PRST/2017/14), which highlights the unprecedented level ofglobal humanitarian need and the threat of famine looming over more than 20 million people in some countries, including Yemen. Conflict and violence have devastating humanitarian consequences, hamper effective humanitarian responses and are a primary cause of the famine ravaging the country.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“Children in Yemen spend their childhood in the midst of poverty, hunger, disease and indiscriminate attacks committed against them by all parties to the armed conflict. Many have been killed, mutilated or recruited. It is critical that all perpetrators of these crimes be added to the list annexed to the annual report of the Secretary-General to be issued soon, in order to clearly denounce before the world all those countries and entities that have committed violations against children, in open contempt not only of international law but of the most elemental rules of humanity. Those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law should be held accountable for their crimes. Accountability is crucial to resolving the conflict and achieving lasting peace.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“Protecting civilians, especially the most vulnerable, has become critical and fundamental in this context of barbarism and pitiless warfare. Lamentably, women in Yemen continue to suffer deep-rooted discrimination. They do not receive adequate protection against sexual and gender violence. They are victims of abuses and degrading treatment. This situation is exacerbated by the prolonged war, insecurity and massive internal movements, in which women are particularly vulnerable. We encourage the Government of Yemen to establish national monitoring and reporting mechanisms to document violations of the human rights of women, including sexual violence, and ensure accountability for those responsible. Moreover, crimes committed against children have exponentially increased in this endless conflict.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“In that regard, Uruguay reiterates its call to resume dialogue and comply fully with the commitment to cease hostilities, as the first step towards the establishment ofpeace. Also, countries that have an influence on the parties should collaborate in the search for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The long-standing impasse in the peace process and the lack of concrete results are undermining the humanitarian situation in the country, which is exacerbated by hunger and the cholera epidemic, which is deteriorating every day. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 persons have been stricken by the illness. One person dies of cholera every hour in Yemen. Regrettably, the widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by all combatants have become the common denominator in Yemen.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“Uruguay sees no solution to the bloody conflict in Yemen other than one of a negotiation process in which all parties involved participate, that is conducted by Yemenis themselves and that leads to a political solution to the crisis. There is no military solution for this conflict, as we have said so many times. Civilians are paying the highest price of the war with their own lives. Putting an end to the suffering caused by this man-made crisis is possible. However, that will happen only when the parties return to the negotiation table - without preconditions and in good faith - and agree to end the armed conflict. It is time that the parties resume constructive peace talks, without any more delay. The actors have to accept that, to break the deadlock, concessions will have to be made.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“We commend the Egyptian presidency for having convened this meeting, which lends visibility to the tragic situation in Yemen - one from which we all hope that country will soon emerge. This meeting also gives greater transparency to the work of the Security Council. Because tomorrow marks the observance of World Humanitarian Day, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for its "Not a Target" campaign, which we support enthusiastically. We would also like to highlight today the fact that schools and hospitals are not a target. Civilians are not a target. And humanitarian workers are not a target. Humanitarian workers in every conflict know that they have our respect and admiration.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermudez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I should like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Stephen O'Brien, as well as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, for their informative and exhaustive briefings. I would also like to welcome and thank Mr. Abdulmalik Al-Mikhlafi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, for his presence in the Chamber. Uruguay recognizes the intense work being done by the staff and institutions involved in humanitarian assistance activities in Yemen, which provide aid to millions of people in need and carry out that praiseworthy task in very hostile conditions.”
2017-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8027 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, Uruguay would like to once again reiterate how urgent it is to fully implement the political agreement of31 December 2016, in its entirety, in good faith in order to organize peaceful elections that are credible, inclusive and timely, by December at the latest.”
2017-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8026 (2017) · source
“Uruguay encourages you to continue with this work for the rest of the year, and we support your plan to organize another visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the next few months. I would also like to express our gratitude to the Group of Experts, which, in spite of recently having to deal with extraordinary and very painful circumstances, has once again managed to produce a substantive final report (S/2017/672/Rev.1) that is very helpful for the work of the Committee and the Council. We share the various assessments offered by the Group of Experts. We are concerned about the activity of armed groups, the violations of human rights and the lack of concrete progress in the political process.”
2017-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8026 (2017) · source
“On this point, we take note of the Executive Summary of the United Nations Board of Inquiry transmitted to the Council this week and we encourage Council members to continue to examine in detail the content of the report, in particular the recommendations contained therein. Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge your outstanding work and the active role you have been playing as the Chair of the 1533 (2004) Committee. Of the various Committee activities that you have mentioned, I would like to highlight in particular its visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year, meetings with neighbouring countries and meetings held with the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2017-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8026 (2017) · source
“The appalling event that ended the lives of the two members of the Group of Experts reminds us of the difficulties and tragedies faced by many victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also reminds us of the constant sacrifices made by all United Nations personnel on the ground, whether they are soldiers, police officers or civilians. Acts of sacrifice and selflessness, such as those of Zaida and Michael, are worthy of our constant remembrance and our utmost gratitude and respect. Uruguay remains firmly committed to the development of all necessary investigations to identify those responsible for such cowardly acts and closely follows all new developments in the matter.”
2017-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8026 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermudez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for your briefing in your capacity as Chair ofthe Committee pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would also like to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Leonard She Okitundu, and thank him for his participation at today's meeting. Like my colleagues before me, I wish to express my special gratitude for the presence in the Chamber of the mother and father of Michael Sharp and the mother and sister of Zaida Catalan, to whom I wish to reiterate and convey personally the condolences of the Government of Uruguay.”
2017-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8026 (2017) · source
“Finally, we recognize the statements of the Secretary-General expressing the deep sorrow of the United Nations for the suffering of the inhabitants of the internally displaced camps who have fallen victim lead poisoning, and we welcome the establishment of a trust fund that will implement community-based assistance projects, primarily in North and South Mitrovica and Leposavie/Leposaviq, which will benefit the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.”
2017-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8025 (2017) · source
“We commend the efforts to that end of United Nations personnel, the European Union (EU), the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Kosovo Force, which, inter alia, have been working with UNMIK for some time. We highlight their work with young people, in compliance with resolution 2250 (2015), the conduct of the first Kosovo Youth Assembly, which promoted reconciliation and a vision of the future, as well as the general projects carried out with UN-Women and UNICEF, among other entities. We also appreciate the work of the various organizations on the ground, working for the progress of Kosovo and the normalization of relations among the communities of the region.”
2017-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8025 (2017) · source
“Moreover, we welcome the establishment in Pristina of a missing persons resource centre - an initiative that benefits Albanians and Serbians alike - and we commend the event held under the auspices of UNMIK and the Office of the High Commissioner to raise awareness of this urgent question. We urge collaboration in the return process for internally displaced persons, the maintenance of policies of reconciliation and respect for cultural and religious heritage, in particular holy sites. UNMIK is doing important work in the area by promoting safety, stability and respect for human rights.”
2017-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8025 (2017) · source
“On another order, we note with interest the internal dialogue launched by President Aleksandar Vueie on Kosovo. The work of regional leaders in search of beneficial agreements can be helpful to both communities. Uruguay considers it critical to advance towards reconciliation, respect for minorities and their due integration into society. In that connection, we are concerned by the limitation of freedom of movement of Serb-Kosovar citizens due to the non-recognition of the passports issued by Coordination Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior of Serbia and the difficulties they encounter in obtaining documents in Kosovo.”
2017-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8025 (2017) · source
“Federica Mogherini, and the commitment of both leaders, which constitutes a first step towards relaunching the dialogue process between Pristina and Belgrade following the pause imposed by the holding of elections in Serbia and Kosovo. We encourage Kosovar leaders to work constructively and advance in the appointment of their authorities. We also highlight the importance of the process of normalizing relations between Pristina and Belgrade and compliance with the commitments already assumed at the international level. In relation to the tensions and incidents that took place early in the period covered by the report of the Secretary-General (S/2017/640), we reaffirm once again the rejection of all belligerent rhetoric, incitement to hatred, destabilization and ultranationalist sentiments.”
2017-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8025 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermudez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, Mr. Zahir Tanin, for his briefing. I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Dacic', for his statement and take note of the statement delivered by Ms. Vlora Citaku. As we have said on previous occasions, Uruguay advocates for strict respect for the principle of territorial integrity and for compliance with resolution 1244 (1999) as the legal basis for resovling the situation in Kosovo. I should like to begin by recognizing the importance ofthe high-level official meeting convened on 3 July by the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms.”
2017-08-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8025 (2017) · source
“Additionally, the countries of the region have a fundamental responsibility to protect and assist children who have been released by terrorist organizations and organized transnational criminal groups. Children who have been traumatized by being torn from their families and communities, and who have been robbed of their childhood and forced to live and act in certain ways, often in the most abject conditions, should be considered victims rather than perpetrators. It is therefore necessary to work proactively to ensure their effective reintegration into society. In conclusion, I would like to encourage the G-5 Sahel countries and the international community to continue fostering stability in the region, which is the only way to achieve lasting results.”
2017-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8024 (2017) · source
“In Burkina Faso, there was yet another terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of many innocent civilians in an attempt to destabilize the country and the region. Uruguay stresses the importance of the G-5 Sahel joint force in implementing measures to mitigate the impact ofmilitary operations on the civilian population, particularly women and children. It is also essential to train troops on protecting the most vulnerable populations - women and children. Moreover, the implementation of the strategies of the joint force of the G-5 Sahel should incorporate a gender perspective and recognize women's important role in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.”
2017-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8024 (2017) · source
“Undoubtedly, the deployment of the G-5 Sahel force will be another major stabilization effort in the region, including the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and Operation Barkhane, However, as the latest developments demonstrate, the situations in Mali and Burkina Faso continue to deteriorate. In Mali, since the signing of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in 2015, the country's stability has certainly improved, but for several months the efforts seem to have collapsed. We encourage the Government, which is responsible for ensuring stability in the country, to seek alternative solutions based on lessons learned from efforts made to date.”
2017-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8024 (2017) · source
“That initiative demonstrates clear political will that ought to be recognized internationally, as the proliferation of terrorism in the Sahel region is a global problem that affects the entire international community. In that regard, we believe that the international community must act as partners to support the national efforts of the G-5 Sahel countries. Let us not forget that the G-5 Sahel initiative was conceived originally as an institutional and follow-up framework for the drafting of development policies for the five member countries. More recently, and in the face of the growing threat of terrorism, radicalism and transnational organized crime, it has needed to be supplemented by the creation, this year, of a multinational force of 5,000 troops.”
2017-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8024 (2017) · source
“Uruguay commends Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and the Niger for the significant step they have taken towards achieving stability in the region. Their initiative in establishing ajoint force ofthe Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) is the result of their laudable joint efforts to combat terrorism and establish full State authority in their lands. The terrorist threat in the Sahel region knows no political borders. That is why we applaud the G-5 Sahel countries' regional and multidimensional approach to the challenges. The implementation of the G-5 Sahel joint force is a clear example of national ownership by countries facing those challenges.”
2017-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8024 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermlidez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his thorough briefing. I would like to express Uruguay's heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo for the cowardly attacks of 13 August in Ouagadougou and yesterday in Douentza and Timbuktu. Such irreparable loss of life is once again the painful, sad result of such despicable attacks on innocent civilians and those who risk their lives to help restore and strengthen peace in conflict zones. Events such as the tragic experiences of the past two days show that there that the Sahel still has a long, hard road to travel before it reaches the peace it has desired for so long.”
2017-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8024 (2017) · source
“We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in this area, particularly by strengthening the Ministry of Women and appointing a special adviser to the President on these issues. We urge it to continue its efforts to ensure women's full and equal participation, especially in the approaching elections.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“All of them shared their expectations, aspirations and frustrations, their initiatives and plans. Above all, we were struck by the clarity of their message, which was their simple desire to have the opportunity to freely exercise their rights and make decisive contributions to their country's social and political development. With regard to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uruguay supports every effort to guarantee women's participation in supporting the country's political process and organizing and holding elections. It should be emphasized that the Security Council has tasked the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with supporting the Government and the United Nations country team in ensuring women's representation and participation in political processes.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“In that regard, my delegation has identified several key areas requiring special attention, such as transborder judicial cooperation; assistance in dealing with the stigmatization of victims and their children; the provision of basic services in areas such as education and sexual and reproductive health, as essential components of the humanitarian response; and ensuring that national and regional strategies identify survivors of sexual violence as victims of terrorism so that they can receive appropriate aid. During the Security Council's visit in March to the countries of the Lake Chad basin, we had the opportunity to hear valuable testimony by Nigerian women, from members of Parliament to activists and the internally displaced, in our meetings in Abuja and Maiduguri.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“We are very concerned about the systematic use in Nigeria of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism, such as in the terrorist group Boko Haram's abduction and sexual exploitation of thousands of women and girls and the increasing use of women as suicide bombers. However, there is a dearth of information on the impact of gender on such complex humanitarian crises, as well as on the role that women's participation and leadership and gender-equality issues have to play in peacebuilding efforts, for example in the fight against violent extremism, the restoration of State authority and the protection of human rights.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“As members know, the Group was established in accordance with resolution 2242 (2015), which the Council adopted in October 2015. In the 18 months of its existence it has held 12 meetings to discuss the situation of women in Mali, Iraq, the Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Yemen and the Lake Chad basin. The information and analysis it has produced has also been used by various stakeholders in the effort to advance the agenda on women and peace and security, from donors and policymakers to defenders and agents for women's rights on the ground. I would like to comment briefly on the particular cases of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the countries that were the object of the visit.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“I would like to begin by expressing Uruguay's full support for the initiative to make the joint visit, emphasizing the participation of senior United Nations officials, including the Deputy Secretary-General, the Executive Director of UN-Women and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. In our view, this kind of initiative is extremely useful for giving us a deeper understanding of the situation of women in armed conflict and helps to turn a spotlight on this vulnerable group, which nonetheless has a key role to play in the peaceful resolution of conflicts. We also believe that it can be a good complement to the efforts of the Security Council's Informal Experts Group on Women, Peace and Security, which my delegation, jointly with the delegation of Sweden, has the honour to chair.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermfidez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank Ms. Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General, for her thorough briefing on the joint visit of the United Nations and the African Union to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria a few weeks ago. I would also like to thank Ambassador Te'te Antonio, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. It goes without saying that the African Union is a fundamental partnership of the United Nations where peace and security are concerned.”
2017-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8022 (2017) · source
“In that regard, I am referring to what my delegation has already said about the importance of working to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula and making every effort to return to the path ofdialogue so as to reach a definitive settlement of this very serious situation. It is also important to ensure a greater commitment and willingness on the part of Member States to comply with international obligations and Security Council sanctions, while at the same time, in this case, avoiding any adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of North Korea. Lastly, I would like to reaffirm that Uruguay is committed and determined to continue working for a peaceful diplomatic and political solution for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
2017-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8019 (2017) · source
“Once again, Uruguay reiterates how important it is to ensure that the Government of North Korea respects all the Council's resolutions and abandons its nuclear ambitions. As my delegation said recently at the briefing session on general issues pertaining to sanctions, if we are to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions, the sanction regimes must do their job - effectiveness being understood as the ability to ultimately achieve the goals that the sanctions are aimed at. Sanctions regimes should be designed to be a tool that enables the Security Council to achieve a goal. To be effective, that tool should complement others, such as mediation and dialogue. The goal ofthe sanctions regime imposed on North Korea should be to achieve the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
2017-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8019 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermudez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Uruguay voted in favour of resolution 2371 (2017) and welcomes its unanimous adoption by the Security Council. The fact that Council members are united on the issue is crucial to our response to the serious threat that North Korea's defiant attitude in continuing its nuclear and ballistic-missile programme poses to international peace and security, with two - not one but two - launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles in the month of July alone. That is a clear and flagrant violation of every relevant Security Council resolution. As if that was not enough of an abuse, it also undermines the impulse for the common good and the spirit of peaceful coexistence that govern our Organization.”
2017-08-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8019 (2017) · source
“As we have previously mentioned, it is therefore imperative, as soon as possible, to honour commitments that place emphasis on the humanitarian situation. We trust that the Security Council can overcome its differences and shoulder its responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, Uruguay asserts that the full and effective implementation of measures such as the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and administrative procedures that allow for humanitarian access to be granted could all make a major difference in the lives of the Syrian people, who, month after month, demand that the Council take concrete and effective action on the ground. With regard to the de-escalation zones that would allow for the temporary cessation of attacks, Uruguay maintains that it is very important for those zones to be temporary so as to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“Nonetheless, the top priority must be to lift all unjustifiable sieges. We must mention that is has been over a year since the adoption of resolution 2286 (2016), and yet attacks on hospitals and health centres in Syria continue. In June alone, four incidents at such centres were reported. It is shocking that the parties continue to ignore the provisions of resolution 2286 (2016), thereby depriving millions of people of their right to medical attention, leaving hundreds of victims among medical and health- care personnel. Such acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes. Clashes and indiscriminate attacks continue to cause damage to civilian infrastructure, which is on the brink of collapse after years of bombing. We condemn such attacks in Syria, Yemen and wherever they occur.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“That, however, would give some assurance that the essential principles of international humanitarian law are being respected, such as humanitarian access, the prohibition of forced displacement, and freedom of movement so that people can freely enter and leave those areas. The third goal, which is as equally important as the political transition process and the cessation of hostilities, is clearly humanitarian access. We would like to receive more encouraging news but it is clear that we remain far from any promising outcome that would ease the suffering of the millions of Syrian civilians who depend on that aid to survive each day. We will continue therefore to call for the immediate, sustained and unhindered access of humanitarian aid to all besieged and hard-to-reach areas.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“We are also pleased that the United States, Russia and Jordan have been able to broker an agreement on a ceasefire in south- western Syria, which has seen a spike in violence over the past few months. We support the efforts of the three guarantor countries and encourage them to continue working to finalize the details of the implementation of the ceasefire in the four safe zones and in other parts of the country that may be added subsequently. Nonetheless, for the third consecutive month, we must voice our concern about the continued lack of information on the implementation of the memorandum signed on 4 May, in particular given the fact that, to date, neither the United Nations nor humanitarian aid has been granted unhindered access to those areas.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“Until it has been achieved, the primary goal is and should continue to be a political solution that would put an end to the crisis and lead to a peaceful transition in Syria, negotiated by all Syrians, mediated by the United Nations and supported by the entire international community. We trust in the good offices of Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura in his efforts to translate into concrete steps the road map outlined in resolution 2254 (2015) in order to achieve that goal. The second goal must be to reduce the levels of violence and allow for the cessation of hostilities throughout the majority of the country. The Astana process, which is playing a very positive role, complements the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva and has already achieved considerable progress.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“In the same vein, we support the request of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that events occurring in Syria be referred to the International Criminal Court. For several months now, the priorities in Syria have been clearly defined. The Council is duty-bound to produce results in order to give hope to the Syrian people that the war is ending; those who have committed atrocities since 2011 will be held accountable and that a new kind of political climate will emerge in order to rectify the effects of many years of divisions and clashes that have left a trail of death and destruction for the country and its people.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“As often occurs in all such conflicts, the most vulnerable - including women, children and the elderly * have been and continue to be those most affected. That is why Uruguay has endorsed the establishment of an international impartial and independent mechanism to investigate serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law committed in Syria, including those that are considered to be war crimes, such as the use of chemical weapons on civilians. Seeking justice for the hundreds of thousands of innocent victims of the conflict will be crucial to achieving lasting peace in Syria and to ensuring that the country and its entire population can overcome the horrors of this protracted war. It will also have a compelling effect on the future of the country.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“The ongoing fighting, security issues or - even more incomprehensibly - the lack of authorization by and the bureaucracy imposed by the Syrian Government all prevent humanitarian assistance from being provided to those who need it most. As we have noted on previous occasions, that is in no way the fault of OCHA but rather of the Security Council and the member States with influence over the parties to the conflict. To date, we have not been able to wield that influence effectively to ensure that all parties to the Syrian conflict grant unimpeded access to the humanitarian aid convoys. For Uruguay, the protection of civilians in Syria, Yemen and in any other conflict is our top priority. Thus far, all conflicting parties in Syria have continued to ignore and violate that basic principle of international law.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“Mr. Bermudez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the Office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Ms. Ursula Mueller, for her comprehensive briefing. We reiterate our gratitude to her and her entire team for their ongoing efforts in Syria. They are always ready and willing to provide assistance, regardless of the difficult conditions on the ground. Regrettably, despite those efforts, aid distribution has become increasingly sporadic, thereby preventing the Office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs from being able to carry out the duties entrusted to it.”
2017-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8015 (2017) · source
“We thank President Museveni and President Mkapa for their mediation efforts. Progress on an inclusive national dialogue in advance of the 2020 elections is vital for peace and security in not only Burundi, but also in the wider region as a whole. We call on the Government of Burundi to seriously commit to an inclusive national dialogue without conditions. We also call on the Heads of State in the East African Community (EAC) to further enhance their engagement in the situation in Burundi. In response to the call by our colleague, Ambassador Lauber, I am confident that the Council will continue to support the EAC-mediated dialogue process moving forward.”
2017-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8013 (2017) · source
“Despite repeated calls by the international community, only a limited number of human rights observers of the African Union (AU) have arrived in Burundi. While the Council has urged the Government of Burundi to cooperate fully with the deployment and activities of the United Nations police component, it has not yet been established. We call on the Government to Burundi to promptly address those concerns. I believe that the maintenance of cooperative relations with the United Nations, the AU and other international partners is clearly in Burundi's own national interest. A neutral international presence in Burundi would have a very positive effect in building confidence between Burundi and the international community. The Council must act to ensure that presence. My second point concerns regional efforts on Burundi.”
2017-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8013 (2017) · source
“We also thank Ambassador Lauber, Chair of the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for his proactive role. It exemplifies how usefully the Peacebuilding Commission can support the work of the Council. A year has passed since the adoption of resolution 2303 (2016), which remains unimplemented. The situation in Burundi remains fragile, and we are concerned by the worsening socioeconomic situation, as well as serious, ongoing human rights violations. In June, our colleague, the Permanent Representative of Burundi, told the Council that a resumed presence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in Burundi was a certainty. Yet, as I see it, there has been no progress on resumed cooperation between the Government of Burundi and UNHCHR.”
2017-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8013 (2017) · source
“Full respect for the human rights of all Burundians is a necessary condition for the holding of an inclusive and credible political dialogue. It is also necessary for the creation of an environment conducive to organizing peaceful and democratic elections in 2020. Mr. Bessho (Japan) I also thank Special Envoy Michel Kafando and Ambassador Jurg Lauber for their informative briefings. I would like to focus on two main points regarding Burundi. The first concerns the need to re-establish trust between the Government of Burundi and the international community. We welcome Special Envoy Kafando's engagement with Burundi and regional Governments. We call on the Government of Burundi to work constructively and cooperatively with the Special Envoy. We fully support the Special Envoy's efforts.”
2017-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8013 (2017) · source