YouSaid · the spoken record

Byrne Nason

lines on the record: 1,154
first: 2018-04-16
most recent: 2022-07-29
sittings or episodes: 170
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 inescapable reality is that multilateralism must be at the heart of how we seek to deal with our global challenges, not least to the threats to international peace and security. That was the ambitious vision of the drafters of the Charter in 1945, with the almost unbridled optimism that their determination to work together could save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. That is actually the momentous responsibility placed on the shoulders of the Council every day, and that is the clarion call that we heard this morning from The Elders. For a small country such as Ireland, multilateralism is in our DNA. We are a global island, deeply connected in everything we do. It is at the core of how we approach international peace and security. It is expressed in our commitment to the Blue Helmets of United Nations peacekeeping.”
2021-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8850 (2021) · source
“In their calls, they recognize a common inescapable reality: the challenges we face are too great and too global for any one country — whether a small island like my own or a global super-Power of which several are represented at this table — to overcome alone. That is why we all sit together in this symbolic horseshoe, looking across at each other, talking about working together and not always succeeding in doing so. Time and again we pay lip service to the imperative of unity of purpose and to the need for the Security Council to listen to other voices — the voices of regional organizations and of influential and experienced actors, such as The Elders. Their messages today drive home the truth that we are bound together by our inaction, as well as by the responsibility for the consequences of that inaction.”
2021-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8850 (2021) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Ireland. First, I want to thank The Elders for being here with us today. President Robinson’s and Elder Emeritus Brahimi’s briefings today were both important and alarming. I also thank former Presidents Johnson-Sirleaf and Zedillo for their presence with us today. The Security Council needs the wisdom, clarity and courage that their messages convey. Mary Robinson and Lakhdar Brahimi have called our attention to the deep challenges we face, the challenges we often struggle to recognize and the challenges we have many times failed to address.”
2021-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8850 (2021) · source
“In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Her Excellency Mrs. Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders; and His Excellency Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Elder Emeritus. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I also invite the following to participate in this meeting: Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, member of The Elders and former President of Liberia; and His Excellency Mr. Ernesto Zedillo, member of The Elders and former President of Mexico. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mrs. Robinson.”
2021-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8850 (2021) · source
“I thank Mrs. Nakamitsu for the clarifications she has provided. I now give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“Finally, it is only through Syria’s real and meaningful cooperation with the OPCW that we can resolve these outstanding issues and be assured that its entire stocks of chemical weapons are declared and verifiably destroyed, in line with its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013). That is in all of our interests, including Syria’s. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to Mrs. Nakamitsu to respond to comments and questions raised.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“They include the ongoing substantial delays in issuing visas to OPCW staff; the further delay, until October, in the deployment of the Declaration Assessment Team to Syria, originally planned for May; and limiting the extension of the tripartite agreement to just three months. The reported destruction of chlorine cylinders from the incident at Douma raises serious questions. Their removal to a new location, without informing the OPCW, is disturbing and symptomatic of the difficulties the OPCW faces. We strongly encourage Syria to provide the OPCW with the requested information and materials, including any remains of the cylinders.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“In turn, the Council should be clear in its strong support of the OPCW and in rejecting efforts to undermine it. Secondly, the lack of progress by Syria in addressing the serious and growing list of issues under its initial declaration remains a matter of serious concern. We welcome the ongoing efforts by the OPCW to work with Syria to address those issues. We note that Minister Mekdad has accepted the proposal by Director-General Arias to meet to look at ways to break the impasse. We note that Syria has now appointed a representative to engage on the details of the meeting. We encourage early engagement and hope that such a meeting can contribute to much-needed progress. Unfortunately, the most recent OPCW report (S/2021/764, annex) points to a growing number of areas where Syrian actions threaten to affect the OPCW’s work on the ground.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Ireland. I would like to start by thanking Under-Secretary- General Nakamitsu for her briefing today and for her important work on this file. I would like to make three points. First and foremost, I would like to reiterate that the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, at any time is abhorrent and unacceptable. The Security Council should be united and firm in upholding the international prohibition against such terrible weapons. The role of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as the impartial and technical body mandated by the international community to address these weapons remains essential. The OPCW’s strong professionalism, impartiality and integrity in handling the Syrian file has been clear throughout.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“I thank Mrs. Nakamitsu for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mrs. Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2021/764, which contains the text of a letter dated 30 August 2021 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. I now give the floor to Mrs. Nakamitsu.”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Council, to pay tribute to His Excellency Mr. T. S. Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of August. I am sure I speak for all the members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Tirumurti and his team for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council’s business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. The situation in the Middle East Letter dated 30 August 2021 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2021/764)”
2021-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8849 (2021) · source
“I repeat what I said in the Chamber on 16 August: telling the international community what it wants to hear will fool no one (see S/PV.8834). We have noted the public statement by the Taliban. We will judge the Taliban by its actions, and not by its words. Right now, the international community must continue to demand that all those who need to leave Afghanistan — whether they be Afghans or foreign nationals — be free to do so in a safe, secure and orderly way. We reiterate our firm view that such access at any air or land crossing must be without preconditions. Ireland will not be found wanting in our determination to work alongside fellow Security Council members to ensure that we maintain laser focus on the situation in Afghanistan, including as Ireland assumes the Council presidency for the month of September.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8848 (2021) · source
“That is why the focus in the resolution on ensuring full, safe and unhindered access to the United Nations and all humanitarian actors to deliver life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian aid is so important. We also welcome the emphasis on upholding human rights and the clear and unequivocal reaffirmation of the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in any negotiated political settlement. We would of course have preferred stronger language on respect for human rights, particularly given the situation now faced by the women and girls of Afghanistan. On 19 August, Ireland and Mexico jointly urged the Council to place the utmost priority on women and girls. Ireland calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian, refugee and human rights law.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8848 (2021) · source
“We welcome the adoption today of the resolution on Afghanistan (resolution 2593 (2021)). I want to express our appreciation to France, the United Kingdom and the United States for their efforts in bringing it forward. Ireland voted in favour of the resolution because we believe in the importance of the Security Council’s voice at this critical juncture for Afghanistan. We would, of course, have preferred to send a united message. Our thoughts today are with those Afghans who are desperately trying to reach safety outside their homeland; with the women and children who know their fundamental rights are now at risk; and with all Afghans suffering from humanitarian need, including those who are hungry and without safe access to water. That is where our collective attention needs to be focused. We cannot look the other way.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8848 (2021) · source
“Notwithstanding the obstacles, that will and must remain our vision and our shared goal, as we have already set out in numerous United Nations resolutions, in the work of the Security Council and the General Assembly.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“The arrest and intimidation of human rights defenders and activists for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association is unacceptable. Denying them the right to peaceful assembly is also completely unacceptable. We call on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to protect and uphold those fundamental rights. Finally, after decades of strife and loss of life, we all know that the underlying causes of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict can be resolved only by ending the illegal occupation, which began in 1967. It can be realized only through a two-State solution, the parameters of which are well known and are agreed. That would see an independent, democratic, viable and contiguous Palestinian State side by side in peace and security with Israel. It is in the interests of both peoples.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“We reject any attempts to undermine the status quo of the holy sites of Jerusalem, which will only further fuel tensions on the ground. Ireland encourages the Quartet to renew its efforts to revive the Middle East peace process. We also recognize the importance of holding Palestinian elections across the occupied territory, giving a democratic voice to Palestinians, redoubling efforts to achieve intra-Palestinian reconciliation and renewing the legitimacy of national institutions. We will continue to say it: It is essential that Palestinian women be supported in respect of their right to full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of public and political life. That should be guaranteed. We all have a responsibility in seeing that be realized.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“To make that possible, we must keep alive the viability of a two-State solution. Ireland repeats its call on Israel to end all settlement expansion, in line with international law. We remain very concerned about the impact of settlements and increasing reports of settler violence on Palestinian communities. We call for attacks against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory to cease immediately and for those responsible to be clearly held to account. Demolitions, including in Humsa Al-Baqai’a and Ras Al-Tin last month, as well as threatened evictions of Palestinian families from their homes, including in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan, Al-Walaja and elsewhere in the West Bank, are part of a deeply concerning trend of displacement of Palestinians, which simply must cease.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“Without the hope of a better future for Gazans, especially for young people in Gaza, we cannot hope to resolve those issues in a sustainable way. It is imperative that Gazans be given such hope and that reconstruction and recovery move forward without delay. I reiterate our appeal to international donors to step up support, including through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. I would like also to underline the necessity of full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza. The positive steps that we have seen in recent days must be expedited and expanded. I repeat Ireland’s call on Israel to end its illegal blockade, in line with resolution 1860 (2009). Time and again, Council members have expressed support for the development of a sustainable and sovereign Palestinian State.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“In addition, 13 children have been killed in the West Bank so far this year as a result of that conflict, many by live fire from Israeli security forces. We expect the Israeli Government to hold perpetrators of those killings to account and to conduct transparent investigations to that end. There is a clear risk of an even more severe escalation, and today we urge all sides to exercise restraint and to uphold rules of international humanitarian law applicable to children in armed conflict. We welcome the recent positive developments, including the agreement to distribute Qatari aid payments to vulnerable families in Gaza through the United Nations. The situation in Gaza remains dire, marked by alarming unemployment and poverty rates, increased food insecurity and an inadequate health service to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“I welcome you, Foreign Secretary, to the Security Council table. I thank Mr. Wennesland for his briefing. The fact is that we should all be concerned by the rising tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip over recent weeks and, the comprehensive briefing of Tor Wennesland just reinforces that view. The fragility of the ceasefire underlines — as if those of us at this meeting needed reminding — the urgent need to address the root causes of that conflict. The high number of casualties, including children, from recent violence at protests along the Gaza border are unacceptable, and we also strongly condemn the release of incendiary balloons from Gaza. We have already this year seen the devastating loss of many lives, including the deaths of children in Gaza and Israel.”
2021-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8847 (2021) · source
“As history tells us, nothing good can come of that. I began today by saying that the Council has an opportunity and a responsibility to send a clear and united message. Let me return to that point. We need a cessation of hostilities and for the parties to come to the table to negotiate a lasting ceasefire. We need unimpeded humanitarian access, and we need a political solution to the crisis in Tigray and an inclusive national dialogue. Leadership to forge a path towards peace must be found among the parties to the conflict. Time is of the essence. The very lives of the Ethiopian people are at stake. Now is the time for action.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“It is clear that women and girls have been systematically raped and abused throughout the conflict and that communities have been traumatized. All those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be held to account. That is true not least because countering impunity is essential to preventing further violations. We await the findings of the report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. We hope that that work will draw to a conclusion without undue delay. We also call on all parties to refrain from using inflammatory rhetoric and dehumanizing language, which serves only to fuel ethnic and political tensions across Ethiopia. Such dehumanizing rhetoric is never acceptable.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“Access to food, medical services and education are the very least that the people deserve. The human dignity and human rights of millions are at stake. We also call on the Tigrayan forces to immediately end their military offensive and withdraw from the Amhara and Afar regions. The longer the conflict persists, the greater the suffering of all Ethiopian people. We have taken careful note of the letter referenced by the Secretary-General that was sent by the Tigrayan representatives, which may be an important development. We further call on the Amhara forces to withdraw from western Tigray. I also echo the call of our African colleagues for external forces to withdraw from Ethiopia. We are horrified by the conflict-related sexual violence and atrocities that have defined this conflict.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“The sad reality is that without further, immediate and scaled-up action, the horror of starvation will overwhelm parts of Ethiopia again, with harrowing echoes of past tragedy. Too many ordinary men, women and children will suffer; too many will die as collateral damage in a war not of their making. As we just heard in clear terms, their basic humanitarian needs in terms of food and shelter are not even close to being met. I repeat — this is a time for action. As humanitarian workers continue to face violence and unnecessary obstacles in carrying out their work, we say that it is past time to act. We call again on the Ethiopian authorities and all other actors to immediately facilitate full, unimpeded humanitarian access. We also urge the Government of Ethiopia to restore basic public services for the people of Tigray.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“Secondly, all parties to the conflict must ensure full, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access, as well as the restoration of public services. Thirdly, conditions must be created to allow for dialogue in order to find a solution to the conflict in Tigray, and a broad range of stakeholders must engage in a process of inclusive dialogue to address the significant challenges affecting Ethiopia. The international community — that means us — must stand ready to support this process. The shocking spectre of famine continues to loom. We know that millions of people are displaced and that hundreds of thousands are already starving. There is absolutely no time to waste. This is not a time for reflection. On the contrary, it is a time for action.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“We have been underlining this message since we joined the Council, and I was pleased to see today that former Nigerian President Obasanjo was appointed by the African Union as the High Representative for the Horn of Africa. We welcome that appointment. No one in this Chamber underestimates the complexity of this crisis. We certainly do not. But that is not an excuse to stand by and do nothing. Today we heard from the Secretary-General about where we might start. Today all Council members have an opportunity to support the Secretary-General and those caught in this crisis by sending three clear and united messages. First, all parties to the conflict must immediately cease hostilities and come to the table to negotiate a lasting ceasefire.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“Sadly now, if the crisis is not urgently addressed, the longer-term consequences for the unity of Ethiopia and the stability of the wider region are potentially catastrophic. That is why Ireland has continually raised this unfolding crisis as a matter of the deepest concern. The Secretary-General’s presence and clear messages today underscore just how serious this situation has now become. I strongly echo what the Secretary-General calls “the simple truth” — that there is no military solution to this conflict. We agree with him that regional partners and the African Union in particular have a crucial role to play in finding the political solution needed to end the crisis.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“I would like to preface my remarks, if I may, by offering my sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the horrific attack today in Kabul. I want to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this meeting today. I thank the Secretary- General for his insightful, yet — I must admit — deeply troubling briefing today. I would also like to thank Ambassador Amde, our colleague; it is critical to have him with us today. Over the past nine months, we have witnessed a severe and deepening political crisis in Tigray, which is now expanding to neighbouring regions of Ethiopia. The immediate consequence has been a massive humanitarian emergency, with more than 5.2 million people in need of assistance in Tigray alone. We deeply regret that it has come to this. We were warned months ago. We spoke of the risks here at this same table.”
2021-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8843 (2021) · source
“It is important to follow up by ensuring the resettlement of these families and to work on the return and resettlement of others across the country in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner. Finally, we know the stability of Iraq is inextricably linked to that of the region more broadly. With that in mind, I would like to note the commendable role played by Iraq in facilitating and indeed encouraging regional dialogue in recent months. We look forward to hearing the outcome of the proposed Iraqi-led regional summit later this month. I conclude by echoing the comments of others today in commending the efforts of the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait with regard to missing persons, and we welcome the progress we have seen in that respect in recent months, thereby bringing closure to many families.”
2021-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8842 (2021) · source
“Earlier this month, we marked seven years since ISIL brutally targeted Yazidis in northern Iraq. We take this opportunity to call on the Iraqi Government to deliver accountability for the brave survivors of ISIL crimes, mostly women and children, by swiftly putting into practice the provisions of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law. We welcome the establishment of the General Directorate of Yazidi Affairs and the appointment of a Yazidi female lawyer as Director General to take forward this work. We regret that the humanitarian situation remains dire for many Iraqis. Internally displaced persons are particularly vulnerable. We commend the Government of Iraq in securing the safe return of 93 families from Al-Hol camp in Syria in May. This is the beginning.”
2021-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8842 (2021) · source
“Any national effort aimed at promoting and protecting human rights requires ensuring that international human rights obligations are incorporated into domestic legislation, delivered on the ground and implemented in practice. Ireland therefore welcomes Iraq’s recent adoption of a five-year human rights national action plan. However, we remain deeply concerned by developments on the ground in terms of shrinking civic space, with disgraceful attacks on activists, journalists, human rights defenders and women’s groups. We are also very concerned that accountability for such serious crimes and human rights violations remains very limited. Strong and coherent action on human rights is critical. We call for the full implementation of the human rights national action plan for justice, an end to impunity and fair-trial guarantees for all.”
2021-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8842 (2021) · source
“I would like now to strongly echo the Special Representative’s earlier appeal today to the Iraqi people themselves to come out on the day and to exercise their rights at the ballot box. We are pleased that the European Union will deploy electoral observers to Iraq, bolstering the expanded role of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in monitoring elections, as we mandated here in the Council in May (see S/PV.8780). These will be important elections and we want to do all we can to build confidence around their delivery. A vibrant civil society is vital to a thriving democracy, as we know, and to any credible electoral process.”
2021-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8842 (2021) · source
“The continued malign behaviour of such actors threatens Iraq’s stability at a crucial time, just ahead of elections that are critical to Iraq’s future and the security of the entire region. I want to reiterate Ireland’s full support for Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We look forward to the planned elections proceeding on time, in transparency and in safety on 10 October. We have previously underscored our strong belief that women, young people and minority communities should be included in the electoral process. Recognizing challenging circumstances, not least the coronavirus disease pandemic, Ireland welcomes the continued progress in preparations towards free and fair elections, in particular the work undertaken by the higher committee to promote and monitor women’s electoral participation.”
2021-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8842 (2021) · source
“I welcome and thank Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert for her trademark frank and excellent briefing. I would also like to welcome our Iraqi colleague to this meeting. I begin by extending my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the fire at Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital on 12 July. I also wish to extend our condolences on the loss of life from the heinous terrorist attack carried out in Baghdad just one week after that. Ireland strongly condemns this attack and others carried out by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Such attacks highlight the volatile security situation that persists across the country.”
2021-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8842 (2021) · source
“It is important that the Syrian Government show more flexibility and willingness to be constructive with regard to modalities for a sixth session of the Constitutional Committee. We commend Mr. Pedersen for his efforts to urgently convene the Committee, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to that end. Finally, as we have consistently stated, accountability for all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law is integral to building peace. We support the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic as they continue to work for justice and accountability for the heinous crimes committed in Syria.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“Ireland continues to call for a negotiated political settlement in Syria that includes a new constitution, as set out in resolution 2254 (2015). In June, the Council had the opportunity to hear from Ms. Abeer Hussain, on behalf of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement (see S/PV.8805). She expressed and exemplified the drive and determination of women in Syria to take on leadership roles and lead change in their local communities. Ireland stands firmly in solidarity with the women of Syria, who, time and again, have demonstrated their courage and resilience. We reiterate once again their right to full, equal and meaningful participation in all political processes. They should be in the room and at the table. We also call for the inclusion of youth in such processes.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“Griffiths and his team as they work to deliver a lifeline to so many in need. In my national capacity, I will now add a few remarks on the political situation in Syria. I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Geir Pedersen and reiterate our full support for all he does. We are particularly grateful for his recent engagement with all relevant parties to try to bring the crisis in Dara’a al-Balad to an end. The levels of violence we have seen in the governorate of Dara’a over the past few weeks are simply unacceptable. We mourn the continued loss of life in Syria and echo the Special Envoy’s calls for calm and a political way forward. It is critical that the ceasefire in the north-west be upheld; the escalation of hostilities we see now in Syria, in both the north and south, again underlines the urgent need for a nationwide ceasefire.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“While the landscape for access in Syria remains highly complex, we call on all parties to continue to pursue all modalities that can ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. While needs in the north-east are growing and continue to be unmet, we welcome the scaling up of cross-line missions over the past year. We strongly support efforts to finalize a cross-line humanitarian mission to north-western Syria, and we call on all parties to support that mission so that it can take place without delay. We strongly support United Nations-led efforts to find a political solution. We know that progress on the political track is the key to transforming the humanitarian situation on the ground. We must keep the Syrian people at the heart of all of our efforts in the Council. We fully support Mr.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“Increased violence over the past two months in the north-west has caused civilian deaths and displaced more than 20,000 people — the largest displacement in the area since the ceasefire of March 2020. On Friday, four children from the same family were killed while they slept in their home in Idlib governorate. Last Thursday, three brothers were killed, along with their mother, when their house came under attack. Since the beginning of July, at least 54 children have been killed or injured in Syria. We again call on all parties to live up to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians throughout Syria and ensure rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. The Council has called for efforts to improve cross-line deliveries of humanitarian assistance.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“The critically low water levels in the Euphrates has limited access to clean water for drinking and agriculture and led to widespread power blackouts, with a knock-on effect on essential infrastructure, including health facilities. Together with the drought, that has contributed to increases in the costs of food, fuel and other basic items, as well as outbreaks of waterborne diseases and reduced food production, thereby driving humanitarian needs. This month we saw in Dara’a, in south-western Syria, the deadliest violence since 2018, with dozens of civilians killed or injured and tens of thousands of people forced to leave their homes. The mortar attacks that reportedly hit the national hospital of Dara’a are yet another example of appalling activity and unacceptable assault on a critical medical facility.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“The United Nations Monitoring Mechanism for the Syrian Arab Republic has remained in place, guaranteeing the humanitarian nature of all deliveries and ensuring a robust humanitarian operation, based on transparency and accountability. The situation remains dire for the men, women and children of Syria who continue to face hardship and displacement. We heard from the Secretary-General this month that the combination of ongoing hostilities, economic crisis, water shortages and COVID-19 have driven humanitarian needs for millions of already vulnerable people to some of the highest levels seen since the start of the conflict.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“As co-penholders, we warmly welcome the constructive approach of the Council in recognizing the need to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need in Syria, and we hope that together we can build on that hard-won consensus. Since the adoption of resolution 2585 (2021), United Nations efforts to reduce hunger, build resilience and ensure access to health care have continued to support the 3.4 million Syrians in need in the north-west. Many non-governmental organizations operating in north- western Syria can continue to rely on United Nations operational support for logistics and procurement. Access to life-saving items such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines has been maintained, as a direct result of the cross-border operation.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“Today I make this statement on behalf of the co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file, Norway and Ireland. We would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Martin Griffiths; Special Envoy Geir Pedersen; and the Secretary-General of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Mr. Khaled Erksoussi, for their briefings. The last time the Council met to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria (see S/PV.8817), we adopted, by consensus, resolution 2585 (2021), which extended the mandate for the Bab al-Hawa border crossing for six months, with an extension of an additional six months, that is, until 10 July 2022, subject to the issuance of the Secretary-General’s substantive report, with particular focus on transparency in operations and progress on cross-line access in meeting humanitarian needs.”
2021-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8841 (2021) · source
“Let us not forget that the effects of famine, horrific as they are, are not only immediate, but also intergenerational. The effects are intergenerational. The effects of stunting and education lost will undermine the ability of Yemenis to rebuild their country once this brutal conflict finally ends. In other words, Yemen’s future will be marked for decades to come by famine. We call for the lifting of restrictions of imports into Al-Hudaydah port, the payment of civil servant salaries and the preserving and strengthening of critical humanitarian access to all those in need.”
2021-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8840 (2021) · source
“Ireland fully supports the critical work of UNICEF in addressing those vitally important issues, including in providing access to education and in supporting teachers and school staff whose salaries have gone unpaid for many years. Ireland remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the protracted conflict in Yemen, further compounded by the continuing violence across the country and the serious economic pressures that Yemenis currently face. Today, we heard again from Under-Secretary- General Griffiths that the humanitarian and economic crises in Yemen are conflict-driven. The lack of fuel entering Al-Hudaydah port directly and indirectly affects the ability of millions of Yemenis to access food. Rising fuel prices means rising food prices. The only food on shelves in Yemen today is food that few can afford.”
2021-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8840 (2021) · source
“As we approach the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, we are reminded that every child should have a desk where they can learn in safety and security and begin to build a brighter future for themselves, their family and their country. We know that when girls have access to education, they are empowered and equipped to participate fully in political and social life in later years and to break devastating cycles of violence, conflict and poverty. It is therefore shameful that more than 2 million Yemeni children are currently out of school; that a harrowing 70 per cent of Yemeni girls are married while still children, which automatically denies those girls access to education; and that schools in Yemen continue to be attacked and used for military purposes.”
2021-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8840 (2021) · source
“The voice of Yemeni women in finding a pathway to peace is critical. We will return to this point again and again until it is done. I repeat Ireland’s call for all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as for accountability for crimes committed against the Yemeni people, which is critical for any lasting peace. The briefing we just heard from Ms. Henrietta Fore, taken together with recent reports, lays bare the devastating combined impact of war and poverty on the innocent children of Yemen. I will not repeat the horrifying facts and figures. They are staggering and all too familiar by now. They make clear that Yemeni children, particularly girls, remain the primary victims of this horrific crisis.”
2021-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8840 (2021) · source
“Ireland reiterates our firm conviction that there can be no military solution to this conflict. A nationwide ceasefire is urgently needed in order to open the way for inclusive negotiations on the badly needed political way forward. Such processes require the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. Ireland also calls for the full implementation of the Riyadh agreement and for all parties to set their differences aside and, finally, to act in the interests of the Yemeni people. We reiterate our strong support for the unity Government of Yemen and call on all sides to resume dialogue, with the aim of the safe return of the Government to Aden. The continued absence of any women in the cabinet is very regrettable. We hope that this issue will be addressed in the very near future.”
2021-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8840 (2021) · source