YouSaid · the spoken record

Chowdhury

lines on the record: 1,172
first: 1997-03-06
most recent: 2009-08-07
sittings or episodes: 146
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

“Bangladesh is grateful to the Secretary-General for his statement this morning, which contains a number of very specific and useful suggestions. We believe that it will be appropriate for the Council to focus on some of those. Since his report last year, the Council has adopted four resolutions and statements of the President. We believe that those resolutions contain very useful recommendations and suggestions. One of the first actions that the Council can take is to follow up on those four resolutions and let us see what can be implemented. At the moment, for this debate, we will make six comments regarding possibilities of action in this area by the Council.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We are happy that this open meeting is taking place today to discuss the United Nations partnership with Africa and how to make it more productive. My delegation appreciates the initiative taken by the United Kingdom under its presidency of the Council for this month. And we thank you, Mr. Minister, for personally coming here and conducting our meeting. We hope that the conclusions that you will be drawing at the end of the meeting will spur future action in this area. We also thank your Permanent Representative, Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock, for very effectively running the work of the presidency for this month. My delegation is also very happy to learn that during the presidency of the United States, next month, four meetings will be devoted to the discussion of issues on Africa. We welcome this initiative.”
1999-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4081Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In today's world the narrow national-interest-centric approach to crises and conflicts is certainly anachronistic. We cannot adopt the policies of the nineteenth century in today's globalized and interdependent world. In conclusion, I would say that giving priority to dispute resolution and conflict prevention goes to the heart of equipping the United Nations for taking its rightful place as the pre-eminent cooperative security institution in the post-cold-war era.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Council's primary responsibility notwithstanding, its role should be seen within the broad framework of the principles and purposes of the United Nations, in which specific roles are assigned to each of the principal organs. Their contribution should converge on the goal of the common progress of mankind in a world of peace. The multiplicity of crises and conflicts across the world in the past decades reveals a different reality. We are far from achieving our objective of building the foundation of sustainable peace. The role of the Council in conflict prevention in the medium- and long-term perspective should also be seen in this broad framework. The human and the material price of wars should serve as pointers in our policy decisions.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Bangladesh believes that international peace and security can best be strengthened not by the actions of States alone, but through the inculcation of a culture of peace and non-violence in every human being and in every sphere of our activity. We regard the culture of peace as an effective expedient to minimize and prevent violence and conflict in the present-day world. My delegation strongly recommends that the culture of peace be given due consideration in the context of conflict prevention. Finally, with respect to the role of the Council in relation to those of other major organs, it is often said that the United Nations success is more pronounced in the economic and social areas than in the field of peace and security.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Council should employ all the instruments and measures available and adopt newer and innovative strategies within the purview of the Charter provisions. The credibility of the Council must not be further compromised by its failure to act promptly, effectively and consistently. The impediments to the proper functioning of the Council should be identified, analysed and debated. Fifthly, the Secretary-General has proposed the institution of a culture of prevention. A comprehensive approach to the prevention of conflicts may be taken through the implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Success will depend on the United Nations system-wide integration of the Programme of Action and national implementation, as well as on the active participation of civil society and the media.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Thirdly, on the question of uniformity and consistency in practice, the protection of the Security Council should be available equally to all. To be credible, the Council must be guided by a consistent approach in addressing all conflicts. To be effective, it should work on both current and potential threats to peace. To be true to its purposes and functions, it should use all the power and authority conferred upon it by the Member States. Fourthly, on the question of delayed action, the Secretary-Generals exasperation in quoting from Hamlet is understandable. The Council has been discredited in world public opinion in this regard. The United Nations rapid-deployment capacity should be enhanced.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“What happens when the parties remain determined to fight out their claims or control? What happens when the leaders in a given State fail their people? When they violate the provisions of humanitarian law? When they disregard the recommendations of the Council? In this context, I wonder if we should not rethink the way the question of peace and security is addressed. The responsibility of actors within States has to be determined and necessary redress should be available. The United Nations cannot keep a peace that does not exist, as the Secretary-General said. The international community cannot be expected to pay for wars of attrition fought in total disregard for law and civilized norms. A global consensus should be reached on the evolving concepts and mechanisms to address these complex situations.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“For us, the question would be how to balance between the principles of political independence, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States and the humanitarian and legal imperatives of maintaining international peace and security. The two imperatives are not necessarily contradictory. The Charter, in my reading, tends to treat them as complementary. The task before us would be to find out the parameters of this complementarity. There is a difference of opinion on how to address intrastate conflict which the Charter does not seem to have envisaged. What should the United Nations do with a State in civil war, a country plunged into intractable ethnic strife, a failed State? The preventive measures prescribed in Chapter VI are subject to the consent of the parties involved.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“But then, the Council has been criticized for subcontracting its peace and security mission. We believe that such a perception requires our serious attention in the context of our debate today. We must examine the benefits of formulating appropriate mechanisms and elaborate policy guidelines for the involvement and intervention of the regional organizations. They must, of course, be specific to a given situation. In this context, we encourage the initiatives of the Secretary-General in pursuing preventive action. While such traditional instruments as good offices, mediation and conciliation may be tried as the case may be, we would support more vigorous actions by the Secretary-General. Secondly, the question of sovereignty is one with which the Council will be increasingly confronted.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“First, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is also mandated to ensure prompt and effective action. There is considerable international public opinion behind the demand that the Council be proactive and play an avant-garde role in matters of international peace and security. It is expected that the Council's role should be visible before a situation develops into a crisis; before hostile campaigns degenerate into armed conflicts; before a carnage has taken place; before a war has broken out. It should be there in the true realization of its responsibility. The role of the regional organizations is recognized in the Charter. In recent years, these organizations have played a critically important role in preventing or containing armed conflicts.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“There has been express need for holding open discussions on the role of the Council in the prevention of armed conflicts. Several considerations have made this expedient. We appreciate the initiative taken in this regard by Slovenia and the wise leadership provided by you, Mr. President. We thank the Secretary-General for the very important statement he made yesterday as we commenced this debate. His statement contains a number of specific suggestions which should receive the Council's attention, in particular the one relating to the expert working group on early warning. The political, humanitarian and economic imperatives of conflict prevention do not require elaboration in this forum. I shall limit my observations to a few suggestions and some interrogations.”
1999-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4072Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The Special Representative made a reference to this in his statement this morning. The objective of a culture of peace is the empowerment of people. It celebrates diversity and advances understanding and tolerance. It works against poverty and inequality and promotes development. We also believe that the international community must make greater political efforts to settle conflicts by addressing the underlying political issues. An effective humanitarian response is crucial, but it cannot substitute political will for the settlement of conflicts.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We are particularly pleased that child-protection issues have been incorporated in the Statute of the International Criminal Court and that crimes of war now include recruiting children below the minimum legal age of 15 and targeting buildings and sites primarily used by children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child has the potential of addressing all of these areas in the best interests of children. My delegation believes that the cause of children can best be served not by the actions of States alone but by all women and men through the fostering of a culture of peace and non-violence in every human being and in every sphere of activity. The elements of a culture of peace draw from age-old principles and values which are respected and held in high esteem by all peoples and societies.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Bangladesh agrees with the Special Representative's focus on priority areas of action relating to the participation of children in armed conflict, sexual abuse and gender-based violence, mine awareness and rehabilitation of child Victims, integrating standards into United Nations operations, and the impact of sanctions on children. It is important to incorporate the need for schooling and other activities to give structure to children's lives - to protect boys from being drawn into fighting and girls from being exposed to sexual exploitation. The supply and availability of small arms has assumed a disastrous dimension for the well-being of children.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We believe that the international community has the ability to work together to heal the scars inflicted on children by war. The mobilization of a coordinated response to post-conflict situations is absolutely essential. The healing and rehabilitation of children should constitute a central element and not an afterthought of post-conflict peace-building programmes. Humanitarian standards and commitments must be translated into action that concretely helps endangered children. Governments should incorporate forceful child- protection elements in their domestic and foreign policies. My delegation feels that in armed conflicts, facilities meant for children, like schools, should be considered free zones. The concept of children as zones of peace needs to be realized through concrete action at all levels.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In today's wars and conflicts, the parties involved quite often have recourse to actions which constitute flagrant violations of human rights and international law, particularly humanitarian law, and the weaker and vulnerable groups of society, which include children, become the easy and innocent victims of conflicts. Abuses of the rights of children are very common in present-day wars and armed conflicts. This has been rightly termed the modem-day version of "child sacrifice". It not only robs children of their childhood but destroys productive human potential for generations. My delegation supports the Special Representative's call for specific actions to prevent the suffering of children in conflict situations and to make a tangible difference in their lives.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We specially thank Ambassador Olara Otunnu for his action advocacy as well as for his leadership role in this area and encourage him to continue. His office needs to be strengthened to be effective and produce results. We also encourage better coordination between different parts of the United Nations at the headquarters and field levels engaged in child-related activities. My delegation, among others, was looking forward to hearing from other key players of the United Nations. We are particularly disappointed to see that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has chosen to be absent from the debate in the Council today.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Bangladesh strongly believes that, given the seriousness and crucial importance of this issue, the time has come for the Council to adopt an appropriately articulated resolution on children and armed conflict, thereby giving real meaning to its resolve to address the issue. This morning we heard a stimulating statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The plight of children in conflict situations, as he presented it, shocked and outraged us. Of course, the United Nations has come a long way since the Graga Machel report was presented in 1996 and is now actively engaged in mitigating the suffering of children in armed conflict with its programmes and activities.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Last month, the Council deliberated on the maintenance of peace and security and post-conflict peace- building. Many of us highlighted the problems of children in armed conflict in that meeting. My delegation continues to believe that no other issue has the same urgency and longer-term impact on problems relating to international peace, security and development as has that of children in conflict. Through its presidential statement of last year, the Security Council expressed its intention to pay serious attention to the situation of children affected by armed conflict.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Bangladesh commends the initiative of the Security Council for convening this meeting. We thank Namibia in particular for its leadership in this regard. It is a special pleasure for me to see you, Sir, presiding over our meeting this afternoon. We are immensely honoured that this important meeting is being chaired by a person of your wisdom and eminence. Today's meeting gives the Security Council an opportunity to follow up on the open debate we had last year on the same issue and to come up with ideas on how best the rights of children in conflict situations can be protected and also how best this issue can be brought to high-level governmental and international attention. Our deliberations today will, hopefully, help identify key action areas in a meaningful way.”
1999-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4037Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Following the signing of the accord, the ex-combatants disarmed themselves by surrendering their arms to the Government. They are being successfully integrated into society, in particular in the development activities of the area through administrative councils headed by their leaders. Let me reiterate in conclusion that Bangladesh is committed to the cause of international peace and security. We have been a major contributor to the peacekeeping and peacemaking efforts of the United Nations and are prepared to work constructively with the Member States in the promotion of the objectives of the United Nations Charter.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“In a post-conflict situation, the ground remains fertile for the outbreak of fresh conflicts on minor issues or no pretext as armed combatants, who are in most cases not a disciplined force, are prone to involve themselves in conflicts at slight instigation. In a situation like this, the disarmament and reintegration of ex- combatants are essential. However, the ex-combatants should be integrated into the mainstream of society in a way which enables them to get involved in the peace process and contribute to normalizing the situation. In this regard, our experience has been quite positive. In Bangladesh, the Government negotiated an end to a long-standing problem in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in December 1997 with the signing of a peace accord which met the legitimate concerns of the population of that area.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The maintenance and consolidation of peace and security depend in large measure on favourable conditions for durable peace after a conflict. The transition from peacekeeping to peace-building obviously needs the close attention of the international community. Such a transition, if not properly managed, can seriously undermine every positive peacemaking effort. In fact, we have witnessed societies emerging from a conflict situation to indulge in fresh intra-State or intra-group conflicts. This is an aspect of peace and security and peace-building that cannot be overemphasized. After a war or conflict, the maintenance of peace and security in a country or a region cannot be ensured in an environment of poverty, hunger and ignorance, economic deprivation and lack of accountability in the use of political power.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“The elements of a culture of peace draw from age-old principles and values which are respected and held in high esteem by all peoples and societies. The objective of a culture of peace is the empowerment of people. It contributes effectively to the overcoming of authoritarian structures and accompanying exploitation through democratic participation. It works against poverty and inequality and promotes development. It celebrates diversity and advances understanding and tolerance. We regard the culture of peace as an effective expedient to minimize and prevent violence and conflict in the present-day world and effectively contribute to the building and strengthening of peace in post-conflict situations.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“However, intra-State conflicts, social strife, deprivation, abuses of human rights, ethnic aggrandizement and xenophobia continue to pose problems that result in violence and impinge on international peace and security. In wars and conflicts of today, parties involved quite often take recourse to actions which constitute flagrant violations of human rights and international law, particularly humanitarian laws. The weaker and vulnerable groups of society become easy and innocent victims of conflicts. Abuses of the rights of women and children are most common. We believe that international peace and security can best be strengthened not by actions of States alone, but by men and women through the inculcation of a culture of peace and non-violence in every human being and in every sphere of activity.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Lack of development, poverty and social injustice constitute a deep source of frustration and even a possible cause of new conflicts, with easily available ex- combatants to re-enter situations of violence. The consolidation of peace, security and democracy on a global scale will require a reversal of growing international inequalities. Disputes among nations and within nations, violent conflicts, aggression, foreign occupation and interference in the internal affairs of States continue to frustrate the object of peaceful coexistence of States and peoples. As we look at the nature of conflicts and social strife that many parts of the world are experiencing today, we notice that inter-State wars and foreign occupation have been on the decline since the end of the cold war.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“Our deliberations will, hopefully, help identify areas that are of interest to the United Nations and the international community. Bangladesh would like to convey its special appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General for her very pertinent statement at the start of our debate earlier today. The five points which she identified for the Council's particular attention are extremely important and her views are shared by my delegation. The international situation today remains fluid. A climate of uncertainty persists. Commitments made in some major areas of international cooperation remain to be fulfilled. The gap between the developed and developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, continues to widen. The problems that derive from poverty and social injustices are in many instances being compounded.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“At the outset, Sir, allow me to convey my warm greetings to you, a dear colleague and a capable representative of your great country. Let me take this opportunity also to convey, through you, to the Foreign Minister of Malaysia our cordial welcome and thanks for the benefit of his guidance at this morning's session. Bangladesh commends the initiative of the Security Council and its President, Malaysia, for convening this meeting. This gives the States Members of the United Nations an opportunity to come up with ideas on how best the cause of international peace and security can be served and also on how best the issue of post-conflict peace-building - in particular its disarmament, demobilization and reintegration aspects - can be addressed.”
1999-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4020Resumption1 (1999) · source
“We also encourage the Secretary-General to consult the Inter-Agency Committee in formulating his recommendations. In conclusion, let me say that Bangladesh is committed to the cause of international peace and development. We are a signatory to most of the humanitarian conventions and laws. We have been a major contributor to peacekeeping and peacemaking efforts of the United Nations. Through our participation in this debate, we reiterate our readiness to continue to work constructively with the other Member States in ensuring effective protection of civilians in armed conflicts and, most importantly, in eliminating the root causes of such conflicts.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“The objective of a culture of peace is the empowerment of people. It contributes effectively to overcoming authoritarian structures and exploitation through democratic participation. It works against poverty and inequities and promotes development. It celebrates diversity, advances understanding and tolerance, and reduces inequality between men and women. We regard the culture of peace as an effective expedient for minimizing and preventing violence and conflict in the present-day world. My delegation strongly recommends that the culture of peace be given due consideration in the report of the Secretary-General, as called for in the statement of the Security Council President of 12 February 1999, and that the Council devote its attention to this issue when it deliberates on the report.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“Bangladesh believes that an important first step towards ensuring protection of civilians is to take adequate and effective measures to stop the supply of weapons to parties in conflict. The supply and proliferation of small arms, in particular, have contributed in a major way to jeopardizing the security of civilians. We reiterate the need for full compliance with Security Council resolution 1209 (1998) of 19 November 1998. Bangladesh believes that international peace and security can best be strengthened not by actions of States alone, but through the inculcation of a culture of peace and non-violence in every human being and in every sphere of activity. The elements of a culture of peace are drawn from age-old principles and values that are respected and held in high esteem by all peoples and societies.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“The Convention on the Rights of the Child, with its near universal adherence, should be invoked more effectively and be respected by all. We have noted with concern that United Nations and other humanitarian personnel are being threatened, abducted and killed. It is outrageous that despite the existence of so many international conventions and laws regarding humanitarian activities, particularly in respect of conflict situations, the protection and safe access of humanitarian personnel cannot be ensured. We are concerned that humanitarian personnel do not get sufficient security coverage to smoothly conduct their activities. We must address this problem more seriously and sincerely. Here we pay tribute to the significant role being played by the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“This will require a reversal of growing international inequities. In wars and conflicts of today, parties involved quite often take recourse to actions that constitute flagrant violations of international laws, particularly humanitarian and human rights laws. The weaker and vulnerable groups of society become easy victims of conflicts. Abuses of the rights of women and children are most common. The statement of the President of the Security Council of 29 June last year is worth recalling in this regard. In this context, we value the role being played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu. We also reiterate strongly Bangladesh's endorsement of the idea that in a conflict situation children should be treated as a "zone of peace".”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“Recent developments suggest that ethnic and/or religious minorities are increasingly becoming targets of parties involved in armed conflicts. Conflicts in many countries have their roots in poverty, hunger, ignorance, deprivation and lack of accountability in the use of political power. At the same time, various forms and manifestations of colonial legacies continue to prevent social and political assimilation and equitable distribution of resources. This can only foment tensions and conflicts within and among nations. We need to address the root causes of conflicts in a comprehensive and holistic manner. Poverty and social injustice constitute a source of frustration and a possible cause of new conflicts. Stability, security, democracy and peace are yet to be consolidated on a global scale.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“Most of the conflicts that the Security Council is handling today are internal armed conflicts in which civilians are the worst victims, taking the brunt of the large-scale human suffering. They are being displaced. They are being assaulted. They are being killed. All sorts of atrocities are being perpetrated against civilians. It is a matter of grave concern that in armed conflicts the percentage of civilian casualties has gone up incredibly in the recent decades. As we have heard before, in the First World War civilians accounted for only 5 per cent of the casualties. In the Second World War, the number went up to 45 per cent. Now the number exceeds 90 per cent. Such a sharp rise in civilian casualties is due, among other causes, to deliberate targeting and indiscriminate killing of civilians by the combatants.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“As the world is commemorating this year the fiftieth anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, as well as the centenary of the first International Peace Conference in the Hague, it is fitting that the Security Council is holding this open meeting to consider the important issue of civilians in armed conflict. As we look at the nature of conflicts and social strife that the world is experiencing today, we notice that inter- State wars and foreign occupations have been on the decline since the end of the cold war. This encouraging development, we believe, is expected to contribute to the lessening of global violence in the long run. However, intra-State conflicts, social strife, deprivation, abuses of human rights, ethnic exclusion and xenophobia continue to pose problems that result in violence and impinge on international peace and security.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“It is a special pleasure for me and my delegation, Sir, to see you preside over the deliberations of the Security Council. We would like express our deep admiration to you for the wise, effective and, if I may add, proactive manner in which you are performing this task. Bangladesh welcomes the initiative taken by Canada and you, Mr. President in convening this open meeting. It gives the Member States of the United Nations in general an opportunity to share their views and ideas on how the international community can contribute to ensuring the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.”
1999-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3980 (1999) · source
“The weaker and vulnerable groups of society become easy and innocent victims of conflicts. Abuses of the rights of women and children are most common. In this regard, we welcome the role being played by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict. We also endorse the idea of treating children in conflict situations as zones of peace. Bangladesh is committed to the cause of international peace and security. We have been a major contributor to the peacekeeping and peacemaking efforts of the United Nations and are prepared to work constructively with Member States in the promotion of the objectives of the United Nations Charter.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The maintenance of international peace and security will depend in large measure on favourable conditions for durable peace after military conflict. The transition from peacekeeping to peace-building obviously needs the close attention of the international community. Such a transition, if not properly managed, could seriously undermine peace and security. In fact, we have witnessed societies emerge from conflict situations only to indulge in fresh intra-State or intra-group conflicts. That is an aspect of peace and security and peace-building that cannot be overemphasized. In the wars and conflicts of today the parties involved quite often resort to actions which constitute flagrant violations of human rights and international laws, particularly humanitarian laws.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Indeed, such eminent persons as Nobel Laureates Lester Pearson and Bertrand Russell have expressed the view that some people may even be thrilled at the prospect of war. What is clearly needed, therefore, as the eminent American philosopher William James said, decades before the United Nations came into existence, is something that is the moral equivalent of war - something that would be as heroic to people as war has often been depicted to be, but that is also compatible with the essential human spirit, which war emphatically is not. That is the need that the culture of peace strives to fulfil. Conflicts in developing countries have their roots in poverty, hunger, ignorance, economic deprivation and lack of accountability in the use of political power. We need to address the root causes of conflict in a comprehensive and holistic manner.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The elements of a culture of peace draw on age-old principles and values which are respected and held in high esteem by all peoples and societies. The objective of a culture of peace is the empowerment of people. It contributes effectively to the overcoming of authoritarian structures, and the accompanying exploitation, through democratic participation. It works against poverty and inequality and promotes development. It celebrates diversity, advances understanding and tolerance and reduces inequality between men and women. We regard the culture of peace as an effective expedient to minimize and prevent violence and conflict in the present-day world. Over countless millenniums, humankind has failed to abolish or do away with war.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“As we look at the nature of the conflicts and social strife that the world is experiencing today, we notice that inter-State wars and foreign occupation have been on the decline since the end of the cold war. This encouraging development is expected to contribute to the lessening of Violence in the long run. However, intra-State conflicts, social strife, deprivation, abuses of human rights, ethnic aggrandizement and xenophobia continue to pose problems that result in violence and impinge on international peace and security. International peace and security can best be strengthened by the actions not just of States but also of men and women, through the inculcation of a culture of peace and non-violence in every human being and in every sphere of activity.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The interests of developing countries surely warrant high priority. The gap between the developed and developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, continues to widen. The problems that derive from poverty and social injustices are in many instances being compounded. Underdevelopment, poverty and social injustice constitute a source of frustration and even a possible cause of new conflicts. Stability, security, democracy and peace are far from being consolidated on a global scale. That will require a reversal of growing international inequalities. Disputes among nations and also within nations, violent conflicts, aggression, foreign occupation and interference in the internal affairs of States continue to frustrate the object of peaceful coexistence of States and peoples.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“It is a particular pleasure for Bangladesh to see you, Sir, a wise and capable diplomat, presiding over the Council's deliberations on this important subject. Bangladesh commends the timely initiative of the Security Council in convening this meeting. This gives the States Members of the United Nations an opportunity to come up with ideas on how best the cause of international peace and security can be served and also how best the issue of post-conflict peace-building can be addressed. Our deliberations will help identify areas that are of interest to the United Nations and the international community. The international situation today remains fluid. A climate of uncertainty persists. Commitments made in some major areas of international cooperation remain to be fulfilled.”
1998-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3954Resumption1 (1998) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the United Nations has an abiding responsibility in resolving the problems arising from the illegal occupation by Israel, as foreign occupation in itself constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. The people of Palestine are seeking protection under international law and the establishment of a sovereign, independent State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. Bangladesh expresses total solidarity with them.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900Resumption1 (1998) · source
“We believe that it is absolutely necessary to end all illegal measures and actions by Israel in the interest of restoring mutual confidence and promoting peace. It cannot be over-emphasized that the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict will constitute a significant contribution to strengthening international peace, security and progress. We call upon all concerned to ensure that the peace accords are complied with fully and negotiations with the Palestinian Authority are pursued in a congenial atmosphere. We believe that the peace process can be effectively advanced by the withdrawal of all troops from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, stopping settlement in those areas with immediate effect and allowing the Palestinian diaspora to return to their homeland.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Thus, we have consistently expressed our strong solidarity with our Palestinian brethren, always and everywhere, particularly at the United Nations and in all of the major international forums. My delegation would like to stress the need for full implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which form the basis of the Middle East Peace process, and the need for immediate and scrupulous implementation of the agreements reached between the parties, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the West Bank and the commencement of the negotiations on the final settlement. Bangladesh calls upon the international community to re-inject momentum into the peace process and to deploy all the necessary efforts and initiatives to bring the peace process back on track and to ensure its continuity and success.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Bangladesh is concerned at Israel's flagrant violation of human rights and its imposition of the instrument of oppression against the Palestinian people under the pretext of security considerations. Retaliation for individual offences is taking the form of collective punishment, such as blockading, demolition of houses, confiscation of property, deportation and the conduct of collective searches. Bangladesh is watching with concern the developments regarding the systematic campaign being carried out by Israel to demoralize the people of the occupied territories, particularly the Palestinians, with a view to perpetuating its illegal occupation under various pretexts. Bangladesh is committed, by its Constitution, to supporting oppressed peoples throughout the world.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900Resumption1 (1998) · source
“Israeli settlements in the occupied territories have always been a source of tension, as these settlements violate the land rights of the people under occupation. Unfortunately, Israel, in defiance of United Nations resolutions, including General Assembly resolutions ES-10/2, ES-10/3 and ES-10/4, continues to pursue repressive policies in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem. These resolutions demand immediate and full cessation of construction in Jebel Abu Ghneim and of all other Israeli settlement activities, as well as of all illegal measures and actions in Jerusalem. The resolutions also underline the obligation of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention to ensure respect of the Convention by Israel.”
1998-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3900Resumption1 (1998) · source