YouSaid · the spoken record

Christian Wenaweser

lines on the record: 118
first: 2020-05-15
most recent: 2021-10-15
sittings or episodes: 18
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

“Liechtenstein has been among the few States to ratify the Optional Protocol, and we hope that many others will join us. For many children in situations of armed conflict, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has further deteriorated their already challenging and devastating reality. It has exacerbated the risk of exploitation and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including human trafficking and modern slavery. Quarantine, curfews and other restrictions on movement are weakening protection mechanisms and heightening risks of domestic and sexual violence for women and girls, as well as men and boys, in crisis-affected communities. Its socioeconomic effects increase the vulnerability of children to recruitment and use by armed forces or armed groups, child labour and sexual exploitation and abuse.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Depriving children of access to education also has a devastating impact on sustainable development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 4, and inflicts irreparable long-term damage on children, families, communities and societies. It is therefore vital to ensure inclusive, equitable and good quality education for girls and boys at all times. It is also important to put children’s voices first, to listen to them as advocates and agents of change and to empower them when they experience violations of their rights. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure gives children that voice. It is a reflection of the true spirit of the Convention and is in the best interests of the child.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Only a few weeks ago, we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration — a political commitment to protect students, teachers and educational facilities from the worst effects of armed conflict. The current global situation illustrates that the Declaration is as relevant today as it was five years ago. The United Nations verified almost 500 attacks on schools in 2019, many of which were unprovoked. Schools continue to be used for military purposes, thus eroding their sanctity as safe spaces and exposing schools, teachers and students to attack. Such attacks violate the right to education and often constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Liechtenstein emphasizes the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General with respect to Council referrals to the ICC — a meaningful tool when supported by follow- up action in the Council. The principle of complementarity — that is, the primary responsibility of national judiciaries to investigate and prosecute — offers the Council many more opportunities in its engagement with States, both during and after armed conflict.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Liechtenstein is pleased that the Secretary-General’s report (S/2020/366) emphasizes once again the need to enhance accountability and that it references the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria. It is worth remembering that the Mechanism was created by the General Assembly in the light of a deadlocked Security Council unable to pull the levers of accountability available to it, in particular a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The fact that this section of the Secretary-General’s report does not highlight any Council actions in many years should serve as a wakeup call to a body that increasingly seems asleep at the wheel on questions of accountability.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Liechtenstein is also proud to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration as it marks its fifth anniversary. We underline the need for all parties to conflict to fully comply with international humanitarian law and for the Council to ensure accountability in cases of non-compliance. The ongoing imperatives of prevention and accountability must not be obscured by the need for immediate protection measures. The Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group code of conduct regarding Security Council action against mass atrocity crimes, which is supported by 121 States, including two thirds of the current Security Council members, remains highly relevant in this respect. Liechtenstein continues to call on non-signatories to sign the code.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Never have more people felt more insecure than in the last three months, and never have we been less prepared to offer an effective response. Our definition of security must be human-centred and go far beyond measures to address the immediate threat of armed violence. Food security, climate action, economic security and universal access to health care should be key ingredients of our understanding of human security. Conflict-related sexual violence continues to be a blight on many of the world’s most severe conflicts. We appreciate that the Secretary-General has brought awareness to its prevalence for men and boys, given the distinct stigmas that they may suffer as a result; we will continue work with the Liechtenstein-based non- governmental organization All Survivors Project to highlight this understudied issue.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Refugees and displaced people as well as those who are detained face a particularly difficult task in finding safe ways to self-isolate and avoid infection. Liechtenstein places on record our support for the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire in order to help create conditions conducive to the delivery of aid and prise open a space for diplomacy in intractable armed conflicts. We hope to see its implementation by all relevant parties without distinction on the basis of actors or situations. A virus that spreads without discrimination must be met by a global ceasefire that does not discriminate. The consideration of the impact of COVID-19 on the protection of civilians should make us reflect on our understanding of the notion of security.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Liechtenstein associates itself with the statement read out by the representative of Switzerland on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Protection of Civilians. The situation with regard to the protection of civilians must be seen in the context of the severe impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The virus is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities and vulnerabilities while also exemplifying global interdependence and demonstrating the need for solidarity. Measures to support vulnerable populations are urgently needed, including through the provision of water and sanitation, and by ensuring access to health care and health services and enhancing protections from gender-based violence.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“In addition, Liechtenstein encourages all States, in particular those running for a seat on the Council, to sign the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group code of conduct, now supported by 121 States, including two-thirds of the current Security Council membership, for timely and decisive Security Council action to prevent and end mass atrocity crimes, Preventing such crimes remains a core duty of the Security Council, on which it, however, consistently fails to deliver.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Delays inherent in the Council’s written voting procedure give even more weight to the use or threat of use of the veto, and consequently discourage Council debate on politically sensitive issues, thereby reducing its effectiveness. Liechtenstein remains convinced that the use of a veto should automatically result in the convening of the General Assembly to discuss the matter. Such a discussion would take place without prejudice to any possible outcome and irrespective of the substance of the draft resolution subject to a veto. Liechtenstein will resume activities in that respect as soon as the circumstances allow.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“One area that requires continued consideration is the extension of the Ombudsperson mechanism, with the aim of ensuring due process in the work of all the Council’s sanctions bodies. Finalizing the outstanding note on penholdership should also be urgently addressed so that the responsibility for drafting products can be more equally shared between the permanent five and the elected ten. The question of penholdership is also one expression of a wider need for the Council to facilitate the participation of its elected members on an equal footing with the Council’s permanent members. Their role has significantly increased in the past months, and Liechtenstein welcomes that trend. The veto continues to prevent the Council from adopting resolutions on key topics, not least with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The key lesson for the Council is this: addressing human security is no less important to the maintenance of international peace and security than preventing and ending the outbreak of armed conflict, and both are intimately linked. Yet the Council is certainly less prepared to deal with that fundamental dimension of security. The S/2020/418 S/2020/418 Council’s inability to find consensus on a resolution addressing the pandemic is the most obvious proof of that. Liechtenstein commends the work of Kuwait in leading the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions, applauds its success in forging consensus on many important amendments to presidential note S/2017/507, and welcomes the resolve of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to take this vital work forward.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The prevailing notion of peace and security in the Council implies the need to ensure hard security, through an often heavily militarized response. This approach, while a necessary element of peace and security, leaves many of the largest causes of insecurity around the world unaddressed. It is evident that there has never been a time when more people have felt insecure than during the current pandemic. Our warming climate and rising sea levels threaten to destroy the livelihoods and wash away the homes of millions. The international wildlife trade is a proven threat to public health and human security. Human rights violations continue to create mass insecurity among the world’s most marginalized people.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Emphasis should be given to hearing from those who may have difficulty accessing the Council during normal times, in particular women, young people, persons with disabilities and indigenous persons. This is just one way that that the Council can build back better. Unfortunately, the present pandemic is unlikely to be the last time that the Council is faced with the need to resort to virtual meetings. Forging consensus on inclusive and transparent working methods now will help to ensure the future resilience of its work. The Council’s response to COVID-19 is also an opportunity to consider broader questions. Chief among these is the need to take on a perspective of peace and security that is human-centred.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The commitment of some Council members to continuing to brief the broader membership on its deliberations, as well as the holding of wrap-up sessions and briefings on the programme of work, are particularly important during this time. The interactivity of wrap-up sessions could be enhanced by inviting questions to be submitted in advance by the membership, as took place with this month’s briefing on the programme of work, and result in opening remarks that address the questions of the membership rather than offering an overview of the past month. With regard to inclusion, the Council should build on the progress demonstrated in the aforementioned Arria Formula meeting to open it to the increased participation of civil society briefers.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Liechtenstein’s broad priorities for improved Council working methods remain the same as the Council adapts to new circumstances. Liechtenstein expects to see at least the same standards of transparency and inclusion applied. The Council should agree on a mechanism to allow its video-teleconference meetings to be entered into its official records so that its public deliberations are not lost to history, and on a streamlined voting mechanism to enhance its efficiency. While it is good to see initial progress on restarting the work of some of the Council’s subsidiary bodies, they all should become fully operational as soon as possible.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President. for convening this open debate, which could not be more timely given the challenges that the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic creates for the Council’s working methods. Liechtenstein appreciates the Council’s efforts to ensure business continuity, notably the work of the Dominican Republic last month, continued by your delegation this month. The Arria Formula meeting marking 75 years since the end of the Second World War on European soil was a welcome example of creative working methods, demonstrating how online technologies can bring together a record number of high-level participants, and proving that these challenging times can be used for innovation and lasting positive change.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source