YouSaid · the spoken record

Cohen

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977

first

2008-01-22

most recent

2023-10-24

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157

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un-security-council

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1. “Specifically, we are concerned about reports of intimidation and partisanship by security forces, heightened insecurity, the inability of internally displaced persons or persons with disabilities to vote, and the risk that widespread vote-buying could challenge the integrity of the electoral process. We urge the Nigerian authorities and political parties, civil society and community leaders to address those risks in the run-up to February's election and to ensure that the election is genuinely free and fair and held in a peaceful and appropriately transparent manner. Twenty years after the country's return to democratic rule, the upcoming elections provide Nigerians with an opportunity to shape the future of their country and further solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa.”

   2019-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8442 (2019) · source

2. “Finally, we remain focused on Nigeria's February national elections as a critical test of democracy in both Nigeria and the wider region. The United States continues to support the Nigerian goal of free and fair elections, held in a peaceful and appropriately transparent manner, that reflect the will of the Nigerian people. Through diplomacy; robust public engagement, including with youth and civil society; and democracy and governance programmes, we are helping the country to strengthen its democratic institutions and processes. In advance of February's elections, we share many ofthe concerns expressed by Nigerian observers and our international partners regarding the political climate in key areas of risk.”

   2019-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8442 (2019) · source

3. “Going forward, we cannot and should not accept the unwillingness that we have seen in the past by the parties to fully and rapidly implement the Mali Agreement. The stakes are too high, both for the people of Mali and for the region, and the Security Council should consider using all available tools, including sanctions, against those who obstruct implementation. In the Lake Chad basin, the security and humanitarian situations remain a concern. The lack of humanitarian access to large parts of the region continues to take a heavy toll on populations in need of assistance, in particular women and children. While the region has made progress in coordinating efforts against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, it is clear that those violent extremist organizations remain dangerous threats.”

   2019-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8442 (2019) · source

4. “We are concerned that over time, local communities may begin seeing these disputes through an ethnic lens. In that connection, we are pleased that UNOWAS recently completed its study on pastoralism and security in West Africa and the Sahel and look forward to coordinating with it as it seeks to incorporate the findings into the work that the United Nations is doing in the region. Mali is at the centre ofthe region, with its own unique political and security challenges and its Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali emanating from the Algiers process. We call once again on the parties to that Agreement to make significant progress over the next few months. In particular, we hope that they implement the measures laid out in resolution 2423 (2018).”

   2019-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8442 (2019) · source

5. “Chambas' concerns about the increasing intercommunal violence, the rise in insecurity along the borders of Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger, the continued prevalence of terrorist and criminal activity throughout the region and allegations of human rights abuses by non-State armed groups and security forces. We share the concern expressed by the Secretary- General regarding the growing sophistication and reach of violent extremist organizations in parts of the Sahel. Only by promoting good governance, addressing the root causes of instability, creating economic opportunity, respecting human rights and enhancing security can the region make sustained progress towards addressing those challenges. We are particularly concerned by the increasing unrest in the central Sahel, which is at least partly driven by the scarcity of resources.”

   2019-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8442 (2019) · source

6. “I thank Special Representative Chambas for his briefing here today, which clearly outlined areas of progress as well as the immense challenges that remain in West Africa. We appreciate the work that the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) does in support of international peace and security in fostering freedom and good governance across West Africa and the Sahel. We also recognize and pay tribute to the sacrifices that thousands of security forces members and peacekeepers make every day to create a more prosperous and stable region. To those ends, I will highlight a few core priorities that we believe merit the attention of UNOWAS and the Security Council in the coming months. In the Sahel, we share Mr.”

   2019-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8442 (2019) · source

7. “The United States will do its utmost to ensure that all United Nations efforts, including those to oversee the ceasefire, are successful and contribute to a peaceful solution, which is long overdue.”

   2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source

8. “We also call on all parties to fully honour the ceasefire in Al-Hudaydah and to ensure that the redeployments agreed to in Sweden proceed in due course. Credible redeployments are critical to sustaining peace in Al-Hudaydah and to restoring a functioning port to the country. We, and indeed the Council, have long held that only a political solution will lead to the sustained and stable peace that the people of Yemen deserve. In that regard, the United States will continue to strongly support the efforts of Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. Finally, we express our appreciation to the United Kingdom for its leadership in crafting the resolutions needed to affirm the Council's support for the agreement reached in Sweden and, now, to establish a United Nations mission in Al-Hudaydah.”

   2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source

9. “According to a report from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs issued just Monday, prices of basic commodities, including food and petrol, are up 137 per cent and 261 per cent, respectively. There has been only one containerized shipment to Al-Hudaydah since 2017, as we heard this morning, and all parties need to lift the wide range of bureaucratic obstacles that stand in the way of delivering assistance. We are concerned by the World Food Programme's reports of Houthi food aid diversion and call for a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this shameful theft. Interference with United Nations relief efforts can only prolong the misery of Yemeni citizens. We call on all sides to ensure that food aid reaches those who need it most.”

   2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source

10. “The Secretary-General's 7 January report (S/2019/11) on the status of implementation of resolution 2451 (2018) notes the important progress made to date, particularly the swift establishment ofthe Redeployment Coordination Committee, demonstrating the parties' desire to turn the page. It is significant that the Republic of Yemen Government and Houthi representatives have shown a willingness to forge a political settlement, and we stand by the Secretary- General's assertion that we should not take for granted that progress in trying to bring to a conclusion years of war, suffering and hunger. But if we share the Secretary-General's measured optimism, we also share his concerns regarding the complexity of the task ahead. In particular, despite those promising efforts, the situation on the ground for millions of Yemenis remains dire.”

    2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source

11. “I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Martin Griffiths, for their briefings and for their excellent work to achieve and implement the agreements reached in Stockholm. We also deeply appreciate retired Major General Cammaert's work in establishing the Redeployment Coordination Committee in Al-Hudaydah, which is an essential element in implementing the Stockholm Agreement, and the work of the Resident Coordinator in Yemen, Ms. Lise Grande, to amplify the message of the enormous and critical humanitarian needs of Yemenis on the ground.”

    2019-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8441 (2019) · source

12. “The United States regards any ICC investigations and other activities concerning United States or Israeli personnel as illegitimate and unjustified.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

13. “We are eager to hear an update from the High Commissioner's Office on steps taken towards the establishment ofa country office. The people of Darfur are hungry for peace after 15 years of conflict. A Sudan that adheres to the rule of law, respects human rights, allows unhindered humanitarian access to all populations in need and breaks the cycle of impunity is one that will enjoy a sustained peace and prosper. We remain committed to working with the Government of the Sudan to usher in that future. In closing, I must reiterate the long-standing concerns of the United States regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC). The United States has consistently rejected any assertion of ICC jurisdiction over nationals of States that are not parties to the Rome Statute, absent of a Security Council referral or the consent of such States.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

14. “The United States will use all appropriate tools at its disposal to press the Sudan to improve human rights practices and protect fundamental freedoms for the people of Darfur. We believe that the United Nations should also make promoting and protecting the human rights of Darfuris the heart of its efforts in Darfur, whether through UNAMID or the evolving United Nations country team presence. The international community must ensure that human rights monitoring and reporting continue in Darfur following the drawdown of UNAMID, ideally through the establishment of a full-fledged office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as called for in the special report of the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (S/2018/530).”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

15. “We have demonstrated that through the phase-2 framework for United States-Sudan bilateral relations, which launched in October 2018, and through continued support to help meet the needs of more than 3 million people who require humanitarian assistance in Darfur. The phase-2 framework seeks to expand our bilateral cooperation and facilitate gradual but meaningful reforms to enhance stability and strengthen human rights protections and practices in the Sudan. That cooperation also aims to support freedom of religion, freedom of expression, particularly for the press, humanitarian access, the cessation of internal hostilities and a more conducive environment for progress in the Sudan's peace process.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

16. “The proposed benchmarks include, inter alia, the establishment of a truth, justice, and reconciliation commission, a Sudan police force presence in all localities and investigations and prosecutions by Sudan's judicial system of conflict- related sexual violence and gender-based violence. We acknowledge the Government of the Sudan's steps to strengthen judicial institutions through the deployment of judges and prosecutors. We encourage the Government of the Sudan to continue reinforcing that process to ensure that victims of human rights violations and abuses have adequate access to the judicial system. As the international community's support of the Sudan in Darfur transitions from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, the United States will remain engaged on Darfur.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

17. “With that document signed, both sides have now agreed to a framework for substantive negotiations to achieve a cessation of hostilities and address the root causes of the conflict. We call on both sides to engage in an inclusive and transparent way in the pursuit of an outcome that benefits all the people of Darfur, not just those with weapons. Lastly, we call on both the Government of the Sudan and Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid to immediately cease all hostilities and engage with the UNAMID Joint Chief Mediator on ways to begin peace talks. The United States supports the establishment of benchmarks and indicators of achievement to strengthen the rule of law in the Sudan, as proposed by the Secretary-General in his 12 October report on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (S/2018/912).”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

18. “The United States also remains deeply concerned about the vulnerability of Darfur's IDPs. The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan highlighted land occupation and violence targeting internally displaced persons as a hindrance to IDP returns and the consolidation of peace in Darfur. The Independent Expert specifically noted sexual violence against displaced girls and women. Long-term stability in Darfur will depend on resolving the underlying causes of the protracted conflict. We welcome the 6 December signing of a pre-negotiations document by the Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Minni Minawi and the Government of Sudan.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

19. “The United States is encouraged by United Nations reporting that Darfur's overall security situation is improving. However, the security situation for civilians in Jebel Marra remains precarious due to ongoing fighting between opposition and Government forces. That fighting has reportedly included attacks on civilians. More broadly throughout Darfur, persistent risks to civilians result from intercommunal violence between farmers and herders and there is harassment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by armed settlers, among other issues. We urge the Sudanese Government to cease restrictions on movement in Darfur, especially within the Jebel Marra region, for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and humanitarian organizations to support the region's fragile security gains.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

20. “I thank the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for her briefing. The United States will always believe that victims in Darfur deserve justice and that accountability is essential for achieving a stable and lasting peace in Darfur. We will continue calling for all those responsible for the horrific crimes committed in Darfur to be held accountable for their actions. After 15 years of conflict and a genocide in Darfur, more than 300,000 people have been killed, and close to 2 million more have been internally displaced. Clashes between opposition and Government forces in Darfur's Jebel Marra area continue to exact a toll on the civilian population, including the destruction of villages and the killing, injury and displacement of civilians.”

    2018-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8425 (2018) · source

21. “The United States remains a leader in the fight to end impunity and continues to support justice and accountability for international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. We respect the decision of the nations that have chosen to join the ICC, and in turn we expect that our decision not to join and not to place our citizens under the ICC's jurisdiction will also be respected.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8422 (2018) · source

22. “In particular, the United States reiterates its continuing and long-standing principled objection to any assertion of ICC jurisdiction over nationals of States that are not parties to the Rome Statute, including the United States and Israel, without a Security Council referral or the consent of such a State. We also want to reiterate our serious and fundamental concerns about the ICC Prosecutor's proposed investigation of United States personnel in the context of the conflict in Afghanistan. As today's resolution recalls, the Central African Republic is a State party to the Rome Statute and has consented to the ICC's exercise ofjurisdiction in its territory.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8422 (2018) · source

23. “We must coordinate closely to ensure that our combined assistance and related activities help to achieve the Security Council's objectives in support of the Central African Republic's territorial integrity. As is authorized in this mandate, we urge for more rapid progress on the African Union Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic, and we encourage all Member States to embrace transparency and full cooperation with the Government of the Central African Republic, the AU, ECCAS and MINUSCA in support of a political resolution to the Violence. Finally, we note that resolution 2448 (2018) contains references to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and in that connection we want to refer to the United States policy on the ICC, as announced by the White House on 10 September.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8422 (2018) · source

24. “We commend all the donors providing that assistance, and we want to reaffirm our commitment to achieving the highest possible standards of transparency in coordinating with the Government and other partners on military assistance, training and donations. In some cases, the distinction between activities that represent official Government assistance and those that represent private commercial activities, unrelated to donor coordination, has been unclear. Assisting the Government of the Central African Republic is not a competition. In helping one of the world's poorest countries emerge from more than a decade of conflict to pursue peace and development, there can be no room for jealousy.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8422 (2018) · source

25. “We are deeply concerned about the violence in Bangui, Bambari and Alindao, and believe that the fighting and the actions against civilians demonstrate the importance of ensuring that the Central African authorities coordinate with MINUSCA before redeploying security forces, as authorized in this mandate. We are concerned about the possibility the Central African military might be moving to zones that were not previously agreed on with the United Nations. We will continue to urge for the establishment of a national inspection protocol for all weapon donations to the Government of the Central African Republic.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8422 (2018) · source

26. “The United States strongly supports the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and is pleased to have voted for this mandate renewal. We note that it will be difficult for the Council and MINUSCA to assist the Government of the Central African Republic in making peace with armed groups, re-establishing Government control over its entire territory and laying the groundwork for peace and prosperity for all the citizens of the Central African Republic unless there is total unity, transparency and coordination among key actors, including the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8422 (2018) · source

27. “We look forward to further discussions in the coming months to make sure that UNOCA's mandate is appropriately focused on the most pressing political challenges in the Central African region and that they are well-coordinated with the four United Nations missions operating in the same geographic area, so as to ensure that our efforts have maximum impact and maximum efficiency.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8421 (2018) · source

28. “We hope that the Economic Community of Central African States, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU) and the AU Commission will enhance their efforts to support the peace process. We encourage them to coordinate with UNOCA in that effort. A peaceful and stable Cameroon is critical to regional stability in Central Africa, and both deserves and requires the continued and close attention of the Council. As noted by our Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs last week, the last thing we need, given the challenges in the region, is for a disproportionate response by security forces to result in the growing radicalization and hardening of separatist groups. In the presidential statement that we adopted in August (S/PRST/2018/17) the Security Council called for a strategic review of UNOCA's mandate by 1 August 2019.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8421 (2018) · source

29. “The creation of a Government-led humanitarian assistance coordination centre is a promising development. However, the Government has done little to address concerns over its own lack of respect for the humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality and the guarantees of unhindered access to conflict- affected populations. We urge the Government of Cameroon to prioritize respect for humanitarian principles and ensure unobstructed access for United Nations agencies and humanitarian non-governmental organizations assisting conflict-affected populations. The United States believes that UNOCA, through the good offices of Special Representative Fall, could provide technical assistance and mediation support to facilitate a broad-based reconciliatory dialogue without preconditions.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8421 (2018) · source

30. “The continuing crisis threatens to detract from our mutual security objectives in the Lake Chad basin. The United States calls for an immediate and broad- based reconciliatory dialogue, without preconditions, between the Government of Cameroon and separatists in the North-West and South-West regions. We urge all sides to forswear violence, restore peace and resolve their grievances through political dialogue. We note that in his inaugural address on 6 November President Biya expressed confidence that "there is an honourable way out in everyone's interest". We encourage President Biya to make good on his commitment to accelerate the decentralization process and adopt the recommendations of the Cameroonian National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8421 (2018) · source

31. “Judging from anecdotal reports, we fear that November will surpass October as the bloodiest month on record. We do not want to see that horrible trend continue again in December. The violence must stop now. Violence between Government and Anglophone separatists has resulted in killings and abductions of civilians, including a United States missionary, who was killed on 30 October. Faced with mounting insecurity, tens of thousands of Cameroonians have fled to neighbouring Nigeria, as we have heard, while hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced and need humanitarian assistance. The stakes in Cameroon are too high for that crisis to continue unaddressed. Cameroon remains an essential security partner in the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa, including as a member of the Multinational Joint Task Force.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8421 (2018) · source

32. “I would like to thank Special Representative Fall and Director Ghelani for their briefings today. Their work is vital to a region facing a wide range of political, economic and social challenges, particularly in Cameroon, on which I will focus my remarks. The security and humanitarian conditions in Cameroon's North-West and South-West regions have significantly deteriorated since the previous briefing to the Security Council on the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), held in June (see S/PV.8284). Violence continues to escalate, obstructing vital humanitarian aid delivery to over 430,000 internally displaced persons and blocking health and education services to rural children. October was the most violent month on record in Cameroon in recent years.”

    2018-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8421 (2018) · source

33. “The United Nations will continue to play a role in Haiti, but a peacekeeping operation under chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations will not be necessary after October 2019. Until then, continued efforts from MINUJUSTH and the Government of Haiti are essential to achieve the Mission's benchmarks and the common goal ofa safer, more secure and prosperous country for all Haitians.”

    2018-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8419 (2018) · source

34. “We expect MINUJUSTH to continue its work with Haiti to achieve the necessary progress that will permit it to transition to a non-peacekeeping United Nations presence by October 2019. We are optimistic that benchmarks to complete a peacekeeping mission can be achieved by the end of MINUJUSTH'S projected lifespan. Work on other benchmarks may be continued after its drawdown. This is the time to start planning the transition. We look forward to the strategic assessment report due by 1 March 2019. In order for MINUJUSTH's drawdown to succeed, it will require fine-tuned coordination, the full transition of responsibility to Haitian authorities and the planning of legislative elections.”

    2018-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8419 (2018) · source

35. “Twelve months into the projected two-year lifespan of MINUJUSTH, the Mission - together with international partners, including the United States - has helped build Haiti's security and justice sector capacities. Furthermore, the Haitian Government has advanced key justice sector legislation, reinforced Haitian National Police crowd-control capabilities and made progress towards addressing international human rights concerns. However, progress is not even across all benchmarks and more needs to be done, particularly on strengthening rule-of-law and anti-corruption institutions. Other challenges include renewing judicial mandates, filling vacant Supreme Court seats, strengthening judicial oversight to combat impunity and establishing a permanent electoral council.”

    2018-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8419 (2018) · source

36. “We also commend the professionalism demonstrated by the Haitian National Police in maintaining security and preserving public order during the demonstrations on 18 and 23 November, and in the days before and after. However, for the sake of transparency and accountability, we call on the HNP General Inspectorate to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses. That will further strengthen the HNP's ability to carry out its vital mission. The future of Haiti's security depends on well-trained and adequately resourced police. As such, since 2010, the United States has invested more than $250 million to increase the size and professionalism of the HNP through training, equipment and infrastructure. As a direct result of United States support, the HNP has grown from a force of 6,000 in 2010 to more than 15,000 in 2018.”

    2018-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8419 (2018) · source

37. “The United States encourages meaningful dialogue to address points of disagreement and find lasting solutions without violence. We urge all parties and leaders to work together to move the political dialogue forward in ways that advance the interests and aspirations of the Haitian people. The United States will continue to support the goal of a safer, prosperous future for all Haitians. However, change must come from the ballot box. We know that Haiti is preparing for legislative and local elections next year. Elections can take place only in a climate ofpeace, tranquillity and transparency and in accordance With Haitian law. Haiti must adhere to the electoral timetable, or risk further instability.”

    2018-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8419 (2018) · source

38. “We thank Special Representative La Lime for her briefing and for being with us today. We appreciate the update on the efforts of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) and its preparation for a successful drawdown of operations by October 2019. We also always appreciate the excellent handouts, which give us a very good graphic representation of the progress that is being made in the Mission. Let me start by expressing our support to the people of Haiti, who faced a volatile security situation over the past several weeks. We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, including the Haitian National Police (HNP) and customs officers who perished in the line of duty. We support the rights of individuals to freely express themselves and peacefully protest, but we condemn acts of violence.”

    2018-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8419 (2018) · source

39. “The United States continues to offer up to $5 million for information leading to their arrest. The work of the Mechanism, like that of the Rwanda and former Yugoslavia Tribunals previously, reminds us that, in the face of terrible atrocities, we can work together to hold accountable those responsible and achieve a measure of justice for the victims. We look forward to continuing to support the Mechanism and the fight against impunity.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

40. “The United States shares Prosecutor Brammertz's concerns about the ongoing denial of serious crimes and the glorification of war criminals in the region. The Republika Srpska National Assembly's decision to annul the 2004 report on the Srebrenica genocide was a step backwards. We call on leaders and countries to reject efforts to deny the facts of past conflicts or engage in revisionist history. Ensuring that newer generations share an accurate understanding of the past is elemental to preventing the recurrence of atrocities. The United States urges all States, especially States in the Great Lakes and southern African regions, to cooperate with the Mechanism and undertake efforts to arrest and surrender the eight remaining fugitives indicted by the ICTR as soon as possible.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

41. “We again highlight that, although the ICTY closed last December, the pursuit of justice for atrocities related to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia is not over. Many hundreds of cases remain unresolved in national jurisdictions. We welcome the work of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina to file important indictments in complex cases. Discussions between the Mechanism and the Serbian Chief War Crimes Prosecutor are encouraging, and we remain engaged to see whether or not they lead to the effective implementation of Serbia's national war crimes strategy. We look to Croatia to demonstrate a similar commitment to national cases in the next reporting period and to all Governments in the region to cooperate with one another and the Mechanism to resolve the remaining cases.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

42. “In the former Yugoslavia, we welcome the Prosecutor's recent announcement of a partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross to support the search for missing persons. It is important for all of us to remember that approximately 10,000 people remain missing from the conflicts in the Balkans, as Prosecutor Brammertz has noted. We call on countries in the region to cooperate with one another, the Mechanism and other groups in those efforts and commend Croatia and Serbia for their public commitment to working together to that end. The politicization of the issue callously disregards the suffering of the victims and their families. We are hopeful that the evidence collection of the ICTY may assist in clarifying the fate and the whereabouts of missing persons.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

43. “In particular, we commend his progress on remaining cases, cooperation with States, strong efforts to build capacity and national judiciaries in Africa and the former Yugoslavia, prosecuting war crimes and the innovative use of tribunal evidence holdings to support the search for missing persons. We encourage the Mechanism to consider proposals to respond to the concerns raised by some States about early-release regimes. We note that some individuals who have been released early have subsequently denied responsibility for their crimes, and we share the concern that such denial undermines the fight against impunity. We recognize and encourage the practice of consulting with the States concerned about the early- release regime.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

44. “The arrest and transfer to the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals of five accused Rwandan nationals during the reporting period is an important example of the need for the Mechanism's continued vigilance against any efforts by any party to interfere with the integrity of its proceedings. We commend the strong cooperation between Rwandan authorities and the Mechanism in executing the arrest and transfer of those individuals. It also highlights the importance of the continued efforts made by the Mechanism to protect the thousands of witnesses who bravely provide testimony so that justice could be served. The international community owes them a debt of continued care and protection. We would also like to recognize the work of Prosecutor Brammertz.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

45. “The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals is a model of our staffing expectations regarding gender parity. Fifty-six per cent of professional staff are female, surpassing the Secretary-General's goals. We are also happy to see the Mechanism's commitment to strategic planning in the process of downsizing staff and reducing operational costs. The volume of work that the Mechanism conducts is impressive, given its lean operations. For example, there were 244 judicial decisions and orders issued in this past reporting period alone, in addition to an ongoing trial in the Prosecutor v. Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic' case, as well as the ongoing appeal proceedings in the Prosecutor v. Radovan Karadeic', Prosecutor v. Ratko Mladic' and Prosecutor v. Augustin Ngirabatware cases.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

46. “I would like to thank the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Judge Meron, and Prosecutor Brammertz for their informative briefings, as well as for being with us today. The United States would like to begin by recognizing President Meron and thanking him for his service. He has led the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals since 2012, overseeing the assumption of responsibilities from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). President Meron's efforts, through his leadership of the Mechanism, have helped to ensure that victims ofhorrific atrocities addressed by the ICTR and the ICTY receive meaningful measures ofjustice. We congratulate Judge Agius on his appointment as President, commencing in January.”

    2018-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8416 (2018) · source

47. “We urge the penholder to continue to work with us and to show flexibility in finding a way forward that enjoys unanimous support. In conclusion, the United States welcomes a closer working relationship between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. It also welcomes regional and subregional organizations leading the way in crisis resolution and conflict prevention. We need not wait for the establishment of new mechanisms or for the allocation of new funding for that work to intensify. There is plenty of work to be done right now.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

48. “We continue to believe there is room for agreement on language that goes well beyond the Council's two prior resolutions on the matter, while respecting important concerns, especially related to financing, Council oversight and Council primacy for the maintenance of international peace and security. Any draft resolution must not rush forward on the matter of assessed contributions, acknowledge the AU's unfinished work to meet the benchmarks the Council previously established, affirm the AU's commitment to fund 25 per cent of any peace support operations supported through that framework and apply only to future AU-led operations. Ultimately, the Security Council must maintain oversight and control of any peace support operation conducted using United Nations funds.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

49. “When we look at South Sudan, the continued political impasse in Burundi and the volatile political environment ahead of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we see situations where regional and subregional organizations have long been involved in attempting to advance political processes, but where much more work remains to be done to reach satisfactory solutions. Again, the main resources required to contribute to those situations are political will and regional leadership. A number of Member States today have addressed the draft resolution on the financing of AU peace support operations in their remarks. The United States regrets that we have so far been unable to reach agreement on a consensus text.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source

50. “That, again, should be the beginning, not the end, of a stronger regional effort. In Africa, the United Nations and the African Union have worked together to improve local security environments and create space for political processes to take shape. There are many other situations where high-level political engagement by subregional groups has been critical for conflict resolution and prevention throughout the African continent. One example in particular, as mentioned by a number of other speakers, was the role ECOWAS played, in partnership with the AU and the United Nations, in resolving the political crisis in the Gambia in 2017. It mitigated a situation that could have necessitated a larger and much costlier intervention.”

    2018-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8414 (2018) · source