YouSaid · the spoken record

De Aguiar Patriota

lines on the record: 291
first: 2013-10-18
most recent: 2016-10-11
sittings or episodes: 32
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

“Furthermore, the international community has a right to expect full accountability from those to whom authority is granted by the United Nations to resort to force. These are all notions for which Brazil has been consistently advocating. At the same time, there are numerous non-military tools available for the protection of civilians, including strong political advocacy, credible reporting and liaison with communities. There are also several modalities of support for national authorities. When it comes to protecting civilians in situations of conflict, Brazil fully supports a people-centred approach, including through engagement with local actors and those affected by conflict, as underlined by the High-level Panel on Peace Operations and by the Secretary-General.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Sixteen years later, the gap between expectations and resources available remains one of the key issues echoed by the United Nations peace operations review. In the same vein, former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in his report entitled "In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all" (A/59/2005), suggested that a list of proposed criteria, including the seriousness of the threat, proportionality and the chance of success, be applied for the authorization of the use of force in general. It is clear that United Nations peacekeeping operations are not designed or equipped to impose political solutions through the sustained use of force. When the use of force is contemplated and duly authorized, action must be judicious, proportionate and strictly limited to the objectives of the agreed mandate.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Allow me to stress that this observation is not only demanded by international law, with the Charter of the United Nations at its centre; it is also evidence-based and in line with the fundamental principle of "first, do no harm". The 2000 Brahimi report (see S/2000/809) stressed how peacekeepers - troops and police - who witness Violence against civilians should be presumed to be authorized to stop it, within their means, in support of basic United Nations principles. However, the report also questioned the credibility and achievability of a blanket mandate to protect civilians, acknowledging that United Nations operations can protect only a small fraction of the civilian population exposed to the potential risk of violence.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“A military intervention allegedly undertaken to implement resolution 1973 (2011) and a post-conflict scenario in which genuine peacebuilding efforts were absent resulted in the erosion of local institutions and widespread violence - both in the country and in the region - paving the way for the spread of Da'esh and forcing millions to seek refuge elsewhere. This is not an argument against resorting to robust mandates under any circumstances. It is a statement in recognition of the importance of developing an adequate understanding of what the use of force can and cannot accomplish. Because of its unintended consequences, in particular to the civilian population, military action cannot be a first option.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“While sharing the moral frustration behind that notion, it is equally important to be wary of attempts to translate that legitimate perception into an inaccurate - and sometimes irresponsible - assumption that military action would be a panacea for the protection of civilians. As stated by the Secretary-General in his latest report on the responsibility to protect, our choice does not lie "between inaction and the use of force" (S/2015/500, para. 38). The first 15 years of the twenty- first century have taught us that resort to military action more often than not increases the vulnerability of the very individuals whose protection is supposedly being sought. The situation in Libya, for example, is a reminder of the consequences of ill-conceived strategies.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Mr. De Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for having organized the open debate. (spoke in English) I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his leadership on this important issue, as well as President Faustin Archange Touadera and Peter Maurer of the International Committee of the Red Cross for their briefings. Enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflict is a topic ofjustifiable interest for the Security Council. Although the individual responsibility of Governments cannot be minimized, the protection of civilians is also a collective responsibility and a core obligation of the United Nations. After our collective failure in avoiding the tragedies of Srebrenica and Rwanda, it has been often repeated that doing nothing is not an option.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, allow me to reiterate Brazil's commitment to preventing and combating the heinous use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. We stand ready to cooperate with all United Nations bodies involved in this campaign, including the entities whose efforts are coordinated by the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“Our South-South cooperation agenda is closely attuned to the need to offer legal, medical, psychosocial and mental-health assistance to the victims of sexual abuse arising from war and instability. In Guinea- Bissau, Haiti and the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo we have supported projects to assist victims of sexual and gender-based violence and to uphold criminal accountability for these serious violations. In coordination with UN-Women, Brazilian peacekeepers and civilian personnel undergo rigorous predeployment training to ensure the highest standards of conduct and discipline. We fully support the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual exploitation and abuse, and we emphasize the need to emphasize preventive measures in that regard.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“In that regard, we underline the adoption of resolution 2282 (2016), in which the Security Council encourages the Secretary-General to promote the gender dimensions of peacebuilding and calls upon the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to integrate a gender perspective into all of its work - an approach that already guides the PBC. The Brazilian Government is currently drafting its first national action plan on women and peace and security through a joint effort by the Ministries for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, and Citizenship, as well as UN-Women and civil society. Policies to protect women and girls from the consequences of war and to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual violence in conflict, will be a key component of our national action plan.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“Furthermore, the review theme of this year's session of the CSW was the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender- based violence. While acknowledging those positive developments, Brazil stresses that the most effective way to avert the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war would be to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts. A decisive step towards this goal would be to pursue a gender-sensitive approach to peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, with women fully recognized as actors, not just victims.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“The global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) revealed in great detail how the impact of war, including sexual violence, is compounded by pre-existing gender inequalities and discrimination against women and girls. Last March, the International Criminal Court concluded its first trial that specifically emphasized the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, in connection with war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in the Central African Republic. In its agreed conclusions, the sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which I had the honour of chairing, strongly condemned all forms of violence against all women and girls as impediments to the full achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“These abuses represent violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute crimes against humanity. There can be no excuse or justification for the deliberate use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, as an instrument of subjugation or as a tactic of terror. In the context of the ongoing global refugee crisis, the link between human trafficking and sexual Violence in conflict, as recognized recently by presidential statement S/PRST/2015/25, represents a particularly serious concern. We welcome the most recent multilateral initiatives to raise awareness about this distressing issue. Let me highlight the establishment by the General Assembly of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, to be celebrated on 19 June, following an initiative led by Argentina and supported by Brazil from the outset.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“Mr. De Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this debate. (spoke in English) I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, as well as Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Ms. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro and Ms. Lisa Davis for their briefings. The scourge of sexual violence in conflict continues to jeopardize the dignity and integrity of vulnerable populations around the world, predominantly women and girls. This despicable phenomenon is connected to a widespread culture of impunity towards sexual violence that continues to exist in all countries. Brazil vigorously condemns all acts of rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization and forced marriage in the context of armed conflict.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“Let us not lose sight of the protracted conflicts that directly or indirectly fuel terrorist agendas. Our collective failure in dealing with the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, is an obvious case in point. Reaching a durable solution to that conflict would represent a powerful action in our efforts to undermine the narratives of terrorist groups. Let us not prevent the Security Council from getting involved in prevention. There can be no justification for terrorism. Brazil reiterates its commitment to a multidimensional response to that threat and remains convinced that cooperation and dialogue within the United Nations will enhance our capacity to achieve the results that we need. We will only succeed ifwejoin efforts on the basis of shared values and enhanced multilateral cooperation.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“We should simultaneously foster digital inclusion since the Internet and the social media are powerful tools for disseminating challenging messages of respect and dialogue. The limitations of counter-terrorism strategies solely based on repressive measures have been demonstrated in tragic ways. Today, terrorism is more widespread and claims more lives than 15 years ago. It is encouraging, therefore, to identify the growing recognition of the centrality of prevention, as demonstrated by the support for the initiative of the Secretary-General to present a Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (A/70/674). Brazil expects the Security Council to translate such concerns into practice by recommitting to diplomatic efforts as a privileged vehicle for promoting peace founded on justice.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Unfortunately, many Governments have fallen into that trap. Conformity with international law is a prerequisite for the effectiveness of our efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. If measures are implemented in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, or other texts of international law, including human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, their legitimacy will have been compromised, rendering them counterproductive. The use of the Internet and social media by terrorist groups illustrates the evolving nature of the challenge that we are facing. Having been conceived to bring people together, those platforms are also being used to incite hatred and recruit. While acting against those trends, we must guard against transgressions with respect to the freedom of expression and the right to privacy.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Consistency is another necessary feature of counter-radicalization narratives, or "positive inclusive narratives" as suggested by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Part of that challenge lies in the need to avoid selectivity. It is our duty to condemn terrorism and to prevent its spread, wherever and whenever it may strike. Victims in one country are no less deserving of our attention than those in another. Civilian casualties resulting from counter-terrorism are no less tragic, from a human perspective, than those generated by other causes. Furthermore, the potential of certain measures to fuel increased radicalization should not be underestimated. Terrorist groups seek to provoke Governments into over-reaction, so as to exploit narratives of abuse and oppression.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“For example, we cannot uphold a responsibility to protect civilians plagued by terrorist attacks and human rights violations in regions distant from our homes and then ignore the victims' plights when they knock on our doors seeking refuge. Our efforts should also contribute to dispelling the stereotypes that have tended to associate terrorism with specific cultures, religions or ethnic groups. We must be wary of rhetoric that fuels xenophobic prejudice. I commend those Governments around the world that have rejected such attitudes. Promoting genuine dialogue among religions and cultures is pivotal for creating much-needed environments of tolerance and mutual respect. Initiatives such as the Alliance of Civilizations have made positive contributions in that regard and should be acknowledged.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“It is equally important not to lose sight of the fact that no country is immune to this phenomenon. It is widely reported that foreign terrorist fighters have been recruited even in the most prosperous countries. Promoting inclusion should be at the basis for any narrative aimed at countering extremist ideologies. We must take a critical look at measures that could be inconsistent with respect for diversity and the acknowledgement of our common humanity, such as discriminatory laws enabling the profiling of particular groups. Certain responses to the refugee crisis are of concern, as they might be increasing rather than decreasing the risks associated with violent extremism conducive to terrorism. The credibility of any narrative depends on its coherence.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“The concept note (S/2016/416, annex) that was circulated encourages us to discuss possible elements of a comprehensive strategy for countering the narratives of terrorist groups, which would contribute to the work to be undertaken until April 2018 by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism. A central element of that effort should be ensuring that the international community does not overlook the underlying causes of terrorism, including exclusion, marginalization and discrimination. Terrorist groups such as Da'esh, Al-Qaida, Boko Haram, the Al-Nusra Front and Al-Shabaab have been attracting recruits by offering them a sense of purpose, belonging and identity that they probably failed to acquire elsewhere.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Let me start by thanking you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate which is very well timed, as it allows us to go further into issues that were discussed a few weeks ago at the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism and at the high-level debates organized by the President of the General Assembly. It will also provide useful inputs for the upcoming review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I would also like to thank Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson for his briefing and extend my thanks to Mr. Mohi El-Din Afifi and Mr. Steven Crown. I express my condolences to the Egyptian presidency and the Iraqi delegation, in particular, over the recent victims of terrorism in their countries.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“In the most recent resolution, adopted in 2015, the General Assembly stressed the role of the ZPCSA as a forum for increased interaction and support among its member States and recalled with appreciation the holding of the seventh ministerial meeting of the ZPCSA and the adoption of the Montevideo Declaration (resolution 69/322). Considering that the issue of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea is primarily a matter of cooperation among States, we believe that the General Assembly is the appropriate forum to lead the discussion. Consistent with the statement made earlier by the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, we believe that the Peacebuilding Commission also has a role to play. Brazil stands ready to continue to cooperate with the region in order to face this challenge.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The Montevideo Declaration, adopted in 2013 at the ministerial level by the ZPCSA, directly mentioned the problem posed by piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea. The Declaration recognized the leadership role that the States of the Gulf of Guinea should play in this regard and the need for regional coordination of efforts to counter activities of piracy and armed robbery at sea. It also urged international partners to assist States and organizations in the region in the enhancement of their capabilities to counter this kind of threat. Since 1986, the General Assembly has adopted 22 resolutions on the ZPCSA.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Any initiative in the region of the Gulf of Guinea must to be in harmony with the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZPCSA). I would like to recall that the zone comprises 24 countries, including all the countries situated on the west coast of Africa, from Cabo Verde and Senegal, in the north, to South Africa, as well as three South American countries across the ocean - Argentina, Uruguay, and my own country, Brazil. In this regard, the members of the ZPCSA have agreed to consolidate the region as a zone of peace and cooperation to ensure that it remains free of nuclear weapons and other weapons ofmass destruction, as well as to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of its countries.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Officers and other members of the armed forces from the region have studied at Brazilian military academies. The cooperation offered by Brazil is concentrated in capacity-building, training, military doctrine and maritime exercises. In recent years, Brazil has conducted exercises with Benin, Cabo Verde, Sao Tome and Principe and Nigeria. Since 2013, the Brazilian navy has taken part in an international maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. The latest edition of the exercise ended last month. These are the kinds of initiatives that we believe to be necessary for improving cooperation with the countries in the region and for enhancing their capacity to combat piracy and armed robbery.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Any regional strategy in this direction should be comprehensive and take into consideration not only security questions, but also the strengthening of institutions and the sustainable development of the region. The international community should support the region with cooperation activities that respect national ownership. This is what my country has been trying to do. Brazil has signed military cooperation agreements with nine countries on the west coast of Africa - Namibia, Cabo Verde, South Africa, Guinea- Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Nigeria, Senegal, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. A naval mission in Namibia has been maintained by Brazil since 1994 and has so far helped to train more than 2,000 members of the Namibian navy. New missions have recently been opened in Cabo Verde and in Sao Tome and Principe.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“In 2013, the Yaounde Summit of Heads of State and Government on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea adopted a Declaration, a memorandum of understanding between the Economic Community of West African States, Economic Community of Central African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, and the Code of Conduct Concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships, and Illicit Maritime Activity in West and Central Africa. It also decided on the creation of the Interregional Coordination Centre, which was opened in 2015. Brazil believes that the countries in the region should play the leading role in addressing the issue of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The majority of the incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, on the other hand, were aimed at cargo robbery, especially oil, and mostly took place in territorial waters or in port areas, therefore are considered armed robbery, according to international law. Accordingly, problems regarding piracy and armed robbery on the West and East coasts of the African continent are distinct and therefore require different solutions. The Security Council adopted resolutions 2018 (2011) and 2039 (2012) on piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“In the Horn of Africa, during the peak of their activity in 2011, Somali pirates attacked 286 ships and hijacked 33 of them. There are also significant differences in the nature of incidents when we compare piracy and armed robbery in the Horn of Africa and in the Gulf of Guinea. Somali pirates were usually involved in kidnapping and demand for ransom. Their activities took place mostly in international waters and are therefore legally considered piracy, according to article 101 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which defines piracy as occurring "on the high seas" or "in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State".”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“According to the International Maritime Organization, there has been a decrease in the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea over the past years. There were 45 and 54 incidents in 2014 and 2013, compared to 64 and 61 in 2012 and 2011. In 2015, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), a non-profit organization established to act as a focal point in the fight against all types of maritime crimes, registered 31 actual or attempted attacks in the area. It is also important to underline that other regions recorded significantly more incidents in the same period. The ICC-IMB, for instance, recorded, in 2015, 147 cases ofthis kind in South-East Asia.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Let me thank China, Angola and Senegal for proposing this debate, as well as Mr. Zerihoun for his briefing. Piracy and armed robbery at sea are serious crimes. They involve not only the theft of private property, but also a disrespect of many fundamental rights and obligations, since in some cases deaths, kidnapping and the demand for ransom are present. In the Gulf of Guinea, this constitutes a challenge that needs to be addressed by the countries in the region with the support of the international community. In order to face this challenge, we need to understand the situation in the Gulf of Guinea by analysing recent statistics, as well as the specific characteristics of piracy and armed robbery in the area.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Brazil reiterates its support for Special Representative Martin Kobler and urges all the parties to work to restore peace and national unity in Libya. As a general thought, and in line with the overall template that underpins the three reports submitted in 2015 on peace operations (S/2015/682), sustaining peace (S/2015/560) and on women and peace and security (S/2015/716), the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, should privilege and revitalize preventive measures and diplomatic efforts to solve disputes through peaceful means, especially those in the Middle East.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“We call on all parties to fulfil their obligation to respect international humanitarian and human-rights law, including the fundamental rules of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Brazil continues to uphold the imperative of a sustainable and inclusive political solution to the Yemeni crisis achieved through non-military means. While Libya remains deeply unstable, recent developments suggest that a measure of progress has been made towards solving the country's significant political and security challenges. We welcome the arrival in Tripoli of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, endorsed by resolution 2259 (2015), as well as reports that it has already consolidated authority over key ministries and State institutions.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Reports of a draft resolution that would require Israel to freeze the construction of settlements and set a time frame for arriving at a two-State solution are also encouraging. Concerning Yemen, the cessation of hostilities initiated last week and the resumption of peace negotiations in Kuwait under the auspices of Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Special Envoy of the Secretary- General, are a much-needed step towards ending a conflict that has left innocent civilians unprotected and exposed them to many extreme forms of strife. As reported by international human-rights organizations, air strikes have repeatedly hit protected areas such as hospitals, as well as populated regions. A particularly grave incident was the bombing of a market in Mastaba, which killed at least 97 civilians, including 25 children.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“If left unchanged, this intolerable status quo will continue to destabilize the Middle East and erode the credibility of the Security Council. Brazil expects the Council to live up to its responsibilities by acting decisively to establish parameters for the end of the occupation. The only viable solution remains a Palestinian State that is fully sovereign, economically sustainable and territorially contiguous, with borders based on the internationally recognized 1967 lines, living in peace and security with Israel. In that regard, we are following with interest the initiative of holding an international conference aimed at garnering broad support for the peace process, as proposed by France.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“The Security Council is the only body with a clear legal mandate to impose coercive economic measures, and I would like to recall here that, in its resolution 70/185, the General Assembly states clearly that unilateral coercive economic measures constitute a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and contravene the basic principles of the multilateral trading system. The absence of any positive signs of concrete developments on the question of Palestine is alarming. The peace process remains stalled, acts of violence continue to occur and we are witnessing disrespect for the principle of due process of law, leading to more violence. Illegal settlements, demolitions and land expropriations proliferate in the West Bank, and the humanitarian situation remains dire, particularly in Gaza.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“The sanctions also hinder the establishment of conditions conducive to refugees' safe and voluntary return to Syria, thereby exacerbating the massive displacement crisis currently affecting many Middle Eastern and European societies. Lastly, they obstruct key initiatives aimed at restoring and rebuilding Syria's economy and infrastructure. It is worth recalling that the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, set up by the Human Rights Council, has spoken out against such sanctions. Brazil has long held that unilateral sanctions are counterproductive and incompatible with international law.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Brazil reaffirms its steadfast support for the efforts of Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura and those of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, led by Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro. But we are also concerned about the negative humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions on Syria. As a study commissioned by a group of experts recently confirmed, unilateral economic and trade measures often create insurmountable practical barriers to the work of humanitarian organizations attempting to deliver food, medicine, fuel and other essential items to civilians affected by the conflict.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Nevertheless, growing violations reported by both sides to the conflict in recent weeks may threaten the significant progress that has been made. We call on the parties to fully respect the cessation of hostilities. We should spare no effort in working towards a Syrian- led and Syrian-owned political transition aimed at establishing credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance, drafting a new constitution and ending the war, as established by resolution 2254 (2015). In that regard, we welcome the new round of intra-Syrian negotiations launched last week in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations and with the assistance of the International Syria Support Group.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important open debate today. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing and to acknowledge the statements made by the Permanent Representative of Israel and the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine. After five years of protracted hostilities and human suffering, it is heartening to acknowledge that the cessation ofhostilities in Syria is creating the conditions for a gradual advance towards stabilization and peace. There has been an overall decrease in casualties since February. Important cities such as Palmyra are no longer controlled by the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports a positive trend with respect to humanitarian access. Besieged or isolated areas are being reached for the first time in years.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“My delegation believes that the Peacebuilding Commission, encompassing members from the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, can have an important role in preventing the relapse into conflict in the region. It is important to bear in mind that peacebuilding is a task that reaches beyond the security agenda and encompasses the entire United Nations system. In that regard, we reiterate the need for strengthening the relationship between the PBC and the Security Council, with a focus on our collective engagement with the promotion of sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“That comprehensive approach should, among otherinitiatives, contribute to addressing the need for eradicating poverty, promote socioeconomic development, build institutions, provide access to justice and create more inclusive and reconciled societies. Those strategies should be carried out in close coordination with national authorities and their established priorities, always respecting national ownership. Two of the six current country-specific configurations of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) - Burundi and the Central African Republic - are related to what takes place in the Great Lakes region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“As the current Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, allow me to reiterate the importance of the participation of women in political processes related to peace, the protection of civilians, reconciliation efforts and the establishment of a protective environment. Allow me to acknowledge the political leadership exercised by women in the region, and in particular the high percentage of women in the Cabinet and Parliament of Rwanda. Strategies that do not address the root causes of conflict are unlikely to produce lasting peace in the region. The complexity of the conflicts in the Great Lakes region demand a comprehensive approach towards sustainable peace, focused not only on prevention and the primacy of politics, but also combating the illicit flow and illegal exploitation of natural resources.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Brazil has also contributed to mitigating the effects of the conflicts in the Great Lakes region with humanitarian donations and cooperation with countries ofthe region. In the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, we have financed initiatives aimed at assisting victims of sexual and gender-based violence and in combating impunity. Brazil has also partnered with UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme and civil society organizations in an innovative project that allowed hundreds of children formerly linked to armed groups in the North Kivu region to be socially reintegrated through the practice of the Afro-Brazilian martial art known as capoeira.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Brazil has cooperated with conflict resolution efforts in the Great Lakes since the beginning of the involvement of the Organization in promoting peace in the region, having contributed troops to the United Nations Operation in the Congo from 1960 to 1964, and more recently, through the designation of General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz as Force Commander of MONUSCO from 2013 to 2015. Presently, Brazil contributes officers to two United Nations Missions in South Sudan - the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei and the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan - and to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“It is therefore important to find ways to transform the natural wealth of the region into a driver of sustainable development. In this regard, the promotion of responsible extractive industries and the building of national capacities and legal institutions are key. Considering the broader question of sustainable development, the private sector can play an important role, as illustrated by the Great Lakes Private Sector Investment Conference, held in Kinshasa last February.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Notwithstanding the support of the international community to find solutions, we underline the need to respect national ownership in the outcomes of these discussions. The region of the Great Lakes is endowed with abundant natural resources. The illegal exploitation and traffic of these resources has for years helped finance armed groups in the region, as stated in more than one United Nations report. This illegal exploitation also contributes to hindering the development of the affected countries. To give a sense of the dimension of the problem, in its report of January 2014 (S/2014/42, annex), the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo came to the conclusion that 98 per cent of all the gold produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was smuggled out of the country.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Regional interventionism has contributed to destabilization in the area and should not be allowed to take place, as it violates both the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and international law, perpetuating instability. The situation of refugees and internally displaced people remains worrisome. The already fragile humanitarian situation has been aggravated by the recent influx of 245,000 refugees from Burundi into neighbouring countries. Their status and rights should be fully recognized and respected. Reports that some of them have been recruited by armed groups give rise to serious concern. We welcome the recent general elections in Tanzania, the Central African Republic and Uganda. We also take note that there are political questions related to elections that remain unresolved in some countries of the region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“As the Secretary-General declares in his last report (S/2016/233) on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), it is essential that the signatories of the Framework honour their commitments in order to achieve sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region. More specifically, we highlight the fact that all 13 signatories of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework have agreed, among other commitments, not to interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, to respect their sovereignty, territorial integrity, legitimate concerns and interests, in particular regarding security matters, and to neither tolerate nor provide assistance or support of any kind to armed groups.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“In February 2013, in Addis Ababa, a series of commitments to addressing some of the root causes of instability in the Great Lakes region were agreed by the signatory countries of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, under the auspices of the United Nations, the African Union, the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region and the Southern African Development Community. This Framework remains a key reference for a comprehensive solution to the crises in the region. However, its implementation, as that of the Nairobi Declarations, remains fraught with challenges.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source