YouSaid · the spoken record

De Rivière

lines on the record: 1,783
first: 2006-04-28
most recent: 2023-12-30
sittings or episodes: 372
sources: un-security-council

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“Similarly, the fight against terrorism cannot be used as justification for attacks on civilians or the repression of humanitarian actors in Africa or elsewhere.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Lastly, drying up the sources of funding is key to the fight against terrorism. Resolution 2462 (2019) reaffirms the obligations of States to combat terrorism financing. For the first time, it also proposes solutions to establish the necessary balance between criminalizing financial support for terrorist activities and protecting the humanitarian space. Its full implementation is a priority. The fight against terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism must be carried out in accordance with international humanitarian law, refugee law and human rights law We reject the use of threat of terrorism as a pretext for violating freedom of expression, the right to protest and freedom of religion or belief.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Moreover, as nearly half of Africa’s population will be under the age of 25 in 2050, we must take into account that terrorist groups are recruiting among those young people, some of whom are still children. Education, on the one hand, and socioeconomic development, on the other, are the keys to combating such recruitment. In addition to education and respect for human rights, we must also combat the spread of terrorist propaganda that targets women and young people in particular, especially on the Internet. The Christchurch Appeal, launched in Paris in May 2019, is a new and important contribution to our country’s efforts to combat the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. Senegal was one of its early supporters and I am pleased that several others have joined the Appeal.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Finally, our collective commitment also extends to the fight against Al-Shabaab in Somalia and against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin region, where we support, bilaterally and via the European Union, the operations conducted by our African partners. Beyond the security response and the restoration of State authority, we must act side by side with the African population. Without action tailored to the populations most exposed to the terrorist threat, namely, women and youth, we will not be able to address the root causes of the threat or respond effectively. Five years ago, the Council recognized the role of women in the fight against violent extremism in resolution 2242 (2015). It is time to translate that recognition into action.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“I also recall the outcomes of the Pau summit of 13 January, which brought together the Heads of State of the G-5 Sahel countries and their main multilateral partners — the United Nations, the African Union and the International Organization of la Francophonie — and called for the launch of a coalition for the Sahel with the aim of strengthening the coordination of the international community’s efforts. The coalition is based on four pillars — the fight against terrorism, building security sector capacity in the G-5 Sahel States, support for the redeployment of sovereign services and development aid — in order to address all the causes of terrorism.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Our first priority must therefore be to develop a global approach to the fight against terrorism, involving all actors and addressing all the causes of the phenomenon. In that regard, I welcome once again the growing strength of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel), which, after 11 operations in 2019, is pursuing its operational engagement in close coordination with Operation Barkhane, in particular through the establishment of a joint command mechanism in Niamey. The strengthening of international cooperation, in particular among the States of the region, is a key prerequisite for a concerted and effective approach to the fight against terrorism.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): I would like to thank the Chinese presidency for organizing this debate on one of France’s major priorities, as well as Ms. DiCarlo, Ms. Mohammed and Mr. Dieye for their introductory statements. While the terrorist threat persists throughout the world, the African continent has not been spared and is even increasingly exposed to it, whether in the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, the Horn of Africa or, now, in certain regions of central and southern Africa. Terrorist groups continue to attack the authority of States and civilian populations, and this threat is not distinct from the international terrorist movement. Terrorist groups operating on the African continent are tied to Al-Qaida and Da’esh and have links to organized criminal groups.”
2020-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8743 (2020) · source
“Finally, the political process cannot be reduced to constitutional discussions, which today serve as a screen for the regime to pursue its strategy limited to military reconquest. The Special Envoy of the United Nations must take note of this and address head-on the most pressing political questions, starting with the de-escalation in Idlib and the conditions for the organization of the elections to be held this year and next.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“They must also devote themselves to the resumption of the inter-Syrian process, which alone can lead to a settlement of the Syrian crisis, and which must now tackle the question of elections, refugees and detainees. Finally, I recall the urgent need to respond to the humanitarian crisis and to work towards a political solution. France will continue to mobilize at the humanitarian level, on a national basis and with the European Union and its Member States. Everything must be done to guarantee humanitarian access, including through cross-border assistance. I welcome the Secretary-General’s initiative to deploy an emergency mission to Idlib in the days ahead. We also welcome the efforts made by Syria’s neighbours to assist the Syrian refugees.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“The commitments made must be kept by everyone, especially by Russia. Efforts to achieve a ceasefire must be collective. Russia must pursue negotiations with Turkey in order to achieve a de-escalation in Idlib and allow the revival of the political process. The Astana framework has shown its limits and it cannot in any case encompass all the dimensions of the settlement of the crisis or replace a process led by the United Nations, which enjoys full international legitimacy in that respect. This is why it is essential that the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy continue to work to achieve an immediate, lasting and verified ceasefire, in accordance with the provisions of resolution 2254 (2015).”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“This would increase the risk of dispersal of terrorist fighters. In recent days, France has made a commitment, together with Germany, to contribute to a de-escalation of the violence. The President of the Republic and the Chancellor discussed it with President Erdoğan and President Putin last week. France will spare no effort, in conjunction with its partners, to achieve de-escalation. Our priority must be to work collectively to put in place an immediate cessation of hostilities in Idlib. We call on the Syrian regime and Russia to end the military offensive in the north-west of Syria, to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to return to the ceasefire arrangements of the fall of 2018 so as to put an immediate and sustainable end to hostilities.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“On behalf of France, this afternoon I wish to reiterate those condolences and that solidarity. Mr. Le Drian also condemned the repeated violations committed by the Syrian regime and Russia of international humanitarian law, and the undermining of the commitments made in autumn 2018 concerning de-escalation in Idlib province. The fight against terrorist groups cannot justify the massive violations of international law that we are witnessing at Idlib. We therefore call for an immediate de-escalation, echoing the appeal of the Secretary-General. A new escalation would be in no one’s interest and would further threaten international peace and security. That would exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation, even on the scale of the Syrian conflict. Nearly a million people have been displaced since December in Idlib province.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): I thank the Secretary-General for his presence among us and, above all, for his tireless commitment. I thank Ms. DiCarlo for her briefing. The Council met yesterday on the humanitarian situation in Syria, in particular in Idlib (see S/PV.8734). Today is our sixth meeting on Syria this month. The situation is serious. The escalation is happening. It is urgent to put an end to the offensive of the regime, supported by Russia, in Idlib. France is extremely concerned about the recent developments that took place in Idlib yesterday. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs today conveyed his condolences to his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Çavuşoğlu. He reaffirmed France’s solidarity with Turkey following the attack carried out against Turkish forces in north-western Syria.”
2020-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8738 (2020) · source
“Faced with the tragedy unfolding before our eyes in Idlib, we must today unite our efforts to put an end to the continuing humanitarian, political and security disaster.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“It is more urgent than ever to get the political process back on track with a view to implementing all provisions of resolution 2254 (2015), in particular through confidence-building measures and the holding of free and transparent elections supervised by the United Nations in which all Syrians can take part. Only a political solution will, moreover, enable the 6 million Syrian refugees to return to their country in safe and dignified conditions. We regret that such conditions are not yet in place. Finally, France, as well as its European Union partners, stands ready to finance reconstruction and lift the sanctions as soon as a political settlement is firmly and irreversibly under way, and not before. The key for overcoming the deadlock is thus in the hands of the regime and its allies.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“It is therefore up to the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and act accordingly. For our part, we will remain highly vigilant regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid to the north-east, where the stakes are crucially high. We are talking about relief for an area where poverty and exclusion fuelled the emergence of Da’esh. The tragedy unfolding before our eyes makes a political solution more necessary than ever. The offensive in Idlib leaves no doubt about the intentions of the Syrian regime, aided by its external supporters, principally Russia: to regain control of Syria by force, without negotiating anything, and to make a show of seeking a political solution while working towards a total and bloody military victory.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“With regard to the north-east, we thank the Secretary-General for his report on the review of alternative modalities for the border crossing of Al-Yarubiyah (S/2020/139), which highlights the lack of progress in delivering cross-line medical aid from Damascus. We condemn the Syrian regime’s obstruction. Its recent statements must be reflected in lasting action and we will be vigilant: we are not fooled by its strategy of instrumentalizing humanitarian aid. We further condemn the fact that the Security Council did not extend its authorization for the use of the Al-Yarubiyah crossing point. It is essential that solutions be reached without delay to allow for the sustainable transportation of medical equipment in the north-east. The Secretary-General’s recommendations are clear. It is necessary to combine cross-border and cross-line aid.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“The United Nations has a central role to play here, as provided for in resolution 2254 (2015). France reiterates its full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and the Special Envoy, from whom we await cease-fire proposals. At the same time, everything must be done to ensure humanitarian access to those in need of assistance. It is essential that the parties, in particular the Syrian regime, ensure humanitarian actors safe and unhindered access to populations in need. We call on Russia to engage to that end. The figures Ms. Mueller cited speak for themselves. There is no alternative to the cross-border mechanism for delivering assistance in the north-west. It must be safeguarded and we are determined to do so. It is a matter of life or death for millions of Syrians.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“The protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical personnel, as well as civilian infrastructure, must remain a top priority. In Idlib and elsewhere in Syria, children are dying under the bombs or in the cold. That must end. The Executive Director of UNICEF will back me up on that. Today we must join efforts to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Idlib. Fourteen Foreign Ministers of States members of the European Union, including Mr. Le Drian and Mr. Maas, expressed that view yesterday. We call on Russia to continue negotiations with Turkey to achieve immediate de-escalation. However, the Astana format has proven incapable of preventing humanitarian catastrophe and escalation. We therefore have a responsibility to mobilize collectively to silence the guns. France and Germany are working towards that end.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“We will continue to support all the mechanisms put in place by the United Nations and we will maintain our commitment within the framework of our national jurisdictions. We are very well aware of the presence of terrorist groups in Idlib. We will never take the problem of terrorism lightly. We fight it with resolve and France is engaged on the front line in the fight against Da’esh and other such groups. In Idlib, as elsewhere in Syria, the fight against terrorism means fighting the groups that are under Council sanctions and not, as Syria and Russia do, indiscriminately striking all opponents, be they terrorists or not, and any civilians in the way. But the fight against terrorism cannot justify violations of international humanitarian law. War has rules and respect for international humanitarian law is binding on all.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): I thank Ms. Mueller and Ms. Fore for their briefings. I welcome the presence of the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and your own, Sir. There is an urgent need to silence the arms in Idlib and to establish an immediate cessation of hostilities. France condemns in the strongest possible terms the intense bombardments being carried out by the regime’s air force and its allies, in particular Russia. Those bombardments indiscriminately target the population and civilian infrastructure in the north-west, including hospitals, schools and displaced persons camps. These crimes — for they are crimes, if words have any meaning — must not go unpunished.”
2020-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8734 (2020) · source
“We will continue to support the IAEA by maintaining appropriate contributions, including in the area of nuclear safety and security, which are indispensable conditions for the responsible development of nuclear energy. The NPT, given its robust nature, permanence and universality, embodies the goal of strong and effective multilateralism based on the law, towards which we must collectively work. As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its entry into force, I renew here our call for members to move forward together towards the strengthening of the multilateral security framework, of which the NPT is one of the pillars. They should rest assured of France’s resolute commitment in that regard, alongside all those who wish to embark on that path in good faith.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“We must step up our efforts to reduce strategic risks and France will take part fully in those efforts. As President Macron said in a statement dated 7 February, France is also prepared to participate in discussions that would bring together the five nuclear- weapon States, in the context of the NPT, to discuss their priorities for nuclear disarmament, confidence-building and the transparency of each State’s arsenal and nuclear strategies. With regard to civilian nuclear cooperation, France, which harnesses the full ranges of nuclear technologies for energy production and many other applications, will continue to support countries wishing to embark on that path or develop their capacity in that area.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“France has taken robust, concrete measures in the area of disarmament, which contribute to unique achievement in the world, in line with our responsibilities and interests. We are committed to progressive nuclear disarmament, in which all States commit to creating the conditions for a world free of nuclear weapons, with undiminished security for all. That obviously requires the United States and Russia to pursue the reduction of their nuclear arsenals; the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty; and the launching of negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in weapons in the Conference on Disarmament. Lastly, work on the verification of nuclear disarmament is crucial and must continue — but it is not enough.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“We must also promote a pragmatic and realistic approach to disarmament, the ultimate objective of which is set out in article VI of the NPT. Disarmament is not in itself sufficient as an objective. We must first improve the conditions of international security. To achieve that, we must also see the world as it is. The expectations for nuclear disarmament are high. However, in the reality of today’s world, decreeing nuclear disarmament will not contribute to improving our security and ensuring strategic stability, but to the contrary. Let me reiterate here that France will not join a treaty banning nuclear weapons, which will create no new obligations but will weaken the NPT standards and the non-proliferation regime.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“It is above all important to maintain a robust and united response to nuclear proliferation, whether by addressing the North Korean crisis or ensuring that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Beyond crises, we must lend our full support to international bodies, first and foremost to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which must continue to have the means necessary for their activities. We hope that all States that have not yet done so will accede to the additional protocol to the IAEA safeguards system. I would add that we must also strengthen all measures to combat the real threat of nuclear or radiological terrorism, beginning with resolution 1540 (2004), which the Council will review this year.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“Its preservation is essential, because the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery has not disappeared, and because our world today is more uncertain and volatile than ever. We are witnessing a troubling degradation of our strategic environment, the instability of which is nourished by asymmetries and escalations. The Security Council is regularly convened to address all these crisis situations, which are multiplying, from the Levant to North-East Asia, while the management of proliferation crises unfortunately remains a major priority that continues to require us to take action. In that context, what should be our common road map and how can we ensure the preservation of the NPT and the balance of its three pillars?”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to welcome the presence here today of the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Heiko Maas. I would also like to thank Mrs. Izumi Nakamitsu and Mr. Gustavo Zlauvinen for their briefings on the challenges ahead for the upcoming Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The Treaty is one of the cornerstones of our collective security system. It is an irreplaceable bulwark against the risk of nuclear proliferation. It is, indeed, the only instrument that makes it possible to prevent nuclear war, as stated in the preamble to the Treaty, while also permitting the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
2020-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8733 (2020) · source
“What kind of signal are we sending today to the people of Yemen, when they should be at the very heart of the Council’s actions? I thank the United Kingdom for its efforts to ensure the resolution was adopted. I call on all members of the Council to negotiate in good faith and to act responsibly in order to maintain the unity of the Council, which should be the rule and not the exception.”
2020-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8732 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): At the outset, I welcome the adoption of resolution 2511 (2020). After a final push, we were able to reach a compromise solution that allowed the Council to remain united. It is therefore all the more regrettable that this unity was abandoned at the time of the vote, since the resolution just adopted contains no problematic elements and we discussed it exhaustively in order to iron out areas of disagreement. I wish to recall that Security Council resolutions are produced by compromise. Each one of us must make concessions and no one can expect to get everything they hope for when entering a negotiation. This is the very foundation of the practice of diplomacy and multilateralism, which we support and defend.”
2020-02-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8732 (2020) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate France’s call on all those having influence over the authorities in Damascus — Russia in particular — to work in favour of a lasting political solution, in conjunction with the members of the Security Council. The Council must emerge from its paralysis: this is the essential condition for effectively combating terrorism, facilitating the return of refugees and achieving lasting peace in Syria.”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“It is a question of putting in place a safe and neutral environment, including through confidence-building measures, including the release of detainees. It is also a matter of preparing for the holding of free and transparent elections, under United Nations supervision, in which all Syrians can take part, both in Syria and abroad. Without a credible political settlement, France’s position on reconstruction and sanctions will remain unchanged. That is also the position of the European Union. Russia and Iran alone will cover the costs of rebuilding Syria. France will also continue to mobilize in favour of the fight against impunity by supporting the United Nations investigative mechanisms, which is essential for breaking the cycle of violence and creating the conditions for a just and lasting peace.”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“The offensive in Idlib leaves no doubt about its intentions: to take back control of Syria by force, whatever the cost, with no negotiation. That is lamentably the blind strategy the regime has pursued since 2011, resulting in 6 million refugees and 4 million internally displaced people. France remains determined to support the Special Envoy in his efforts and urges him to make it clear to the Security Council should he find himself no longer able to advance the work of the Constitutional Committee. The United Nations must also take full responsibility for the discussion on detainees, following the extension of the working group meetings on the subject in Geneva on 17 and 18 February. The parameters for a political settlement are well known, having been defined in resolution 2254 (2015) and the Geneva communiqué (S/2012/522, annex).”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“The members of the Council with direct influence on the Syrian regime must do everything they can to immediately put an end to the massacre under way in Idlib. The fight against terrorism in no way justifies what is taking place. Secondly, I wish to register France’s profound concern at the total deadlock in the political process. More than four months on since the inception of the Constitutional Committee, the process is at a total standstill. It is more urgent than ever that the United Nations tackle the other subjects at the heart of resolution 2254 (2015), since the adoption of a new constitution alone will not put an end to the conflict in Syria. France condemns the systematic obstruction perpetrated by the Syrian regime.”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“Any further escalation would have disastrous humanitarian consequences and help strengthen terrorist groups at the expense of our security. At this pivotal moment, it is our collective responsibility to marshal our efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire in Idlib. Given the inability of Astana guarantors to silence the guns, we must succeed in taking collective action. To do so is the duty of the Secretary-General and of the Security Council. I call on the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to work to establish a lasting ceasefire in Idlib, in keeping with the mandate entrusted to him in resolution 2254 (2015). We call on him to present the Council with specific proposals in that regard.”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“Hospitals, schools and internally displaced person camps have now become the target of attack. After the sieges of Aleppo and Ghouta, there no longer seems to be any limit to the suffering the regime is ready to inflict on its own people. France therefore reiterates its condemnation of the bombing by the regime and its allies against civilians. Even war has rules. Those rules are based on essential principles of humanity: international humanitarian law and respect for such law are not optional but universal obligations. That also means guaranteeing safe and unhindered access for cross-border aid to all people in need. The risk of a generalized escalation should not be taken lightly. Everything must be done to avoid it.”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): I wish to thank Mr. Pedersen and Mr. Lowcock for their briefings. The continued mobilization of the United Nations as a whole, under the leadership of the Secretary-General, is crucial. France calls for a collective surge to bring to an end the unprecedented humanitarian disaster we are witnessing in Idlib. The appalling figures Mr. Lowcock recalled moments ago speak for themselves. What is unfolding as we speak is by far the most serious humanitarian crisis since the Syrian conflict began. Since 1 December, the new offensive by pro-regime forces has killed nearly 400 civilian victims and displaced nearly 900,000 people. Babies and children are dying of cold in internally displaced person camps on the Turkish border. The threat of bombs from the regime and its allies is constant.”
2020-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8727 (2020) · source
“We call on all parties to implement their obligations and on Russia to use its influence on the separatists for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, in the interests of a civilian population now caught between heavy weapons and mines. Pending the return to a lasting peace, to which we are endeavouring to contribute by continuing negotiations and the prospect of a forthcoming summit in Normandy format, Ukraine can count on the full and complete support of France.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source
“That is the most difficult part, but the current momentum should enable progress to be made in defining local self-government arrangements for certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and in incorporating the Steinmeier formula into Ukrainian legislation. In that context, civilian populations are the first victims. Ukraine is facing one of the biggest humanitarian crises of the last 10 years. Some 3.4 million people continue to depend on humanitarian assistance. Every effort must be made to facilitate access for humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies, especially in the territories controlled by the separatist entities.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source
“The OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine is contributing every day to ensuring accurate monitoring of the security situation, thanks to the courage of the women and men engaged on the ground. We condemn in the strongest possible terms all actions that undermine their security or aim at obstructing their mission. The mandate of the Special Mission must be able to be fully implemented throughout the territory of Ukraine, including near the Russian-Ukrainian border. The identification of new disengagement zones and the question of identifying and opening new crossing points are very concrete issues. Progress is expected in that context as well, just as it is expected in the area of mine clearance. Beyond those measures, the objective remains the implementation of the political clauses of the Minsk agreements.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source
“France recalls the vital nature of access for international organizations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to all detained persons on either side of the contact line and of the identification of the approximately 1,500 persons who have disappeared since 2014. Progress is necessary in a number of other areas. Violations of the ceasefire continue on a daily basis, notwithstanding the commitment reiterated on 9 December to ensure full respect for it along the contact line. In that regard, I deplore today’s fighting, which has caused at least one death and several injuries. I call on the parties, in particular the separatist armed groups, to refrain from any provocation, in order to avoid any military escalation on the ground.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source
“The Heads of State of the four countries of the Normandy format met in Paris on 9 December last year and reaffirmed their commitment to a set of principles. First and foremost, they reaffirmed their commitment to the Minsk agreements as a framework for the settlement of the conflict. Then, during the summit, we also set out tangible specific measures to make headway towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Those are the measures that now need to be implemented, and the Trilateral Contact Group is working towards that end. A first positive step was taken with the release and exchange of 200 prisoners on 29 December. Discussions are ongoing in order to facilitate the exchange of all conflict-related prisoners.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Chief Monitor of the ОSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine for their briefings. Six years following the start of hostilities, the conflict in Ukraine remains the deadliest on the European continent. We cannot accept the fact that the conflict, which has led to the deaths of more than 13,000 persons, rages on, while millions of men and women continue to suffer as a result of the war. It is for that reason that, over the past few months, France, along with Germany, has worked to give new impetus to efforts to resolve the conflict.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source
“The announcement by the Houthis that they would abandon the 2 per cent levy on humanitarian projects is a first step, but much more progress is still needed. It is imperative that the entire humanitarian community remain steadfast in its commitment to the relevant principles and support the United Nations humanitarian response plan. That was the purpose of the donor coordination meeting held in Brussels from 12 to 13 February. Lastly, we urgently call for the United Nations to be given rapid access to the FSO SAFER oil tanker, which poses a serious threat to the environment. France will remain fully committed and ready to act to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis and, more broadly, to avoid any escalation in the region. French authorities are working with all stakeholders to that end.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8725 (2020) · source
“Some initial progress has been made — the first medical evacuation flights from Sana’a to Amman in early February and the agreement announced on 16 February 2020 for a large-scale prisoner exchange. Additional progress is needed. The Riyadh agreement must now be fully implemented. A deteriorating situation in southern Yemen will benefit only the terrorists. Those processes must lead to the resumption of political dialogue with a view to reaching an inclusive solution for the whole of Yemen and its components. The role of the Special Envoy is central to the coordination of those efforts. Every effort must also be made to ensure humanitarian access. The parties are obliged to respect international humanitarian law. Increasing restrictions on humanitarian access and the diversion of humanitarian assistance must cease immediately.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8725 (2020) · source
“Mr. De Rivière (France) (spoke in French): I thank the Special Envoy and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs for their briefings and reiterate our full support for them. I also thank Ambassador King for her briefing. We have said it time and again: we must put an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people, and a comprehensive and inclusive political solution is the only way to achieve it. We are very concerned about the ongoing violent clashes in northern Yemen, which have resulted in many casualties. De-escalation must be pursued without delay, facilitated by direct exchanges between the parties, and we must move towards a cessation of hostilities. Confidence-building measures are needed in order to do so.”
2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8725 (2020) · source
“Sadly, those crimes are far from being a thing of the past or limited to a specific region of the world. The Syrian regime has been using those crimes systematically to eliminate all forms of opposition since 2011. The victims are peaceful activists, intellectuals, artists and ordinary Syrians, who are victims of merciless methods. The resolution of that issue is inseparable from the quest for a political solution, and the Security Council must give the resolution of the Syrian crisis its full attention.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723 (2020) · source
“Fourthly, the attention afforded to victims plays a fundamental role. The establishment of reparation and compensation mechanisms for victims should be widespread. That is particularly the case for victims of sexual violence, who must receive the medical, psychological, legal and social assistance that is essential for their reintegration into society. That is why we also call for supporting the Global Survivors Fund, launched by Ms. Nadia Murad and Dr. Denis Mukwege. To conclude, I wish to pay special tribute to the families of victims of forced disappearance. We all have in mind the weekly demonstrations by the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires to find their children who were abducted by the military dictatorship. That fight continues today.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723 (2020) · source
“Thirdly, international mechanisms must support the reform of national justice systems. Thanks to the mechanisms established for the crimes committed by Da’esh in Iraq and the atrocities committed in Syria and Burma, evidence will not disappear and those crimes will not go unpunished. France reiterates its unwavering support for the International Criminal Court, which must play a central role at the international level in the fight against impunity, in full accordance with the principle of complementarity. We call for the universal ratification of the Rome Statute and welcome States that have decided to join the International Criminal Court or cooperate with it within the framework of transitional justice, by following the example of Tunisia in June 2011 and the Sudan today.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723 (2020) · source
“Women, who are the first victims of conflicts, must be able to participate in the very development of the transitional justice policy in accordance with resolution 1325 (2000) and the women and peace and security agenda. Young people, historians, community and religious leaders and victims groups must also be able to fully play their role. Strengthening democratic governance and education are also critical prerequisites. It is the responsibility of States to allow for remembrance and fight against historical revisionism. In the Balkans, as we commemorate the twenty- fifth anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, it is unacceptable that political leaders glorify war criminals and deny the crimes that were determined to have taken place by the criminal courts established by the Council.”
2020-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8723 (2020) · source