YouSaid · the spoken record

DeLaurentis

lines on the record: 961
first: 2007-11-28
most recent: 2023-10-02
sittings or episodes: 160
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

“We welcome the efforts of the Attorney General and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to increase collaboration. Of course, the coronavirus disease pandemic makes carrying out the activities of the peace agreement more difficult. To that end, the United States has provided a total of 6 million vaccine doses to Colombia as part of our ongoing solidarity with the people of Colombia as they recover from this devastating pandemic. These donations have allowed the Government of Colombia to provide vaccines to some of the most remote and vulnerable communities in the country. Despite the progress spurred by the peace agreement, we remain concerned about continued violence and human rights violations. As the Secretary-General’s report confirms, killings of former combatants, social leaders and human rights defenders continue. This must end.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source
“By bridging social divisions, Colombia can overcome the drivers of violence and realize its enormous potential. We encourage all Colombia’s institutions and social sectors, including political parties, security forces and private-sector entities, to accept the Commission’s invitation to dialogue and to consider its recommendations with an open mind. We encourage the Commission to take full advantage of the extended mandate. That is an opportunity to engage victims of the conflict in Colombia’s most remote and difficult-to-reach areas. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has also made significant progress. Despite great challenges, it has demonstrated its commitment to establishing the truth, providing justice and supporting long-term peace and stability in Colombia.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source
“The new transitional justice processes foster reconciliation, while also addressing the rights of victims, including historically excluded communities. On that note, we are pleased to see that the Colombian Constitutional Court has extended the Truth Commission’s mandate for seven months. The role of the Truth Commission is essential. Only by clarifying the past, elevating the voices and experiences of victims and addressing the root causes can the cycle of conflict and abuse be broken. Its efforts during this reporting period helped lead former leaders of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia to acknowledge their responsibilities. We commend the Truth Commission’s interest in engaging all sectors of Colombian society, including opponents of the peace accord within the FARC.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ruiz Massieu for his briefing and for the Secretary- General’s report (S/2021/824). We appreciate the vital role that the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia continues to play in supporting peace in that country. I also thank Ms. Peñaranda and Ms. Soto for their informative briefings. We offer a warm welcome to Vice-President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucía Ramírez to the Security Council today. As we approach the five-year anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement, this is a moment to acknowledge both the enormous progress made and the significant challenges ahead. Thousands of former combatants laid down their weapons to take part in the democratic process. Colombians have faced far less violence since.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source
“That assistance helps ensure that storage facilities are physically secure, have proper oversight and contain only serviceable munitions, creating a buffer around insecure areas to prevent stockpile leakage and improve combat readiness. We pledge ourselves and continue urging all Member States to combat the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons as a primary way to mitigate the continuation and escalation of hostilities in conflict- prone areas around the world.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“The United States remains committed to their implementation, as well as to assisting others in doing so. In the Great Lakes region, the United States has partnered with the Regional Centre on Small Arms to support national weapons marking and tracing campaigns that improve accountability of Government- held stockpiles. The United States has further improved stockpile management capacity by training 500 storekeepers, using instructors from within the Great Lakes region. We have also complemented training efforts by building new armouries, providing 1,500 weapons lockers and supporting the destruction of 36,000 excess small arms and light weapons and 560 tons of ammunition.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“That should include operationalizing and continually updating the protocols outlined in the Effective Weapons and Ammunition Management in a Changing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Context manual, the second edition of which was published just this year. With regard to the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in general, the United States reiterates our call for the States Members of the United Nations to comprehensively implement the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and its complementary International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“While the United Nations has made important strides concerning small arms and light weapons management within peacekeeping operations, generally, and in DDR programmes specifically, in-mission protocols remain unevenly applied. As history shows, that can result in active combatants reclaiming and redeploying armaments against both United Nations personnel who seized and held that weaponry previously and against the civilian populations that the United Nations personnel are mandated to protect. Looking ahead, the United Nations should expand the use of best practices for small arms and light weapons management and implement them across peacekeeping operations.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“For example, in a series of attacks in early 2000 on the weapon storage sites of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) captured more than 5,000 arms previously surrendered to the United Nations by demobilized RUF fighters. The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali also suffered losses of weapons seized from former combatants. Peacekeeping operations with mandates that include the protection of civilians face a particular challenge, as the peacekeepers may be more heavily armed. Losses of small arms and light weapons from operations in those environments provide more advanced weaponry to armed groups, which enable them to further escalate hostilities.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for calling this important meeting. I also thank High Representative Nakamitsu and Mr. Lochhead for their briefings. I am also grateful to Mr. Abdelgadir, from the Regional Centre on Small Arms in the Great Lakes Region, for his remarks. The United States has enjoyed a long-standing and excellent partnership with the Centre to combat the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons in the Horn of Africa and the African Great Lakes region. Peacekeeping operations present unique small arms and light weapons management challenges. We welcome the Security Council’s attention to this issue. Many peacekeeping operations — especially those with disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) components — manage large caches of weapons seized from former combatants.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“The United States is fully supportive of those Libyan preparations. It is vital that the States Members of the United Nations undertake all possible efforts to advance a political solution to the conflict in Libya, including through supporting free and fair elections on 24 December and withdrawing all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory without delay. After 10 years of turmoil, the Libyan people are still striving for democracy and stability. We call on all members of the Council to work together expeditiously over the next few months to adopt a mandate that will offer the best approach to resolving stalemates and encouraging the political process. The people of Libya deserve nothing less.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8870 (2021) · source
“That was based in part on Libyans who shared their belief that the Special Envoy’s location in Geneva was a hindrance to the Envoy’s ability to engage with Libyan actors in a meaningful and regular manner. It is incumbent upon us to act with the urgency that the Libyan people deserve. Failure to restructure UNSMIL now serves only to undermine our collective efforts to stabilize Libya. We must ask ourselves today: how can we move forward in a manner that places the United Nations and the people of Libya in a position to build on previous diplomatic achievements? This outcome in the Council will not deter the United States from its firm support for the Libyan people as they move forward with national elections on 24 December. Critical efforts are ongoing to develop the constitutional and legal framework for those elections.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8870 (2021) · source
“Today’s vote is an unfortunate outcome, especially for the Libyan people. It is also an unfortunate outcome for the Security Council. Today we have failed to implement the recommendations from the Secretary-General’s independent strategic review at a crucial time. The independent strategic review was clear that the Head of Mission should be relocated to Tripoli in order to increase engagement with Libyan actors. Considering the critical importance of United Nations support for the December national elections, the recommendations from the review should be implemented now, not months down the road. The report’s recommendations on the leadership structure of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reflected the Libyan conviction that locating the Head of Mission in Libya is essential to the Mission.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8870 (2021) · source
“Despite encouraging signs, much more work needs to be done to make a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Somalia a reality for all of Somalia’s people.”
2021-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8867 (2021) · source
“Together we must make it a priority to elevate and amplify women’s voices, ensure they are heard, protect the safety and security of women and girls, and make certain that they can lead meaningfully in promoting international peace and security. The world is safer and more prosperous when women and girls are at the table, supported and heard. As we noted in August, during consideration of the mandate reauthorization of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, this is a moment of tremendous opportunity for Somalia (see S/PV.8833), and we urge the Government to do its utmost to adhere to established electoral timelines and continue promoting cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states.”
2021-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8867 (2021) · source
“Efforts aimed at promoting inclusion and participation should include completing election security preparations with a gender-sensitive lens to ensure voting can take place in a safe and secure environment. We know societies that empower women are more stable, peaceful and prosperous, both economically and politically. The United States is actively engaged with partners across the globe in supporting efforts to aimed at advancing women’s participation in political and security decision-making. We call on all States Members of the United Nations to adopt and implement national action plans and strategies on women, peace and security.”
2021-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8867 (2021) · source
“Moreover, as Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed highlighted today, there remain aspects of the process requiring continued focus and attention. Because women are often the victims of discrimination and oppression, it is vital that their voices are heard at the highest levels of Government. This is why it is critical to finalize arrangements for meeting the 30 per cent quota for women’s representation in Parliament, pursuant to Somali political agreements. As Ireland and Mexico outlined in the annex to their 19 July letter to the Secretary-General (S/2021/668), women active in the political system are more likely than men to experience harassment and violence during the electoral period. In the past, women candidates have even been kidnapped and killed.”
2021-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8867 (2021) · source
“I thank Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed for being with us today. I also thank Ms. Shukria Dini for her comments and recommendations. The United States acknowledges with gratitude the civilian and uniformed personnel working in Somalia to serve the international community in an extremely challenging environment. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Ireland and Mexico as Chairs of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security of the Security Council. We welcome the considerable progress that has been made on elections in Somalia over the past three months, yet it is imperative that the current dispute between the President and Prime Minister not disrupt the process and that it be resolved peacefully.”
2021-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8867 (2021) · source
“That norm is essential for sustaining the international non-proliferation regime and contributing to a more peaceful and secure world. As we look ahead to the future of the CTBT, the United States is committed to taking a leading role in revitalizing international arms control efforts. We welcome engagement with all States that share our commitment to implementing effective measures towards achieving a world without nuclear weapons.”
2021-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8865 (2021) · source
“As we celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), it is important to recognize the paramount role of the CTBT, even prior to its entry into force, in establishing and maintaining a nearly universal political norm against nuclear-explosive testing. Let me affirm that the United States supports the CTBT and is committed to working to achieve its entry into force, while recognizing the significant challenges that lie ahead in reaching that goal. In line with the goals of the CTBT, the United States continues to observe its zero-yield nuclear-explosive testing moratorium. We call on all States possessing nuclear weapons to declare or reiterate such a moratorium. Maintaining the international norm against nuclear- explosive testing remains in the interest of all States.”
2021-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8865 (2021) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for holding today’s briefing. I want to congratulate Ireland and our Irish colleagues as they near the end of an active, successful and productive month as President of the Security Council. And I thank today’s briefers for their valuable insights and their dedication to this issue. Today’s discussion brings to mind the seminal role Ireland played 60 years ago in reducing the dangers posed by nuclear weapons. The 1961 resolution submitted by Ireland — General Assembly resolution 1665 (XVI) — led to the creation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, leaving us far more secure and more prosperous than we would be without it.”
2021-09-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8865 (2021) · source
“We must address them with vigour, and as we do this difficult work, we must commit ourselves to addressing the root causes of these needs. The only solution is a political solution in line with resolution 2254 (2015), which represents the only sustainable path to the peace and prosperity the Syrian people deserve.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8861 (2021) · source
“We are committed to facilitating more cross- border and crossline assistance and early-recovery projects that respond to the overwhelming humanitarian needs in Syria. At the same time, we echo what we have heard from the Under-Secretary-General: crossline is not a replacement for cross-border access. To the Al-Assad regime and its backers, we say that it is time to stop politicizing crossline assistance. Aid should not be used as a cudgel against Syrians who disagree with Al-Assad’s brutal policies. Similarly, one single cross- border point, even when complemented by crossline assistance, cannot possibly meet all the needs of all Syrians. We must reauthorize the Bab Al-Salam and Al-Yarubiyah crossings to meet the dire needs of the Syrian people. Immediately, the humanitarian needs are immense.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8861 (2021) · source
“We are also concerned with the ongoing tragedy at Al-Hol camp, and we call on all parties to facilitate a long-term solution. Secondly, on 30 and 31 August, the World Food Programme (WFP) was able to dispatch a 14-truck crossline humanitarian convoy to Sarmada in Idlib, transporting almost 600 metric tons of food. This will help meet the vast needs in the north-west. The United States is proud to have supported this work. We offer thanks to Turkey, the United Nations, the WFP and all other parties for facilitating this access. Sadly, a Syrian solider was killed while removing mines to allow this convoy to get through. This only underscores the serious dangers and complexities of delivering crossline aid. Thirdly, and finally, the United States supports all modalities that bring aid to Syrians in need — all of them.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8861 (2021) · source
“An effective ceasefire requires commitment from all sides, and we urge all parties to respect the ceasefire in Dara’a. We are thankful that, at the very least, aid deliveries have resumed. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations must have unimpeded access to those in need. We are similarly concerned with the intensification in air strikes and shelling in north-west Syria in recent months, leading to dozens of civilian casualties. All sides must respect the ceasefire and comply with their obligations to protect civilians and medical facilities. Two years have passed since the Syrian regime permitted the last humanitarian convoy into Rukban. The regime and its backers must enable full humanitarian access to the camp and its residents. Any plans to resettle the nearly 10,000 inhabitants must be safe, voluntary and dignified.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8861 (2021) · source
“We must do everything in our power to support the United Nations and the non-governmental organizations in their efforts to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to the millions of Syrians in need. Today I would like to discuss three aspects of that situation: our concerns in Dara’a, the north-west, Rukban and the Al-Hol camp; progress and updates from cross-border aid operations; and our commitment to all modalities to bring aid to Syrians in need. First, we continue to closely watch the situation in Dara’a. We condemn the Al-Assad regime’s ruthless assault that has killed civilians, displaced thousands and led to shortages of food and medicine for many more. The regime is reportedly using threats of forced displacement as a pressure tactic in ceasefire negotiations. This is unacceptable.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8861 (2021) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General Griffiths for his report on his recent visit to the region, and I thank Amany Qaddour for her urgent reminder of the dire situation on the ground. It is hard to imagine after more than 10 years of conflict, but with each passing month somehow the situation in Syria gets worse, as we have heard today. Basic services are not being delivered, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is running rampant. Resources for diagnosing COVID-19 in Syria remain extremely limited, with international organizations warning that testing materials could be severely depleted in the near term. This widespread suffering is not sustainable, and, as the Syrian people head into another winter, we know humanitarian protection needs will spike.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8861 (2021) · source
“After constructive and positive consultations this month, thanks to the direction and facilitation of the United Kingdom, we were disappointed by the inability to reach consensus to adopt a new mandate for UNSMIL today, especially at this important time for Libya. We therefore call on all members of the Council to work together expeditiously to adopt a mandate that implements the recommendations of the independent review so that UNSMIL can intensify its efforts. We cannot fail the Libyan people at this critical moment. The meeting rose at 10.05 a.m.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8858 (2021) · source
“In its report delivered to the Security Council, the independent strategic review team recommended that the Head of Mission be relocated to Tripoli as a matter of priority in order to increase engagement with Libyan actors, which is critical at this juncture in the political process. The endorsement of that recommendation by the Council neither prejudges when the Mission’s leadership will be restructured nor whom will be selected as the Special Representative of the Secretary- General — matters that are rightly at the discretion of the Secretary-General. The United States is committed to achieving a mandate that puts UNSMIL in the best position to advance preparations for elections on 24 December and to support the implementation of the ceasefire.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8858 (2021) · source
“The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has a vitally important role in helping Libya achieve peace and stability, including by supporting preparations for national elections and the implementation of the ceasefire. In resolution 2542 (2020), the Security Council requested that the Secretary-General conduct an independent strategic review of UNSMIL, including an assessment of its overall mission structure and recommendations for improving its efficiency. The independent strategic review (S/2021/716, annex) concluded that the situation on the ground in Libya had changed since the UNSMIL mandate was last renewed. The October 2020 ceasefire agreement created an opportunity for UNSMIL to engage directly with stakeholders on the ground in Libya to move the process forward.”
2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8858 (2021) · source
“We share its clear conclusion: the situation on the ground in Libya has changed since the UNSMIL mandate was last renewed. The October 2020 ceasefire agreement has created an opportunity for UNSMIL to engage directly with stakeholders on the ground in Libya to move the process forward. We therefore support the review’s recommendation that the Head of Mission relocate to Tripoli to intensify that engagement. Such engagement will be critical. We need progress towards a consensus framework for presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 December. We will continue to engage Council members with the goal of providing a mandate that empowers UNSMIL, which has a vitally important role in supporting those who act in the interests of Libya, including those who are working to implement the ceasefire and achieve peace and stability for all.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8855 (2021) · source
“Detainees, including vulnerable migrants and refugees, cannot be treated inhumanely. Migrants and refugees are afforded protections under international humanitarian law; those protections must be enforced. And the authorities must facilitate the swift and orderly closure of migrant detention facilities. We are pleased that the Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Mission members were recently able to visit Tripoli. We hope that their important work in support of a durable political agreement can continue. Thirdly, and finally, we commend the work of the United Kingdom in drafting the new draft resolution to renew UNSMIL’s mandate. And we credit the work of Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily and his team to produce an independent strategic review of UNSMIL.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8855 (2021) · source
“And they prolong the suffering of the Libyan people. It is time for them to end. We also welcome the Panel’s investigation into potential violations of the travel ban and assets freeze. That includes most recently their investigation into allegations that Saadi Al-Qadhafi departed Libya without any prior notification or exemption from the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), concerning Libya. Secondly, the human rights violations and abuses committed by all parties in Libya are unacceptable. We are disturbed in particular by the reports of the arbitrary detention of politicians and Government officials, human rights defenders and migrants. The authorities must desist from arbitrary arrests and abide by Libya’s international obligations. Everyone is guaranteed a fair trial.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8855 (2021) · source
“And arms continue to flow into the country, despite a Council-imposed arms embargo. It is time for the Security Council to live by its words. Council members must support the implementation of, and abide by, the ceasefire agreement and facilitate the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya without delay. Those who obstruct or undermine the successful completion of Libya’s political transition may be subject to sanctions. In the meantime, the Panel of Experts has worked diligently to expose violations of the sanctions regime. Its work shows that some Member States have imported weapons and armed personnel to Haftar-aligned forces, in violation of the arms embargo, and that others have done similarly for the Government of Libya and aligned forces. Those actions fuel conflict. They threaten stability.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8855 (2021) · source
“That progress is critical for regional security. And it is necessary for the people of Libya. For that progress to happen, national elections must be held in December. Therefore, parties need urgently to agree on a constitutional and legal framework for elections. Fortunately, the Special Envoy’s report indicates that that work is progressing. We urge maximum efforts to consult and secure broad consensus. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum must resist polarization and cynical politicking. And the House of Representatives must adopt the necessary constitutional and legislative arrangements straight away. Unfortunately, the foreign forces and mercenaries who remain in Libya embolden those who obstruct progress towards free and fair elections. Those forces remain despite the ceasefire agreement, which was endorsed by the Security Council.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8855 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Kubiš for his briefing today and for his team’s efforts to guide the Libyan people on the road to elections on 24 December. As well, I thank Ms. Asma Khalifa and Ambassador Tirumurti for their presentations. Today I would like to discuss three aspects of the situation in Libya: the threats to progress and free and fair elections, the need to address human rights violations, and the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). First, we are deeply concerned by the outbreak of violence in Tripoli. That return to hostilities threatens the progress made since the 23 October ceasefire agreement. The people of Libya deserve a sovereign, stable and unified Libya with no foreign interference and a State that is capable of combating terrorism within its borders.”
2021-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8855 (2021) · source
“Any legitimacy and support will have to be earned. The standards the international community has set are clear. We are watching closely to see that those standards are met.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“I would like to end by addressing the Taliban directly. As stated in resolution 2593 (2021), which we adopted on 30 August, the Security Council expects the Taliban to live up to all of its commitments. That includes facilitating safe passage for Afghans and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan. All parties must also respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians. If a new Afghan Government upholds its commitments and obligations, brings greater stability to the country and region, demonstrates real inclusion and protects the gains of the past two decades, we will work with it. But we will not do that on the basis of trust or faith alone. The Taliban seeks international legitimacy and support. Our message is simple.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“Secondly, we have also heard reports that some women, including female United Nations staff members and female staff of United States implementing partners are prohibited from coming into the office or being required to enter into their workplaces with a male chaperone. To call these reported incidents outrageous would be an understatement. All United Nations staff members must be able to conduct their work without undue burden and without discrimination as to who they are. Thirdly, we call on the Taliban to permit humanitarian organizations to continue their vital work in Afghanistan. With rising food prices, a national drought and severe malnutrition threatening so many of the country’s children, the World Food Programme’s efforts to establish a humanitarian air bridge are critical for ensuring uninterrupted food aid.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“First, we are outraged at reports that members of the Taliban have engaged in reprisals against United Nations staff throughout the country. This is simply unacceptable. We call on the Taliban leadership to ensure that Taliban members at all levels comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and take every action to respect the operational independence and neutrality of the United Nations and its international and national staff. We are a strong supporter of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security and other security and protective services elements of the United Nations, and we are exploring additional ways to bolster protections for UNAMA’s staff and their families, whose safety and security remain a top and shared priority among Member States and our United Nations partners.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“But the needs are vast, and at this moment, while there is a dramatically reduced diplomatic footprint across the country, the United Nations has a vitally important role to play. We need the United Nations to help prevent human rights violations and abuses and pursue accountability for those that have already occurred. We need the United Nations to protect children and civilians. And the United Nations must help coordinate desperately needed humanitarian assistance. UNAMA’s work, both in Kabul and through its field offices, is therefore absolutely necessary. At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the safety and security of UNAMA’s field staff, the ability of women personnel from the United Nations to do the same work their male counterparts are permitted to do, and the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“Her advocacy is a poignant reminder of what is at stake for women and girls going forward. Millions of Afghan children, particularly girls, are out of school. Some 300,000 children have been forced out of their homes. UNICEF predicts that 1 million children under the age of five may soon face severe acute malnutrition. They may die from hunger. The United States remains committed to the people of Afghanistan. As the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, we are helping our partners on the ground provide food, protection, shelter, essential health care, water, sanitation, hygiene services and so much more vital humanitarian aid to Afghans.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Representative Lyons for her briefing. Through her, I would like to thank the entire team of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for its work and commitment, especially during these extremely challenging few weeks. I thank Malala Yousafzai, as always, for her courage and for addressing the Security Council. Her insights and experiences are invaluable. I thank also Wazhma Frogh for sharing her views and her critical work to foster women’s inclusion and meaningful participation in Afghan civil life. On 31 August, a new chapter for our engagement with Afghanistan began. In this difficult and changing environment, Afghanistan needs the United Nations and UNAMA more than ever. Ambassador Thomas- Greenfield had the great privilege of meeting individually with Malala just last week.”
2021-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8853 (2021) · source
“United States security assistance continues to Afghan forces, as does our development and humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. We will continue our diplomatic engagement in support of peace. We urge the Afghans to remain resolute and to know that the international community is behind them.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source
“It is in the interest of all of Afghanistan’s neighbours to renew support for a negotiated settlement that brings the Afghan people the peace that they so urgently deserve and that creates a stable region. We welcome the role that the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Jean Arnault, is playing in support of that objective. In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts taken by partners and allies to maintain international civilian and diplomatic operations in Afghanistan. We are thankful to those that have stepped up in that critical role. As we continue with our military withdrawal from Afghanistan, we want all Afghans to know, as President Biden has stated, that we remain committed to a strong partnership with the country and its people.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source
“A just and durable political settlement must be based, at a minimum, on the following five principles: first, inclusive governance; secondly, the right of Afghans to elect political leaders; thirdly, protections for human rights, including the rights of women, young people and minorities; fourthly, committing to counter-terrorism, including to ensure that Afghanistan does not again serve as a safe haven for international terrorists; and, fifthly, adherence to international law, including international humanitarian law. We emphasize that international support to any future Government will depend, at least in part, on adherence to those five elements.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source
“We also call on the Taliban to permit humanitarian organizations to continue their vital work in Afghanistan, particularly as the Afghan people suffer acutely from the effects of the coronavirus disease and drought, in addition to the violence. Let me reiterate that we express our full support for an inclusive Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process, with the full and meaningful participation of women, that leads to a just and durable political settlement.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source
“We also recall resolution 2513 (2020), which states that Taliban lack of action to further reduce violence, make sustained efforts to advance intra-Afghan negotiations and otherwise cease to engage in, or support, activities that threaten the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, will affect the Council’s review of the status of designations of individuals, groups, undertakings and entities on the list established and maintained pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011). We urge the Taliban to immediately halt its offensive, pursue a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement and uphold its commitments to protecting Afghanistan’s infrastructure and its people, especially women, girls and other vulnerable populations.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source
“To echo the Council’s press statement SC/14592, released earlier this week, and the United States-Europe group’s 23 July statement, there is no military solution in Afghanistan, and a negotiated, inclusive political settlement through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process is the only way forward for lasting peace and stability in the country. That process must include the full and meaningful participation of women.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source
“The alarming rise in violence and civilian casualties caused by the ongoing Taliban military offensives further erodes the advances that the Afghan people made in democracy and the rule of law over the past 20 years. The Taliban must hear from the international community that we will not accept a military takeover of Afghanistan or a return of the Taliban’s Islamic emirate. The Taliban will be isolated and an international pariah if they choose that path, which would most certainly push the country to further violence and destruction.”
2021-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8831 (2021) · source