YouSaid · the spoken record

Eckersley

lines on the record: 185
first: 2021-11-23
most recent: 2023-12-11
sittings or episodes: 50
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 are pleased to note that there has been a continued decline in incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea that is largely thanks to the strength of regional cooperation in tackling the issue. We are also proud of our own collaboration with partners to promote security and stability, following on from our presidency of the Group of Seven, including the visit by HMS Trent last year to deter attacks on maritime trade. The second is that as we have heard, the Yaoundé Code of Conduct has provided a crucial framework that underpins that increased regional cooperation. We would urge its signatory States and relevant regional bodies, all represented here today, to continue to enhance their collaboration.”
2023-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9355 (2023) · source
“I thank the Assistant Secretary-General and our three eminent briefers for their participation and very helpful contributions to the tenth anniversary of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct Concerning the Prevention and Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery against Ships, and Illegal Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa. I also thank Ghana for its initiative. Piracy and armed robbery have long been a threat to regional security in the Gulf of Guinea and have had a real human cost, from their disruption of trade to the use of kidnapping for ransom. We welcome the focus of our African partners on the Council on tackling that very real problem. We would like to make four brief points. The first is that the international efforts are having a positive impact.”
2023-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9355 (2023) · source
“We look forward to working closely with Iraq and our partners on the Security Council to continue supporting the important work of UNITAD in September’s mandate renewal. The United Kingdom is committed to joining the Government of Iraq, UNITAD and the wider community in the pursuit of justice.”
2023-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9341 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, the United Kingdom particularly welcomes UNITAD’s ongoing focus on crimes committed against Yazidis, Christians and other minority groups. There is a terrible legacy of Da’esh crimes against those communities, and we must address it. On her recent visit to Iraq, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh highlighted the need for further support to the victims and survivors of conflicted-related sexual violence, including children born of rape. We commend the Government of Iraq for its ongoing implementation of the Yazidi female survivors law, including the initial pay-outs of reparations to survivors. We must not relent in our support for victims and survivors of Da’esh crimes.”
2023-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9341 (2023) · source
“In particular, we welcome the establishment of a joint UNITAD-Iraq working group this year, which will look at pathways for the prosecution of international crimes inside Iraq. It is essential that we build legal routes for sharing information and evidence to support prosecutions. Secondly, we commend UNITAD’s close collaboration with the Iraqi judiciary, including through the archiving and digitization project. As we have heard, that archive will enable Iraqi judges to draw on a much wider range of evidence when building cases and pursuing investigations, including into the development and use of chemical and biological weapons. UNITAD’s continued and enhanced cooperation with the Iraqi authorities can make a real difference in their efforts to deliver justice for survivors of Da’esh’s crimes.”
2023-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9341 (2023) · source
“I would like to start by thanking the Special Adviser for his very helpful update, his most recent report (see S/2023/367) and for all the work of his Team in Iraq. I would also like to welcome the representative of Iraq to the Chamber. The United Kingdom highly values the progress that the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD) is making towards holding Da’esh to account for its horrific crimes. I would like to emphasize three points in particular. First, we welcome the Government of Iraq’s continued work and leadership to enable the domestic prosecution of those responsible for Da’esh’s crimes, as well as UNITAD’s support for that.”
2023-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9341 (2023) · source
“We welcome the Special Representative’s update on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property. We commend Iraq’s focus on its regional relations and welcome the Special Representative’s role in supporting regional dialogue. As we continue to see the adverse impacts of climate change, the Special Representative’s engagement on transboundary environmental issues is particularly valuable. Once again, I would like to renew the United Kingdom’s commitment to the stability and security of Iraq and to the Mission’s essential supporting role. We look forward to participating in further discussions on the renewal of the mandate in the coming days.”
2023-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9324 (2023) · source
“And the United Kingdom will continue to work with the Iraqi Government to support accountability for conflict-related sexual violence, including so that the horrific crimes perpetrated by Da’esh are addressed and prosecuted effectively. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her update on the Kurdistan region and we urge the Kurdistan Regional Parliament and the Kurdistan Regional Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the planned elections are able to take place in November, without further postponement. It is incumbent on all parties to ensure an electoral process that adheres to international standards and upholds the rights of all citizens, including women and minorities, to participate in the democratic process.”
2023-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9324 (2023) · source
“In particular, approving a budget will be a crucial step in delivering the Government’s priorities, including on economic reform and energy diversification. We welcome the steps already taken to tackle corruption, strengthen economic infrastructure and begin the green energy transition. We also commend the steps taken by the Iraqi Government to find durable solutions to address the displacement crisis in Iraq, to provide essential services and to support survivors of conflict, including those from minority communities. We continue to encourage further implementation of the Yazidi female survivors law, including through the timely distribution of reparations to survivors.”
2023-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9324 (2023) · source
“I would like to thank the Special Representative for her very clear briefing and Ms. Latif for her words about protecting the rights of women and girls. At the outset, I would like to commend the continued work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and thank the team for its efforts. Over the past 20 years, the Mission has played a vital role in supporting Iraq and the Iraqi people. We strongly support the renewal of UNAMI’s mandate and welcome the opportunity for an independent strategic review to ensure that the Mission is aligned to the current peace and security threats facing Iraq. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the Iraqi Government and the implementation of its ambitious reform agenda.”
2023-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9324 (2023) · source
“We welcome the role played by the Kosovo Force and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, but that cannot be the long-term solution. We need to support functioning institutions in the north, working to serve the interests of those they were elected to represent. Let me finish by reiterating that the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting an inclusive, diverse and multi-ethnic democracy in Kosovo and its full participation in the international system.”
2023-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9312 (2023) · source
“Now is the moment for both parties to engage in the dialogue in good faith, honour their commitments and avoid actions or rhetoric that could reduce prospects for a comprehensive and sustainable normalization agreement. Kosovo and Serbia have committed to the establishment of an association of Serb-majority municipalities. We urge both parties to engage swiftly and constructively, so that the association can be established as soon as possible. We strongly encourage both sides to demonstrate the political will and courage to deliver on what has been agreed. That is in the long- term interests of the citizens on both sides. There are more immediate challenges too. Instead of a secure and safe environment in the north of Kosovo, there is a continuing security vacuum that leaves communities isolated and without vital everyday services.”
2023-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9312 (2023) · source
“And let me be clear, we remain fully supportive of resolution 1244 (1999). The conditions on the ground are, however, unrecognizable from 1999 and, in line with our normal Council practice on other mandates, we believe it is time for a review of UNMIK’s role and responsibilities. That would allow the Council to take a fresh look at how UNMIK can adapt to serve the current conditions in Kosovo. For many years, the absence of a normal relationship between Kosovo and Serbia has had implications for regional stability and communities in both countries. We therefore welcome the considerable progress that has been made in the normalization dialogue facilitated by the High Representative of the European Union, including the 27 February Brussels Agreement and its implementation annex negotiated on 18 March in Ohrid, North Macedonia.”
2023-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9312 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by thanking the Special Representative for her briefing and for the work her team is doing to promote stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo. Over the last year, Kosovo’s democracy and institutions have continued to show their maturity. This is reflected in its climb up international rankings on political and civil liberties. Kosovo demonstrated the third highest increase of any country in 2022. We congratulate Kosovo on this improvement. We welcome the Government’s efforts to tackle corruption and strengthen the rule of law and its commitment to addressing domestic and gender-based violence. We recognize the important role the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has played in supporting Kosovo’s remarkable progress over the past 24 years and the work it continues to do today.”
2023-04-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9312 (2023) · source
“We welcome recent moves towards a broader political dialogue and call once again on all actors to redouble their efforts to reach a consensus. The Security Council should be ready to consider further sanctions designations of those who seek to undermine the peace and stability of Haiti. Above all, we must support every effort for Haitians to come together to overcome the political impasse and to agree a road map that creates the conditions for successful democratic elections and for a better long-term future for Haiti.”
2023-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9311 (2023) · source
“We strongly support the High Commissioner’s appointment earlier this month of an expert on human rights in Haiti, following the request of the Human Rights Council. As set out in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/274), it is clear that the Haitian National Police remains over-stretched and under-resourced to tackle the immense security challenges it faces. There needs to be a coordinated international effort to assist Haitian-led efforts to tackle the underlying causes of gang violence. We recognize the need for a response to Haiti’s request for further international assistance, and we support further Council discussions on that. We note the installation of the High Transitional Council as a positive step towards implementing the 21 December political accord.”
2023-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9311 (2023) · source
“Like, I think, all of us in this Chamber, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation, the dramatic increase in homicides and kidnappings, the widespread instances of gang rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated by gangs as a means to strike fear into communities, the recruitment of children into gangs, indiscriminate sniper fire in civilian areas and high food insecurity. All of that has contributed to what the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called a living nightmare. It is a tragedy that the Haitian people — and women and children in particular — continue to experience this horror on a daily basis, and it should be a wake-up call for the international community.”
2023-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9311 (2023) · source
“First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and thank her for her briefing. We wish her every success in her new role. We would also like to take this opportunity to put on record our gratitude to all United Nations staff in Haiti for their work in very challenging circumstances. We would like to thank the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for her briefing and to welcome the Foreign Ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to the Chamber. As we have heard today, the situation in Haiti remains bleak, and it is getting worse.”
2023-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9311 (2023) · source
“We encourage the Government to engage in a serious dialogue with MONUSCO to clarify how we might achieve a responsible, conditions- based reconfiguration of the United Nations presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We look forward to receiving options for that in July. The Government must also do its work with MONUSCO on critical pillars of the peace process, such as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process and security sector reform. We must come together as a Council to give a very simple message. The violence must stop to give dialogue a chance to succeed. That is the only way to build confidence and provide a lasting resolution to the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2023-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9298 (2023) · source
“That is critical to ensuring the protection of civilians, the safety and security of peacekeepers and the effective implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate. The United Kingdom fully supports MONUSCO, including its vital role in protecting civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance. We commend the Mission and the Special Representative for their work in challenging circumstances, but MONUSCO cannot tackle that crisis alone. The effective cooperation of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with MONUSCO is vital to ensure that the Mission can implement its mandate, in particular with respect to the protection of civilians.”
2023-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9298 (2023) · source
“We reiterate our full support for regional diplomatic efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes. The United Kingdom urges all the parties to respect the commitments made under those processes, including with respect to the withdrawal of the M-23, an end to all support for armed groups and stopping the use of incendiary hate speech. The regional and bilateral forces deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — including the East African Community regional force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Burundi National Defence Force and the recently announced Angolan troop deployment — must engage with each other and with MONUSCO substantively on the de-confliction of their operations.”
2023-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9298 (2023) · source
“We strongly condemn the continuing advance across North Kivu province of the United Nations-sanctioned Mouvement du 23 mars (M-23), an illegal armed group. The resumption of violence has caused significant human suffering and displaced more than 800,000 people since March 2022. We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated by all other armed groups. All support for armed groups must stop, including external support for the M-23, and we call on all the parties to exert any influence they have to de-escalate the situation. We welcome the indications of M-23 withdrawal and the handing over of locations to the East African Community regional force, but any withdrawal must be complete and in line with the agreed process based on the Luanda road map. Now is the time, as we heard from the Special Representative.”
2023-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9298 (2023) · source
“I thank the Special Representative for her very helpful briefing and for all the support she and her team gave to the Security Council on our recent visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during which we saw at first hand the severity of the security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the extremely difficult context in which the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is operating. We also saw some of the tragic human cost. The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned about the intensifying violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2023-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9298 (2023) · source
“We have since heard relentless false claims, including from President Putin, that the Ukrainian Government are “neo-Nazis”, and from former President Medvedev that Ukrainians are “scum and freaks”, “cockroaches” and “grunting pigs”. The Russian Government may believe that this propaganda will help justify at home the sacrifice of the lives of the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers. But the consequences for innocent civilians, for Ukraine as a nation State, and for the rest of the world, are catastrophic. Russia is not under attack. There is only one aggressor in this context. Therefore, we must all tell the Russian Government very clearly to turn off its war machine, stop the invasion, stop the killing and stop the propaganda.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“There have been widespread reports of atrocities, with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine recording more than 70,000 potential war crimes so far. Hundreds of Ukrainian apartment buildings, train stations, hospitals and schools have been hit. Ukrainian cultural property has been looted, and cultural heritage sites destroyed. And more than that: to build domestic support for his war, Putin’s Government is pushing out propaganda about Ukraine to dehumanize the people it is killing and delegitimize the country it is invading — all while falsely claiming that Russia is somehow the victim. In the run up to the invasion, President Putin called Ukraine an intolerable “anti-Russia” and declared that it was an “inalienable part of Russia’s own history, culture and spiritual space”.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“We want Russia to be a prosperous and stable nation — just one that does not try to annex and illegally invade its neighbours. What Ukraine wants — what we all want — is peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations. The problem in Ukraine today is not caused by Russophobia. It is caused by President Putin’s desire to annex a sovereign nation, in breach of the most fundamental principles of the Charter. When the Russian State complains about Russophobia, what they actually object to, very simply, is Ukraine’s determination to remain an independent nation and its refusal to bend to Russia’s will and to give Russia its land. And, in pursuit of Ukraine’s land, the Russian military has killed and injured many tens of thousands of Ukrainians and displaced millions.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“Russophobia is one of an ever-growing list of excuses that Russia has come up with to justify its war in Ukraine. The fact that they are inventing so many of them is itself a good indication that they know none of them stands up to full scrutiny. But let me be clear anyway, on behalf of the United Kingdom, and let me say it in Russian: (spoke in Russian) We are not Russophobes. There are historical ties between our countries. We fought together in two world wars. Our country deeply respects Russia’s rich cultural heritage. I myself studied the Russian language, its history and excellent literature for seven years. (spoke in English) We do not want Russia to fail as a State, as the Russian delegation sometimes claims. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“In closing, please allow me to underscore the United Kingdom’s commitment to working together, including in the Council, to continue the global fight against all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“We must rally together with the whole United Nations system behind a comprehensive approach that tackles the drivers of those conditions. The Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace is an opportunity to galvanize that work. We must also use United Nations sanctions regimes rigorously in order to prevent the proliferation of weapons to terrorist groups and choke off their access to financing. There is one other important point to note in all of this: the report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/76) is clear that the presence of non-State armed groups is a destabilizing factor. Groups such as the Wagner Group are not the answer. As the Secretary-General also notes in his report, we must ensure that all counter-terrorism efforts involve civil society and are gender-sensitive and anchored in human rights.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“We have a collective responsibility, as States Members of the United Nations, to use all the legal tools and levers at our disposal to counter that threat. In Afghanistan, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan Province continues to show that it has the capacity to carry out high-profile attacks inside that country and to use it as a base to encourage attacks abroad. The Security Council must continue to demand of the Taliban that Afghanistan’s territory does not provide a shelter for terrorist groups. We are also deeply concerned about the spread of the Da’esh threat through its affiliates across Africa. Instability, famine and climate-related crises are creating conditions that are being exploited by terrorist groups.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“I thank Under- Secretary-General Voronkov, Mr. Chen and Ms. Praxl for their very helpful briefings. We are grateful to the United Nations for all its efforts in the fight against terrorism. Last year, the Da’esh terror campaign was dealt a severe blow by the death of two of its leaders, but despite that, the threat from Da’esh and its affiliates continues to grow and evolve, as we heard today. A resurgent Da’esh core in Syria and Iraq remains a significant danger. We need to maintain our resolve, including through the Global Coalition against Da’esh. The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to supporting that. In 2022, for the first time in the history of Da’esh, the majority of its attacks were perpetrated outside its core focus area of Syria and Iraq.”
2023-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9257 (2023) · source
“Continued close cooperation between the Government of Iraq and regional partners is important to reinforce both Iraqi and regional security and stability. We welcome ongoing contacts between Baghdad and Erbil in order to settle outstanding issues of concern. We encourage all sides to engage in dialogue in order to resolve differences where they exist, including on the hydrocarbon law and the budget. We also welcome and encourage dialogue between the Kurdish political parties, and we will continue to emphasize the urgent importance of passing a law facilitating elections in the Kurdistan region this year. Finally, we would also like to thank the Special Representative for her update on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property.”
2023-02-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9253 (2023) · source
“We remain committed to supporting the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in their efforts to ensure the safety of Iraqi civilians, not least in the ongoing fight against the scourge of Da’esh, and to safeguard the security and sovereignty of Iraq. We welcome Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s work to reinforce the security of Iraq’s borders. We commend Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s engagements throughout the region and his Government’s efforts to encourage regional stability through broader bilateral relations. We encourage further regional dialogue, including on crucial transnational issues such as water security and the adverse impacts of climate change, and we welcome the important role of UNAMI in support of those efforts.”
2023-02-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9253 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to support the Iraqi Government on the range of challenges it faces. Key among those challenges are securing the country’s economic stability and the need for climate action, including energy transition and green economic reform. We hope to see the Government propose and pass a sustainable budget that stimulates investment in Iraq’s future. We encourage the Government’s continued focus on tackling corruption, as the Special Representative said, and we echo her and others on the importance of human rights and accountability. Another central challenge is Iraq’s security.”
2023-02-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9253 (2023) · source
“Let me start by thanking Japan for a highly professional and effective presidency in the month of January. Let me assure you, Madam, and your team of the full support of my delegation for your presidency this month. I would also like to thank the Special Representative for her briefing and Mr. Ahmed for the messages he brought to the Council today. The United Kingdom commends the vital work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). As the Special Representative said, we also commend the long-standing commitment of successive Iraqi Governments to working closely with the United Nations Mission. We welcome the formation of the new Government of Iraq and Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s focus on the delivery of services that the people of Iraq need.”
2023-02-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9253 (2023) · source
“Restoring stability and securing peace is possible but requires effort from all sides in a process towards a two-State solution, which the United Kingdom stands ready to support.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, we urge the leaders on both sides to promote a culture of peaceful coexistence. The desecration of 30 Christian graves in a Protestant cemetery on Mount Zion this month highlights the dangers of increasing division along ethnic and religious lines. We are grateful to all sides for their swift condemnation of those shocking acts. As a country that supports and defends freedom of religion or belief for all, the United Kingdom urges respect for all burial and holy sites, which must be treated with dignity. Finally, Israel must exercise maximum restraint in the use of live fire when protecting its legitimate security interests. In the first three weeks of this year, 14 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces, including three children.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“That is the only way to end the conflict, preserve Israel’s Jewish and democratic identity and realize Palestinian national aspirations. The United Kingdom opposes all unilateral actions that will make peace harder to achieve, whether taken by the Palestinian or Israeli side, including the Government of Israel’s measures against the Palestinian Authority announced on 6 January. Secondly, the United Kingdom calls on all parties to continue to uphold the historic status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites. During his visit, Lord Ahmad visited Al-Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount. He emphasized the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to the status quo and to working with the parties to ensure the safety of all who visit. We value Jordan’s important role as Custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“We thank the Special Coordinator for his briefing. Last year saw large numbers of Palestinians and Israelis killed, worsening rates of settler violence and the emergence of new Palestinian militant groups. Unfortunately, 2023 has also started with violence and instability. In that context, the United Kingdom Minister of State, Lord Ahmad, visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories earlier this month. There, he underlined the United Kingdom’s support for a two-State solution and urged the parties, supported by the international community, to do all they can to de-escalate, restore calm and rebuild trust. To that end, first, the parties must demonstrate through their statements and their policies a genuine commitment to peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians and to a two-State solution.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246 (2023) · source
“As a Council we must insist on its full implementation. This means the complete destruction of Syria’s chemical-weapons stockpile and accountability for the use of such weapons. As Mr. Ebo said today, the absence of accountability is a threat to international peace and security and a danger to us all. As a Council, we cannot turn a blind eye; we too must uphold our responsibilities.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“And, as we have heard, Syria still today shows its contempt for its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013). Sadly, over the last nine years, accountability and effective action to uphold resolution 2118 (2013) have been consistently blocked in the Security Council. There has also been a relentless disinformation campaign designed to undermine the OPCW and protect the Syrian regime from accountability for its crimes. It is not too late to turn this around. We welcome the Technical Secretariat’s latest initiative to send a reduced team to Syria this month. This is an opportunity for the Syrian regime finally to start to come into compliance with its obligations. The responsibility rests with it. We are approaching 10 years since resolution 2118 (2013) was adopted.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“In 2013, after multiple chemical-weapons attacks, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2118 (2013). But it became clear that Syria had retained a chemical-weapons capability in contravention of resolution 2118 (2013) and the Chemical Weapons Convention. And, worse than that, further attacks took place. OPCW and joint United Nations- OPCW investigations confirmed that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons, including chlorine and sarin, on at least eight occasions. These were shocking attacks by the Syrian regime, designed to inflict mass casualties and extreme suffering on its own people. Syria has since done everything possible to deflect and deny OPCW efforts to resolve the many serious gaps and omissions in its chemical-weapons declaration.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“Mr. President, the United Kingdom join others in welcoming you to the Security Council and assuring you of our full support during the Japanese presidency of the Council. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to our colleagues from Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland. I would like to thank Mr. Ebo for his briefing and the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for his monthly report (see S/2022/1016). Last year we marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that it is upheld. We all know the facts. Prior to the start of the conflict in 2011, Syria had an extensive chemical-weapons programme.”
2023-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9235 (2023) · source
“Let me reiterate the importance of collaboration between Iraq, including the Kurdistan Regional Government, and UNITAD. Wide-ranging and comprehensive coordination among all three is crucial for progress. Following Iraq’s elections, we are pleased to hear of the relationship that is being built between the new Iraqi Government and UNITAD, and we hope that the collaboration will continue to deepen and deliver justice for survivors. For our part, we reiterate our strong support for UNITAD’s pursuit of accountability for the atrocities committed by Da’esh, both in Iraq and around the world.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9206 (2022) · source
“We also commend UNITAD’s assistance to Iraq on United Nations sanctions, including its plans to share information, which could help to support designating Da’esh members under the sanctions regime of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities. We look forward to the conclusion of the relevant memorandum of understanding with the Government of Iraq. Secondly, we welcome the outreach that UNITAD has prioritized with affected communities in Iraq. That has built trust and enabled the collection of testimonies that were used in the prosecution of Da’esh members around the world, drawing on the support and the assistance of UNITAD.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9206 (2022) · source
“We need action — period.” UNITAD is a key part of that work, working to deliver justice for survivors. We therefore commend the Government of Iraq for its engagement with UNITAD’s important work. Let me highlight in particular two areas of progress over the past six months. First, we welcome the breadth of cooperation between UNITAD and Iraq, as we heard from the Special Adviser. In particular, we welcome the technical assistance in relation to the excavation of several mass grave sites, information-sharing, tailored assistance for investigations and the capacity- building of the Iraqi judiciary and prosecutors, particularly relating to the collection of evidence.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9206 (2022) · source
“Let me start by welcoming the representative of Iraq to the Chamber. We would like to thank the Special Adviser for the expertise and dedication that he and his team have shown in pursuing accountability for the crimes committed by Da’esh. Four and a half years since the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD) started its work, the need for justice for Daesh’s appalling crimes is undiminished. As we heard, those were crimes against the people, the history and the culture of Iraq. Nadia Murad told the conference of the International Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, held in London last week, that “survivors around the world do not need a call to action.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9206 (2022) · source
“We are disappointed that, due to the resistance of one Council member, the new mandate did not go further in strengthening the 1540 Committee’s support to Member States as they implement the resolution, including on the important issue of proliferation financing. We look forward to continuing cooperation with all Council members through the 1540 Committee. The risks of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors are grave. Collectively, we must redouble our efforts to address them.”
2022-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9205 (2022) · source
“We voted in favour of resolution 2663 (2022), as the United Kingdom is steadfast in its commitment to preventing the proliferation of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery. Resolution 1540 (2004) remains a key pillar of the non-proliferation framework. We call on all States to implement their obligations under resolution 1540 (2004) in full. We pay tribute to the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and to his team in guiding us through the review process and to a new 10-year mandate for the Committee. We thank the Group of Experts and its Coordinator for their support to the Committee in its work. The obligations set out in resolution 1540 (2004) remain as relevant as ever, but the context in which States are implementing them has changed since 2004.”
2022-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9205 (2022) · source
“The OPCW is responsible for preventing the spread of chemical weapons. It is an expert and highly professional organization, and it is in all our interests to prevent it from being degraded by disinformation. Until Syria gives proper assurances to the international community, we must assume that Syria continues to hold chemical weapons. And given its track record, we must assume that the regime remains willing to use them. Therefore, it is up to the members of the Council to maintain the pressure to resolve that ongoing threat to international peace and security.”
2022-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9184 (2022) · source