YouSaid · the spoken record

Egeland

lines on the record: 421
first: 2003-12-09
most recent: 2022-01-27
sittings or episodes: 20
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

“Such initiatives can be broadened to support all Members States that face protection challenges. My fifth point relates to the use of sanctions. If we are to see more effective use of sanctions as a tool, it will be essential to assess and mitigate any potential humanitarian consequences in a more systematic manner. Recognizing this need, my Office, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, has developed a rigorous methodology to assess the human impact of sanctions. Since it would be essential for the Council to ensure that the unintended consequences of sanctions are mitigated and that the measures imposed do not cause civilian suffering disproportionate to the ends served, I strongly encourage Council members to use that methodology during their deliberations to enhance the use of sanctions as a tool.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Fourthly, it is essential that we place greater emphasis on the role of national actors and that we develop approaches and tools that strengthen their ability to provide protection. In September, my Office initiated a systematic consultation with the Government of Uganda and all national actors to develop a nationally owned strategy for the protection of civilians. This has already resulted in more effective action to address key protection concerns. In January, at the request of the Government of Indonesia, we will undertake similar consultations to assist the Government in developing their own strategy for the protection of civilians. We are in discussions with the Government of Egypt concerning the possibility of convening a regional workshop on the protection of civilians for the Middle East in 2005.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“My third area of focus is the need to ensure more consistent response to crises and to highlight neglected emergencies. We need to develop better mechanisms to engage donors and engender the political will to address all humanitarian needs and protection concerns equitably. Engaging new donors and drawing on the resources of different actors will be critical to ensuring consistency of response. It is also Vital that we provide sustained support in post-conflict situations. Through my Office, I would like to further develop a more systematic review of the impact of underfunding, so that we can alert the Security Council to any potential problems that may exacerbate instability and jeopardize either national or regional security.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Examples of the key protection concerns that such a mechanism would address include the number of civilians killed, tortured, displaced or affected by sexual violence, and the total number of those denied access to humanitarian assistance and protection. Work has commenced with agency colleagues to develop a systematic methodology using set criteria and empirical indicators which will allow better comparative analysis and monitoring of protection trends. That will provide the Security Council with concrete and objective information that would enable better assessment of, and appropriate response to, the scale and urgency of key protection concerns. I will provide the Council with a more detailed outline of the reporting mechanism at my next briefing, in June.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“A comprehensive, coordinated approach to the protection of civilians has now been put in place to address the protection deficit in Darfur. I have also, as Emergency Relief Coordinator, initiated a system-wide humanitarian response review, which will address the current gaps in our response to humanitarian crises, in terms of both humanitarian assistance and protection gaps. We have to fill those gaps as an international community: Member States, donors, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society. My second area of action is the development of a better reporting mechanism. In his most recent report on the protection of civilians (S/2004/431), the Secretary-General called for a mechanism that would provide better facts and statistics on protection in order to inform and facilitate the Council's deliberations.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“The case of Liberia in the late 1990s or Haiti in recent years illustrates this all too clearly. As a humanitarian community, we are, after all, asking for much less than 1 per cent of world military spending to cover all suffering in all conflicts. I would now like to continue by outlining briefly some key points which I believe will strengthen our ability and greatly enhance our response to the challenges I have just outlined. My first area of action - an area of utmost priority- is the need to strengthen the overall response capacity of the humanitarian community to provide both effective and timely humanitarian assistance and protection. Efforts to improve our response to the crisis in Darfur have underscored the need to strengthen the collaborative approach to protection.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“The international community must seize this opportunity and support efforts to consolidate peace and stability and to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people. Visiting Somalia last week, I was shocked to learn that mortality rates in parts of Somalia were 2 per 10,000 per day: the same as in Darfur, but for the Somalis this situation has been more protracted. If we are serious about meeting humanitarian needs and laying the foundations for future peace and stability, we cannot afford to leave crises simmering, devoid of an adequate political and humanitarian response. Underfunding, premature withdrawal of support and a failure to address the root causes of conflict leave remnant discontent, creating conditions ripe for insurgency and allowing countries to spiral back into conflict.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“We repeatedly see ongoing crises eclipsed by the crises of the moment, highlighted through the media lens. The Sudan and the ongoing violence in Iraq currently command the most attention, while dire situations persist in numerous other countries struggling with conflict and violence. We need to keep the spotlight on all crises and ensure that there is a balanced and proportional response to all situations of concern. The humanitarian crisis in Somalia, for example, remains one of the most severe, yet overlooked, crises in the world. With the formation of the Transitional Federal Government, Somalia is now at a crossroads as it faces its best chance in many years of achieving political stability and peace.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Properly reintegrating children and youth requires viable alternatives to violence and sustained support in meeting their long-term needs. That, in turn, requires integrated planning of DDRR programmes, longer-term community-based recovery initiatives and consistent and sustained funding. In Liberia and elsewhere, reintegration programmes remain precariously underfunded. Where a conflict has a regional dimension, effective and sustained DDRR support is all the more critical if we are to prevent the circulation of fighters and small arms from one country to the next. What use are effective disarmament and demobilization efforts if we are not able to provide an alternative life for the ex-fighters before they are drawn back to the guns and the violence? My seventh and final challenge is neglected emergencies.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“With regard to the sixth challenge - disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation - I would like to focus on reintegration, which I see as the single biggest challenge for DDRR programming. Reintegration poses an enormous challenge in West Africa, where the region is fearful of youth who have learned that economic gain comes from acts of violence. In northern Uganda, where thousands of children have been brutalized and alienated from their families and communities, the challenge of reintegration is also immense. Uganda is currently faced with a historic opportunity for peace and reconciliation, related to which is an urgent need to accelerate reintegration planning efforts to meet the needs of increasing numbers of Lord's Resistance Army fighters coming out of the bush.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“It is imperative that all parties to the conflict cooperate fully with the Commission and provide it with the information relevant to its mandate. Those who have caused death and massive suffering among civilians in the Darfurs should have no reason to sleep well at night. In terms of strengthening the legal framework underpinning the protection of civilians, I am pleased to report that 32 States took 114 treaty actions during the Focus 2004 treaties event in September. Of particular note was the participation of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, which took action in respect of 18 conventions and protocols and, separately, adopted the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Hate propaganda, used to incite and fuel conflict, is a concern in a number of countries, such as Cote d'Ivoire, where the media have become a powerful instrument in fuelling hatred and promoting xenophobia. Targeted sanctions against those individuals responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law or for inciting public hatred and violence provide an appropriate and necessary response. In general, I would encourage the Security Council to consider making greater use of such targeted sanctions. In Darfur, the deployment of African Union observers, the establishment of the International Commission of Inquiry and the deployment of human rights observers are important developments.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Many protection concerns will remain unresolved as long as impunity prevails, and it is therefore critical that those who violate international law be held accountable. The role of States in this respect is paramount. Violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territories have worsened the lives and welfare of civilians and undermined the ability of the humanitarian community to provide much-needed assistance and protection. The widespread insecurity in Iraq - including intimidation, hostage-taking, targeted and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and brutal acts of terror - creates major protection concerns. In such volatile circumstances, compliance with international humanitarian law by all sides is critical.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Over the past six months, the Governments of Uganda, Liberia and Somalia have developed national internal displacement policies and have adopted, or made greater use of, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Those are particularly welcome developments. Similarly, I welcome the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Peace, Security, Democracy and Development in the Great Lakes Region, which commits participating countries to a range of important measures, including respect for and use of the Guiding Principles. Those positive steps need to be reinforced, however, by providing national Governments with the appropriate capacity and support to fulfil their obligations to protect. Enhancing compliance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law and combating impunity is the fifth challenge I wish to address.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“During the past six months, the world has been shocked by the killing in Burundi of more than 150 Congolese refugees within the confines of a camp protected by the United Nations symbol. We have also been shocked by the forced movement of hundreds of thousands of civilians in Darfur. In Iraq, it is estimated that approximately 220,000 inhabitants of Fallujah became internally displaced over a 10-day period in early November. Since then, access to civilians, both those inside the city and those displaced around the city, has been limited by military action and by insecurity on the ground. I also encourage Member States to fully recognize the needs and rights of those who are displaced.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Sustained attention must be given to the needs of children through the delivery of humanitarian support, DDRR programmes and longer-term initiatives that address their special reintegration needs. The plight of refugees and internally displaced persons is my fourth concern. While large numbers of refugees have, in recent months, been helped to return home by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners, more than 25 million people remain displaced from their homes by conflict. The largest internal displacement crises remain in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia and Uganda. Those four have a population of displaced persons totalling more than 10 million. Displaced civilians continue to face intolerable hardships and increasing challenges for their protection.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Surely, the thousands of brutal rapes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Darfur, in Uganda, in Liberia and elsewhere should already have resulted in people being brought to justice. The use of children in armed conflict and child abduction remain a key challenge to the United Nations and its humanitarian partners. In Nepal, children continue to be forcibly recruited into fighting forces. Throughout the subregion of West Africa, children have long been associated with fighting forces. It is only now that we are beginning to comprehend the extensive implications of years of conflict, in which youth is used and expended as ammunition. That pattern is being sustained in the north of Cote d'Ivoire, where 100,000 children are unable to sit for their exams and are therefore exposed to increased risk of exploitation.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“The use of sexual violence has been widely condemned by national Governments, by regional organizations, by the General Assembly and by the Security Council, most recently, in the review of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) (see S/PRST/2004/40). Despite such condemnation, however, sexual violence persists unchecked. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Darfur, sexual violence continues to intimidate and despoil populations. If sexual violence is so intolerable, why is it so pervasive? This is an issue where there can be no impunity. I hope that the International Criminal Court will use its jurisdiction to clearly demonstrate that crimes of sexual violence will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will be punished. And I hope the Security Council will press for accountability.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Military and political leaders around the world must do their utmost to maintain the distinction between impartial, neutral humanitarian action and political and military activities. The third protection concern that I wish to address is the need to better protect women and children in armed conflict. A constant and insidious characteristic of armed conflict is the barbaric and indiscriminate use of sexual violence. In past reports we have documented the atrocious use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Victims of sexual violence are stripped of dignity and are stigmatized. They are victims many times over: victims of trauma, victims of HIV/AIDS and victims of social and economic distress, left destitute and outcast long after the fighting is over.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“To that end, my Office, together with our humanitarian partners, has engaged in dialogue with religious and civil society groups in regions where there is a perceived threat to humanitarian personnel. More than ever, we rely on cultural and religious leaders to join us in partnership and to come to the defence of independent humanitarian action in the face of such threats. I therefore call upon religious and community leaders to speak out strongly against those who attack unarmed humanitarian workers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and elsewhere, in blatant violation of religious and cultural values. Humanitarian organizations also feel that they have been caught in the political crossfire and that the space for humanitarian action is progressively shrinking.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“The worsening insecurity in parts of Iraq has prompted several large international non-governmental organizations - renowned for their capacity to continue operating in hostile environments - to withdraw their operations. Such withdrawals have severe consequences for civilians, particularly those who have been internally displaced, as they lose access to independent and impartial sources of assistance in a climate of growing insecurity. In Iraq and Afghanistan, we may be witnessing a disturbing new development where recent hostage- taking incidents indicate a merging of commercial and political motives. Those are difficult and substantial challenges, which require creative solutions that use both humanitarian and political diplomacy.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Attacks by any armed group will only serve to paralyse the large and effective humanitarian operations in the Darfurs. The parties to the conflict - including the political and military leaders - should be held individually responsible for such attacks and for the starvation, disease and deaths among civilians that will undoubtedly result. In Afghanistan, threats to staff continue to restrict the provision of humanitarian assistance and protection. In Iraq, the brutal execution of our colleague Margaret Hassan starkly brought home the vulnerability of humanitarian personnel and the unacceptable risk to which international agencies operating in Iraq are exposed.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Experience demonstrates that improvements in access are brought about only when there is engagement and common commitment on the part of all actors and when there is consistency and coherence of approach. I encourage the Security Council to use its authority more energetically, where necessary, to address the issue of access in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection. The security of humanitarian workers is my second concern. Our ability to protect and deliver humanitarian assistance to civilian populations in need is undermined by blatant attacks and threats against our unarmed humanitarian staff. Last Sunday, 12 December, two staff members of Save the Children were deliberately attacked and killed in South Darfur.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“Similarly, in Afghanistan, insecurity continues to restrict humanitarian access to areas in the south of the country. We cannot allow ourselves to accept those situations. Peacekeeping efforts that provide a sustained, secure environment in which humanitarian access can be delivered have never been more important. Tragically, many parts of the Sudan's Darfur provinces present us with some of the worst obstacles to humanitarian access. The blatant breaches of the ceasefire agreements by all parties and the escalation of fighting - including rebel attacks and aerial bombardments by Government forces - have led to the evacuation of much-needed humanitarian staff. That has dramatically reduced our ability to deliver humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the mortality rate for children under 5 is 90 per cent higher than the regional norm. The recent movements of forces into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are worrying, as they further destabilize an already volatile environment and can only lead to a further decline in the quality of life for the civilian population. The outbreak of violence in Cote d'Ivoire in early November and the subsequent evacuation of international humanitarian staff have also constrained our ability to provide humanitarian assistance and protection. Although the situation appears to be stabilizing and humanitarian staff are redeploying, checkpoints remain in place both in the north and in Government-held areas.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“In Liberia, improved access to border regions has been facilitated by the completion of the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) process. By contrast, the events in the past six months in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo perpetuate a pattern of intermittent and sporadic access that leads to continued incapacity to deliver essential services, such as health and education. That region has, accordingly, suffered appalling mortality and malnutrition rates. According to a recent survey by the International Rescue Committee - which is among the largest mortality surveys ever conducted in a conflict zone - more than 1,000 Congolese civilians are dying from war-related disease and malnutrition every day.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“In order to ensure a more secure environment for the victims of conflict, access for those who can help must be consistently secured. Progress has been made in ensuring better access in some countries. Notably, there have been incremental improvements in access to the 1.6 million displaced civilians in northern Uganda. The promulgation of the Government of Uganda's strategy for the internally displaced and an improving security environment have resulted in sustained access to certain areas and in opportunities to better address the protection needs of the civilian population. Humanitarian agencies must now seize the opportunities provided by that improved access by increasing their activities and their support.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“I should like to thank members for this opportunity to brief the Security Council with regard to the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The commitment of the Algerian presidency to maintaining that critical priority item on the Council's agenda - a commitment underscored by your presence here among us today, Mr. Minister - is appreciated by the humanitarian community. (spoke in English) This time last year (see S/PV.4877), I presented to the Council a 10-point platform, which outlined critical areas in which we needed to focus our joint efforts. I would now like to provide members with an update on developments over the past six months and to propose actions that we can take to strengthen protection in several of those areas. Humanitarian access to civilians in need lies at the heart of the protection response.”
2004-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5100 (2004) · source
“(spoke in English) In addition to its work with the Security Council, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will continue to promote this framework with other appropriate organs of the United Nations, as well as work closely with regional bodies and specific member States. The renewed commitment of the Security Council to acting collectively and decisively to protect civilians trapped in situations of armed conflict is needed now more than ever, and we look forward to working closely in this endeavour and to seeing a new resolution from the Council on this.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“This we see as central to delivering on the protection of civilians in the future. (spoke in Spanish) I welcome the support expressed by several members of the Security Council and other member States for a new resolution on protection of civilians in armed conflict. I welcome in particular the message that the next resolution will impose a greater obligation on member States. As the representatives of the United Kingdom, Chile, Germany, France and others have noted, such a resolution should include a strategy enabling us better and more effectively to protect civilians. We must be as strongly committed, innovative and flexible as possible and use a variety of protection mechanisms, some of which already exist while others will be new.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“(spoke in French) I welcome the proposal made by the representative of France that the system of cooperation established in response to the Darfur crisis between the Security Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs should serve as a model for other complex emergency situations. (spoke in English) The representative of the United Kingdom confirmed the need for clearer mechanisms to support systematic and precise monitoring and reporting from the field on protection of civilians issues. As requested, we will provide an outline for such a mechanism in my next briefing to the Council in December. Several Council members stressed the need to make better use of the aide-memoire.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“I welcome the support expressed for police- and troop-contributing countries to take measures that will ensure the investigation and prosecution of alleged offenders of sexual exploitation and abuse, in line with the Secretary-General's bulletin and the current practice of international staff. I wish to thank Council members for their valuable proposals for moving the protection of civilians agenda forward. I wish to acknowledge the proposal of the representative of Germany that, in addition to the six-monthly briefings on the protection of civilians, the Security Council receive ad hoc briefings from me, as Emergency Relief Coordinator, when grave threats to the protection of civilians in particular situations require it.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“In this context, I thank the representative of Pakistan for recalling the Secretary-General's emphasis in his report on the fact that "Compliance by all parties to conflict with international humanitarian, human rights, refugee and criminal law is critical in all of these situations, whether they are situations of armed conflict, occupation or transition". (S/2004/43], para. 3) I particularly welcome the unanimous concern expressed in the debate over the issue of sexual and gender-based violence against women and children and the recognition of the need for measures to deal more effectively with this problem.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“(spoke in English) The representatives of several delegations addressed the situation of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory. I can only reiterate that the violence against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory and the profound constraints on their lives imposed by the construction of the barrier in the West Bank are issues of grave humanitarian concern, as I said in my opening statement this morning. The attacks in the Rafah refugee camp last month shocked us all. International humanitarian law obviously applies to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Clearly, any engagement with non-State armed groups must be aimed solely at providing protection and humanitarian assistance to civilians living in areas under their control and must be conducted transparently, neutrally and impartially in a manner that does not in any way legitimize the armed groups concerned. Just as the impartiality and neutrality of humanitarian organizations must be respected by parties to conflict, humanitarian organizations themselves must act in a manner that is above reproach in this regard. (spoke in Spanish) As was just noted by the representative of Colombia, I was recently in his country and had very constructive meetings with the Government on the matter of humanitarian assistance and access there.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“But it is equally clear that there are situations in which Governments alone do not have the capacity to fulfil this responsibility, and consequently the lives and welfare of their civilians are at risk. Where non- State armed groups control or influence access to populations in need of humanitarian assistance and when non-State armed groups actively target civilians, the humanitarian imperative may demand our engagement with them, as when we facilitated the humanitarian ceasefire in Darfur between Government and rebels - an agreement that was mediated by the Government of Chad.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Mr. Egeland: I am very grateful for the continued support that members of the Security Council and other member States have expressed throughout today's debate on the protection of civilians. This debate has underlined the importance of mainstreaming protection, providing a clear focus for future action and addressing some of the critical gaps in implementation. Time does not permit my going into all the important proposals made by speakers today. Let me address only a few points. The issue of engagement with non-State armed groups is, as many Council members have said, a sensitive and complex one. In situations of armed conflict, Governments clearly bear the primary responsibility to provide humanitarian access, to protect civilians and to cooperate with humanitarian agencies.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“There is no substitute for the willingness to act if we want to transcend the cycles of armed conflict and to provide civilian men, women and children with a life free from Violence, suffering and fear.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“We should now update resolution 1296 (2000) in order to reflect the important developments that have taken place over the past four years and to support further measures to improve the protection afforded to civilians in times of armed conflict. The Secretary-General's report sets out a number of recommendations to this end. Measures that we believe would enable us to assist the Council in its response include more systematic information on key protection issues and earlier reporting on situations of concern so that humanitarian and protection support can be provided as efficiently as possible. The dire consequences of the failure of each of us to speak out and act were tragically illustrated by the genocide that took place in Rwanda 10 years ago.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“In northern Uganda, the abduction and killing of children by children is worse today than when I last spoke on this subject before the Council in December. In Darfur, the crisis for hundreds of thousands of civilians is deepening by the day. We need to find better ways to provide humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently, as soon as the security situation on the ground allows, whenever civilians are in desperate need. We believe that the time is right for the Council to consider adopting another resolution on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. It has been four years since the Security Council adopted its most recent resolution.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“But as long as civilians continue to constitute the majority of victims in situations of armed conflict, this progress is not nearly enough. The establishment of the culture of protection called for by the Secretary- General is still a distant goal. The Security Council is the United Nations principal mechanism for the promotion of peace and security around the globe. The humanitarian community administers to victims in the absence of peace and security. Our roles are intricately and fundamentally linked and it is for this reason that I appreciate the commitment that the Council has shown to the protection of civilians agenda by establishing regular dialogue on this increasingly important issue. We must, at the same time, be honest about what we achieve and when we fail.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“We should be encouraged by the real efforts being made at the regional level to start to address the protection of displaced persons and other civilians, particularly in Africa, where the problems are grave. The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States are making concerted efforts to systematically incorporate these issues. Their work can only be further consolidated by the work undertaken by the New Partnership for Africa's Development. In addition, the humanitarian operational response to protection concerns on the ground has been extensive, the policy framework has been strengthened and there is now stronger inter-agency coordination and collaboration within the United Nations system.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“In Guinea, lack of funding has prevented effective humanitarian assistance from being provided to displaced people, returnees and host communities. I encourage the Security Council to consider the links between the maintenance of international peace and security and inadequate funding in certain crises. When confronted with challenges of this magnitude, it is important to recognise that progress depends on incremental change. In the five years since the Security Council adopted its first resolution on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, some progress has been made. Peacekeeping mandates have been broadened and have a stronger protection focus. These mandates have been complemented by swifter deployments of peacekeeping troops when needed to avert an immediate crisis of protection and to restore order.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Sadly, it is often in the forgotten emergencies that the risks to civilians are greatest. For example, Somalia has remained off the international community's radar screen for some time now, yet the protection concerns in that country are grave. The continuing factional fighting is causing daily civilian casualties. Access to populations in need is increasingly restricted and increased flows of illegal arms further exacerbate the suffering of civilians. The absence of governance for the last 13 years has created a vacuum in terms of protecting civilians in Somalia. International action is needed. In the Central African Republic, restrictions on access and lack of resources continue to deny life- saving assistance to some 2.2 million people.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Later this year the United Nations will hold a treaties event - Focus 2004 - that will concentrate on multilateral treaties relevant to the protection of civilians. I wish to echo the Secretary-General's recent call to Member States to demonstrate their commitment to the central role of the rule of law in international relations and to the protection of civilians by using the occasion of Focus 2004 to sign, ratify or accede to these treaties. My final concern is "forgotten" emergencies. Political interests, strategic priorities and the media spotlight create enormously disproportionate responses to humanitarian and protection crises. Experience shows that skewed flows of humanitarian funding for complex emergencies undermine protection and assistance to civilians in need.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“This expert group is formulating standards, principles and, most importantly, tools for use at the field level to assist host countries and other relevant actors to manage this important and sensitive security issue. My fifth point concerns issues related to compliance and impunity. Violations of international humanitarian and human rights law characterize today's armed conflicts. In too many conflicts around the world, these crimes continue to be committed with total impunity. Perpetrators must be brought to justice, and potential perpetrators must be deterred. It is encouraging that the Security Council has recognized the importance of strengthening the legal framework that underpins the protection of civilians.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“In several countries, armed elements infiltrate refugee and internally displaced persons camps in order to recruit or abduct men, women and children for military and other purposes and to steal food and other goods, endangering not only the inhabitants of the camps but also the host communities. The infiltration of armed elements and combatants blurs the civilian character of camps and exposes civilian populations to the increased likelihood of attack by opposing forces. This problem must be addressed through the identification, separation, disarmament and internment of the combatants. I am pleased to report that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) convened an expert meeting in Geneva from 9 to 11 June on maintaining the civilian and humanitarian character of asylum.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“Only late last week, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) mounted another brutal attack on civilians living in an internally displaced persons camp in northern Uganda. This is the fourth attack on internally displaced persons camps in as many weeks, attacks that have left more than 120 people dead, mostly women and children. These deplorable attacks by the LRA must end. I also call on the Government of Uganda to redouble its efforts to protect internally displaced persons and other civilians and to do more to seek reconciliation and dialogue that can demobilize and reintegrate the child soldiers who now cause so much suffering.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“My fourth concern is the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons. The fact that a staggering 50 million people worldwide have been displaced from their homes by conflict is one of the most pressing protection concerns we currently face. In Colombia, in May, I saw the poverty of two million displaced people. Their safety has been further jeopardized by a dramatic increase in the use of landmines by rebel groups. The number of internally displaced persons in Ingushetia in the Russian Federation has decreased in recent years, from 250,000 to 50,000. As these civilians return to Chechnya, however, new protection needs arise. Civilians living in refugee and internally displaced camps are vulnerable to attack by armed groups.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source
“The deeply disturbing issue of sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children in armed conflict by United Nations affiliated personnel demands our urgent attention. These acts do irreparable damage, both to the image of the United Nations and - more importantly - to our ability to serve and protect war- torn societies. Following the promulgation of the Secretary-General's bulletin last October, prevention and protection measures at the field level are beginning to be implemented. In order to be truly effective, these efforts need to be reinforced by demonstrated action on the part of personnel-contributing countries, including punitive measures against offending personnel. I encourage the Security Council to urge personnel- contributing countries to cooperate fully in this effort.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990 (2004) · source