YouSaid · the spoken record

Gaspar Martins

lines on the record: 1,225
first: 2002-04-23
most recent: 2016-11-23
sittings or episodes: 177
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 Secretary- General's plan to develop a community-based complaint reception mechanism - a measure that I am sure will help to address the fear among victims that we see today. We also suppor the proposal that troop-contributing countries enter into bilateral agreements with the Office of Internal Oversight Services to authorize it to investigate alleged cases by members of military contingents, either independently or in cooperation with national investigation officers. Other measures, such as better-calibrated rotation schedules, adequate provision of welfare programmes and better standards of living for troops and the regular payment of salaries to uniformed personnel, are sensible measures capable of addressing the need for a reduction in such cases.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“We are encouraged by his renewed commitment to ensure that reported allegations are fully and promptly investigated, in cooperation with troop-contributing countries, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. In that regard, we deem predeployment training as an essential tool to avoid misconduct and ensure that troops strictly respect the Organization's standards of conduct. It is important to systematically include the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence and its follow-up in the relevant country-specific resolutions and the mandates of special political and peacekeeping missions. Furthermore, increasing the number of women in peacekeeping operations and police units can help combat stigma and threats of reprisal, which impede victims from reporting.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General refers to an increase in the number of alleged cases in 2015, following a decrease in 2014, involving a relatively high proportion of minors and non-consensual relations involving adults - with cases in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic reaching a peak. Angola strongly condemns violence against civilians, in particular sexually related violence - against women, girls and boys - by United Nations peacekeepers. We therefore fully support the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy and welcome the continuous commitment and strengthening of measures aimed at accountability based on the principles of transparency and impartiality.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Angola. We thank the Secretary-General for presenting to the Security Council his report (A/70/229) on special measures on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, which provides an analysis and strategies to counter this outrageous phenomenon in the United Nations system. We welcome the holding of this debate, which affords the members of the Council an opportunity to renew their political support to the Secretary-General in implementing the zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers, as well as our resolve in condemning such actions.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General for his important briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of India, Pakistan and Rwanda to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to very warmly welcome the Secretary- General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and I give him the floor.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussions on the subject. The meeting rose at 10.25 am.”
2016-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7641 (2016) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Yemen to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Stephen O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome Mr. O'Brien, who is joining today's meeting via Video-teleconference from Brussels. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. O'Brien.”
2016-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7641 (2016) · source
“I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject. The meeting rose at 12.15 pm.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7640 (2016) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Libya to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear briefings by Mr. Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, and Ambassador Ramlan Bin Ibrahim, Permanent Representative of Malaysia, in his capacity as the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7640 (2016) · source
“The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2016/200, which contains the text ofa draft resolution submitted by the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. A vote was taken by Show ofhands. In favour: Angola, China, Egypt, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) The President: The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2271 (2016).”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7639 (2016) · source
“Such negotiations are far more suitable, given their constructive nature and the fact that this is a problem that needs to be resolved through dialogue aimed at a constructive outcome. Finally, we call on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to negotiate a solution to this issue within the agreed frameworks with a view to breaking its isolation and reaping all benefits as a rightful member of the international community. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“By unanimously adopting resolution 2270 (2016), the Security Council is sending a clear signal of the international community's outright rejection of nuclear proliferation, and it is an additional deterrent to the violation of the international non-proliferation regime. The negotiations on the resolution tried to strike a balance between the need to impose measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for its nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes while avoiding the imposition of general punishment on the people of North Korea and the wrecking of their basic livelihoods. Morever, the resolution leaves open a window of opportunity for negotiations in resolving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear issue, which we would like to see all parties concerned take advantage of.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“I shall now take the floor in my national capacity. I would like to start by thanking all representatives who have expressed good wishes to our delegation as we assume the presidency for the month of March. Angola voted in favour of resolution 2270 (2016), joining the international consensus on the need to prevent nuclear proliferation because of the threat it poses to international peace and security. Angola views with concern the recent test and ballistic- missile launches, despite all the efforts deployed by the international community and incentives afforded to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to change its nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile programme, which endangers security and stability in the Korean peninsula.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“In favour: Angola, China, Egypt, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) The President: The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2270 (2016). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“Members of the Council have before them document S/2016/202, which contains the text ofa draft resolution submitted by Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Vanuatu. The Council is ready to proceed to a vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. A vote was taken by Show ofhands.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“Non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea The President: In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Palau, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey and Vanuatu to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“As this is the first formal meeting of the Security Council in the month of March, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Rafael Dario Ramirez Carrefio, Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, for his service as President of the Council for the month of February 2016. I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Ramirez Carrefio and his delegation for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council's business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“Finally, we would like to stress the importance of dialogue between the Security Council and the OSCE, as well as with other international, regional and subregional organizations, in prevention and crisis management and tackling issues that are threats to regional peace and stability in Europe. Angola wishes the German chairmanship great success and thanks the Chairperson-in-Office for coming to New York.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“With regard to specific country situations, we praise the OSCE's active support to the current negotiations and mechanisms for solving conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh and to the Transnistria talks on Georgia, as well as its fundamental role in the stabilization of Kosovo and in monitoring the Minsk agreement on eastern Ukraine. Angola values with great appreciation the contribution of regional and subregional organizations to the maintenance of international peace and security. They play a key role in strengthening the multilateral system and complement the work of the United Nations through the specific knowledge of their respective regions, particularly with regard to the root causes of conflict.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“In addition, the organization's efforts to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in areas such as arms control are of relevance, as are initiatives aimed at managing cross-border movements and the social and political impact of migration, based on the organization's commitment to human rights and the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination, which are solid foundations for lasting solutions to the critical problems affecting the international community. We welcome the German chairmanship's objective of holding a conference on those issues later this year in Berlin.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“During the 40 years of its existence, the OSCE's agenda has been effectively aligned with the three pillars of the United Nations, that is, peace and security, human rights and development. Angola needs a Europe in peace, marked by stability and growing economies. We therefore attach great relevance to the programme set by the German chairmanship of the OSCE, focused on the fight against threats such as terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking, as well as on countering the abuse of cyberspace, by addressing youth radicalization through a comprehensive approach to security and the efforts that it has been deploying to address today's growing security challenges. Angola supports and appreciates the OSCE's outstanding role in that regard.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“We welcome His Excellency Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, and thank him for the very clear and comprehensive briefing delivered to the Security Council this morning in his role as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The priorities set for the German chairmanship - renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust and restoring security - address fundamental concerns of international life and our quest for peace and security. Since its inception, the OSCE's work has been a relevant factor in that endeavour, and we commend its tangible contribution to international peace and security, its upholding of the purposes and principles of the United Nations and its cooperation under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“We hope that this time the cessation of hostilities will hold and that our focus will shift to building bridges between the various factions in Syria, based on the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), and to uniting our efforts to neutralize and further work to eliminate the threat of hostilities from terrorist groups. We may then be able to move forward in order to build momentum for the political track, while encouraging the holding of the ceasefire and a move towards peace and stability in Syria and the region.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“The establishment of an international task force to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and a ceasefire in Syria is a timely initiative, given the worsening refugee crisis, the brutality and the loss of the lives of more than a quarter of a million people that we have experienced. Allowing humanitarian agencies to conduct their work, which can be effective only with a cessation of hostilities, is crucial to stemming the growing flow of refugees and the horror of the hostilities that we have witnessed. We sincerely hope that the cessation will hold under the monitoring mechanism and we look forward to a resumption of the intra-Syrian talks under the auspices of the Special Envoy, now announced for 7 March. In conclusion, we reiterate our support for the Special Envoy and wish him every success in the next round of negotiations.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura for being steadfast and maintaining the hope that we could arrive at the point we have reached today. Angola supports today's unanimous adoption of resolution 2268 (2016), on a cessation of hostilities in Syria. It is a positive and long-awaited step forward in the quest to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis, and we will continue to support it, especially the confidence-building measures aimed at establishing the conditions necessary for the Syrian-led political transition and dialogue that we in the Council have never ceased calling for.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“To conclude, I would like to like to once again underscore that which is at stake in the current review of the peacebuilding architecture, namely, the strategy of the United Nations system in addressing conflict prevention, the root causes of conflict and the creation of sustainable peaceful societies in a context of diversity, challenges and continuous threats to international peace and security. That is a goal that international authorities and international partners, including international, regional and subregional organizations, should address together through coordinated efforts. It is our shared responsibility, and this is the right time to fulfil it.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“Each country has specificities that define the time needed to address root causes and avoid a relapse into conflict. In that regard, while facing delays in the political transition of a given country, the Security Council can either look into the deep-rooted causes of such delays and contribute constructively to address them, or adopt a rigid position by increasing pressure on the parties and seeking strict compliance with an agreed time frame and a negotiated peace settlement. We believe that by taking the appropriate time to resolve outstanding disputes and accepting the need to adapt the time frames of peace agreements to the existing challenges might significantly contribute to sustaining an unsustainable peace.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“In Burundi, C6te d'Ivoire, Haiti, Kosovo, Liberia, Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone, the United Nations has helped to consolidate peace by promoting inclusive socioeconomic development, economic growth, poverty eradication, the rule of law and human rights. As part of the United Nations comprehensive activities, peacebuilding must be understood as an evolving concept based on the need to constantly adapt to the reality on the ground. That has been stressed once again today. Peacebuilding takes place on the ground, where conflicts have to be dealt with, and must entail time frames for political transformation after violent conflict. With regard to time frames, based on Angola's experience, we believe that the achievement of peace has a dynamic ofits own.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“With regard to the responsibility of the United Nations system, and based on the outlined objectives, peacebuilding covers the three pillars and the main organs of the United Nations whose activity is devoted to the prevention of armed conflict and the maintenance ofpeace, while promoting the high values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. In the past 10 years, the Peacebuilding Commission has been striving to connect the activities of those organs by identifying the root causes of conflict, creating a favourable environment for trust among parties to a conflict, strengthening States' capacities and promoting the inclusive participation of a wide range of national stakeholders.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“As the report of the Advisory Group points out, in the report entitled "An Agenda for Peace" (S/24111) peacebuilding is a logical follow-up to peacekeeping and peacemaking, with a main objective of preventing a relapse into conflict once a peace settlement had been secured. According to the Advisory Group, the new mindset in peacebuilding should be based on the concept of sustaining peace, built on a vision that peacebuilding is aimed at preventing the outbreak and recurrence of armed conflict, and therefore encompasses a wide range of political, developmental, humanitarian and human rights programmes and mechanisms. Sustaining peace is a permanent undertaking before, during and after conflict.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission has played an important role in assisting States on its agenda and is a forum for sharing of experiences, best practices and expertise in post-conflict situations. In a world facing continuous threats to peace and the proliferation of conflicts, regular reviews of the peacebuilding architecture are critical to ensuring that the United Nations system is adapted to contemporary challenges. As such, we would like to focus on two aspects stressed in the report of the Advisory Group, namely, the need for a change in mindset with regard to the role of peacebuilding in the United Nations system and the need to adjust the approaches to peacebuilding.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“Finally, when I look at the list of Member States whose representatives inscribed their names to participate in this open debate, I am also pleased to see that the membership believes that our theme has great significance, both for the Council's work and for the international community itself. The maintenance of peace is indeed what we need to do. In establishing the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Office 10 years ago, the General Assembly and the Security Council had as their objective to provide the United Nations with the institutional, financial and structural capacity to support countries emerging from conflict.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“I am very pleased to see Ambassador Rosenthal, Chair of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture, back in the Council Chamber, and I thank him for sharing with the Council his views on how we should move forward regarding peacebuilding. The Advisory Panel's excellent report (see S/2015/490) provides a comprehensive assessment of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. I would also like to thank my friends Ambassador Macharia Kamau and Ambassador Olof Skoog, current and previous Chairs of the Peacebuilding Commission. I am very pleased that they have shared their views with the Council to guide our debate this morning.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, and Venezuela for convening this timely and important debate on the theme "Post-conflict peacebuilding: review of the peacebuilding architecture", as we are in the final stages of the intergovernmental process to which we, Angola and Australia have been appointed by the Presidents of General Assembly and the Security Council respectively. As already mentioned, a draft resolution is under negotiation, and we aim to secure its adoption soon by the General Assembly and the Security Council, in conformity with the mandate received from the Presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“In times of great threats and challenges, the Security Council needs more than ever to maintain its clear stance by not allowing political differences or particular interests to undermine sanctions regimes. As such, it must ensure that divisions among Council members do not have a negative impact on the committees' ability to fulfil their mandates.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“To conclude, we wish to reiterate our support for the draft note and also hope that it will definitely be used as a tool for improvement in and the better implementation of our work on this issue. The proposals will surely improve cooperation between Council members and the sanctions committees, a relevant political tool of the international community to force States, entities and individuals to respect international law and abide by the Security Council's decisions. Ambassador Skoog of Sweden refreshed the Council's memory concerning a significant sanctions regime that contributed to the end of a regime that had been regarded by the international community as needing to be changed so as to bring about an improvement in peace and the international order, not just in southern Africa, but in the world at large.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“Still on the topic of the implementation of changes in the sanctions committees, we attach relevance to the process of the selection and preparation of Chairs before they assume their duties. While the Security Council agreed that the appointment of the Chairs of subsidiary bodies should be balanced, transparent, efficient and inclusive, in practice this has not materialized, as elected members have consulted informally and separately, being appointed on too short a notice to allow adequate preparation for this important duty. As such, we are of the view that the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies should be appointed in a timely manner, allowing their prior attendance at meetings of the subsidiary organs concerned.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“Compliance by the international community requires that information be provided to Member States, which must reciprocate, implying a need to increase understanding of the essence of sanctions regimes, their objectives and the requirements for their implementation. The draft note suggests substantial changes in the way in which the sanctions committees operate, so as to curtail the perception that much of the committees' work is carried out without the full knowledge of all Council members, even though the committees are normally chaired by elected members. This issue, I think, has to be seriously addressed. The holding of more frequent, open interactive briefings by the Chairs of the sanctions committee with non-Council members, as well as with the countries under or affected by sanctions regimes, is therefore strongly encouraged.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“This implies the permanent need to improve them, namely with respect to the decision-making process, the adoption of sanctions and their imposition, enforcement and lifting. Transparency and outreach are identified in the draft note as key issues to be carefully addressed by the Security Council. It is the current perception of the elected members and the wider United Nations membership that the issue of transparency is closely linked to the legitimacy of imposing sanctions due to its extreme political sensitivity. Thus transparency is crucial at all stages of the process leading to the imposition ofsanctions, starting from its design, through the drafting of the ensuing decisions, its enforcement by the international community and, finally, the assessment of its effectiveness and compliance.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“We wish to express our support for the concept note by the President on the work of the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council (S/20l6/102, annex) and for the pertinent suggestions that you have offered regarding improvements in the areas of transparency; selecting and preparing committee Chairs; interaction and coordination among the subsidiary organs and the Council itself; and the need for the mechanism to oversee the implementation of the proposals put forward in the note. Considering that the Security Council makes extensive use of sanctions regimes in its attempts to restrict, impose a change in behaviour or deter certain States, individuals and entities regarded as threats to international peace and security, the sanctions committees play and will continue to play a substantive role as a strong political tool ofthe Council.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“Mr. President, I wish to thank you for having organized this debate on the working methods of the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council, addressing and improving transparency and efficiency in the work of these bodies, in particular the sanctions committees. Since this is also the first time that I am taking the floor under your presidency, let me congratulate you, Sir, on having assumed the presidency and wish you and your delegation much success in your work for this month, as has been already demonstrated.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“Let us use this debate and opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the Council and to take advantage of the great opportunity it affords the Council.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, Angola fully endorses the high- level recommendations on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and its call for sustained, predictable and flexible funding mechanisms in support of African Union peace operations. Finally, we recall the United Nations fundamental purpose to apply preventive diplomacy to reduce the risk of armed conflicts and the core principle of international efforts to prevent, settle peacefully and protect civilians under threat. This open debate today, judging from the wide support and response of the membership, is a clear sign that we are not yet doing what is required of the Security Council and that there is a wide gap between policy and practice.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“The High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations rightly identified the protection of civilians in armed conflicts as a core principle of international humanitarian law and a moral responsibility of the United Nations. Furthermore, the Panel reiterated the need for strengthened partnerships and cooperation with regional organizations, in particular with the African Union, taking into account that most peacekeeping operations are deployed in Africa. The Council will have an opportunity to engage with the African Union within a few days when we travel to Africa, and especially to Burundi, in regard to the protection of civilians.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“It is disturbing how such violations of international law meet with widespread impunity, while victims are deprived of any semblance ofjustice - a situation that must not be allowed to prevail. Thirdly, the widespread use of explosive devices is having a devastating humanitarian impact on civilians and civilian infrastructure. We support the Secretary- General's view, expressed in his latest report, on the development of policy standards to limit the use of explosive devices in populated areas, as a means to significantly strengthen the protection of civilians. We acknowledge the crucial role of peacekeeping missions in protecting civilians and as an important component of the global commitment to preventing and settling conflicts peacefully.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“First, humanitarian access remains a key challenge in many situations of armed conflict, along with worrying practices of obstructing the delivery of assistance as a tactic ofwar, which puts additional strain on civilians. Attacks against humanitarian workers and civilian facilities, such as schools and hospitals, and depriving civilians of basic needs constitute violations of international humanitarian law, which we also utterly condemn. Secondly, the brutalizing of civilians, the targeting of civilian infrastructure and lack of accountability have become an endemic feature in ongoing conflicts, further aggravating the plight of civilian populations.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Despite the establishment of a robust normative framework by the Security Council, the United Nations and other international bodies, the fact that the protection of civilians features in various resolutions and presidential statements of the Security Council, and despite the strengthening of protection in peacekeeping operations, human rights mandates have not been translated into significant improvements where conflicts are rampant. Angola stresses the primacy of international law in this regard - namely, the 1949 Fourth Geneva Conventions and, in particular, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and its Additional Protocols - and yjr standards set out in international legal instruments on human rights. Pertaining to the subject matter under consideration, we are particularly concerned with three critical issues.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Massive human rights violations and abuse continue to occur in a context of widespread insecurity and neglect for international humanitarian law and human rights law. Civilians are killed both via targeted and indiscriminate attacks. They are tortured, maimed, taken hostage, forcibly recruited into armed groups or simply vanish. People are expelled from their homes, separated from their families and denied access to their most basic needs.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“According to the latest report (S/2015/453) of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians, by the end of 2014 the number of internally displaced persons had reached a record breaking more than 38 million, owing to conflicts and violence, while 30 million had sought refuge abroad. Those numbers were surpassed in 2015, with approximately 59.5 million refugees, internally displaced persons or asylum-seekers throughout the world. According the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, in 2015 more than 950,000 refugees arrived in Europe through the Mediterranean Sea alone, fleeing war and violence in their countries. That has also been referred to several times during our debate this morning. The sheer brutality and disregard for human life and dignity characterize today's conflicts.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source