YouSaid · the spoken record

Gennady Kuzmin

lines on the record: 84
first: 2020-05-05
most recent: 2021-05-25
sittings or episodes: 16
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 strongly condemn the practice of using humanitarian pretexts in order to render assistance to terrorists and spread disinformation. In conclusion, I would like to make the following point. Against the backdrop of eloquent rhetoric promoting the protection of civilians, the practice of introducing unilateral measures through the pressure of illegal sanctions by some States is particularly hypocritical. Attempts to economically suffocate disloyal Governments in reality translates into inflicting direct and irreparable damage on their civilians. In that regard, we recall the Secretary-General’s call to waive sanctions that limit the delivery of basic necessities, food, medicines and equipment and for the restoration of critical infrastructure for civilians in conflict situations.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“As we see from the cases of Syria and Iraq, such groups carry out mass executions, use civil facilities as shelters and civilians as human shields, and set up obstacles for humanitarian deliveries. We stand for strengthening international cooperation in countering terrorism under the auspices of the United Nations. The humanitarian component is an important factor in the protection of civilians. The unprecedented politicizing of humanitarian activity that we are witnessing today runs counter to the principle of preventing and minimizing the suffering of civilian populations. It is imperative for humanitarian organizations to follow scrupulously the guiding principles of humanitarian assistance articulated in the relevant General Assembly resolutions.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Missile attacks from Gaza and strikes by the Israeli air force against densely populated areas resulted in numerous casualties and destroyed buildings and civil infrastructure. The number of conflicts in Africa is also on the rise. Civilians continue to die from shelling in eastern Ukraine where the Kyiv authorities have waged an undeclared war on their own population for several years. Russia strongly advocates that all those responsible for crimes against civilians in armed conflict must be held accountable. However, that must happen in full compliance with the norms of law and never as an instrument of political manipulation. The major role must be played by national legal systems. Terrorist groups taking part in armed conflicts pose a particular threat to civilians today.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“In addition, the advantage of establishing further categories of individuals requiring special protection does not appear self-evident. In practice, such an approach leads to the opposite results intended. It differentiates the legal regime and loosens protection that civilians could receive. The Security Council has been mandated with the task of the utmost importance — the maintenance of international peace and security. Prevention and the peaceful settlement of armed conflicts can genuinely guarantee that people’s lives are protected. We are very concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. According to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2021/423), the country is encountering its highest toll among civilians. The recent escalation concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is also very worrisome.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Russia strongly condemns the practice of intentional attacks on civilians, as well as casualties resulting from the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force in violation of the provisions of international humanitarian law. We welcome the useful initiatives aimed at minimizing the suffering of the civilian population. The adoption of resolution 2573 (2021) in April, initiated by Viet Nam, which reiterated the need “for the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population” was an example of a balanced and extremely needed measure in the area. At the same time, we call for circumspection with regard to formulating new international legal concepts that are supposedly meant to bridge the gaps in the protection regime established by the Geneva Conventions.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“We thank the Chinese delegation for taking the initiative to address the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Lowcock, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer, and Ms. Nemat for their valuable contribution to this discussion. The depressing situation concerning the protection of the civilian population during armed conflict demonstrates that this issue must remain a priority on the Security Council’s agenda. Although a toolkit of international legal instruments designed to ensure upholding international humanitarian law exists, civilian populations continue to fall victim to armed conflict.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“For some reason, the ICC is uninterested in the numerous human casualties resulting from NATO air strikes. Even when investigating high-priority cases, as designated by the Office, the prosecutors settle for information obtained from private individuals and non-governmental organizations. The most important thing now is to commit to overcoming the deep internal political crisis in Libya, ensure national unity with due consideration for the interests of all segments of Libyan society. We do not think the activity of the ICC is helpful in that regard.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“We are glad to see significant progress on the Libyan political settlement track. We welcome the establishment of new authorities for the transitional period — the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity. We hope that the new executive bodies will be able to unite State structures and institutions, as well as the armed forces. The successful completion of those tasks would create all the necessary conditions for the constitutional referendum and general elections, scheduled for 24 December. We learn from the twenty-first report that the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) started to tackle the issue of the Libyan National Army, while still turning a blind eye to the crimes of those who once plunged the country into chaos.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“As for the transfer of materials regarding other crimes, we do not see any reason to make this sort of cooperation depend on legislative reforms. The Security Council never prescribed such an approach. UNITAD’s mission, as articulated by the Council, is to support Iraq’s domestic efforts to hold ISIL terrorists accountable in the framework of Iraq’s national system of justice. Resolution 2379 (2017) defines the relevant Iraqi authorities as the primary intended recipient of evidence collected by UNITAD, without other conditions. Hopefully, the next UNITAD reports will inform us of the progress of court proceedings regarding the actions of ISIL fighters in Iraq.”
2021-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/460 (2021) · source
“But while in Iraq’s case things are called by their real names, as reflected in UNITAD’s report, in Syria’s case, with the abundant evidence of chemical-weapon use by terrorists, the investigations are constantly downplayed. Such double standards are unacceptable, and we must correct that practice. It is our understanding that, apart from gaining new evidence of ISIL’s crimes, UNITAD’s priority tasks must include cooperation with Iraq’s Government and the transfer of files to Iraq’s competent authorities. Arrangements have been made with Baghdad with regard to access to data on economic crimes associated with ISIL’s activity. Now the most important thing is to have those arrangements honoured and implemented.”
2021-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/460 (2021) · source
“We welcome the finalization of case briefs regarding two key tracks of investigation — attacks on the Yazidi community in Sinjar and the killing of cadets at Tikrit Air Academy. Hopefully, the results on the other investigation tracks will be just as quick. We noted that UNITAD took on some new tracks of investigation, such as the development and use of chemical and biological weapons by the terrorists. It is important that all such episodes be duly investigated and that those responsible be held accountable, no matter where those incidents took place. After all, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was active not only in Iraq, but also in Syria.”
2021-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/460 (2021) · source
“We thank Mr. Khan for his briefing and the work completed. We also welcome Ms. Murad to the Council. Fighting terrorism continues to be important. We are convinced that this evil can be effectively countered only through the broadest coordination of counter- terrorist efforts. We proceed from the assumption that all stakeholders involved in countering terrorism in Iraq must respect the sovereignty of the Iraqi State and coordinate all actions with Baghdad. Action must correspond to the stated goals — to fight against terrorism and assist the Government of Iraq in stabilizing the situation. We closely studied the sixth report (see S/2021/419) of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD), headed by Mr. Khan.”
2021-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/460 (2021) · source
“We therefore call on the authors of the report to be very careful when considering the list of actors with credible allegations of perpetrating sexual violence. All suspicions must be well substantiated, all facts double-checked and all sources of information identified. Despite the extra challenges created by the pandemic, we have not lost hope that the current measures, including this debate, will help eradicate violence against civilians, including sexual violence, for the sake of international peace and security.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Such a state is characterized by the rule of the gun, where might makes right. We must do all we can to put an end to conflicts, eradicate their underlying causes and rebuild resilient societies. Only a resilient society can combat lawlessness and put an end to violence, including sexual violence. We welcome the efforts of Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General. We appreciate her work to strengthen national capacities, promote dialogue with religious and other traditional leaders, address the stigmatization of victims of sexual violence and facilitate their rehabilitation. It is important that the humanitarian work of her Office be entirely free of political bias, where one party to a conflict is merely appeased and the crimes of the other are concealed.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Then why is it the case that, year on year, the reports of the Secretary- General basically state the lack of progress on this issue? Why is it the case that the comprehensive, well-structured and thoroughly considered recommendations of the Special Representative actually contradict the reality on the ground? For example, what prevents the conflicting sides from “ensuring comprehensive and constructive participation of women, girls and victims of sexual violence ... in decision-making processes”, as the report would suggest? The answer is often very simple. It is the state of war that prevents them. It is the state of enmity and hatred in the society that is often propelled from the outside. It is the state of having no rights, no justice and no capable power institutions.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“At the outset, we would like to thank you for convening this meeting and to commend the contribution of the briefers to this discussion. The Security Council gathers annually to discuss measures against conflict- related sexual violence. In their statements, speakers wholeheartedly condemn such crimes and reiterate our shared commitment to combat this abominable phenomenon. The Secretariat elaborates standardized statutory regulations and detailed plans to that end, engages vast expert capacity and puts to use the Organization’s forces and facilities in international peacekeeping presences and special political missions. The problem is real, and the international community realizes it. All Security Council Member States without exception agree that we must fight against this evil.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We have unwavering respect for the International Court of Justice and its mandate. In order to maintain the global legal order, it is vital to faithfully make use of legal procedures to resolve legal disputes. Using judicial procedures to incite political discord is unacceptable. Over its many decades of work, the Court has managed to maintain high standards of justice. We have the highest confidence in the wisdom of its judges.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“Even its geographical remoteness from the political battles of New York is full of legal symbolism. Each within its respective mandate, the International Court of Justice and the Security Council interact with one another and contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes. Since the Court came into being, 178 cases have been referred to it. That figure alone shows what a significant role the Court plays in settling disputes between States. It is noteworthy that the very first of those cases was referred to the Court upon the recommendation of the Security Council. Russia firmly supports the stance that respect for the norms and principles of international law, including the peaceful settlement of disputes, is the central pillar of sustainable peace and security.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“It is important to remember that during the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. People realized both the need to resolve disputes by peaceful means and the practicability of establishing an international judicial body long before the Charter of the United Nations was adopted. The peace conferences initiated by Emperor Nicolas II of Russia and convened in The Hague in 1899 and 1907 marked important steps in that process. The devastating consequences of the First World War led to the establishment of a standing judicial body — the Permanent Court of International Justice. However, it was the International Court of Justice that would eventually be endowed with the status of the main judicial organ of the United Nations. As such, it is independent and guided by international law.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“A key element of that principle is each State’s freedom to choose its own peaceful means of settlement, including those set out in the Charter of the United Nations. No solution must be preordained. Each State must be free to choose the means of settlement most appropriate to any given situation. Neither the difficulty of negotiations, nor the complexity of mechanisms nor time constraints should serve as a reason to forego that principle. The most important thing is the readiness to engage in dialogue and seek mutually acceptable solutions and compromises. The peaceful settlement of disputes is a prerequisite for the inviolability of another profound maxim of the Charter of the United Nations — the principle of the non-use of force. The Charter was a hard-won achievement for humankind following the horrors of the Second World War.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“We thank you, Sir, for organizing this debate and welcome the participation of the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf. The International Court of Justice is one of the primary instruments for the practical implementation of the key principle of modern international relations: the commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes. That principle — enshrined in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations and in the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV)) — is the very raison d’être of our Organization.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“The Mechanism’s predecessor, the ICTY, has a very poor reputation when it comes to observing the rights and upholding the health status of accused and detained Serbs, 12 of whom died either during their trials or while serving their sentences. We hope that the Mechanism will not inherit the cruel practices of the ICTY.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Mladić at a medical facility for such amount of time and manner as is needed to reach a professional conclusion as to his medical and mental state so as to be able to generate a report and participate in a Competency Review Hearing to determine his ability to meaningfully participate in further legal proceedings, and give an assessment of his medical and mental state for purposes of establishing his fitness and capacity for legal proceedings.” We therefore strongly urge the Mechanism’s leadership to grant Mr. Mladić access to independent doctors of his own choosing in order to undergo a complete medical screening and examination, including an assessment of whether he retains his cognitive functions.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“If that is the case, then what is the problem with having him undergo an independent medical examination before those court sessions are scheduled? Russia has continuously advocated for expediting legal proceedings, but not at any cost. In that context, Judge Nyambe provided a very telling dissenting opinion regarding the decision of the Appeals Chamber dated 14 August. Judge Nyambe stated: “I would thus vacate the Appeal Hearing as scheduled, and adjourn the proceedings such that an international team of medical professional expert doctors can come to The Hague to examine Mr.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Is the aim to deliver a definitive guilty verdict against yet another Serb by all possible means, regardless of human rights standards and considerations of humanity? Unfortunately, almost all of the verdicts pronounced by the predecessor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals — the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) — and for that matter by the Mechanism itself, were predetermined in advance. Let us preserve at least a shred of dignity and not breach the rights of detainees. We continue to hear reassurances that Mr. Mladić has been provided with all the necessary medical attention and health care and that he is supposedly capable of appearing in court.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“We have learned from media reports and statements by Serbian representatives that Mladić’s defence lawyers and family members are literally fighting for his life. The Mechanism’s leadership and judges are rejecting all their petitions, claiming that they do not fall within the interests of justice, thereby impeding access to medical records and ignoring medical conclusions provided by independent doctors. Meanwhile, Ratko. Mladić himself has no opportunity to implement his right to consult with a doctor of his choice under rule 48 of the rules of detention. That is not only a matter of the health of an accused individual in custody. Rather, the question is: how long can the Security Council turn a blind eye to the use of inhumane methods of treatment by one of its subsidiary bodies?”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“At the outset, allow me to welcome President Agius and Prosecutor Brammertz. We have closely studied their reports; however, today we wish to address the issues that are not reflected in the reports, rather than those that are. The status of the province of Kosovo has not changed since the adoption of resolution 1244 (1999); however, the reports lack any mention of that fact when referring to Kosovo. We therefore request that such a reference be added and an official corrigendum to the report be issued. Moving on, in resolution 2529 (2020) the Security Council indicated the need to uphold the rights of persons held in custody, including the right to medical attention. Nevertheless, the report fails to inform us on how those rights are being implemented. The health of General Ratko Mladić is of particular concern.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“I will end my statement on a positive note by welcoming the fact that, despite the constraints imposed by the coronavirus disease, the Team’s investigative activities are gaining momentum. We acknowledge the know-how and innovations employed by UNITAD to collect and process evidence and hope that, in the near future, we will be able to uncover the true scope and character of crimes committed by ISIL in Iraq.S/2020/1193”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“We would once again like to recall the importance of receiving evidence first hand. Above all else, UNITAD should be able to rely on its own capacities and the assistance of the Iraqi Government. Cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should serve only as an additional supporting tool. Excessive dependence on NGO-sourced information could result in a distorted image of the crimes committed and steer the activity of the Investigative Team, a body created by the United Nations, to suit the interests of particular organizations and their sponsors. We would therefore appreciate it if the Security Council could be provided with a full list of partner organizations.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“However, that holding pattern should not negatively impact the implementation of the main part of UNITAD’s mandate. I wish to stress that resolution 2379 (2017) does not oblige Iraq to criminalize any particular form of act. Rather, the resolution clearly defines the Iraqi authorities as the main recipients of evidence collected by the Team. We would be very interested to see information in future reports concerning the transfer of evidence collected by the Investigative Team to the local judicial authorities within the framework of existing legislation and legal proceedings. We do not consider it right to give preference to other jurisdictions simply because the legislation of the affected State is supposedly lagging behind. There is no such thing as an ideal legal system.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“Such cooperation is a central element of the mandate of UNITAD, an international mechanism created by the Security Council in order to support Iraq’s domestic efforts aimed at bringing Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists to account within the framework of its national judicial system. At the same time, we must underscore that, so far, the Investigative Team has refrained from handing over the evidence to Iraqi authorities required to launch legal proceedings against terrorists. Moreover, according to the report, a number of countries are already taking advantage of the work of the Investigative Team. It is our understanding that the Team is waiting for the Iraqi Parliament to approve a special law on international crimes.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Mr. Khan for his briefing. We have closely studied the fifth report of the Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD) (see S/2020/1107). Combating terrorism is key to stabilizing the situation in Iraq. It is of principal importance that external stakeholders remain committed to the sovereignty of Iraq and coordinate their actions with Baghdad. In that connection, we welcome the information regarding cooperation between the Investigative Team and the Iraqi authorities.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“In that context, Russia’s initiative to develop and adopt a convention on combating acts of chemical and biological terrorism is gaining increasing relevance. Perhaps then we would not hear such irresponsible declarations as those we have heard from the representative of the United States regarding so-called examples of the use of chemical weapons. Such issues will be resolved only through the legal sphere, not loud political declarations.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“However, we are convinced that the current circumstances will not undermine the effectiveness of the Committee’s efforts, and we hope that it will continue to work as dynamically as it has done in the past. In the light of the activities of ISIL and other terrorist groups in the Middle East that have mastered the technology to produce chemical weapons, which they are actively using, decisive collective measures are needed to prevent the horrific phenomenon of chemical terrorism. There is a real risk that, once the situation in one country is normalized, terrorists with practical experience in that area will try to hide in other countries. The spread of such knowledge is no less a threat than the very use of that type of weapon of mass destruction.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“The value of resolution 1540 (2004) also lies in the fact that it is an instrument of cooperation. It is important to remember that, while the 1540 Committee operates on the basis of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, its mandate does not include coercing or imposing so-called services on Member States. Such practices will only undermine the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Much remains to be done to implement that basic premise, namely the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), by all and in full. Unfortunately, this year the force majeure circumstances of the pandemic have had a negative effect, causing many areas of the non-proliferation agenda to suffer, in particular the comprehensive review of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), which has been postponed to 2021.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Coordinated work among all Member States is the key to the successful implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), an issue to which Russia attaches priority importance. We are interested in finding common ground with our partners in order to advance the non-proliferation agenda. Overall, we are satisfied with the progress made in the implementation of the document and the international community’s recognition of its importance. We also greatly appreciate the efforts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), chaired by Indonesia. Providing technical assistance to States remains a priority in the 1540 Committee’s work. It is of fundamental importance that the Committee can effectively act as a central coordinator of global efforts to implement the resolution, while defining the goals and priorities of such work.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Country visits by the Monitoring Team are of particular importance but, unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this year’s trips were cancelled. As soon as the epidemiological situation allows, we expect them to resume immediately. At the same time, we believe that visits to countries in situations of armed confrontation with international terrorism and States that are directly impacted by manifestations of terrorism should remain a priority. Resolution 1540 (2004) remains the only universal international document in the area of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destructions (WMDs), as it obliges all countries to create effective national control systems in order to prevent WMDs, their means of delivery and related materials from falling into the possession of non-State actors.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Currently on our radar are the activities of foreign terrorist fighters who received combat experience in Syria and Iraq and in various regions of the world, including Afghanistan. In that connection, we stress the need to continue to focus on the problem of foreign terrorist fighters on the anti-terrorist sanctions lists in order to prevent and suppress their criminal activity. We support the effective work of the Monitoring Team, the reports of which form an important basis for the work of the Committee. We call on Member States to work in close collaboration with the experts. For our part, we stand ready to continue providing the experts with appropriate assistance. At the same time, we hope that the reports of the Monitoring Team will be as objective as possible and rely only on verified sources of information.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“We acknowledge the work of the 1267 Sanctions Committee, which remains one of the Council’s most effective counter-terrorism mechanisms. The key task at hand remains the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions on the anti-terrorist sanctions regime against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Qaida. Russia attaches paramount importance to the fulfilment of that goal. We also note the continued terrorist activity by ISIL in Afghanistan. Despite some losses by the group in the north, it remains one of the major factors in destabilizing the situation in the country. An additional danger is posed by their expanding ideological, propaganda and recruitment activities with the skilful use of information and communication technologies.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“The report mentioned today on the implementation of resolution 2462 (2019), which was prepared by CTED and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team (S/2020/493, annex), further confirmed the high expertise and potential of those structures. Unfortunately, the approaches of Member States have not been so closely coordinated on all thematic clusters discussed by the CTC in recent months. We are particularly concerned about the high level of politicization of issues related to the protection of human rights and the fight against violent extremism and extremist ideology, as well as the issue of collecting evidence of terrorist crimes in conflict zones. In our view, at this stage it would be more useful to focus on the more pressing problem of the repatriation of terrorists and their family members from Syria and Iraq.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Unfortunately, this year it was not possible to hold two central CTC events that would have been dedicated to the topics I mentioned. We hope that a joint briefing with the 1267 Committee on countering the financing of terrorism and an open meeting of the CTC on combating the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes will be held as soon as the pandemic-related restrictions are lifted. We note the efforts of CTED in the analytical field, in particular in cooperation with the Global Research Network — for example, a summary of the impact of the coronavirus on terrorist activity was very useful.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Furthermore, CTED managed to significantly increase its assessment rate of States on the basis of detailed and evaluative reviews of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). During the current cycle, 177 countries have already been reviewed. In the near future, the Committee will be approving reviewed procedures for analysing States’ anti- terrorist systems. It is important to maintain the balanced nature of the instruments used for review without being distracted by secondary topics. At the same time, the key criterion for the effectiveness of the fight against terrorism remains the ability of States to create safeguards against financial and ideological support for terrorists, as well as to ensure that there is no statute of limitations for the punishment of crimes committed.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“We believe that it is crucial that, despite the virtual component, such visits be conducted on the ground by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and with the participation of other specialized entities of the United Nations. It is important that all agreed rules and regulations for such visits be followed. This is a temporary measure. In six months, we will consider the possibility of extending it or returning to the regular work of the Committee. It should be borne in mind that the monitoring of the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions in the first few months of the pandemic did not stop, even in the absence of country visits.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Nonetheless, over the past six months, we generally managed to adapt to the changing conditions, and the Security Council continued its intense work in the areas of counter-terrorism and non-proliferation. We would like to wish the Chairs of the three Committees continued success and thank them for their briefings on the implementation of their respective mandates. Restrictions on air travel as well as quarantine measures imposed by States have forced the Counter-Terrorism Committee to suspend all monitoring visits. In order to support work in this priority area, we agreed to try an unusual solution. On 19 November, the CTC approved temporary procedures for conducting hybrid visits — virtual meetings.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“Allow me to thank the presidency for convening the traditional briefing of the Chairs of the three Committees with a mandate related to counter-terrorism issues. It is almost a year and a half since our last meeting in this format (see S/PV.8528). During that time, counter-terrorism security has changed. The pandemic has had an impact on the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004).”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1143 (2020) · source
“The ICC is not likely to take real steps to investigate the acts committed by all sides of the Libyan conflict. The question then is, does the ICC serve as a stabilizing factor or as an obstacle to the peace process? Once Libya has ensured sustainable peace, its national judicial system will be able hold the guilty to account on its own. It will not need the ICC.”
2020-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1108 (2020) · source
“In our contacts with a wide range of Libyan stakeholders, we have called on them to join this dialogue in a constructive and responsible manner. Many believe that to hold the guilty accountable means to unlock the path towards peace. That is not always the case, especially when the matter involves a biased, politicized and incompetent international judicial body. The report presented today by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), like all of the Court’s previous reports on Libya, is yet further evidence of the strategy of discriminate justice that the ICC has chosen. When dealing with the events of 2011, the Court decided not to investigate civilian deaths caused by NATO strikes. Similar approaches are characteristic of investigations of crimes committed in Tripoli, Tarhouna and their suburbs.”
2020-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1108 (2020) · source
“In any armed conflict, the most important thing is to put an end to the bloodshed and suffering of the civilian population. To ensure that, the warring sides need to sit down at the negotiation table. The Libyan crisis can have only a political and diplomatic solution. There is no alternative to a peaceful settlement that would meet the interests of all elements of the Libyan community. We regret that the once powerful State of Libya now lies in ruins because of a NATO intervention and that the whole region has to pay for the consequences of those illegal actions. We welcome the signing of a domestic ceasefire agreement in Libya and call on both sides to meet their obligations under it. We also commend the ongoing round of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum as a means of ensuring a peaceful settlement in the country.”
2020-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1108 (2020) · source
“Excessive emphasis on human rights issues at the expense of other problems facing the international community today inevitably leads to the overloading of the entire system and a decrease in the efficiency of its work. The prevention and resolution of armed conflict are the main means of preventing human rights abuses, not vice versa. Human rights violations are not the cause of conflict but their consequence. The best contribution that the Security Council could make to protecting human rights is to work effectively on its main task — to safeguard international peace and security — in accordance with its mandate and the Charter of the United Nations.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“More concerning are attempts to use human rights as an instrument for exerting political and military pressure on other countries. We know of examples of interventions made for the sake of human rights and of their devastating consequences. At the same time, the main objective of United Nations peacekeeping and political missions is to promote reconciliation and peacebuilding. Other tasks, including the human rights component of mandates, are auxiliary. They are designed to contribute to the achievement of the main goal and should not replace the priority areas of peace operations. It is necessary to carefully and responsibly approach the implementation of the human rights component of the activities of various United Nations structures and to avoid duplication of their functions.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source