YouSaid · the spoken record

Geraldine Byrne Nason

lines on the record: 366
first: 2021-01-05
most recent: 2021-09-30
sittings or episodes: 53
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

“The most vulnerable in Ma’rib face extremely difficult conditions, with mothers, children and pregnant women unable to safely access emergency paediatric and maternal care. This must stop. Elsewhere in the country, Yemenis are also continuing to suffer. We know that coronavirus disease cases are rising across the country. Years of conflict have shattered the health-care system. There is a really constrained capacity to control the spread of the virus, care for infected people and, indeed, to sustain basic health services for the general population. We know every effort should be made to assist those in need. We are deeply concerned by reports of bureaucratic impediments to humanitarian assistance, particularly in the south and west coast.”
2021-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/465 (2021) · source
“Griffiths this morning left the door open, telling us that a deal is still possible, in spite of everything. I heard Mr. Griffiths also reach for new ways to say the inevitable — that all parties to this conflict have a responsibility to put the rights and the needs, and I would add the lives, of the Yemeni people first and to engage seriously with the diplomatic efforts under way to end the violence, including the efforts within the United Nations process. I urge them all to do so without further delay. We all know how critical it is that the Houthis end their offensive on Ma’rib. Hostilities there continue to inflict death and misery on the civilian population and are quite simply deplorable. Children have been recruited, homes destroyed and 25,000 Yemenis displaced owing to the violence.”
2021-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/465 (2021) · source
“I would like to also join in wishing Eid Mubarak to all celebrating at this time. A special thanks also to Special Envoy Griffiths and Under-Secretary- General Lowcock for once again a very frank and also informative, if not very uplifting, briefings. When we last discussed the situation in Yemen at the Security Council in April (see S/2021/372), we did so with some sense of hope. This hope at the time stemmed from the concerted diplomatic efforts of the international community and regional actors to help end six long years of war, which of course have taken a brutal toll on the people of Yemen. Despite those efforts and the resilience and tireless work of Special Envoy Griffiths and other envoys, it is worrisome, disappointing and dismaying that progress in bringing an end to this conflict remains so elusive — although I note that Mr.”
2021-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/465 (2021) · source
“We call on all parties to continue this spirit of cooperation and to faithfully implement the budget agreement. Furthermore, we welcome the efforts of the Government of Iraq to combat corruption and to ensure that those found guilty of corruption be held accountable for their crimes. Like others, we were also pleased to see further progress on the identification of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, as well as on the return of missing Kuwaiti property, during the past months. We hope that progress on this important legacy issue continues. Finally, I would like to reiterate again Ireland’s strong support for the excellent and critical work being carried out by the Special Representative and her team. We look forward to the renewal of UNAMI’s mandate at the Security Council in the coming weeks.”
2021-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/474 (2021) · source
“The peace and stability of Iraq is not only essential for the prosperity of its own people, but indeed for the entire region. The rights to freedom of expression and assembly are already enshrined in Iraq’s Constitution. However, we continue to witness violations of these rights and a lack of fair-trial guarantees. The assassination of a prominent activist in Karbala and attacks against a journalist in Al-Diwaniyah are deeply troubling and unacceptable. We urge federal and regional Governments to redouble efforts to protect and defend these rights and to end impunity. The adoption of the 2021 Federal Budget Law in March was an important milestone, and a real demonstration of what constructive dialogue and compromise between authorities in Baghdad and Erbil can achieve.”
2021-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/474 (2021) · source
“The passing of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law represents a ground-breaking moment in efforts to redress the immense suffering of her community and of women from other minority groups at the hands of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, including conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. True accountability for survivors, through prosecution and conviction for these heinous crimes, is now needed — and urgently. In the words of Ms. Murad during yesterday’s briefing, “transforming evidence into justice and accountability requires action”. We urge Iraq to put in place the legislative framework necessary for this to happen. Ireland remains concerned by reports of continued terrorist attacks across the country. We once again reiterate our firm rejection of any attempts to destabilize Iraq.”
2021-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/474 (2021) · source
“Let me underline again today that it is absolutely critical that the political and electoral process include all parts of Iraq’s diverse society in order to be a successful process. The international community of course has an important role to play in constructively supporting peaceful, inclusive and democratic elections in October. We commend the crucial work carried out by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in assisting with preparations to date. The Security Council should work intensively and promptly to see how it can best assume its responsibilities to Iraq and enhance and maximize its role as Iraq undertakes such a critical process for the Iraqi people’s future. Just yesterday, the Security Council was privileged to hear once more the striking testimony of Nadia Murad (see S/2021/460).”
2021-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/474 (2021) · source
“We welcome the important preparatory steps we are seeing now being taken by the Iraqi authorities to that end since our last discussion back in February (see S/2021/152). This includes the passing of an amendment to the Federal Supreme Court law, the appointment of members of the Court and the vote by the Council of Representatives to dissolve itself in the days running up to the election, which are important steps. The establishment of a higher committee to promote and monitor women’s electoral participation as well as introduce measures to prevent and address violence against women is also welcome, and we see these as very positive steps. The recommendation by the High Electoral Commission to register internally displaced persons to vote is a significant one, and we encourage that it be enacted without delay.”
2021-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/474 (2021) · source
“I want to thank Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her really insightful briefing this morning. Also, I want to welcome the representative of Iraq among us today. I would like to begin by extending our deepest condolences to the people of Iraq following the tragic fire at Ibn Al-Khatib hospital in April. That was a terrible tragedy, and it came at a time when we know the Iraqi people are facing the devastating effects of coronavirus disease. Our thoughts and our prayers are certainly with the families of the victims and of all those affected by the tragedy. Ireland welcomes the commitment of the Iraqi Government to free and fair elections in October.”
2021-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/474 (2021) · source
“The OPCW has fulfilled its responsibilities by investigating and clearly attributing responsibility for chemical weapons use in Syria. The States parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention have fulfilled their responsibility by taking appropriate and proportionate action against the Syrian Government. The Security Council must work together to uphold the international prohibition against chemical weapons in the face of that threat to international peace and security. Put simply, Syria must fulfil its legal obligations. It must cooperate fully with the OPCW and ensure that its entire stocks of chemical weapons are declared and verifiably destroyed. Ireland unequivocally condemns the confirmed use of chemical weapons in Syria and calls for accountability for the perpetrators.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“Regrettably, the Syrian response to all such findings has continually been characterized by unacceptable obfuscation, misinformation and misdirection. In that regard, a significant step forward was taken at The Hague on 21 April when the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) overwhelmingly decided to take action against Syrian non-compliance. This was not a decision taken lightly by anyone. It reflects the gravity of Syria’s actions and the international concerns that they have raised. It is a necessary and proportionate response to the failure of the Syrian authorities to meet their basic obligations under the CWC. The decision adopted by the Conference of the States Parties and that of the OPCW Executive Council last July make crystal clear the actions that Syria must take to comply with the CWC.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“Instead, what we find is that the long list of issues that need to be resolved has expanded yet again. The alarming new issue concerning the Hafer 1 facility underlines the significant problems with Syria’s declaration and its failure to cooperate seriously with the OPCW. As the report sets out in paragraph 12, the presence of a “neat chemical warfare agent” from several large-volume storage containers at a facility declared as unused may imply substantial undeclared production activities by Syria. Since we last met to discuss this file (see S/2021/337), the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team has published its second report, which concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian Arab Air Force used a chemical weapon in Saraqib in February 2018.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today. Ireland believes that the use of chemical weapons anywhere and at any time is abhorrent and unacceptable. It is only through firm, concerted action in response to their use that we can effectively uphold the international prohibition against those terrible weapons. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has an essential role to play as the impartial and technical body mandated by the international community to address chemical weapons. Ireland has full confidence in the work of the OPCW and in its investigations and its conclusions on the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The latest OPCW report (see S/2021/422) makes for disquieting reading. We had hoped to see progress in addressing Syria’s initial declaration.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“We call on all parties to uphold and respect equality and inclusion as key principles, which will surely underpin a stable, prosperous future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. This path will also enable women to participate on a full, equal and meaningful basis in decision-making in all its dimensions. We would appreciate if sharper focus on the issue of gender equality could be included in reporting by the Office of the High Representative. In conclusion, it is clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina now needs to take decisive steps towards overcoming the dismal legacy of the past. There is much challenging work ahead, and we sincerely hope to see decisive steps taken in that direction and achieved this year.”
2021-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/436 (2021) · source
“We are pleased that the first deliveries of vaccines through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility have now begun — today, I believe. The EU’s 2020 economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans will address longer-term strategic challenges facing the country. Ireland remains greatly concerned by the divisive, negative rhetoric, in particular the glorification of war criminals, which serves only to deepen existing divisions and diminishes the prospects for reconciliation. We call on all parties to repudiate such rhetoric, and instead to work towards common goals, address the challenges created by COVID-19 and step up the pace on implementing the reforms needed for EU accession. This means addressing the needs of all citizens.”
2021-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/436 (2021) · source
“In addition, progress on the 14 key reform priorities set out in the European Commission opinion is required, in particular on the rule of law. This is needed to restore citizens’ trust in the judicial system. Bosnia and Herzegovina will move forward on the EU path only when it delivers on this critical mass of reforms. In this regard, Ireland commends the work of EU Special Representative Sattler and his team. Like all of us, Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced serious problems as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. I want to express Ireland’s sympathy for the loss of life. We also welcome the disbursement of the EU’s €80 million aid package to help Bosnia and Herzegovina address the pandemic’s immediate consequences.”
2021-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/436 (2021) · source
“It really is encouraging to see that steps are finally being taken to make long-overdue redress to women in Bosnia and Herzegovina who have suffered from such heinous crimes. Ireland fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European Union (EU) perspective. We encourage the country to make full use of this year to move ahead decisively in this regard. Concrete progress on the reform of the electoral framework is needed, and we urge Bosnia and Herzegovina to be ambitious. Such reforms should include constitutional and electoral changes to meet European standards and guarantee that all citizens can exercise their political rights. We know that achieving these much-needed reforms will require all sides to show leadership and to engage in a sincere and constructive way.”
2021-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/436 (2021) · source
“I also want to welcome among us the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. While the report (see S/2021/409) before us sets out some serious issues of concern, I want to start by welcoming some of the positive developments of recent months. I am referring to the holding of local elections in Mostar last December, for the first time in 12 years, which is particularly welcome. The same goes for the adoption of the revised war crimes strategy. Ireland also very much welcomes the progress on strengthening the rights of survivors of wartime-related sexual violence. Conflict-related sexual violence remains a scourge in conflicts today, right around the globe.”
2021-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/436 (2021) · source
“Like others, I want to wish you well, Sir, at the beginning of your presidency and again to thank our Vietnamese colleagues for the excellent month we have just concluded. This is the first time, as a new member, that Ireland has had an opportunity to address the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina in discussion, so I want to begin by underlining our strong support for a single, sovereign, united and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina. I also want to express our support for the Office of the High Representative and the European Union-led Operation Althea, in which Ireland is proud to participate. I would like to thank the High Representative, Mr. Inzko, for the clear and detailed assessment he has just given us of the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2021-05-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/436 (2021) · source
“Finally, it is past time for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and call on the Syrian authorities to engage meaningfully within the Constitutional Committee and, importantly, with the wider political process, as outlined in resolution 2254 (2015). The Council should also insist that the Syrian authorities comply with their obligations under international law and end brutal policies so that the people of Syria can live their lives in freedom and without fear.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“Ireland commends the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for their work in that regard. Their reports and others, including from civil society, testify to horrific crimes, including the bombing of hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure. Ireland clearly condemns such acts, in particular the attacks carried out on the hospital near Atarib and on humanitarian infrastructure near Bab Al-Hawa on 21 March, as well as attacks against civil society and human rights defenders.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“In Ireland, we strongly believe in the centrality of education as a building block for progress of society. Attacks on schools and their use for military purposes are reprehensible and must end. Children in areas controlled by armed groups should have access to a recognized curriculum. All parties should remove practical obstacles to education in areas under their control. Every child should be allowed to enjoy their natural right to education, in accordance with their best interests and hopes for a better future. Accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law is essential.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“The recruitment of children simply must cease, and all children should be unconditionally released from the ranks of all armed groups. The plight of families left to suffer without information about their missing loved ones is another cruel and a brutal form of collective punishment. It is especially concerning that persistently high numbers of children are detained for alleged associations with conflict. Children caught up in conflict must be treated primarily as victims. The parties must provide comprehensive information on, and access to, all detainees, particularly children. They must identify non-custodial alternatives for children and release them. Child protection actors simply must have access to detained children. We fully support Mr. Pedersen’s continued efforts on detainees, abductees and missing persons.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“On 22 April, the Secretary-General released his report on children and armed conflict in Syria (S/2021/390), documenting the terrible scale of grave violations committed against children. More than 2,700 children were verified as killed or maimed in that two-year reporting period alone. Ireland condemns the unconscionable violations against children committed by all parties to the conflict and urges all to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Those parties and those with influence over them must take immediate actions to protect innocent Syrian children. Ireland calls on all parties to take concrete and effective measures to prevent and end child casualties in the conduct of hostilities.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“Given that this meeting combines both political and humanitarian agenda items, I will now briefly say a few words in my national capacity about the political situation. I once again thank Mr. Pedersen for his briefing today. We note with regret and disappointment the Syrian authorities’ lack of substantive engagement thus far in the work of the Constitutional Committee and hope that the response the Special Envoy referred to this morning is a positive one. Despite his intense efforts, intransigence continues to frustrate the possibilities for real progress in the Committee. The results of the Committee’s work continue to fall far short of the legitimate expectations of all the Syrian people.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“People are worse off now than 10 months ago, when the previous cross- border resolution was negotiated, including in the north-east after the closure of Al-Yarubiyah. In addition, while we welcome the initial delivery of COVAX vaccines in Syria, without sustained access to critical supplies, COVID-19 will continue to spread within Syria and beyond its borders, and more lives will be lost. We simply must all work together to prevent such a catastrophe. As humanitarian co-penholders, Norway and Ireland will continue to support all efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance continues to reach all those in need in Syria. We will work closely with all of you on the Council in support of that objective.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“Finally, it is worth noting that the United Nations cross-border operation is one of the most heavily scrutinized and monitored aid operations anywhere in the world. The United Nations Monitoring Mechanism guarantees the humanitarian nature of all deliveries and ensures a robust humanitarian operation based on transparency and accountability. For those reasons, the provision of United Nations support through the border crossing at Bab al-Hawa, as a minimum, must continue. The immense humanitarian needs clearly demonstrate that resolution 2533 (2020) must be renewed. Without the vital humanitarian assistance channelled through Bab al-Hawa, efforts to reduce hunger, build resilience and ensure access to health care will falter and fail.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“We must be clear, however, that the size and scope of the United Nations cross-border operation required to meet the vast scale of humanitarian need cannot currently be replicated by cross-line convoys. The United Nations-mandated cross- border operation in north-west Syria reaches almost 85 per cent of people in need every month. Without that sustained and predictable access, civilian suffering in the north-west would rise to levels not seen in 10 years of conflict, further driving the level of instability in Syria and the region. Furthermore, many non-governmental organizations rely on United Nations operational support for logistics and procurement. Access to life-saving items such as COVID-19 vaccines is directly dependent on that operation.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“We welcome the allocation of vaccines to Syria through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, as well as the plans in place to distribute those vaccines during 2021. Humanitarian needs are particularly acute in the north-west, where 3.4 million people are in need. That is 21 per cent more than last year. Ireland and Norway’s position is clear: we support any and every modality that will ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. We fully support all efforts to put in place a cross-line support mission to north-western Syria. We call on all parties to engage constructively and in a spirit of compromise to ensure that this important mission can proceed.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“We condemn the recent killing of two humanitarian workers in an armed attack in south-east rural Deir ez-Zor. That underlines once again the obligation of all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law. We also urge all parties to heed the call of the Secretary-General for an immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has exacerbated the suffering of the Syrian people, and we are especially concerned about the impact on vulnerable people living in densely populated camps with minimal access to essential health services. Hundreds of health facilities have been attacked and destroyed over the course of the conflict, leaving the country ill-equipped to cope with the surging toll of COVID cases.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“Those are the worst numbers in the history of the Syrian conflict. In spite of the fragile ceasefire in parts of Syria, violence continues to cause deaths and injuries to civilians, including children and humanitarian workers. We note with great concern the appalling abuses outlined in the Secretary- General’s report on children and armed conflict in Syria (S/2020/525) and condemn the reports of grave violations against children. As humanitarian co-penholders, we are notably concerned at the alarming reports of 137 verified incidents of denial of humanitarian access, including 49 attacks on humanitarian facilities, personnel and transports; 46 attacks on water facilities; and 42 instances of deliberate denial of humanitarian access.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“Today I make this statement on behalf of the co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file, Norway and Ireland. My statement will be a little longer than usual, so I ask you to give us some forbearance. We would also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Mark Lowcock, and, of course, the Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, for the briefings we have just heard. We have heard the plain facts from Mark Lowcock just now, and we have heard from the Secretary-General about the immense scale of the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the critical role of humanitarian operations in alleviating that need. The figures illustrate a catastrophic situation for many millions of Syrians. Nine in 10 Syrians now live in poverty, with 60 per cent of the population at risk of going hungry this year.”
2021-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/418 (2021) · source
“We also support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to deploy more human rights expertise to UNISFA. Finally, let me reiterate, a longer term, more sustainable solution in Abyei is needed, and we call on all parties to strive to continue to achieve that. We commend UNISFA for the work it is doing in extremely challenging circumstances, and we support the extension of UNISFA’s mandate for a further six months.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“The communiqué of the African Union Peace and the Security Council of November 2020 on the situation in Abyei is a welcome one. Enhanced efforts by the African Union to promote political mediation will be very important. Ireland echoes the three key calls of the Secretary-General. First, we call for the appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission for UNISFA. Secondly, we call on the Sudan to grant outstanding visa requests for United Nations police personnel; the UNISFA police component is currently operating with less than 8 per cent of its authorized strength. While the recent granting of some visas is welcome, short of the setting up of the joint police force, more visas will need to be granted. Thirdly, we call for the operationalization of the Athony airstrip, which is crucial for medical evacuations.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“Of course, we cannot simply view the situation in Abyei in a vacuum. Relations between Ethiopia and the Sudan are at a sensitive moment. We urge calm and restraint and for Ethiopia and the Sudan to resolve their differences through dialogue. As the Secretary-General has indicated, the security situation in Abyei is tense and unpredictable. The reports of intercommunal violence are troubling. In that context, any dramatic shift in the make-up of the force of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) would not be in the best interests of the people or stability of Abyei. As always, the role of the region is crucial in Abyei, as it is on the Al-Fashaga border, in the disputes concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and elsewhere.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“As those with experience in building peace know, peace is a process, not a moment. And I will never tire of saying that the participation of women is fundamental and critical. I also believe that the commitments by both communities to engaging further on peaceful transhumance is very important. In the context of improving bilateral relations, it is regrettable that we have not seen a stronger engagement in the joint structures and mechanisms. These are key for an agreement on the final status for Abyei and the demarcation of the border. Steps, such as holding a meeting of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and forming the joint team to investigate the attacks in Nainai and Kolom in January 2020, would help. We thank Ethiopia for its contribution to the peacekeeping mission.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“A key aim for both parties must be to ensure the protection and security of the people of Abyei and their access to the basic public services. Political engagement on the establishment of joint interim institutions, such as the Abyei police, is critical. We are worried about the incidents of local level violence and disruptions to humanitarian assistance, as set out this morning by Under-Secretary-General Lacroix. But there have been positive signs. That both the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities took part in the February 2021 peace conference shows that, on the ground, some progress is possible. We strongly welcome the participation of women from both sides in the Aweil forum. It was powerful to see that they crossed community lines in order to stand together to denounce violence and call for peace.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“I want to thank you, Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Special Envoy Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, for your briefings this morning. Ireland welcomes the continued improvement in bilateral relations between the Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan’s contribution to the conclusion of the Juba Peace Agreement was a welcome recent bright spot in a turbulent period for the region, and it is evidence also of how good relations between South Sudan and the Sudan can contribute to peace and security in the Horn of Africa. I very much welcome that both representatives of both countries are at this meeting with us today. And I also want to welcome Ambassador Taye Atskeselassie Amde of Ethiopia among us. However, this progress now needs to be felt in Abyei.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“Ireland and its European Union partners will continue to provide and work to safeguard essential humanitarian support to the Syrian people.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“As an island that has experienced and overcome conflict, it is our firm belief that divisions can be bridged and long-standing enmities set aside. As I mentioned at the beginning, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East is possible. However, we must all continue to work towards this end. We believe that it is incumbent on the Security Council, on the Quartet and on the international community to remain fully engaged with these important issues in the critical period ahead. Finally, I want to touch briefly on the situation in Syria. Ten years since the start of this terrible conflict, we are as far away as ever from a political solution. We commend the efforts of Special Envoy Pedersen and urge that a meaningful meeting of the Constitutional Committee take place soon.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“We remind the parties of their obligations under international human rights and international humanitarian law. We renew our call on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza. We also reiterate our call on Israel as the occupying Power to ensure equitable access to coronavirus disease vaccines for the Palestinian population in Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. I want to take this opportunity to most warmly welcome the announcement by Secretary of State Blinken of the resumption of United States funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. We encourage other States, in the region and elsewhere, to restore their contributions and if possible to increase their support.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“We call on the Israeli authorities to cease these activities and provide adequate permits for legal construction in and development of Palestinian communities. In particular, the recent increase in the number of Palestinian families at risk of eviction in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan are of grave concern. We underscore the importance of maintaining the status quo at the holy sites, in particular at Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount. Acts of violence, including rocket attacks, continue to erode trust between the parties, and within their own communities, making a political settlement more difficult to achieve. Ireland condemns these and condemns all acts of violence. We are concerned about the increase in settler violence and the particular impact of the occupation and violence on children.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“The Council has been receiving such briefings for more than four years. Let us be clear. Settlements were an obstacle to peace then and they remain an obstacle to peace now. I want to reiterate Ireland’s long-standing condemnation of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. We are gravely concerned by the Israeli authorities’ advancement of approval for construction in Har Homa East. The implementation of the plan would effectively cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, threaten the contiguity of a future Palestinian State and severely undermine the viability of a two-State solution. Ireland is extremely concerned by the increase in demolitions, evictions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“As co-Chair of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security, Ireland looks forward to supporting these Palestinian women, who have so much to contribute. I want to underline that participation is a right, not a request. Just as we want to see women participate fully, we also want to engage young people, to encourage young people to be fully engaged with democratic processes. Young people, like Oren Gian and Malak AbuSoud, who addressed the Security Council only two months ago (see S/2021/218), should be given the opportunity to shape the future that they will inherit. Promoting and safeguarding open, free and independent civil society engagement is also vital. Last month, we heard yet another deeply concerning briefing from Special Coordinator Wennesland (S/2021/302, annex I) on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016).”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“Ireland wishes to see the completion of free, fair and inclusive elections in the occupied Palestinian territory. We look forward to working with a future Palestinian Government that upholds the principles of international law, non-violence and democratic governance, including respect for human rights and existing agreements, a Government that works towards the peaceful establishment of a Palestinian State, based on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the future capital of two States. Elections are about giving people their say. Palestinian women want to be heard and they want to see themselves represented where it matters. That means as voters, but also as candidates on the ballot paper.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“For that two-State solution to be viable, strong, inclusive and accountable democratic Palestinian institutions based on respect for the rule of law and human rights are critical. So too are free, fair and inclusive elections. Ireland and our European Union partners support the holding of elections across the occupied Palestinian territory and welcome the constructive engagement by the Palestinian factions. Giving all Palestinians a voice will lend renewed legitimacy to and ownership over their national institutions. This shared objective deserves our full support. In line with commitments made in the Oslo Accords, we urge Israel to facilitate the holding of elections across the occupied Palestinian territory, in particular in East Jerusalem. We also call on Israel to facilitate the participation of international observers.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“At the beginning, I would like to wish a sincere Ramadan Mubarak to all. I also want to thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland and Mr. Paulsen for their comprehensive briefings today. I also want to warmly welcome the Ambassador of the Observer State of Palestine and the Ambassador of Israel among us today. A comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East is possible. Ireland’s position on how to achieve that is long-standing. Our position is based on respect for international law and agreed international parameters. We repeat it here on this screen every month. It bears repeating again today. A two-State solution, with a viable State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, alongside the State of Israel and with Jerusalem as the capital of both States, offers the strongest prospect for sustainable peace.”
2021-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/404 (2021) · source
“As I conclude, I wish to take a moment to applaud the decision by the Colombian Government to grant temporary protection status to Venezuelan refugees and migrants, a response based on common humanity and deep respect for human rights. The generosity of Colombia serves as an example to the world and demonstrates to us all that we really do — as the Irish-language proverb says — live in each other’s shelter.”
2021-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/401 (2021) · source
“It is now crucial that former combatants, members of the public security forces and third parties to the conflict provide exhaustive and truthful accounts of crimes committed, that they recognize their responsibilities and contribute to reparations. The Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non- repetition provides the framework needed. It is a real demonstration of this precious and innovative peace agreement in action. All those who engage with the System need to be protected. Ireland welcomes the proposed expansion of the Mission’s mandate and looks forward to the Council adopting a corresponding draft resolution as soon as possible. The United Nations independent verification of the restorative sentences can help bolster trust in the system for victims.”
2021-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/401 (2021) · source
“We also urge that the progress in the meeting carry through to the important platform for dialogue and partnership provided by the Commission for the Follow-Up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Peace Agreement. My final point relates to transitional justice and the proposed expansion of the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. Investment in peace is not just a financial or administrative concern; the most vital investment in peace is belief: it is trust. Transitional justice, centred on victims and with the full participation of women, is the bedrock for Colombia’s own future. The year 2021 is decisive for both Colombia’s transitional justice system and the Truth Commission. We have already seen important progress in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace on Cases 01 and 03.”
2021-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/401 (2021) · source