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

“At the outset I want to express our sincere sympathy to Italy following the violent incident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which claimed three lives, including that of the Ambassador of Italy. We unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of this brutal attack on a United Nations convoy and express sincere sympathy to our colleagues. I thank our briefers today for their insightful remarks and welcome Minister Abdirizak. We have heard today that Somalia stands at a critical juncture. We had hoped that, at today’s meeting, we would have been able to congratulate Somalia on successful elections. Instead, the constitutional term of the President of Somalia has ended without agreement on an inclusive political arrangement for an electoral process, which would ensure a peaceful political transition. We regret this.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“We know that, without proper maintenance and repair, the tanker poses that danger, with catastrophic environmental and humanitarian consequences. Surely, given all that we have heard today regarding the suffering of the Yemeni people, it is a problem that we can work to fix. We call on all parties, in particular the Houthis, to rapidly conclude discussions, issue all required clearances and eliminate all further delays so that the urgently required assessment and repairs can take place. Given the potentially catastrophic consequences of inaction, we believe that there can be no excuse for obstruction or delay.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“Today we once again insist that humanitarian agencies be enabled to carry out their work in a safe, secure and unimpeded way. The decision of the United States to revoke the Houthi foreign-terrorist-organization designation on humanitarian grounds is welcome. We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law and enable safe, unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations carrying out life-saving work. Restrictions and impediments to the work of humanitarian organizations are unacceptable. Before concluding, I also want to raise the untenable situation regarding the FSO SAFER tanker. Mark Lowcock called it a clear and present danger to everyone in Yemen.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“I think that those figures are actually difficult to comprehend but, in plain terms, we know that 50,000 people right now, as we speak, are facing death by starvation, and a great many more are in danger of the same fate. As Mark Lowcock also set out for us again this morning, the crisis in Yemen has the backdrop of a deeply damaged economy, with exchange-rate fluctuation and other factors driving up the cost of basic food in an already stressed environment. We call on all parties to take action to halt the catastrophe unfolding before our eyes. I believe that we all share a moral, as well as political, responsibility to act. We must all support the efforts of humanitarian agencies with adequate funding, and we look towards the pledging event on 1 March in the hope that all donors will be generous.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“As Martin Griffiths himself said this morning, we need a decision now. As Mark Lowcock clearly reminded us this morning, we are running out of time. Yemen has the most unwanted, and I would say dubious, distinction of being home to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. As the Security Council, we simply cannot lose more time in acting to address the devastating consequences of this conflict, the scale and nature of which are shameful. We heard again today about the urgent need to address the imminent threat of widespread famine. The facts are clear. Many repeated them here, and they are worth repeating again. Sixteen million people face food insecurity. Two million children under 5 years of age have only ever known conflict and will face malnutrition this year, with the risk of death, unless they get urgent treatment.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“Ireland is particularly concerned by reports of renewed attacks in Ma’rib, which are inflicting further civilian suffering and clearly seriously threatening the prospects for peace. We also condemn in the strongest terms the repeated cross-border attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Such attacks are unacceptable, and we call for their cessation immediately. To sum it up, and there is no other way to put it, the violence in Yemen must end. Ireland urges all parties on the ground to engage in an immediate nationwide ceasefire. The Secretary-General’s repeated calls and the endless rounds of talks and consultations aimed at getting the sides to enter into political talks are, in themselves, aimed at one thing — giving the long-suffering Yemeni people relief from conflict and setting them on a path to a peaceful future.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“After six long years of conflict, we call on all parties to seize this opportunity for meaningful political progress. We repeat our call to do that. For a solution to the crisis to be sustainable, we know that it must be inclusive, as well as Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned. Yemeni-owned also means Yemeni-women-owned. We believe that the structural inequalities that hold back Yemeni women are also holding back the cause of peace. As co-Chair of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security, we look forward to Special Envoy Griffiths briefing the Informal Expert Group in the coming weeks. As we just heard, violent and hostile acts have regrettably continued, as Martin Griffiths said at the beginning, to sharply escalate since we last discussed this issue at the Council (see S/2021/56).”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“I want to say a special thank you to Special Envoy Griffiths and Under- Secretary-General Lowcock for their updates today. My thanks also go to Ambassador King for her briefing as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014). Ireland supports the work of the Committee and regards the sanctions regime as an important tool of the Council to contribute to a solution of the conflict and restore peace, security and stability in Yemen. To say that the desperate humanitarian emergency in Yemen demands urgent action is now almost an embarrassing understatement. The real tragedy, however, is compounded by knowing that humanitarian solutions alone cannot bring an end to the crisis. We fully support the valiant and repeated efforts of Martin Griffiths to broker a political solution.”
2021-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/167 (2021) · source
“As the Secretary-General said in paragraph 82 of his report (S/2021/120), “a new crisis in the form of secondary displacement should be avoided at all costs”. Finally, I want to end by welcoming the positive news of a significant breakthrough in recent weeks with the identification of 20 Kuwaiti missing persons by Kuwaiti authorities following the successful transfer of remains by the Government of Iraq in recent years. That is testament to the commitment of the Governments of both Iraq and Kuwait to resolve outstanding issues and address the tragic legacy of the past. We commend the tireless work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNAMI to support them. We hope that the recent developments will bring some closure to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“Just like the Special Representative has said to us now, Ireland is concerned by the continued targeting of protesters, activists, human rights defenders and journalists in Iraq. Those who perpetrate violence against people exercising their rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be held to account. We call upon the Federal and Regional Governments to end impunity and ensure the realization of those fundamental human rights for all. We encourage the Iraqi authorities to continue engaging with UNAMI on a strategy to create durable solutions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of internally displaced persons. While for many Iraqis the idea of returning home is a cherished prospect, there are also considerable challenges and obstacles to overcome.”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“I would like to acknowledge the letter received last week from Foreign Minister Hussein regarding electoral observation. We are carefully considering this important issue and look forward to further discussion on this matter. I want to underline today that the political process must be inclusive if it is be successful. Women, young people and minority communities should be included at every stage of the electoral process. We are pleased to see that the Government of Iraq has paid particular attention to promoting the inclusivity of elections in this preparatory phase, and we urge the Government to continue to prioritize this as the process continues. Civil society and freedom of assembly are crucial to the democratic process.”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“While accountability is essential, the manner in which we pursue justice is also important. Ireland remains opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and we regret the recent executions in Iraq. Ireland fully supports Iraq’s democratic processes. We welcome Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi’s commitment to important political reforms and to holding early elections, and we take note of the decision to postpone those elections until October. Important work clearly remains to be done to ensure that the Iraqi people are empowered to vote freely and safely, and all actors in Iraq have a responsibility to ensure that. The recent finalization of electoral legislation is very welcome, and the international community, too, now must play its part.”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“We encourage cooperation between the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government towards a swift investigation into that attack in order to hold perpetrators to account. Ireland firmly rejects any attempt to destabilize Iraq on its pathway to a more peaceful future. The Council is united in its support for Iraq’s security and territorial integrity. We are also united in the fight against terrorism, which the international community remains committed to countering in accordance with international law, including international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. As Iraq’s Yazidi community gathered just last week to bury their loved ones, let me echo Nadia Murad’s clarion call for the Council to ensure that the perpetrators of horrific crimes against that community are brought to account.”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“I want to begin by strongly condemning the terrorist attack carried out at a Baghdad market on 21 January, as well as the continued attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) across the country. Our condolences and sympathies are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this senseless violence. Just last week, the Council heard that the threat posed by ISIL has increased during the pandemic and that Iraq, along with Syria, remains the primary focus of ISIL objectives. Of course, we also condemn in the strongest possible terms the rocket attack carried out overnight in Erbil. That has tragically, as we heard, resulted in loss of life.”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“I want to say a special thank you to Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert for her really excellent briefing this morning. Ireland strongly supports the important work that she and her team are doing, so I thank her again. Before I begin my statement, I also wanted to recognize the dedicated service of Ms. Walpole as Deputy Special Representative and to congratulate her successor, Ms. Gísladóttir. We wish her all the best in her new role at a critical juncture for Iraq. I have to say that it is a very welcome development to see the continuation of an all-female leadership at the team at the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).”
2021-02-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/152 (2021) · source
“Women on the ground are leading the way in the ongoing peacebuilding work on the front lines to facilitate dialogue between communities. Making space for those women and for civil society in the peace process will be key to enabling effective and sustainable conflict resolution.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“Let me recall that all signatories to the Minsk agreements agreed on the need for the Special Monitoring Mission’s safe and secure access to the entire territory of Ukraine. It is also imperative to stop the practice of small- arms fire and signal interference with the Mission’s unmanned aircraft and technical assets. We underscore that those responsible for any wilful damage to the Mission’s assets should be held political and financially accountable. Finally, Ireland calls on all sides to create the necessary environment to enable the implementation of the Minsk agreements to achieve a sustainable political settlement of the conflict, and we call on the parties to act constructively within the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy format.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“We urge the Russian Federation to implement its commitments made at the Normandy Four summit in Paris, as well as in the Trilateral Contact Group, so that the Shchastia and Zolote entry-exit crossing points become fully operational and all closed crossing points are reopened. Humanitarian operations in non-Government controlled areas must also be facilitated, in adherence with international humanitarian law and other international standards. We also remain concerned about serious human rights violations and abuses linked to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, as reported by the Monitoring Mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. We are deeply disturbed that the freedom of movement of the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe continues to be restricted.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“We call for an end to the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure and for the parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law. Furthermore, we urge action to address the issues of mines and unexploded ordnance. Ireland is concerned that there are continued violations of Trilateral Contact Group agreements, including the recent building and extension of trenches and the presence of heavy weapons near residential areas in the region. We are also very concerned by the reduction of access for humanitarian organizations to non- Government controlled areas. Ireland therefore calls for the easing of movement restrictions to avoid exacerbating what is already an acute humanitarian crisis.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“Civilians, who were already suffering hardships, now compounded by the impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic and a fragile economy, have seen their freedom of movement severely constrained due to what is almost the complete closure of crossing points at the line of contact. That includes individuals being cut off from family, jobs, health care and pensions, as well as thousands of people with pressing humanitarian needs, who remain unable to cross that contact line. As is too often the case in conflict situations, we know that women are disproportionately affected by these restrictions, and female-headed households often lack access to social benefits and support. We must do more to support them.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“We commend the tireless efforts of Ambassadors Grau and Çevik in the Trilateral Contact Group. We see the July 2020 additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire as a welcome breakthrough that has actually led to an improvement in the security situation. However, it is clear from what we just heard from the briefers this morning that the ceasefire cannot be taken for granted. The importance of establishing a functioning mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations cannot be overstated. A first positive step would be the Russian Federation’s return to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination. After almost seven years of conflict, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains deeply concerning, with millions of people still requiring humanitarian assistance.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank Under Secretary-General DiCarlo, Ambassador Grau and Ambassador Çevik for their helpful and informative briefings today. This is the first opportunity we have had to address these issues since we joined the Security Council, so I want to underline from the outset that Ireland is a strong and consistent supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The full implementation of the Minsk agreements and the related conflict-resolution efforts in the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group are important priorities for us. A number of commitments made under the Minsk agreements are still outstanding. We therefore call on the sides to fully implement the Minsk agreements and honour their commitments in full.”
2021-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/159 (2021) · source
“As we mark the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) and the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, we believe that the most effective way to commemorate the anniversary is for the Council to ensure a United Nations counter-terrorism framework that is effective and grounded in human rights and international law.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“In addition to supporting European Union initiatives, Ireland intends to legislate for a robust regulatory framework to tackle the spread of illegal and harmful online content through a new online safety commissioner. The Secretary-General’s comprehensive report and the briefings that we received this morning signal the challenges we face. Conflict zones across Africa and the Middle East have seen a concerning resurgence of terrorist activity and, as our societies reopen after the pandemic, we will need greater vigilance to counter terrorism.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“They use them to promote hate, incite violence and finance their activities. A multi-stakeholder approach that includes Government, industry and civil society partners is instrumental in combating that abuse. For its part, the European Union has made progress in the area of illegal content, including with legislation to address the dissemination of terrorist content online, which is now in the final stages of its adoption. In December 2020, the European Commission proposed the Digital Services Act, which constitutes a comprehensive reform of the treatment of illegal content online. It includes measures setting out a clear and uniform set of due diligence obligations for online service providers, which will ensure the safety of users online.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“However, there is also a responsibility on all Member States to ensure that the measures adopted do not have a negative impact on the work of humanitarian and civil society actors as they do their work on the ground to support and assist the most vulnerable. We remain very concerned at the continued high numbers of attacks against civilians by ISIL and affiliated groups, including across West Africa and the Sahel. We would welcome further reporting and further analysis of those differing and challenging environments, looking at the factors that underpin the growing relationships and linkages between ISIL and affiliated groups. The surge in online propaganda during the pandemic represents a very worrying development. Terrorists, including ISIL, clearly and blatantly abuse the Internet and social media platforms to radicalize and recruit.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“However, prosecuting terrorists for gender-based crimes, especially crimes of sexual and gender-based violence, clearly remains particularly challenging. That is an area where frankly, we clearly must do better. Likewise, the trends that we see regarding female perpetrators of terrorist acts underline the need to incorporate a gender perspective into counter-terrorism law. Importantly, we also need to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in counter-terrorism processes. I would also like to acknowledge the positive and, indeed, important role that young people can play as agents of change. They can play a role in countering terrorism and violent extremism. We fully recognize the need to target the sources of terrorist funding.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“We believe all measures taken to combat terrorism should comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international refugee law and the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. We are vigilant that the introduction of emergency measures by States to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease does not compromise human rights, and we would welcome further elaboration on that specific issue in the next report of the Secretary-General. We welcome the initiatives outlined in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/98) to support and protect the rights of victims of terrorism by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including ensuring justice.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“I want to thank our two briefers this morning, Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Assistant Secretary-General Coninsx, for their excellent briefings. Acts of terrorism preoccupy and horrify all of us. We believe that it is absolutely critical that the Security Council address threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. What should unite all of us here is our determination to counter terrorism. For Ireland, human rights must remain at the core of that response. Human rights violations can drive radicalization and contribute to the growth of terrorism and violent extremism.”
2021-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/140 (2021) · source
“Finally, the Syrian authorities bear the responsibility, the immediate responsibility, to fulfil their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Security Council resolutions, and to cooperate actively, openly and in good faith with the OPCW. The OPCW Executive Council has set out the actions Syria needs to take to return to full compliance with the CWC. I regret that Syria did not respond in the time frame envisaged by the Executive Council, and now I urge Syria to take immediate action on these. In the absence of these actions, Ireland will support action by the Conference of States Parties to the CWC to address Syria’s non-compliance.”
2021-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/109 (2021) · source
“My second point is that the problems we face in Syria, the gaps and inconsistencies in its initial declaration, and the reports of the OPCW-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism and of the Investigation and Identification Team on chemical-weapons use, which attributed use to the Syrian authorities in several instances, are issues that we take very seriously. We believe the Security Council should act urgently and should act in a united way to address this issue. Otherwise, we fail the victims of these attacks in Syria, and we risk undermining the established global norm against the use of these appalling weapons.”
2021-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/109 (2021) · source
“This has been clearly demonstrated in the rigorous work and reporting of the Technical Secretariat, including the Declaration Assessment Team, the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria and the Investigation and Identification Team, in addressing chemical weapons and their use in Syria. Given the importance of this work, I would like to ask the Under-Secretary- General, in relation to the worsening health crisis in Syria as a result of coronavirus disease, what she thinks is the realistic time frame for the OPCW’s various deployment operations to return to full capacity on the ground in Syria. And how can we minimize the risk that the pandemic is used as a pretext for lack of political will?”
2021-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/109 (2021) · source
“I want to offer my congratulations and full support to you, Sir, in taking on the presidency of the Security Council in month of February. I also would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu for her briefing today. Ireland unequivocally condemns any use of chemical weapons. The international community, and the Council in particular, ought not to remain silent in the face of the use of such weapons. Such violations of international law must not go unaddressed. Accountability is vital. I would like to make three short points today. First, I want to reiterate Ireland’s full confidence in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and in the diligence, professionalism and impartiality of its staff.”
2021-02-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/109 (2021) · source
“We must not underestimate the challenges ahead, one of which is the need to invest in the national reconciliation that will underpin work for sustainable peace. The Council has a responsibility to prevent spoilers, be they foreign or domestic, from reversing the Libyan people’s hard-won peacebuilding gains. We must be ready to take concrete measures, with actions that back up our words, to ensure that happens. We owe at least that to the people of Libya.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Ireland welcomes the recent economic reforms, including the reactivation of the Central Bank of Libya’s Board of Directors and the unification of the exchange rate, as well as progress in the financial review of the Central Bank and the recent announcement of the audit of the Libyan Investment Authority. That is progress. Those reforms should help to create a more durable, transparent and equitable economic arrangement for the benefit of the Libyan people themselves. In conclusion, I want to reiterate Ireland’s steadfast support for the work of UNSMIL and for all the efforts under way in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum. We believe that this is a critical moment in Libya’s history. It is a moment for optimism and for hope.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Ireland is also studying the Government of National Accord’s request for United Nations support for the December elections with interest, and we look forward to the Council taking up the matter at the appropriate time. We remain concerned about the human rights situation on the ground in Libya. Without guarantees for the fundamental rights of the Libyan people, the democratic transition will be incomplete. In that regard, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of UNSMIL and the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Working Group. My third point is the need for progress on the economic and financial prospects for Libya, including the reform agenda, and, in particular, to address the crisis in the banking sector and the mechanism on oil revenue management.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Ireland welcomes the 19 January decision to adopt a selection mechanism for a temporary executive authority. That is a means to an end. It is now important that agreement on the three-member Presidency Council and on the Prime Minister be reached quickly, not least to enable adequate preparations for the December elections. Ireland commends the Libyan electoral authorities for their successful conduct of the municipal council elections despite the challenging security environment and the coronavirus disease. We welcome the Government of National Accord’s decision to allocate funds and resources to the High National Elections Commission.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“The continued threat of terrorism and violent extremism in North Africa, as set out in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2021/62), is deeply concerning. Serious violations of the Security Council arms embargo have been documented, both in the report of the Panel of Experts on Libya (S/2019/914) and in the information provided to the Panel by the European Union (EU) Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI, whose work Ireland and its EU partners strongly support. Such violations must cease. We call on all actors to now heed the call in the ceasefire agreement for full and unconditional respect for the arms embargo. The Council has a responsibility to ensure that. The second priority is the need to secure a vote of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum on an executive authority to prepare for the elections to be held on 24 December.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“We welcome the continued and more positive engagement of Libya’s neighbours and regional partners in support of the United Nations-facilitated intra- Libyan dialogue tracks. We reiterate the need to ensure a single and coordinated international approach in Libya. Frankly, the task of building peace is complex enough. We need a coherent approach. Ireland echoes the Secretary-General’s appeal to all regional and international actors to respect the provisions of the ceasefire agreement. That includes ensuring the complete departure of all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya. More than 90 days after the signing of the agreement, that requirement remains unfulfilled. As we have heard, that is simply not acceptable. It must change.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Ireland sincerely welcomes the appointments of Ján Kubiš as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, of Raisedon Zenenga as Mission Coordinator and of Georgette Gagnon as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Under this new leadership, we see three main priorities. First is the establishment of a credible, realistic and effective ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. We welcome the parties’ continued resolve to implement the provisions of the ceasefire agreement and to agree on the operation of a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism. Ireland also strongly supports the Secretary-General’s request to the Security Council to give the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) a clear but flexible mandate to enable the Mission to support the mechanism.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Today is one of those rare occasions, so I want to recognize all those who have contributed to the concrete progress that we have heard today right across the political, security, economic, international humanitarian law and human rights tracks. We believe that this progress has helped move Libya further along the path to peace, stability and development. Frankly, it gives us hope for the Libyan people. Let me assure our Libyan friends that Ireland, the European Union and the international community will remain committed to accompanying you, to accompanying Libya, along that path, as we move into a critical phase leading up to elections next December.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“I want to thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Williams for her excellent briefing this morning. I want to start by congratulating you, Stephanie, and your team for the critical work that you have been doing and are doing on the ground in Libya. Your tireless efforts and those of course of all the Libyan partners have paved the way for the significant progress we are hearing about today. As this is your last briefing to us on this issue, I wanted to express our sincere gratitude, and also to both professionally and personally to wish you well, Stephanie. It is rare enough at this table that we remark on what is definitely described as tangible progress in a complex situation.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“We are living in unprecedented times, dealing with unprecedented challenges that test all of us, every day. But that does not mean that we become observers. The Council has a duty and responsibility in these times to step up. Where conflict continues, preventing the spread of a pandemic, mitigating its impact and protecting civilians is more difficult than ever. Vaccinating those most vulnerable is an enormous responsibility for the international community, but clearly one on which we must deliver. Dr. Mike Ryan of WHO has regularly reminded us that no one is safe until all of us are safe. No one should be left behind.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“Thirdly, in conflict situations, if humanitarian access was already a significant challenge, this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. While countries necessarily introduced movement restrictions to combat COVID-19, these should not hamper the ability of humanitarian and health workers to reach those in greatest need. Those affected by conflict before the pandemic — internally displaced persons, refugees and migrant workers — have been hardest hit during the pandemic. We also know that there has been a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable women and girls, and we are concerned with the increase in gender-based violence. The Secretary- General, and Mark Lowcock this morning, have called on us to be alert; we need to match our vigilance with follow-through.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“We also need to be watchful for disproportionate measures at local levels that impede peacekeepers’ access, and we need to be alert to the risk of misinformation. We welcome the measures that the United Nations has put in place to help protect both peacekeepers and the communities they work with. Our peacekeepers are front-line workers, just as health-care and humanitarian actors are. That should be taken into account as we plan vaccine rollout. We appreciate last week’s discussion on the vaccination of United Nations peacekeepers against COVID-19 and the implementation of transitional rotation measures and welcome the suggestion for the group of friends of troop- and police-contributing countries to further discuss those issues.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“United Nations peacekeeping missions have admirably adjusted to the new challenges posed by the pandemic, including through the reallocation of resources, some delayed rotations and remote working arrangements. We commend the United Nations for enabling peacekeeping missions to continue their work, not least in the protection of vulnerable communities. As an experienced troop contributor, we know that community engagement is a vital aspect of peacekeeping. The pandemic has created new challenges for peacekeepers in reaching and protecting those vulnerable populations. We believe that we must ensure that peacekeepers are fully supported and fully resourced in the implementation of their mandates.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“We must be united against disinformation, against hate speech and against stigmatization, which sometimes targets health workers and United Nations personnel. In post-conflict contexts, we simply have to safeguard the really hard-won peacebuilding gains. The Peacebuilding Commission’s own reorientation of its work since March, focusing on the impact of the pandemic on countries on its agenda, is a welcome example of a very pragmatic implementation of the resolution. Ensuring equitable access to quality, safe and effective vaccines will be an important pillar for global recovery and for stabilization in fragile contexts. Secondly, we must carefully consider the impact of COVID-19 on United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“It also frees up essential resources to combat the pandemic, including for health systems that will be essential to combating the virus and to vaccination programmes. Ireland continues to fully support the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire. We urge all parties to conflict to heed it. Within the Council, we must listen to — and act on — the analysis on COVID-19 provided in the Secretary-General’s regular reporting. To prevent crises, we need to be engaged in preventive diplomacy, looking at where COVID-19 is exacerbating tensions that could potentially lead to the outbreak of conflict. The Council’s voice matters. That means calling out discrimination, including in access to health services.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“While the World Health Organization (WHO) is rightly leading the global response, we are convinced that the Security Council cannot ignore the threat to peace and security posed by the pandemic. COVID-19 has increased poverty, disrupted education and worsened food insecurity. It has weakened economies and eroded trust in public institutions. We all know that these factors can lead to or exacerbate conflict. As we see it, there are three key areas where the international community can and should act. First, we can act now to prevent conflicts resulting from the interaction of this health crisis with pre-existing fragilities. This means fully implementing resolution 2532 (2020). As we have seen in Libya, a cessation of violence creates space for dialogue.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source
“I thank the Tunisian presidency for convening today’s important debate, and I want to offer special thanks to each of our excellent briefers this morning. When the Security Council finally adopted resolution 2532 (2020), in July last year, the world had already endured six long months of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In many countries, it seemed then that the end might be in sight. However, in this crisis, for which the world had failed to prepare, the worst was yet to come. Let us be clear: for many, the darkest days are now. In the COVID-19 pandemic, as with climate change, we may all be experiencing the same storm, but many of us are in different boats. The effects of the pandemic have been, and will continue to be, much more severe for those living in countries in, on the verge of or at risk of conflict.”
2021-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/90 (2021) · source