YouSaid · the spoken record

Gert Auväärt

lines on the record: 124
first: 2020-04-22
most recent: 2021-05-25
sittings or episodes: 29
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

“This is of crucial importance as we have seen cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including health care. We echo the Secretary-General’s call to make accountability for the violations of international law — through national and international mechanisms, as well as services for victims and survivors — a priority. Among the steps taken at the domestic level, we welcome the continued contribution of the International Criminal Court in this regard.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“We also underline the importance of following up on the Secretary-General’s call to action for human rights to create a credible agenda for protection, making use of the tools the United Nations has across all of its three pillars. Peacekeeping and special political missions continue to play a key role in the protection of civilians and, if they are to do so, their resources need to be sufficient. The risks to civilians need to inform the transitions of the United Nations presence so as to ensure that the United Nations protection capacity is sustained throughout these processes. Estonia reiterates its call for compliance with international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We underline that existing international law also applies in cyberspace.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Attacks on health care deny assistance to those most in need and can have long- term repercussions for States and communities. We appreciate the good practices and recommendations put forward by the Secretary-General, as well as the guidance of the ICRC on the protection of health care. We are deeply concerned about attacks on and killing of journalists in situations of conflict and reiterate the need to ensure their safety. The safety of journalists is among the focus areas of the annual conference of the Media Freedom Coalition, organized this year by Estonia. We fully stand by the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, as well as the implementation of the resolutions 2532 (2020) and 2565 (2021).”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“This underscores the importance of a sustainable long-term cross-border humanitarian response to ensure that all Syrian people receive necessary food items, medicine and COVID-19 vaccines. Attacks against civilians also include violence against medical care. Five years on from the adoption of resolution 2286 (2016), medical personnel continue to be abducted, threatened and killed, facilities and transports destroyed. The wounded and sick are denied access to care. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has counted 3,780 attacks against health-care workers in an average of 33 countries per year between 2016 and 2020. This violence includes an attack on a maternity ward in Kabul, which resulted in the deaths of 23 civilians, including 19 women and 3 children.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“This includes the situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, with allegations of mass killings, sexual and gender-based violence, destruction and looting, as well as abductions and forced displacement. It is demonstrated by the dangers faced by civilians in Afghanistan, which saw, inter alia, a 43-per cent increase in civilian deaths from non-suicide improvised explosive devices in 2020. In Syria, millions of people have been deprived of their homes and livelihoods as a result of a decade-long conflict. Schools, hospitals and other protected objects have been indiscriminately and deliberately attacked, in violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Cross-line humanitarian assistance remains dysfunctional, irregular and unreliable.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“We thank the briefers for their presentations today. Our particular thanks go to Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for his work on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and for keeping this issue steadily in the Council’s focus as a priority over the past years. This is our second annual discussion on this topic during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has put a magnifying lens both on the suffering of civilians in conflict and on our shortcomings as States and the Security Council in ending and preventing them. As the Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/423) testifies, conflicts are increasingly protection crises, with the most vulnerable and marginalized — including women, children, refugees and displaced persons — most at risk. COVID-19 has added to these risks while limiting the means to protect and assist them.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Taking concrete measures to fight against impunity, ensuring accountability and focusing on reconciliation are essential in healing the society. Estonia remains concerned about the humanitarian situation on the ground. The extremely dire situation and the constant exposure to violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, to which migrants and asylum seekers fall victim, are of great concern. We call on the authorities to take clear steps to alleviate the suffering of civilians. Finally, I would like to stress that the political process under the auspices of the United Nations and the Berlin process remains the only acceptable international framework to support Libyans in their efforts to achieve a lasting peace.”
2021-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/498 (2021) · source
“It is therefore important to renew the Security Council authorizations, as set out in resolution 2526 (2020). In its resolution 2570 (2021) the Security Council gave a clear and flexible mandate for the establishment of a credible, realistic and effective ceasefire- monitoring mechanism that acts under the auspices of the United Nations. We now call for the implementation of all necessary measures to allow for the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned ceasefire-monitoring mechanism and its international support component to be deployed as soon as possible. Concrete steps need to be taken to further build trust between the Libyan parties and in Libyan society. That includes thoroughly investigating all alleged human rights violations, mass killings, torture and enforced disappearances and ensuring justice for the victims.”
2021-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/498 (2021) · source
“Libyans have expressed their wishes very clearly, and it is the duty of the international community to show respect by ending all foreign interference. We reiterate our call on all those involved to put an immediate end to the blatant violations of the Libyan sanctions regime and to withdraw all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya. All actions that violate the Libyan arms embargo must stop immediately. Estonia welcomes the efforts of the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI in supporting the implementation of the Security Council arms embargo. Operation IRINI acts strictly under Security Council authorizations, is impartial in its activities and offers an important contribution to the implementation of the sanctions regime.”
2021-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/498 (2021) · source
“Moreover, creating a safe space for women and young people to express their views without the fear of retaliation is the only viable way to a lasting peace. Regarding the military track, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission’s commitment to the 23 October ceasefire agreement is encouraging. It is of the utmost importance to fully implement the ceasefire agreement. We commend the recent prisoner exchanges, as they are important confidence-building measures. The opening of the coastal road — a major element of the ceasefire agreement — would further build trust between the parties and serve the purpose of unifying Libya. Another essential element of the Libyan ceasefire agreement is the removal of all foreign fighters and mercenaries.”
2021-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/498 (2021) · source
“I thank the Special Envoy, Ján Kubiš, for his briefing. I would like to express Estonia’s full support for his work and for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. The continuation of Libya’s political process is encouraging and gives hope that a lasting peace in a unified Libya can be achieved. It is now crucial to keep up this pace for the elections to take place on 24 December. The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum road map and the Security Council’s recently adopted resolution 2570 (2021) provide the necessary framework for that. The genuine and constructive engagement of all Libyan parties is of key importance in ensuring that a credible and transparent election process takes place in the planned time frame. It is extremely important to involve the voices of women and young people at all stages and all levels of the process.”
2021-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/498 (2021) · source
“Certain issues exacerbate existing grievances, such as the negative effects of climate change and the economic impact of the coronavirus disease, and need to be addressed. It is of the utmost importance to empower women by ensuring their full, effective and meaningful participation in all aspects of the society. Children and young people need to have safe access to education, which will provide an alternative to a life of poverty and violence.”
2021-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/484 (2021) · source
“Estonia shares the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in his most recent report (S/2021/442) about the continued human rights violations that have allegedly been committed by security forces during counter-terrorist activities. We welcome the prompt announcements by the Joint Force and the region’s States to conduct investigations and underscore that all investigations must be conducted thoroughly and fully. Strengthening trust between the State and the population is of key importance. In that connection, it is essential that all human rights violations and abuses be investigated and perpetrators held fully accountable. Lasting peace in the Sahel region can be achieved only when, together with military efforts, the root causes of conflict are actively addressed.”
2021-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/484 (2021) · source
“We contribute with personnel to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the French- led Operation Barkhane and the European Union Training Mission in Mali, and we also contribute financially to the European Union Trust Fund for Africa. Estonia is also part of Task Force Takuba, which has recently achieved full operational capacity. We are encouraged by the further strengthening of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. As a member of the European Union (EU), we are glad that financial support from EU has allowed MINUSMA to offer logistical support to the Joint Force. We also acknowledge the calls from the region’s States to ensure more predictable and sustainable funding to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. From the Estonian side, we are open to discussions on more comprehensive solutions to that issue.”
2021-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/484 (2021) · source
“We commend the role of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States in coordinating and mobilizing both operational and strategic support to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. Regional and national ownership of counter- terrorism efforts is crucial to their success. Combating terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel is clearly a joint effort by national, regional and international security forces. In order to ensure its effectiveness, we need to keep our attention on coordination. Sharing relevant information is of key importance, as is ensuring clear command lines. Estonia remains committed to playing its part in achieving security and stability in the Sahel region.”
2021-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/484 (2021) · source
“I thank the briefers for their insights on the latest developments in the Sahel region and the operationalization of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel). It is extremely concerning that the security situation in the Sahel region continues to deteriorate despite the ongoing efforts of regional and international security forces. The reported increase in the attacks against civilians makes the call for the civilian surge ever more relevant, as expressed during the N’Djamena Summit held in February. The civilian population can be effectively protected only when credible State presence is restored across the territories of the region’s countries. In that connection, it is essential to continue the efforts to re-establish not only security presence but also police and judicial institutions.”
2021-05-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/484 (2021) · source
“Finally, Estonia emphasizes its full support for the work of the ICC and urges all States to promptly and meaningfully cooperate with the International Criminal Court to end impunity and establish justice for the victims in Libya.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“As a priority, Estonia remains highly concerned about the fact that so far there have been no tangible results in the implementation of ICC arrest warrants in the Libyan case for the three fugitives — Al-Werfalli, Al-Tuhamy and Al-Qadhafi — all accused of serious crimes of murder, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. The execution of these arrest warrants is essential to upholding justice for the victims. In case of death, reliable and credible information of this fact needs to be conveyed to the Court. In case the deaths are verified, this regrettably means that justice delayed has indeed been justice denied. We urge the relevant States to fully cooperate with the ICC in arresting the fugitives and surrendering them to the Court in an effective and timely manner.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“We would like to stress that full cooperation of the Government of National Unity and all other relevant stakeholders with the Office of the Prosecutor is crucial in achieving accountability for those responsible for Rome Statute crimes. The authorities must ensure that ongoing and future investigations be carried out in accordance with international standards. Estonia further welcomes the exchange information and expertise between the Office of the Prosecutor and the Panel of Experts, the independent fact-finding mission, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. We encourage the maintenance of these formats of cooperation and exchange.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“We call on the authorities in eastern Libya to investigate the murder of human rights lawyer Hanan Al-Barassi and bring the perpetrators to justice. With regard to foreign fighters, we note that crimes committed by mercenaries and foreign fighters on Libyan territory may fall under the jurisdiction of the ICC. We remind the international community to respect the call of Libyan authorities and remove all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libyan territory. Estonia expresses gratitude to the former authorities of the Government of National Accord for their cooperation with the Court. We welcome the Office of the Prosecutor’s recent missions to Libya, which strengthen mutual cooperation with national authorities and stakeholders and enhance the collection and preservation of evidence.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“We call on all parties to continue the preparations for free, fair and inclusive elections in December this year. Estonia further welcomes the apparent decrease in violence on the ground. At the same time, we remain worried that many cases of violations of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, reported in Libya have not been investigated nor prosecuted. We are concerned about reports of ongoing crimes, including disappearances, arbitrary detentions, murder, torture and inhumane treatment, as well as gender-based violence. The reports of violations in places of detention are especially worrisome. Estonia also remains concerned about crimes against migrants and refugees and notes the ICC’s role in assisting national authorities with the prosecution of such cases.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“I thank Madam Prosecutor for the report and briefing. At the outset, I would like to reiterate Estonia’s unwavering support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an independent and impartial judicial institution and an important pillar of the rules-based international order. We continue to call on all States to uphold and defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute. We welcome the update provided by the Prosecutor on the progress achieved in the investigations in Libya during the reporting period. We commend the advancements in the activities of the Office of the Prosecutor. With regard to political developments on the ground, Estonia welcomes the inauguration of a new interim Government of National Unity.”
2021-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/483 (2021) · source
“To conclude, allow me to reiterate our full trust in the independent, impartial and professional work of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and its investigative bodies and in the credibility of its reports. Attempts to undermine the OPCW and weaken the international architecture against the use of chemical weapons is deeply concerning and unacceptable. We continue to call on the Russian Federation to cooperate with the OPCW and to disclose — urgently, fully and in a transparent manner — the circumstances of the poisoning of Mr. Navalny with a chemical nerve agent of the Novichok group and to inform the Security Council in this regard.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“We have now received the ninety-first monthly report (see S/2021/422) of the Director-General, and the gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies in the Syrian declaration stubbornly persist. We note with worry that, against evidence to the contrary, Syria continues to deny having ever used a chemical-weapons production facility. New, previously undeclared findings of a neat chemical warfare agent have triggered the need to open another outstanding issue. Estonia once again states that the Al-Assad regime must declare its entire supply of chemical weapons so that they may be verifiably destroyed, as required under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the resolution 2118 (2013).”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“Last month, on 12 April, the OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team released its second report, which found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian Arab Air Force is responsible for a chemical-weapon attack in Saraqib in February 2018. This is now the eighth case of chemical- weapon use attributed to the Al-Assad regime in five years. We strongly condemn each one of them and hope that, in the face of clear evidence, the Security Council will take action to uphold its resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations. The victims of the Syrian regime’s war crimes deserve to see those responsible held accountable for their heinous actions. Accountability is needed to build peace in Syria. Resolution 2118 (2013) stipulates that the Syrian Arab Republic shall cooperate fully with the OPCW.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“I thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. As always, we appreciate your strong voice in calling for accountability. Estonia welcomes the adoption of the decision by the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention on 21 April 2021 suspending the voting rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This is a measured and fitting response to Syria’s continued possession and use of chemical weapons. The international community could not look past any longer and sent a strong message that this abhorrent behaviour has consequences and needs to stop. Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, the regime has terrorized its people by using toxic substances against them, in grave violation of international law.”
2021-05-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/446 (2021) · source
“Finally, I wish to thank the Special Envoy for his leadership and tireless efforts to contribute the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region and to overcome the instability prevailing in the region.”
2021-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/351 (2021) · source
“Therefore, we are pleased to see improvements in the bilateral and multilateral relations among some of the countries in the region. In particular, we note the commitments to address common threats such as the health crisis, forced displacement, cross-border security and violations committed by armed groups, as well as the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Those positive developments would support the implementation of the United Nations Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region and trigger its action plan.”
2021-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/351 (2021) · source
“Those positive developments provide prospects for the people in the region in the fight against impunity and also bring the Nairobi Declaration on Justice and Good Governance closer to implementation. We would like to recall that peaceful political and electoral processes are of great importance to stability in the region. Accordingly, we call upon all stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming elections in some countries of the region remain peaceful, free and credible. I take this opportunity to underline the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all political processes and welcome the steps taken in that regard. Greater cooperation and the economic integration of the countries of the region are vital to peace and development.”
2021-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/351 (2021) · source
“I thank the briefers for their valuable review. The coronavirus disease pandemic continues to negatively affect the region. Regrettably, the series of recent security incidents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have in no way improved the situation. Socioeconomic instability, human rights violations and abuses, and conflicts with the involvement of armed groups are of great concern. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on women and youth, and we are concerned that the armed groups continued to use sexual and gender- based violence as a weapon of war. I would like to underline that the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations are critical to the prevention of abuses. We learned about recent court rulings in the region against perpetrators of serious crimes. We also learned about the acquittal of journalists.”
2021-04-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/351 (2021) · source
“We firmly reject attempts to discredit that body in order to hide the Al-Assad regime’s crimes and avoid accountability. We call on the Syrian regime to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat and its investigative mechanisms actively and fully. We also call on the Russian Federation to urgently, fully and in a transparent manner disclose the circumstances of the poisoning of Mr. Navalny with a chemical nerve agent of the Novichok group and to inform the Security Council in that regard.”
2021-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/337 (2021) · source
“We hope that, once the Conference reconvenes later this month, it will take appropriate action to show that there are serious consequences for the use of chemical weapons. Estonia is convinced that a robust response from the Security Council is essential to hold those responsible to account, seek justice for the victims and prevent such attacks from happening again. The Security Council and all its members have a responsibility to protect the international non-proliferation regime, which underpins our collective security. The use of a weapon of mass destruction by anyone anywhere is not, and cannot become, acceptable. To conclude, let me reiterate Estonia’s full confidence in the professional, independent and impartial work of the OPCW and its Technical Secretariat.”
2021-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/337 (2021) · source
“A decade-long conflict in Syria reflects the Al-Assad regime’s blatant disregard for international norms and obligations. We welcome the OPCW member States’ determination to take action. The OPCW Executive Council adopted a decision in July 2020 to respond to the findings of the first report of the Investigation and Identification Team. That report concluded that Syrian armed forces used chemical weapons against its own people in three instances in Ltamenah in March 2017. Due to the Syrian non-compliance with the Executive Council decision, a draft decision was put forward in November 2020 to the OPCW Conference of the State Parties on behalf of 46 States, including Estonia.”
2021-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/337 (2021) · source
“I thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. We greatly appreciate your calls for Syrian cooperation and for the unity of the Security Council to ensure accountability for the use of chemical weapons. The monthly report (see S/2021/305) of the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the progress in the elimination of the chemical weapons in Syria remains largely unchanged. There is no progress. This is the ninetieth report since 2014, and the outstanding issues with regard to the initial declaration remain in place. Worryingly, one of them pertains to a chemical weapons production facility, which Syria still denies to have ever used for that purposes, contrary to the facts and evidence that prove otherwise.”
2021-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/337 (2021) · source
“Those who would spoil the agreement and the democratic electoral process must be held accountable. We would also like to emphasize the importance of regional and cross-border initiatives that help ensure stability in the country and promote solutions through political dialogue.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“I would like to extend my personal condolences to the peacekeepers of MINUSCA who paid the ultimate price while protecting the lives of the people of the Central African Republic. Despite the actions of several parties to destabilize the electoral process through violence, the people of the Central African Republic went out to vote and will do so again. Their decision must be accepted and respected by all political actors. Any disputes regarding the electoral results must be settled peacefully and lawfully. There is no road to lasting peace through violence. We call on the guarantors and facilitators to strengthen their engagement in supporting the effective implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening today’s meeting to discuss the difficult situation in the Central African Republic. I also thank Special Representative Ndiaye for his invaluable updates and insights. Estonia strongly condemns the violence and attacks perpetrated by armed groups over the past weeks, which claimed the lives of civilians, humanitarian workers, security personnel and United Nations peacekeepers. Those attacks may constitute war crimes, and its perpetrators and instigators must be brought to justice. We strongly support the rapid and robust response by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in order to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
2021-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/76 (2021) · source
“Finally, we remain concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation, and not only as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We call on all parties to allow humanitarian access and facilitate the delivery of emergency assistance to populations in need, especially to society’s more vulnerable.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“In that regard, one of the key aspects to consider is the adverse effects of climate change, which in many instances are further exacerbating the underlying grievances along community lines. Another key aspect in bringing societies back together is reconciliation and the restoration of the State’s presence. Making sure that all perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations as well as violations of international humanitarian law are being held accountable regardless of their status and systematically fighting against the culture of impunity are essential in restoring the trust of the people. It is only through full political ownership by the region’s countries that long-lasting stability in the region can be achieved.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“While a number of the elections were conducted in a relatively peaceful environment, that was not the case everywhere. The loss of life as a result of election-related violence was especially concerning. On a positive note, however, we congratulate Togo for electing its first-ever female Prime Minister. We encourage all countries in the region to take further steps in fully, equally and meaningfully include women and youth in all stages and aspects of political processes. A security-focused approach alone will not bring lasting peace to West Africa and the Sahel region. It is of crucial importance to understand and effectively address the root causes of conflicts and to design an approach that will take into account the various interlinkages among the security, development and the humanitarian dimensions.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“The attacks against civilians, such as the 2 January attack in the Niger’s Tillabéri region, are especially egregious and need to be condemned in strongest terms. Every step needs to be taken to tackle the threat of terrorism and prevent it from spreading further. Estonia commends the efforts of the region’s States through the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel and the Multinational Joint Task Force in addressing the transnational threat of terrorism. We encourage States to further enhance the cooperation among themselves as well as with the international community. For its part, Estonia will continue to contribute to the fight against terrorism through Operation Barkhane and the Takuba Task Force. The past year saw significant developments in many countries of the region through the various electoral processes.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative Chambas for his comprehensive briefing on the most recent developments in West Africa and the Sahel region. Estonia fully supports the work and good offices of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel under the leadership of Special Representative Chambas, which remained very active over the past six months despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We commend the Economic Community of West African States for its role in facilitating dialogue with various national stakeholders. Unfortunately, the negative trends in the security situation continue to characterize the developments in West Africa and Sahel region.”
2021-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/43 (2021) · source
“Heavy rains have displaced many and the food security situation has deteriorated. Sadly, humanitarian access has also deteriorated, mainly owing to the ongoing hostility directed at humanitarian workers. We call on the Government of South Sudan to help us deliver humanitarian aid, as it is a matter of life and death to so many. Sadly, UNMISS has experienced an exponential increase in denials of access for its patrols. We call on the South Sudanese authorities not to obstruct the peace process but to help it achieve its ends. Last but not least, I want to thank the Panel of Experts, the staff of UNMISS and David Shearer for their tremendous work in a very testing environment.”
2020-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1237 (2020) · source
“In the light of the horrendous human rights violations, we continue to support the sanctions and the territorial arms embargo. The allegations claiming that the arms embargo is detrimental to the ability to equip a unitary army and therefore to the prospects for peace are misleading, as the embargo includes provisions for exceptions. For us, the importance of accountability cannot be stressed enough. It should also be vital to South Sudan to stop the cycle of violence and create conditions that enable its people to feel the dividends of the peace agreement. We therefore encourage South Sudanese authorities to promote local accountability initiatives in compliance with international humanitarian law standards. The overall humanitarian situation in the country remains dire and has worsened in the rainy season.”
2020-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1237 (2020) · source
“The economic reforms and the establishment of key transitional justice institutions, such as the hybrid courts, have not been implemented and the Upper Nile still has no Governor. We continue to hope that one will be appointed, which will make local mediation efforts easier. We remain very disturbed about the continued extensive involvement of heavily armed civil defence groups in subnational violence and about its impact on civilians. We are afraid that the violence will continue in the dry season, which begins as soon as next month. The continued increase in civilian abductions, including of women and children, especially by the National Salvation Front and other armed elements, remains a major concern. Political actors are increasingly manipulating violence at the local level, and that in turn prolongs the national conflict.”
2020-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1237 (2020) · source
“I thank Mr. Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings. I would like to start on a positive note and acknowledge the allocation of state- and county-level Government portfolios. However, in general, the thorough reports from the Panel of Experts (see S/2020/342) and the Secretary-General (S/2020/1180) make for grim reading. The implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan has mostly stalled and the deadlines for military unification and Government institutions are not being taken seriously enough.”
2020-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1237 (2020) · source
“The success of the Mechanism depends on the cooperation of Member States, who bear that ultimate responsibility and have a legal obligation to cooperate fully with the Mechanism in its effort to track and arrest the fugitives. Therefore, Estonia strongly urges Member States, especially States where fugitives are suspected of being at large, to intensify their cooperation with the Mechanism and to arrest and surrender all of the remaining fugitives.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“We also welcome the launch of the new court database that houses all public judicial documents related to the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Mechanism, and appreciate that it has been made available in several languages. International criminal justice and the fight against impunity rely on collective efforts. While welcoming the arrest of Félicien Kabuga in May of this year, Estonia remains concerned about the challenges that the Office of the Prosecutor of the Mechanism continues to face in relation to cooperation with national authorities in apprehending the remaining fugitives.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Estonia would like to commend the President of the Mechanism for the steps taken to ensure its supervisory responsibility with regard to detained persons, including requiring regular updates from enforcement States on convicted persons and detention facilities in Arusha and The Hague. We welcome the continued efforts of the Office of the Prosecutor of the Mechanism to build the capacity of national judiciaries for prosecuting war crimes and its continued cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross, pursuant to the memorandum of understanding.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Estonia notes with appreciation the continuation of the Mechanism’s judicial activities and the significant progress made, despite the current extraordinary circumstances, to advance the caseload during the reporting period, both in The Hague and Arusha, while minimizing the possible exposure of personnel and other individuals to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We note that the in-court proceedings previously postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions have resumed in the Prosecutor v. Ratko Mladić, Prosecutor v. Stanišić and Simatović and Prosecutor v. Turinabo et al. cases. We also note the transfer of Félicien Kabuga to the Mechanism’s custody and the subsequent commencement of the new pre-trial proceedings in his case.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source