YouSaid · the spoken record

Gilmour

lines on the record: 37
first: 2016-12-09
most recent: 2019-06-25
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We also hope that everyone, including the Council, will continue to press the parties for the establishment of the accountability and transitional justice mechanisms outlined in the revitalized agreement.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“It supports human rights forums in all ofthe field offices, such as that held in Bentiu last week, chaired by the state Governor and attended by key partners, to address justice and sexual violence in hotspot areas. In conclusion, we hope that the international community and the Security Council will continue to urge as strongly as possible the South Sudanese parties to implement their commitments to ending hostilities and to stopping the sexual Violence. As we have just heard Special Representative David Shearer say, let us be frank. The fighting has stopped because the leaders ordered the soldiers to stop. That surely applies to the continued human rights violations and the sexual violence. If the leaders order the soldiers to stop those crimes, they too will largely stop.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“We are encouraged that, on 14 March, Government speakers - including the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs and the Chief of the South Sudan Defence Forces - publicly conceded that members of the Government security forces had been involved in perpetrating sexual violence and urged commanders to ensure that the perpetrators of these acts are held accountable. Real change starts with an acknowledgement of the problem, so we welcome that step. The UNMISS Human Rights Division also regularly engages with and provides support to national authorities, security forces, civil society organizations and community groups on a range of human rights issues.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“Despite all that evidence, however, no significant action has been taken against the perpetrators. And to break the long-standing cycle of impunity, as well as to prevent future violations, we believe that the transitional justice mechanisms outlined in the peace agreement must be implemented. The Government has not yet signed the memorandum of understanding with the African Union for the establishment of the hybrid court. UNMISS has supported the State in its efforts to deliver justice at local levels, offering what David Shearer has just called some important glimmers of hope amid the challenges facing the country, including through mobile court initiatives. The UNMISS- supported mobile courts in Bentiu and Malakal have led to the conviction of at least three members of organized forces for rape.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“Surveillance, intimidation and arbitrary arrests are commonly used to restrict the activities of human rights defenders, critics and journalists. The case of Mr. Peter Biar Ajak is noteworthy in that regard. The real guarantee of lasting peace in South Sudan lies with efforts to end impunity. Many reports have concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that gross violations of international human rights law and of international humanitarian law, and international crimes have been committed by the parties to the conflict. Those include joint reports by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UNMISS, those of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) as well as the reports of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, established by the Human Rights Council.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“Frequently referred to as cattle raids or intercommunal violence, these incidents have largely evolved from a traditional practice to acts of political violence involving State actors, including State security forces, elements of organized armed groups and self-defence groups established by local communities. Since the signing of the revitalized agreement in September 2018, civilian casualties resulting from this form of violence have far exceeded those resulting from violations and abuses by conventional parties to the conflict. The restriction of political and civic space is also a worrying trend. Freedom of expression is under constant attack in the country and is closely linked with the unfettered power of the National Security Service to impede citizens' civil and political rights.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, has briefed the Council about and which I will not repeat. Crucial though it is, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan does not address all divisions, with their increasingly ethnic dimensions, that lie at the root of the conflict or the extremely high levels of corruption, which continue to undermine sustainable peace and justice in South Sudan, as well as the economic and social rights of the population. We have just heard about the continued serious violations in Central Equatoria; I will not repeat them. In other parts of South Sudan, the Violence has shifted primarily to acts perpetrated by community- based militias and armed elements.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“Mr. Gilmour: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Council on the human rights situation in South Sudan and its impact on peace and security. In line with the important progress that Mr. Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has just reported, since last September the Human Rights Division of UNMISS has documented a significant and welcome decrease in the number of human rights Violations and abuses perpetrated by Government forces and organized armed groups throughout the country. A major exception to this, however, has been the continued prevalence of sexual violence by parties to the conflict, which Ms.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8560 (2019) · source
“To conclude, we strongly support what yesterday's communique issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council on Darfur called "the imperative for the Republic of Sudan to ensure the full protection of civilians and respect for human rights and freedoms".”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“Lacroix has just called the "conflict drivers" - of the conflict are addressed. The tragic incident in Deleij village, in Central Darfur, on 9 and 10 June that resulted in deaths of at least 17 persons related to intercommunity violence, but involving State actors, illustrates that point, as well as the direct link between human rights and security. We strongly hope that any transition road map will include measures that permit the population of Darfur to regain confidence in law enforcement bodies, the rule of law and broader State institutions, as well as a belief that there will be some accountability for excessive use of force and serious human rights violations.”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“Meanwhile, the UNAMID human rights section continues to reinforce the capacity of national institutions to protect and promote human rights through State liaison functions. Of particular note is the positive collaboration we have with the National Human Rights Commission, with which UNAMID has established a framework of cooperation to further build the national capacity to protect human rights. UNAMID, through its human rights component, is closely engaging with the Sudanese Armed Forces, in particular in North Darfur, and the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration Commission to mainstream human rights in their activities. The violence and uncertainty that have erupted in Darfur in the past few months are unfortunately likely to continue until the root causes what Mr.”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“UNAMID's presence and its important work on human rights and the protection of civilians have had a positive effect, as confirmed by internally displaced persons and local communities. During this period, UNAMID, including the human rights section, was able to act to defuse conflict and violence through its interaction with the population and advocacy with State security forces and judicial authorities. In an atmosphere of violence and uncertainty, upholding the priorities of the protection of civilians and of human rights in the mandate of UNAMID is of paramount significance, including through continued monitoring and reporting of the human rights situation in the whole of Darfur. We believe that the Mission's strengthened civilian presence will have a positive impact on protection of civilians.”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“The human rights section of UNAMID has received accounts of intensified attacks and harassment of civilians and the looting of houses and livestock by Rapid Support Forces. Those same forces are widely reported to have been involved in violent repression of the protests in Khartoum, which led to numerous deaths of peaceful protesters. We believe that many cases in Darfur remain invisible and underreported due to lack of access to some parts of the region. In some areas of Jebel Marra, the sole representatives of Government present are the security forces, but they are reported to be the main perpetrators of violations against the civilian population - that is, the people they are there to protect. Clearly, this does not lead to increased trust of the population in law enforcement bodies.”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“Many of these protests in Darfur were violently repressed by State security forces, including Rapid Support Forces. In this connection, the human rights component of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) documented the killing of 47 and the injury of 186 civilians in various regions of Darfur between 11 April to 12 June. In Zalingei, Central Darfur, 10 civilians were killed and 93 injured as a result of what is seen to be excessive use of force. There are reports that State security entities have resorted to arbitrary arrests and detentions to restrict freedom of movement and assembly, as well as to suppress dissent or acts of solidarity with the protest in Khartoum In the past two months, 163 civilians have been arrested and detained in relation to protests in Darfur.”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“Mr. Gilmour: It is an honour to brief the Council, building on the important briefing by Mr. Lacroix, with which we fully agree. I shall speak about the human rights issues impacting peace and security in Darfur. Violence between armed militias and State security forces in Darfur, as well as among communities, has decreased. We welcome that. At the same time, we are concerned that the human rights situation in Darfur has continued to deteriorate in recent months, with increased reports ofkillings, abduction, sexual violence and other violations. Since April, country-wide protests and political developments in the capital have had some ripple effect in Darfur, with thousands of protestors demonstrating in its major towns and a rise in the number of documented violations.”
2019-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8549 (2019) · source
“In order to build on the positive momentum that the launch of the Mapping report has created, I really hope that the Council can support the Central Africans and MINUSCA's incredible efforts in such truly difficult circumstances by providing the means to implement its mandate to protect civilians, fight impunity and support institution-building, without which we simply cannot succeed in our common goals.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“As my visit to the severely overcrowded Ngaragba prison in Bangui made clear, rule-of-law infrastructure requires increased capacity, and prisons must be constructed and run in a more humane manner and with adequate food. That is not the case at present, a matter that I raised with the Prime Minister. While police, justice and corrections officials have begun to deploy in several parts of the country, they continue to lack many of the resources necessary to carrying out their functions. I believe we must step up efforts to build the capacity of police, justice and corrections authorities, especially in the areas most affected by the conflict. Re-establishing such services is crucial if we are to avoid fuelling further resentment.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“Human rights defenders and leaders of women's groups and religious communities with whom I met in Bangui and Bambari have been courageously documenting human rights violations with few guarantees of security. Their courage should be matched with support from the United Nations and other international partners. Beyond transitional mechanisms, institution- building - especially the establishment of the new National Human Rights Commission and the reform of security and defence forces to allow them to carry out their protection responsibilities - are key priorities in that regard. We are encouraged by the support of partners, particularly the African Union and the European Union in that respect.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“The legacy of human rights abuses in the Central African Republic is so vast that judicial mechanisms will obviously not be the only avenue to administer justice. The mapping report also provides guidance for the development of a comprehensive approach to transitional justice, which will help identify the appropriate mechanisms for truth, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence. All of that, we believe, will support reconciliation efforts, given that continued impunity is one of the primary root causes of the ongoing violence. Finally, the mapping report also highlights essential preconditions that must be met before transitional mechanisms can be functional - measures to protect victims and witnesses and conditions to ensure that all individuals can participate in the process.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“Building on the momentum of the report, we hope that some of the perpetrators of the most serious violations will be arrested in the near future, which would demonstrate a true resolve to fighting impunity and is what the Central Africans are vocally demanding of us all, particularly in relation to the big fish, as they are called - those who ordered and carried out the most unspeakable atrocities. The mapping report provides a set of recommendations to inform the prosecutorial strategy of the Special Criminal Court, a central mechanism that will help reverse the impunity trend in the Central African Republic. I had an encouraging meeting with Special Prosecutor Muntazini Mukimapa, who recently arrived in my country.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“It is therefore a timely moment to send an unequivocal message to the perpetrators of such violations f as we did through the mapping report - that their actions are being watched and carefully documented, and that they will be held accountable. During my visit, there was unanimity among the many Central Africans I spoke to regarding their utter rejection of any amnesty for perpetrators of the most serious crimes, which is in line with the principles of the Bangui Forum.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“It details 620 incidents, including horrific accounts of entire villages being burned to the ground; multiple gang rapes of women and girls, extrajudicial killings; deaths following severe torture or ill-treatment in detention centres; serious violence against civilians on the basis of religion, ethnicity or as reprisal for perceived support for other armed groups; the recruitment of thousands of children as child fighters; and attacks on both humanitarian actors and peacekeepers. The vast majority of incidents were attributed to the eX-Seleka and the anti-balaka groups, as well as the Central African defence and security forces. Unfortunately, some of those abuses appear to be resuming today, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General has so eloquently detailed just now. That is a rather alarming development.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“Our aim is also to advance the implementation of MINUSCA'S core tasks to develop comprehensive transitional justice mechanisms in line with the 2015 Bangui Forum on National Reconciliation principles, to support the Special Criminal Court, and to help develop national vetting mechanisms for defence and security forces. By documenting incidents throughout 13 years of multiple conflicts in the Central African Republic, the report constitutes the start of a process of collecting evidence of the violations committed.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“Mr. Gilmour: I am grateful for the opportunity to provide an update on the human rights mapping report in the Central African Republic. The report, which was mandated by the Security Council in July through resolution 2301 (2016), is nearly 400 pages long and covers the major violations and crimes committed in the country from 2003 to 2015. It was launched jointly by the Central African authorities and the United Nations in Bangui two weeks ago. I attended the launch, together with the leadership of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The objective of the report is to help the Central African Republic authorities and the international community fight impunity for the years of massive abuses in the Central African Republic and prevent the resurgence of conflict.”
2017-06-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7965 (2017) · source
“Conversely, escalated security tensions will further isolate the country and leave the Democratic People's Republic of Korea population as usual to bear the terrible consequences at yet further expense of their human rights.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Failure to hold perpetrators of gross human rights violations accountable, some of which amount to crimes against humanity, will be a disappointment for the victims and will sow the seeds of further instability and tension. Accountability is vital and we hope the Security Council will remain seized of this matter. The General Assembly has again in its resolution this year encouraged the Security Council to take appropriate action to ensure accountability, including through consideration of a referral of the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the International Criminal Court. Improvement in human rights in the country will not only protect the livelihoods and dignity of people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, but also promote long-term security and stability in the region and beyond.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Quintana, is exploring the possibility for dialogue with Democratic People's Republic of Korea authorities while recognizing that accountability must be part of such engagement. We remain committed to continuing engaging with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to improve the human rights situation inside the country. In a positive development, in 2016, the Government submitted reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Our Office has continued to offer technical assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to help the Government implement its human rights obligations.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Following the adoption in March this year of Human Rights Council resolution 31/18, the High Commissioner appointed two independent experts in support of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ms. Sonja Biserko and Ms. Sara Hossain, to focus on issues of accountability, in particular where such violations amount to crimes against humanity. The two experts have just concluded a mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan, and have also sought to engage the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to share the Government's views and information. Their report will be included as an annex to the Special Rapporteur's report to the Human Rights Council in March 2017. The new Special Rapporteur, Mr.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“For example, the people-to-people contact between the two Koreas, also recommended by the commission of inquiry, ceased after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea nuclear test in January. Reunions of separated families have not taken place since October 2015. The report released by OHCHR two days ago, highlights the plight of tens of thousands families who have been separated across the border during and since the Korean War without possibility of reconnecting with relatives on the other side. There has also been no progress in resolving the issue of international abductions of 516 individuals who were abducted from the Republic of Korea after the armistice. Likewise, no satisfactory answers have been given to establish the fate of individuals abducted from Japan and other countries.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Most citizens depend on private, mostly illegal, commercial activities to fulfil basic needs. Frequent mobilization for public work, such as the 200-day campaign before the Workers' Party Congress in May, reportedly impacted negatively on the ability of residents to engage in commercial activities. Residents of the north-eastern provinces who were affected by the typhoon and flood in late August are likely to remain particularly vulnerable to food insecurity this winter. Discrimination in access to employment, education and other services based on a person's family background, or songbun, continues to be reported. The heightened security tensions have direct consequences on human rights.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Nationals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea working outside the country live in substandard conditions and are subject to severe surveillance and oversight, while the Government appropriates most of the income they generate. Turning to economic and social rights, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea also faces significant challenges in fulfilling this important area of the rights of its citizens, despite the authorities' stated commitment to improve the living conditions of the population. The country continues to be affected by chronic food shortages, which have resulted in protracted undernutrition, affecting in particular children, pregnant and nursing women, and older persons. The public distribution system of food is not functioning, except for a few privileged classes.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Despite a reported increase in ownership and use of mobile phones and Internet services, all mass media remains under Government control and access to foreign media is prohibited. Harsh restrictions on freedom of movement continue to affect citizens, who are not allowed to travel abroad or even within the country without permission. The restrictions at the border area have reportedly been increasingly tightened making it even more difficult for individuals to leave the country. Those who seek to leave are at risk of trafficking and refoulement in contravention of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status ofRefugees. Women, in particular, are at risk of sexual abuse, detention and ill-treatment following refoulement. There is no known independent civil society movement whatsoever.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“The system is characterized by significant oversight by the Workers' Party of Korea, while the role played by the judiciary and lawyers is very limited. The procedures surrounding the persecution of individuals deemed to have committed political crimes is even more secretly guarded. While the Government continues to deny even the existence of these prison camps, many citizens of the Democratic People's Republic ofKorea are aware oftheir existence. Observation from the outside, including through satellite images, has confirmed their continued operation. No independent international human rights monitors have ever been able to access one of these camps. The freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly remain almost entirely restricted.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“All of those who had been detained stated that they were subject to, or else personally witnessed, practices that clearly contravened international human rights standards. Violations included torture and ill- treatment, which is routinely used during detention, investigation and imprisonment. Cases were reported of solitary confinement for several days in a cell so small that the detainee was unable even to sit down. Other violations included poor detention conditions; inadequate access to food, water and sanitation; lack ofjudicial review; lack of access to lawyers and family members; and other violations. Suspects are rarely allowed to present evidence that contests the charge against them. These violations reflect the larger context in which the criminal justice system fails to protect the rights of individuals.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Although monitoring the human rights situation in the country remains a challenge, the testimonies of people who have left the country and information gathered through other sources indicate that the pattern of human rights violations documented by the commission of inquiry are continuing. Major political events, such as the seventh Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in May and the Supreme People's Assembly in June this year seemingly failed to create an opening for any new policies that protect human rights. In the past 12 months, OHCHR has conducted more than 110 interviews with persons who had left the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A major issue that emerged during these interviews was the treatment of people in the custody of law enforcement agencies.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“The commission of inquiry found that numerous crimes against humanity had been committed - and they continue - including extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) continues its efforts to help ensure accountability for violations, while seeking every opportunity to engage with the Government.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Mr. Gilmour: As the Deputy Secretary-General has just described, one year has passed since the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was last discussed by this body (see S/PV.7575). Our concern expressed back then has only deepened. There has been no improvement in the truly appalling human rights violations in the country. The nature and scale of the violations occurring in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea thoroughly underscore the link between human rights and peace and security.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source