YouSaid · the spoken record

Govender

lines on the record: 43
first: 2013-04-17
most recent: 2013-10-29
sittings or episodes: 5
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 therefore remain convinced that greater legitimacy and effectiveness, including in its working methods, will prevail when the Council becomes more representative.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“In the absence of any significant decision over the past two years by the Council, whether in the form of a resolution or a presidential or press statement, it is our consequent assessment that the Security Council has unfortunately not found it appropriate to reflect seriously on the content of those hundreds of written testimonies by one party to the conflict, namely, the State of Palestine, highlighting numerous violations of international law and obligations of States party to resolutions adopted by the Council that go blatantly unheeded. Such approaches unfortunately put in question the Council's credibility in discharging its clear mandate. The debate on working methods is but one important part of the greater whole of the debate on Council reform.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“We have witnessed a similar unfortunate approach in dealing with the situation in the Middle East, Palestine in particular. The Council has repeatedly failed to speak in unison on that matter, thereby being unable to issue even a media statement when the two parties to the conflict resumed direct talks earlier this year. Since September 2000, the State of Palestine has written approximately 473 letters to the Secretary-General and the Presidents of the Security Council and the General Assembly regarding the ongoing crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, the most recent of which was submitted on 17 October.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“That is reflected in the Security Council's inability to resolve certain conflicts, Syria being the most recent case in point. That unfortunate reality has furthermore resulted in many Security Council decisions being either ignored or flagrantly undermined. The situations of Palestine and Western Sahara are but two clear examples of how detrimental narrow national interests can be in frustrating the lofty objective of maintaining international peace and security. In the case of Western Sahara, we have witnessed how selective small groups, some of which are not even Council members, have a greater influence on the text of resolutions than the Council members themselves. The subsequent weakening of the text of that annual resolution has resulted in the Security Council not being able to implement its own decisions.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“And we suggest a longer lead time on all Security Council reports provided to Council members before consultations, especially at the time of mandate renewals. Predictability in the working methods of the Security Council is integral to ensuring that there is consistency in the way various matters are handled. It has been an unfortunate reality in some cases that the Council has been perceived as being selective in addressing certain issues, which we ascribe to inconsistency born out of the provisional nature of the Council's rules of procedure. Inextricably linked to that is the notion of some members of the Council approaching matters on the Council's agenda on the basis of narrow national interests, writ large against the Council's primary mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“They include maintaining the practice of field visits and even mini-missions by the Council as well as its subsidiary bodies, in order to enhance the Council's understanding of the situation on the ground and contribute to informed decision-making; and spreading country-specific files - otherwise managed as an exclusive domain or prerogative of some permanent members - more widely among elected members. Such exclusiveness contributes to an inflexible approach to dealing with Council resolutions, which are in fact a mandate for all of those who serve on the Council. Engagement with regional organizations should be based on the principle of subsidiarity and done in a cohesive and organized manner. We also recommend that such engagements should be acknowledged and included in the Secretary- General's reports.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The Council's adoption in August of presidential note S/2013/515 is a step towards maintaining that momentum, with the commitment made by Council members to the 10 steps towards greater transparency outlined in that document. In addition to those commitments, all of which South Africa strongly supports, we wish to add additional recommendations that can further contribute to the Council's more effective functioning in the execution of its mandates.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“We are proud of our modest achievements in that regard, which include regularizing annual engagements between the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and - having served as Chair of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution - involving the broader United Nations membership and non-State entities in the Working Group's discussions. But more must be done, and we believe that the various proposals and recommendations made today and at debates of this nature to come are intended to be contributions of a constructive nature, designed to enhance the effectiveness, transparency, inclusiveness and credibility of the Security Council.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Like other delegations, we acknowledge the progress made by the Security Council over the past few years in improving its working methods and attempting to make the Council more transparent and inclusive with regard to those methods. In both our recently completed terms as an elected member of the Council, we consistently endeavoured to encourage the Council to engage more regularly with the broader United Nations membership and regional organizations when addressing its various agenda items.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“My delegation is grateful to you, Mr. President, for convening this important debate on Security Council working methods and for developing the concept paper for this debate (S/2013/6l3, annex). We thank you for your constructive approach in maintaining a practice that we hope becomes a permanent feature of this important organ of the United Nations, which has yet to reform. We would also like to thank Argentina, as the Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, for continuing to assess the implementation of presidential note S/2010/507. South Africa aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“However, we remain of the View that significantly more needs to be done by Member States, the United Nations system and the relevant entities in supporting national efforts by States to increase women's participation, leadership and expertise in the rule of law and transitional justice, as well as in advancing accountability measures for serious offences committed against women and children. In conclusion, my delegation welcomes resolution 2122 (2013) and its reinforcement of preceding resolutions. We also welcome the announcement by the Secretary-General of a high-level review in 2015 to assess progress at the global, regional and national levels on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Justice for victims of serious violations of international law is an essential requirement for sustainable peace, security and the development for States emerging from armed conflict, where the rule of law must enjoy primacy and be unscrupulously upheld. My delegation therefore supports efforts by the Council to continue fighting impunity for the most serious crimes committed against women and girls, through the work of the International Criminal Court, ad hoc and mixed tribunals, as well as specialized chambers in national tribunals. My delegation appreciates the commendable work undertaken by the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Access to justice for women in conflict and post-conflict settings through conscious policies of inclusion is essential to building fair, equitable and just societies. Women suffer disproportionately from poverty, and the risks they face are heightened in armed conflict and post-conflict settings. Women's legal status and rights must be ensured in post-conflict situations. Strengthening the legal framework to address issues of discrimination against women with respect to land ownership, access to economic opportunity and employment, education and health care is an essential component of gender- responsive peacebuilding architecture.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Our history has not only demonstrated, but has taught us, about the powerful role that women play in a post-conflict setting. South African women represent a powerful constituency and have been at the forefront of driving reform and developing and advancing responsive policies and legislation across all sectors of Government and the public and private sectors. At the level of women's participation in political decision-making, today South Africa has 44 per cent women representation in Parliament and 43 per cent women at the level of Cabinet ministers. At the provincial level, five of the nine provincial premiers are women. We recognize the importance of women having unfettered access to justice in conflict and post- conflict settings, including through gender-responsive legal, judicial and security-sector reform and other mechanisms.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“While the host State needs to demonstrate the political will to fully implement resolution 1325 (2000), greater commitment and support by the United Nations and the international community is needed to capacitate countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. In the South African context, where women have been historically disadvantaged by apartheid and the patriarchal nature of South African society, men traditionally dominated the political and economic space. During the past 18 years of democratic rule, the Government instituted specific measures that included electoral and candidature quotas for women at the national, provincial and local levels of Government, including at the executive and legislature branches of Government.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“South Africa is supportive of such an approach, especially as our own history has taught us about the powerful role that women play in bringing about peace and stability. We also believe that women should play a role beyond that, one that includes securing a larger stake in political leadership and policy- and decision-making positions, both in the public and private sectors. The report of the Secretary-General correctly points out the need for increased participation by women in United Nations peacekeeping missions. South Africa has played its role in that regard by contributing through its police deployment, a contingent made up of 16 per cent women, which, according to the Secretary- General's report, is the highest percentage of female deployment by a troop-contributing country.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“The host State has to eventually play its rightful role in addressing the specific challenges in the long term. My delegation welcomes the recommendations elaborated in the report of the Secretary-General on how to close these implementation gaps. A renewed commitment is also required of Member States and the United Nations system to effectively implement the seven-point action plan. We welcome the Security Council's adoption of resolution 2122 (2013), especially as it seeks to place women at the table for negotiations and peace talks. Women generally represent a majority constituency in societies, and as such should not be excluded from the negotiation table in conflict-affected States.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“It has provided for the establishment of an enabling framework placing women at the centre of processes impacting on their safety, security and development, in equal partnership with men. The report highlights the remaining significant protection, prevention and participation deficits in the areas ofpeacekeeping, peacebuilding and post-conflict economic recovery, impeding the full and effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). However, we must recognize the limitation that comes with that approach and the underlying expectations of the mechanisms to deliver on these areas in a sustainable manner. Such an approach, we must appreciate, brings with it short-term relief and impact and therefore cannot be considered a panacea for the full and effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“My delegation expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report (S/2013/525). We thank the Under-Secretary- General and Executive Director of UN Women, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay; and the representative of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, Ms. Brigitte Balipou, respectively, for their statements. My delegation also wishes to thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting today. The report of the Secretary-General reflects the measurable advances that have been made across all areas ofthe women, peace and security agenda since the adoption of landmark resolution 1325 (2000) 13 years ago, and its implementation.”
2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source
“Making parties live up to their commitments in peace agreements, which include the prohibition of sexual violence in such agreements, is certainly one of the tools that must be utilized with fervour. The Security Council must also include measures that bring pressure to bear on perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, especially on individuals and parties, through targeted and graduated measures, as well as for the Security Council to immediately and unambiguously pronounce on those acts as and when perpetrated.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“We support the recommendations of the Secretary- General as contained in his recent report. We believe, however, that the effective implementation of resolution 1960 (2010) will require greater involvement of women in conflict resolution, mediation and peacebuilding processes. While there is value in the Security Council's developing monitoring mechanisms to ensure the implementation of the provisions of resolution 1960 (2010), the greater involvement of women in negotiation and peacemaking processes brings with it a greater infusion of gender concerns and interests in the resolution process. In closing, every effort must be made to end impunity by perpetrators of sexual Violence in conflict.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“The Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Security Council and other relevant United Nations entities should take stock of those lessons and ensure that subsequent mandates, renewals and transitions involving security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes prevent any escalation of threats to vulnerable communities. While scenario-based training for peacekeepers is essential to enhancing operational readiness and prevention, it can never be a panacea for eliminating sexual violence in conflict. The reach of the national Government throughout its territories and its ability to exercise control over those territories through its national security apparatus, including law enforcement and military capabilities, will always remain integral to preventing and arresting sexual violence.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“The technical assessment missions of peacekeeping operations should, as a matter of standard practice, include an agenda adviser whose primary task must be situational awareness, analysis and recommendations regarding the threat of or acts of sexual violence in conflict. As part of a systemic response, multidimensional peacekeeping missions should incorporate a public awareness campaign at the field level that encourages community involvement in monitoring and reporting of the threat of or actual incidences of all forms of sexual violence. The Secretary-General's report highlights lessons that could be learned from security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes that went wrong in specific peacekeeping missions.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“However, we cannot agree more with the Secretary-General's observation that Member States bear the primary legal and moral responsibility for preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence. We concur with the five-point priority agenda of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, but we believe that priority must be given to fostering national ownership, leadership and responsibility in addressing sexual violence in conflict, thereby ensuring its sustainability. The role of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict becomes crucial in enhancing the capacity-building of civilian and military justice systems to address sexual violence in conflict afflicted communities.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“My delegation would like to thank the United Kingdom's presidency of the Council for convening this important open debate. We would also like to commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Bangura, for her commitment and efforts in addressing these egregious crimes. While the Security Council has adopted the requisite resolutions to address those crimes, including resolution 2106 (2013) today, full and effective implementation of the key resolutions underpinning the women, peace and security agenda is critical to closing the existing protection gaps. The Secretary-General's report (S/2013/335) correctly alludes to a systemic United Nations response to that problem.”
2013-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6984 (2013) · source
“We further call on the Council and other stakeholders to accelerate efforts towards the holistic resolution of the Middle East crisis, including the Lebanese and Syrian tracks.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“South Africa has always maintained that the future of Palestine is significantly dependent on the unity of its people. In that connection, we therefore encourage the Palestinians to strive for unity. In particular, we implore Hamas and Fatah to work together and collectively consolidate the gains of the Palestinian people. Learning from our own experience, we believe that intra-Palestinian unity is essential for long-term reconciliation and sustainable peace in Palestine. In conclusion, the deteriorating situation in the broader region should not detract from our focus on achieving a permanent negotiated settlement between the two sides. It is therefore incumbent on the Security Council and the Quartet to continue to carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour and with increased focus.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Regarding the situation in Gaza, South Africa remains deeply concerned about Israel's continued blockade. We call for an end to that man-made and protracted humanitarian situation through the lifting of the blockade on Gaza. The blockade and restrictions imposed are in violation of international humanitarian law and contrary to the will of the international community as expressed in a number of Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1515 (2003) and 1860 (2009). The efforts of the international community towards alleviating the humanitarian situation in Gaza are commended. For its part, South Africa has contributed an amount of 2 million rand to the humanitarian programmes run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Israel should ensure their safety, allow access to them by family members and respect their basic human rights. We reiterate our deep concern about the abuse of the human rights of Palestinian children and their detention. We are all very aware of the long-lasting adverse psychological effects that this will have on this vulnerable group. We have taken note of the February 2013 UNICEF report which, among other things, concluded that: "Each year approximately 700 Palestinian children aged 12 to 17, the great majority of them boys, are arrested, interrogated and detained by Israeli army, police and security agents. In the past 10 years, an estimated 7,000 children have been detained, interrogated, prosecuted and/ or imprisoned within the Israeli military justice system - an average of two children each day".”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“South Africa is deeply concerned about the plight of the Palestinians who are illegally held in Israeli jails. We deplore the death of Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh in March this year, whose death could have been avoided had it not been for medical neglect by the Israeli authorities. Israel should equally address and improve the living conditions of prisoners in order to end the ensuing hunger strike. Palestinian prisoners have long lived under appalling conditions in Israeli jails and the international community has not done much about their plight. In that regard, we call on Israel to respect the human rights of all Palestinian prisoners and abide by relevant international human rights and humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“These challenges have the potential to reverse the gains made by Palestine in its institution-building project and to render the country unstable as service delivery declines. In that connection, we call on Israel to urgently lift all restrictions to allow for the development of the private sector, trade and other economic activities that could stimulate economic growth and address the Palestinian Authority's fiscal sustainability in the short-to-medium term. Sustained economic development is also critical to addressing the deep needs of ordinary Palestinians and to lift them out of abject poverty. We have also taken note of the resignation of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and hope that his successor will provide the necessary leadership to ensure the socioeconomic and political stability of Palestine.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Israel's announcement last month of its intention to restart the monthly transfer of $100 million to Palestine was long overdue, and we remind Israel that the transfer of that money, which should never have been held back, is a requirement under the 1993 Oslo Agreements. We also welcome the decision of the United States Government to unblock of about $500 million, which was blocked after Palestine was admitted as a non-member observer State last year. We reiterate our view that the withholding of the funds is an illegal and immoral retributive act that constitutes collective punishment of the Palestinian population and negatively affects the effectiveness of the Palestinian authority. South Africa is concerned about the critical financial challenges that the Palestinian Authority faces.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“With regard to the continuing violence, South Africa reiterates its condemnation ofall acts ofviolence, regardless of where they come from, as they undermine the viability of the two-State solution. We are especially concerned by the continued abuses perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property, including the uprooting of olive trees, assaulting and firing on Palestinians, and the demolition of Palestinian homes, mosques, churches and cemeteries. We hope that the Israeli authorities will take action against the perpetrators of such acts of aggression.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Needless to say, the settlements are not only illegal under international law, but also remain a major stumbling block to the resumption of direct negotiations and the achievement of sustainable peace. The Israeli settlement activities are confiscating Palestinian territory essential for a future State and seek to isolate East Jerusalem from other main Palestinian cities, thereby seriously threatening the very achievability of the two-State solution in line with the overwhelming call for the creation of a sovereign, independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian State, coexisting peacefully alongside the State of Israel on the basis of the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel should immediately stop its settlement activities as an obligation under various Security Council resolutions and international law.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The sad part about this is that, while we continue participating in these routine meetings, the people of Palestine suffer every day under the yoke of an illegal occupation, with the occupying Power relentlessly underming international law, including the resolutions of the Council, with impunity. South Africa remains deeply concerned at the impasse in the Middle East peace process. Despite the recent efforts of the United States leadership to revive the peace process, the status quo remains. We hope that the new coalition Government of Prime Minister Netanyahu will remove all obstacles to the resumption of peace talks, including the construction of illegal settlements, and return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and in good faith.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“South Africa thanks Mr. Feltman for his briefing to the Council. We congratulate Rwanda on assuming the presidency of the Council this month. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Today's debate is a welcome opportunity to underscore once again the importance of finding a lasting solution to the situation in the Middle East in general, and the question of Palestine in particular. As we have said in the past, these meetings have degenerated into talk shops about the situation, with countries restating their already known positions but without producing any meaningful outcome.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The burden of responsibility rests on the stakeholder community, including the Council, to ensure measurable progress on the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions in the broader context of the women, peace and security agenda and the laudable objectives it aspires to achieve.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“However, we believe that significantly more needs to be done by all the relevant actors in supporting countries to increase women's participation, leadership and expertise in transitional justice, as well as in advancing accountability measures for serious offences committed against women and children. We support efforts undertaken by the Council towards ensuring that more systematic attention be given to the implementation of women, peace and security commitments in its own work. The integration of appropriate gender perspectives into the mandates of the relevant peacekeeping missions, as well as in other thematic areas of peace and security, would positively advance that objective. Much work needs to be done to narrow the substantive implementation deficits that still remain.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“Therefore, my delegation supports efforts by the Council to continue fighting impunity for the most serious crimes committed against women and children through the work of the International Criminal Court, ad hoc and mixed tribunals and specialized chambers in national tribunals. We recognize the importance of women's access to justice in conflict and post-conflict settings, including through gender-responsive legal, judicial and security sector reform and other mechanisms. In that regard, my delegation appreciates the commendable work undertaken by the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“In that regard, we also highlight the important contribution that women can and must make in all processes of conflict resolution and in post-conflict settings. We also reaffirm our commitment to support efforts by the Secretary-General towards the implementation of the policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Justice for the victims of serious violations of international human rights law is an essential requirement for the sustainable peace, security and development of States emerging from armed conflict, where the rule of law must enjoy primacy and be scrupulously upheld.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“A continuous review of the impact that women protection advisers make in the field would be instructive for closing the protection gaps in the context of sexual violence in conflict. It is also our view that women protection advisers could add value to peacekeeping mission assessment visits. My delegation supports the recommendation by the Secretary-General that sexual violence in conflict be reflected in all the relevant country resolutions, as well as in authorizations and renewals of the mandates of peacekeeping and special political missions. Equally, we will continue to advocate for the inclusion of sexual violence in the definition of acts prohibited by ceasefires and that it be monitored as part of ceasefire monitoring mechanisms.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“It is with that in mind that my delegation reaffirms our commitment to the full and effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1960 (2010) as the building blocks for advancing the women, peace and security agenda. My delegation notes with concern the emerging challenges highlighted in the report of the Secretary- General. They include, among others, increasing incidents of sexual violence committed against men and boys, particularly in the context of detention, the practice of forced marriage by armed groups, and the linkages between sexual violence and illicit natural resource extraction. My delegation is pleased at the progress made on the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements and on their potential to serve as an early-warning and conflict-prevention tool.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“We congratulate Rwanda on assuming the presidency ofthe Council and express our appreciation to Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, for joining us today. We join others in commending the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, for the contributions she has made in such a short space of time since taking up her position. The Secretary-General's report (S/2013/149) underscores the reality that sexual violence in armed conflict and post-conflict settings remains systemic and widespread, where women and girls continue to bear the greater burden of the consequences of conflict.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source