YouSaid · the spoken record

Grau

lines on the record

75

first

2009-05-26

most recent

2020-02-18

sittings or episodes

14

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

1. “In that context, I would like to reinforce what Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said before: attacks on civilian infrastructure are by no means acceptable and must stop. The Trilateral Contact Group and its working groups will continue in their efforts to reach a sustainable solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. I am convinced that, with trust and political will from the sides, this is possible.”

   2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source

2. “On 1 October, the sides accepted the so- called Steinmeier formula, which details the sequence of steps to be taken with regard to local elections in the non-Government-controlled territories and the entry into force of the special status for those territories. On 12 December, Ukraine extended the law on special status for another year. The political working group continues to have substantial discussions on the incorporation of the Steinmeier formula into Ukrainian legislation. The economic working group addresses issues related to the delivery of public goods vital for the population in the conflict-affected area: pensions, water, electricity and telecommunication services. Among other things, the sides have agreed on measures to maintain water supply on both sides of the contact line.”

   2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source

3. “The opening of additional crossing points, as promoted by the four leaders in Paris, would be of great importance to the civilian population. Discussions on several options are now ongoing. For the people living in the Luhansk region in particular, it would be important to have additional crossing points opened, since, so far, Stanytsia Luhanska is the only open crossing point in the region. On 29 December, an exchange of approximately 200 detainees took place. It was the first such exchange in two years. It gave new impetus to the humanitarian working group. Additional exchanges of detainees are under discussion. Looking ahead to completing the exchange of all for all, the sides are aware of the need to put in a place a mechanism to search for and identify missing persons. Let me now present a brief look at the political dimension.”

   2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source

4. “In that regard, I would like to draw the Council’s attention to the contamination of land by mines and unexploded ordnance, which remains an acute problem that continues to cause civilian victims. Since July 2019, disengagement of forces and hardware has finally taken place in three areas: Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. That is an important step. In Stanytsia Luhanska, the only crossing point in the Luhansk region, disengagement has allowed the reconstruction of a pedestrian bridge across the Siverskiy Donets River. Before, rain or shine, the upwards of 11,000 mostly elderly people who crossed the line per day had to walk down and up steep and slippery wooden ramps. Moreover, ambulances can now use the bridge. Ambassador Çevik will provide further details on the ceasefire and disengagement areas.”

   2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source

5. “Edi Rama, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, in which they express their deep concern about the surge in heavy fighting and urge all sides to exercise maximum restraint and honour their commitments. More generally, with regard to the security situation, the sides recommitted to the ceasefire on 17 July 2019 in Minsk and confirmed that decision on 18 December 2019. The number of ceasefire violations in 2019 remained below the 2018 average. That represents relative calm, not complete silence, but it has led to fewer civilian victims. There were about 40 per cent fewer civilian casualties in 2019 than there were the year before, and 70 per cent fewer than in 2017. This is an important positive development, but, at the same time, I have to stress that every single victim is one too many.”

   2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source

6. “Ms. Grau: I thank the Security Council for the invitation to brief it on our efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The work of the Trilateral Contact Group has intensified in recent months. The summit of the Normandy Four leaders held in Paris on 9 December acknowledged that new dynamism. The common agreed conclusions of the summit presented a list of follow-up measures and injected additional energy into the process. The Normandy Four leaders have agreed to meet again within four months. Let me first speak about the security situation. Council members may have seen the joint statement issued today by the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Mr.”

   2020-02-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8726 (2020) · source

7. “That conflict must come to an end: it is not only the security of Israel and of the Palestinians that is at stake, but also the credibility of the international security system. The Clinton parameters, the Taba talks and the Geneva initiative are some of the promising efforts that indicate the outlines of a lasting solution. The State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have reaffirmed on many occasions that their goal is the birth of a Palestinian State. Hamas too has declared its acceptance of the 1967 borders. Switzerland counts on the support of Security Council members to ensure that those declarations are treated with seriousness. The Council should display continued determination to overcome the obstacles which, to date, have prevented this vision from becoming a reality.”

   2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

8. “Switzerland calls upon Israel to renew the freeze on construction activities in the West Bank and to extend it to East Jerusalem for an indefinite period of time. My country also calls upon the Israeli authorities to rescind the expulsion orders for the East Jerusalem parliamentarians, which are contrary to human rights law and international humanitarian law. Switzerland wishes also to denounce arbitrary detentions and intimidation of political opponents in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. We call on the authorities to respect the rule of law and civil liberties and to continue the intra-Palestinian reconciliation process. This is necessary for the establishment of a Palestinian State serving the entire population and for the negotiation of a lasting settlement of the conflict with Israel.”

   2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

9. “My country already raised the urgency of this question in the open debate held in July 2009 (see S/PV.6]7] (Resumption 1)) and has in the meantime drafted the outlines of a mechanism to allow sustainable, predictable and regular access to Gaza while respecting the security needs of Israel. Switzerland therefore welcomes the efforts of Council members towards improving the situation and reiterates its readiness to support such efforts. Switzerland notes the continued violations of international law by all parties to the conflict. The recent announcements of the resumption of construction activities in the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are cause for serious concern. Those settlements have been established in violation of international humanitarian law.”

   2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

10. “Ms. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland is encouraged by the measures announced by Israel to ease the blockade against the Gaza Strip, as well as similar measures taken by Egypt. Those measures are a first step towards a predictable, lasting opening of crossing points between the Gaza Strip and the outside world for the passage of goods and persons, in accordance with resolution 1860 (2009). Gaza's social fabric and economy have been severely damaged by the hostilities and by the blockade, to the particular detriment of the civilian population. The objective we must all pursue must be allowing the civilian population of Gaza to lead a normal life. The revitalization of the private sector and the resumption of exchanges between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are imperatives.”

    2010-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6363Resumption1 (2010) · source

11. “Furthermore, the Security Council should consider the issue of children and armed conflict more systematically, especially in its gender dimensions pursuant to resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) on women, peace and security. Finally, Switzerland encourages the Security Council to open to non-member States the factual 10-40838 briefings of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on country-specific situations.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

12. “In this context, Switzerland also supports the deployment of child protection advisers to relevant peacebuilding and political missions, as provided for under resolution 1882 (2009). I wish to add the following comments to my remarks on the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report. Attacks on schools and hospitals are an unfortunate and persistent reality. There is a need to improve the monitoring and reporting of information in that respect. The Secretary- General should provide additional information on effective prevention and accountability strategies. The triggers of the monitoring and reporting mechanism could be expanded to include attacks on schools and hospitals.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

13. “Consequently, the documentation of incidents and trends should be improved and cooperation must be strengthened among entities working to implement the relevant mandates. In particular, gender advisers should have greater involvement with the monitoring and reporting mechanisms at the field level. Thirdly, the Security Council should encourage concerned Member States to authorize contact between the United Nations and non-State actors to ensure the effective protection of children. Such contact would have no impact on the legal status of non-State actors. Fourthly, since June 2009, peacekeeping mission policy has been to systematically include the protection of children affected by armed conflict in all stages of mission planning, design and implementation.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

14. “I would like to comment on some of the report's recommendations. First, the 16 persistent violators must be the subject of the Security Council's strongest and most urgent action. The Council should also consider including provisions relating to the recruitment and illicit use of children in the mandates 2 of all its sanctions committees. In this context, we welcome the precedent set by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secondly, the capacities of the mechanism for monitoring and reporting information on the two additional violations must be strengthened. The relatively low reported incidence of sexual violence against children does not reflect the extent of that practice; rather, it demonstrates the challenge of collecting relevant information.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

15. “Ms. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Sir, for organizing this open debate and welcome the presence this morning of your Secretary of Foreign Affairs. We also welcome the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/181) and thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Coomaraswamy, for her invaluable work. Switzerland appreciates the fact that the Secretary-General's report has broadened the criteria for including parties to armed conflict in its annexes, which now include not only those parties responsible for killing or maiming children, but also those responsible for rape or other forms of sexual violence against children. This is an important step. At the same time, more efforts are necessary to make these new provisions effective and to implement resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009).”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

16. “It might be helpful to institute a regular exchange on these matters and to start exploring possibilities at an early stage.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

17. “This year, we have a good opportunity to reflect together with Burundi on how to further integrate international support for peacebuilding and development. We will have to renew existing frameworks. The Burundi Government, supported by the World Bank, is developing a new Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The Security Council will decide on a new mandate for the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi. The Peacebuilding Commission will review its engagement with Burundi. Taking the case of Sierra Leone as an example, it would be desirable to streamline and harmonize these efforts and to aim at merging the new Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper with a new Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding. It is important for essential peacebuilding issues to be identified and addressed in all three of these contexts.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

18. “Given the budgetary pressure mounting in most Member States, and among traditional donors in 10-35583 particular, it will be necessary to reach out to private investors willing to take a risk with Burundi. The configuration will continue to hold an international spotlight on Burundi as it evolves in building peace. The Peacebuilding Commission should stand ready to help in building partnerships with international financial institutions, regional entities and representatives of the private sector willing to explore opportunities in Burundi. The Burundi Configuration also remains available as a political platform for all stakeholders. Finally, it remains the Configuration's task to ensure that no peacebuilding issues fall by the wayside.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

19. “Burundi is the first among a number of countries in the region to hold elections this year. With successful and peaceful elections, Burundi can lead by example. There should be a dividend for this particular contribution to peace. Burundi will need more investment far beyond the over $40 million used for the elections. It will need investment in the socio-economic integration of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons, returnees and demobilized fighters; investment in labour-intensive infrastructure and agriculture projects; and investment in the development of economic sectors that can provide jobs, livelihoods and a future for the millions of Burundians living in poverty.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

20. “In our meetings with the ministers concerned, we were assured of the willingness of the Government to tackle the issue. Burundi, together with the Peacebuilding Commission has successfully worked on the financing of the elections. It has been possible to mobilize almost all the resources needed. I would like to thank all Member States and international institutions that made this possible, and to appeal to potential donors - traditional and non-traditional - to contribute to closing the remaining gap. I would also like to thank the Government of Burundi, the National Independent Electoral Commission, the political parties and the media for their role in the successful preparation of the electoral process. Successful elections in Burundi will be key to solidifying the political foundation for peace and economic development in the country.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

21. “We do not close our eyes to the numerous pitfalls and challenges awaiting Burundi on its way to consolidated peace, but over the course of now three visits of the Chair to the country we have seen progress. Important issues that were feared to have the potential to derail the process have been tackled. This is particularly true for the creation of an environment conducive to the holding of free, fair and peaceful elections that the configuration continuously insists on. We saw difficulty in producing means of identification for citizens willing to vote, and this difficulty has been overcome. We continue to see widespread concern about political youth groups spreading fear and intimidation among people of different political persuasions.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

22. “In all our contacts with the Burundians, they have expressed their hope and aspiration that this extended exercise in electoral democracy will provide new legitimacy for their institutions and produce the comprehensive political stability necessary to further building peace and a sustainable economic future for the country. Since the Council's most recent meeting on this item, A delegation of the Burundi configuration visited the country at the end of February. The delegation met with all stakeholders, including the President, and assisted in the preparation of the fourth biannual review of the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Burundi, which was completed on 24 March with the adoption of recommendations and conclusions. 10-35583 The delegation's assessment of the overall situation was positive.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

23. “Mrs. Grau: I appreciate the fact that the representative of Burundi and the Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission are invited to participate when the Council discusses the situation in Burundi. I have the honour to read out this statement on behalf of Ambassador Peter Maurer, the Chair of the country-specific meeting on Burundi, who has had to leave New York on urgent matters. I thank Executive Representative of the Secretary-General Charles Petrie for his briefing. The Burundi configuration will have a meeting tomorrow to hear first-hand from Mr. Petrie and to discuss the situation on the eve of the elections. Later this month, Burundi will embark on a five- stage national election cycle that will last until early September and will renew all elected positions at all levels of Government in the country.”

    2010-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6309 (2010) · source

24. “Lastly, thematic issues, such as human rights, the protection of civilians and women and peace and security, should be further integrated in the discussions of country-specific situations and systematically included in the terms of reference of Security Council missions. 38 We hope that this open debate will lead to an in- depth review of presidential note S/2006/507 and will promote the adoption of an updated version of that note by the end of this year. An action plan for its implementation with a clear timeline could be prepared. We are ready to work with the Council in that process.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

25. “With regard to politically sensitive matters, we have often seen the Council reluctant to address situations that are not on its formal agenda, but that nevertheless require its attention. Recently, the Council considered informal formats to address such situations. That is an interesting and innovative approach. Interaction between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission has been improved. We support a regular dialogue between the Council and the President of that Commission. We would welcome the Council further involving the countries concerned and inviting the Chairs of their respective configurations to participate in the relevant informal consultations.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

26. “We welcome the fact that in recent months non-member States have been regularly briefed on the monthly programme of work. However, we regret that briefings after informal consultations are still largely ad hoc and continue to depend on the goodwill and availability of certain members of the Council President's delegation. Given the growing tendency to organize meetings of experts, we strongly encourage the Council to promote transparency in that regard by announcing such meetings in the Journal of the United Nations and by organizing briefings on them. We welcome the greater written coverage of meetings of subsidiary bodies. Other measures should be considered to make the work of the subsidiary bodies more accessible.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

27. “It is thus essential that States not members of the Council be informed of its deliberations as soon as possible and be able to contribute to the Council's decision-making process. Measures to improve the working methods can be divided into three categories: first, technical improvements that can be implemented quickly; secondly, existing practices that should be applied in a more systematic way; and, lastly, the politically more sensitive issues that we believe best resolved case by case. From a purely technical perspective, effectiveness and transparency could be increased by using the latest information technology. For example, the briefing notes submitted by the Secretariat in informal consultations or the draft outcomes discussed by experts could be posted on the Council website.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

28. “Mrs. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for having taken the initiative to convene this open debate. I also congratulate you on your active role as Chair of the Council's Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. The debate two years ago raised many useful ideas. That is why we look forward to having such discussions annually. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Liechtenstein on behalf of the group of five small countries. Allow me to add some comments. You have provided us, Sir, with an excellent concept paper (S/2010/165, annex). It shows that working methods have been substantially improved. It states that an increasing number of decisions taken by the Council need to be implemented by all States Members of the United Nations.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

29. “He also welcomes the efforts undertaken in the framework of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative launched jointly by Switzerland and the United Nations Development Programme in 2006 and signed by 108 countries to date. That process supports Governments and civil society in achieving measurable reductions in armed violence, both in conflict and non-conflict settings, by 2015. We invite all countries that have not yet done so to sign that instrument and to participate actively in the process at the regional and global levels. I underscore once again the importance of Member States and international organizations taking a coherent, coordinated and complementary approach to the fight against armed violence in Central Africa by dealing with both the demand and the supply sides of the issue.”

    2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288Resumption1 (2010) · source

30. “Fourthly, it will not be enough to address the supply in light weapons if we want to achieve sustainable improvements in the security situation in regions that are particularly affected by armed violence. We underscore the need to intervene on the demand side as well - that is, to take a comprehensive approach to the problem of armed violence. Finally, in the Secretary-General's recent report (A/64/228) on promoting development through the reduction and prevention of armed violence, the Secretary-General calls for increased international efforts to prevent and reduce armed violence. He makes several very useful recommendations.”

    2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288Resumption1 (2010) · source

31. “The Fourth Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action at the national, regional and global levels will be an excellent occasion for Member States to step up their efforts. Thirdly, arms collection campaigns have proven to be useful. However, buy-back programmes risk being counterproductive if they do not reduce demand. They may actually stimulate demand if the reward is greater than the going price for a weapon. Such initiatives should also extend to ammunition and explosives and provide for the immediate destruction of the equipment retrieved. Finally, all States must make every possible effort to respect the rule of law, 10-28131 ensure security for all their communities without discrimination of any kind, and complement civilian weapons collection programmes with confidence- building measures.”

    2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288Resumption1 (2010) · source

32. “First, the regulation of the trade in small arms and light weapons illicit by international instruments at the global, regional and subregional levels plays an indispensable role in the fight against the proliferation of such weapons. We strongly encourage all Member States to implement and strengthen these instruments. In this respect, the negotiation of a comprehensive and legally binding arms trade treaty would represent a great step forward. Secondly, among our priorities is the effective implementation of existing instruments relating to small arms and light weapons, such as the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument.”

    2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288Resumption1 (2010) · source

33. “Mrs. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this important debate. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons arising from their illicit trade has devastating effects on peace, security and development in Central Africa, both in countries in conflict and in those at peace. In that region, Switzerland has long cooperated with Burundi. Our commitment is currently being furthered through our chairmanship of the country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission for that country. My statement will be based on our experience in the context of our activities in Burundi. I will address five points.”

    2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288Resumption1 (2010) · source

34. “Switzerland remains committed to its efforts to safeguard and further enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of the sanctions system as an invaluable element in the fight against terrorism. We therefore call upon the Security Council to take into account the concerns expressed in that respect when it adopts the new resolution at the end of the year.”

    2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source

35. “While bearing in mind the unique role of the Council in maintaining international peace and security, we believe that such an expert panel would not weaken the Council's authority. This opinion is shared by, among others, the Monitoring Team in its tenth report. Such an expert panel, appointed by the Security Council, would assist the Committee in the consideration of de-listing requests. It would be up to the Council to decide upon the competencies of the panel. One element is clear: the greater the independence and the effectiveness of the panel, the more likely it will be that targeted sanctions will find the necessary acceptance in national and regional parliaments and will be able to withstand appeals in national and regional courts.”

    2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source

36. “Member States today may risk having to choose between the option of satisfying obligations imposed by the Charter, or acting in conformity with decisions of their parliaments or courts upholding human rights. The Council could still remedy this problem if it introduced the necessary changes. If it does not, there is a risk of uneven application of United Nations sanctions, which would undermine the credibility and efficiency of the entire system. Switzerland and its like-minded partners have approached the members of the Security Council in recent months in order to exchange views on a broad range of options to improve the current listing and de-listing procedures. I would like to highlight in particular, the proposal to create an independent expert panel on the de-listing issue.”

    2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source

37. “Parliaments are not alone in being increasingly concerned by the issue of reconciling United Nations targeted sanctions with human rights principles. The Kadi and Al Barakaat ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Communities of September 2008 is well known. Switzerland itself is a defendant in a case before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The applicant there is challenging the legality of our domestic measures implementing United Nations sanctions, but is in fact attacking the United Nations sanctions system as a whole. According to the tenth report of the Monitoring Team, other cases are pending in other countries. Member States' Governments find themselves in a serious dilemma when parliaments or courts challenge the legality of domestic measures that implement United Nations targeted sanctions.”

    2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source

38. “Mrs. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank the Chairmen of Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the 1267 Committee and the 1540 Committee for their very informative briefings. Switzerland supports the statement to be made by the Netherlands on behalf of the like-minded States. I will limit myself to highlighting a few political and legal challenges that Switzerland is facing. Many States in Europe and elsewhere face major political and legal challenges in implementing the 1267 sanctions regime. In Switzerland, a decision by the Swiss Parliament requested the Swiss Government to cease implementing sanctions against individuals included on the 1267 list in cases where certain criteria had not been considered.”

    2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source

39. “Fourthly, over the past 10 years, the debate within the Security Council on peacekeeping missions and the protection of civilians has become increasingly intensive. Many complex questions have arisen concerning the mandates, roles and capacities of peacekeeping missions with respect to the protection of civilians. The independent study commissioned by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and supported by, inter alia, my own country, has provided the Council and other stakeholders with food for thought and useful recommendations. Switzerland hopes that this study will facilitate the development of clearer guidelines for the protection of military and civilian components of peacekeeping operations.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

40. “Thirdly, we encourage the Secretary-General to include the subject of the protection of civilians more systematically in his country-specific reports. It would be equally desirable for the Council's informal group of experts to be kept informed systematically by those Secretariat entities dealing with areas relevant to protection of civilians. Such information would give the Council a better understanding of the situation of civilians and enable it to verify whether its decisions have been respected and its mandates implemented. The informal Expert Group could also be used as an early warning mechanism to draw the Council's attention to conflict situations that are not on its agenda.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

41. “We also support his proposal to convene a meeting under the Arias formula aimed at identifying new measures to improve armed groups' compliance with existing standards. Secondly, humanitarian access is central to protecting and assisting those affected by armed conflict. We consider the annex to the Secretary- General's most recent report (S/2009/277) an important contribution to this area that should be developed further in the Secretary-General's reports on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Information obtained in this way could become an important basis for the Council's decisions. The Council should also support the efforts by the Secretary-General's representatives to negotiate access with all parties to a conflict. Where humanitarian access is denied, targeted sanctions should be more systematically imposed.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

42. “This can be done through ad hoc machinery or by mandates from the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, established under the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. It is also of fundamental importance that the Security Council evaluate and follow up such investigations, and that appropriate measures be taken to ensure that the alleged perpetrators of violations of international law are brought to justice. We also expect the Council to make sure that disregard for the law has consequences and that targeted measures be imposed on individuals or parties who do not respect its resolutions. We are in full agreement with the Secretary-General's views with regard to the importance of respect for international norms on the part of non-State players.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

43. “These positive developments, however, will have little value if they do not translate into tangible improvements in the protection of civilians on the ground. I would like to direct my remarks to four central aspects: respect for international humanitarian law, including the fight against impunity; humanitarian access; the importance of reporting the reality on the ground; and peacekeeping missions. First, the concept of protecting civilians is based on respect for the rules of international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law. The fight against impunity plays a fundamental part in improving respect for the law. The Security Council must ensure that investigations are carried out in all situations where there are allegations of serious violations of international law.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

44. “Mrs. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate on the protection of civilians. We commend Austria for its commitment in regard to today's resolution 1894 (2009), of which Switzerland was a sponsor. We would also like to thank the Secretary- General, Under-Secretary-General John Holmes and the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights for their statements. The past 10 years have been marked by a significant increase in the work of the Security Council on the protection of civilians. Encouraging progress has been made, particularly in establishing a general normative framework and in considering the specific protection needs of women and children.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

45. “The fight against impunity is, however, just one component of this solution. Intra-Palestinian reconciliation remains a cornerstone of the construction of a future Palestinian State. We encourage the parties involved to make a credible commitment to the efforts under way. Moreover, nothing can replace direct negotiations between the parties. My country can only encourage them to return to the negotiating table. The Geneva initiative offers a model solution and, with its recently completed annexes, a practical instrument for putting in place a peace accord. This important work accomplished by civil society could thus inspire these discussions and the settlement of the conflict.”

    2009-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6201Resumption1 (2009) · source

46. “In our view, it is essential, first, to urge the parties to the conflict to adopt the appropriate measures, within a specified time frame, to open independent inquiries that meet international standards; and, secondly, to consider the establishment of an independent committee of international humanitarian law and human rights experts to supervise any judicial proceeding undertaken by the parties to the conflict. To conclude, the quest for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can never be imposed to the detriment of the main goal of seeking justice and fighting impunity. Following up the Goldstone Mission in a serious way would indicate the international community's will to actively promote a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

    2009-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6201Resumption1 (2009) · source

47. “Switzerland welcomes the Goldstone Mission's investigation of the allegations of violations committed by all the parties. However, we are preoccupied by the Mission's finding that very serious crimes were committed by the various parties in the context of the conflict in Gaza. It would be irresponsible not to follow up that finding. It is vital that all parties to the conflict adopt forthwith the measures necessary to launch independent inquiries in conformity with international standards. They bear primary responsibility to follow up. If the parties to the conflict are unable or unwilling to meet their obligation to bring to justice those suspected of having committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, it is up to the international community to ensure that such violations do not go unpunished.”

    2009-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6201Resumption1 (2009) · source

48. “It has proved impossible to achieve any significant progress towards a sustainable response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza or the reconstruction and economic development needs of its population. We also note that Israel is not honouring its obligations under international law and that the construction of settlements, including in East Jerusalem, continues in contravention of the law. Recent events in relation to the Temple Mount/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, as well as consideration of the report (A/HRC/ 12/48) of the independent United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict from December 2008 to January 2009, demonstrate the need for a resumption of the peace talks and the urgency of finding a negotiated solution to the conflict.”

    2009-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6201Resumption1 (2009) · source

49. “Mrs. Grau (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity for Switzerland to express its views on the situation in the Middle East. That region continues to be prey to strong tensions that give rise to instability and suffering, in particular among the civilian population. The difficulty of forming a Government in Lebanon, in spite of the free and transparent elections held there in June, and the precarious status of the ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza Strip are both strong indicators of this recurrent instability. Switzerland expresses its serious concern with regard to the situation prevailing throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.”

    2009-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6201Resumption1 (2009) · source

50. “We must think about how the Council can use existing instruments more strategically and even about establishing new ones. The informal expert group on the protection of civilians in armed conflict could address the resolution's prevention aspects. As far as protection is concerned, the model mechanism developed for children under resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009), combined with new instruments provided for in resolution 1888 (2009), is a promising example. A pool of experts or a commission for the promotion of women to high positions could respond to the resolution's aspect of strengthening the role of women. There is much work ahead of us. Let us begin today, here and together.”

    2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source