YouSaid · the spoken record

Grauls

lines on the record: 515
first: 2008-06-05
most recent: 2013-02-12
sittings or episodes: 74
sources: un-security-council

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“To conclude my statement in this debate on the protection of civilians, I would like to pay special tribute to Dr. Denis Mukwege, director of the Panzi hospital in Goma. His work to assist victims of sexual violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo makes him a great protector of civilians. Dr. Mukwege is a tireless advocate for the protection of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who calls on political leaders to ensure better protection for women and children in the region.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The overwhelming majority Member States have expressed their determination to conclude such a treaty. The campaign is not about making the arms trade illegal. The right to legitimate individual and collective self-defence is a fundamental principle, and it requires that States have the means to implement it. However, we also have a responsibility to ensure that the arms trade is carried out with the greatest possible degree of transparency and will not serve to oppress populations, unleash wars of aggression or perpetuate violence directed against defenceless populations. With respect to the elements covered by such a treaty, Belgium attaches particular importance to the question of child soldiers, as their recruitment is, in fact, a war crime.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“That is why our country, together with the Netherlands and Slovenia, is pursuing an initiative to conclude a multilateral instrument strengthening legal international cooperation to prosecute such crimes. I would also like to emphasize the importance of recording civilian casualties, which is an essential aspect of accountability. Belgium shares the view that that tool should be further developed and implemented on the ground. On the basis of my personal experience, I would like to add that the Peacebuilding Commission can also make a useful contribution to efforts to promote accountability, and should be further encouraged in that respect. Finally, with respect to the protection of civilians, I would also like to mention the arms trade treaty, in as much as the relevant final negotiations will take place next month.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“That is why Belgium is among those calling for the situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court. In Syria as elsewhere, the Security Council is also called upon to encourage and assist the authorities in establishing national mechanisms for justice. Moreover, Belgium calls on all parties involved in other conflicts - I am thinking in particular ofMali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo - to respect the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and human rights. It is our view that national prosecutions of those who have violated international law require effective and more sustained international legal cooperation.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The statement, which we hope will be supported by as many States as possible, will recall, on the one hand, that the principles of international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties, with particular focus on access to medical care for all persons in need, and, on the other hand, that all ofus, as States, must ensure respect for those principles by using our influence with the parties involved. My second point has to do with a major component of the protection of civilians, namely, the principle of accountability for perpetrators of grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. Here again, I must, unfortunately, mention the Syrian Arab Republic. We are counting on the Security Council to ensure that, one day, justice is done in Syria.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Furthermore, we regret the fact that the Council was unable, at the beginning of February, to issue a press statement in support of the pressing calls by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for greater access by the United Nations to all of Syria. Over the past few months, Belgium has been shocked, as has been the rest of the international community, by the unimaginable violations of international humanitarian law in Syria and has taken action to encourage all parties to the conflict to respect and fully protect access to medical care and medical centres. With other partners who share that concern, Belgium is currently working in Geneva to draw up a joint statement for the Syrian Humanitarian Forum, which will meet on 19 February.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“First of all, as the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic reaches unprecedented levels of horror, Belgium would like to recall the clear terms ofresolution 1894 (2009), whereby the Security Council expressed "its willingness to respond to situations of armed conflict where civilians are being targeted or humanitarian assistance to civilians is being deliberately obstructed, including through the consideration of appropriate measures at the Security Council's disposal in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations" (resolution 1894 (2009), para. 4). Belgium calls on the Council to undertake its responsibilities in order to find a solution to the Syrian crisis and thus effectively support the efforts of the Joint Special Representative, Mr. Brahimi.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium is grateful to you, Mr. President, for your initiative to convene this debate on a question that has to do with the very raison d'etre of the United Nations. Being a civilian, whether a journalist, doctor, nurse, woman, girl or child, can today be truly nightmarish in conflict situations. The international community must therefore deal with that issue. We associate ourselves fully with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union. I would like to make a statement in my national capacity on three specific issues, namely, humanitarian access, accountability and the future arms trade treaty.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917Resumption1 (2013) · source
“I express the hope that we will have the opportunity to continue the discussion within the Security Council on the relationship between the Council and the International Criminal Court.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Finally, I would like to mention the initiative of Switzerland aimed at asking the Security Council to initiate investigations into all allegations of serious crimes committed in Syria, regardless of their perpetrators, and do everything possible so that those responsible for the crimes in question are prosecuted and punished. A referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court is one possible approach in that regard. Belgium therefore supports the Swiss initiative and calls on other States committed to the fight against impunity in the world to join the 35 others that have already signed on to it. In conclusion, Mr. President, I would like once again to warmly thank you and your country for having taken the initiative to hold today's debate.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“On the one hand, States would have to adopt legislation and adequate resources at the national level to enable effective prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide. On the other hand, it is essential that they have the legal tools necessary for full inter-State judicial cooperation in the matter, given the multitude of extraneous elements in prosecutions. It is within the framework of that last point that Belgium, in conjunction with the Netherlands and Slovenia, is launching a new initiative to negotiate a new international instrument on mutual legal assistance and extradition in those areas.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“In addition, Belgium wishes to reiterate how much it regrets that the Security Council places the financial burden of investigations and prosecutions arising from the two referrals on the State parties alone. It calls on the States Members ofthe United Nations to take collective responsibility in order to enable the International Criminal Court to fulfil its mandate as is appropriate. Secondly, in accordance with the principle of complementarity, the Security Council may first request the competent national authorities to investigate and prosecute serious crimes of concern at the international level, instead of referring them right away to the International Criminal Court. Complementarity will only be fully implemented by States under two conditions.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“However, the Council's unwillingness to respond when the Court informs it of non-cooperation by some States in cases referred to it harms its credibility and is, for Belgium, a cause for concern. The cooperation of States is essential to the proper functioning of the Court. The Security Council should encourage all Member States to cooperate fully with the Court in its investigations and prosecutions with which it has been entrusted. Generally, a regular interactive dialogue between the Security Council and the International Criminal Court about challenges that both institutions face could usefully contribute to strengthening synergies and the coherence of their action.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Although mass atrocities amounting to crimes under the Rome Statute very often are threats to peace and security, the very existence of the International Criminal Court has a preventive effect fully consistent with the vocation of the Security Council. The Council, too, has repeatedly reaffirmed its strong opposition to impunity for the perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. I shall restrict myself to making three points. First, the fact that the Security Council is increasingly including provisions related to the International Criminal Court in its resolutions on specific countries is a positive development.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium fully associates itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union. My delegation, acting in its national capacity, would like to make some additional remarks. Today's thematic debate provides us a unique opportunity to comment on the relationship between the Security Council and the International Criminal Court a decade after the Court came into being. In handing down its first verdict in the Lubanga case, the International Criminal Court has confirmed its commitment to being at the forefront of the fight against impunity. In that struggle, the cooperation between the Security Council and the International Criminal Court is essential. That relationship promotes the rule of law, encourages respect for human rights and contributes to the establishment of lasting peace.”
2012-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6849Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Allowing the United Nations access in situations of concern, and allowing it to report and verify incidents of violations against children, is, in Belgium's View, merely part of a correct implementation of the sovereignty principle.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“I have two final comments. First, Belgium would like to launch an appeal to the wider United Nations membership, and to the members of the Security Council in particular, to support, without any hesitation or reluctance, the mandate of the Special Representative as it stands. The interests of children worldwide will only be served, and their rights protected, when children at last cease to be helpless victims in the cynical game of power politics. Let me also react to statements we have heard in this Chamber with regard to national sovereignty. For my country, it is crystal clear that sovereignty, as a matter of principle, should never, ever be invoked in order to deprive children of the protection they deserve, since sovereignty is a means for a State to protect its own citizens, whatever their age.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Belgium also welcomes the increased cooperation on the issue of children in armed conflict with regional organizations, such as the European Union and NATO, in particular in the field of training, awareness-raising and conduct of operations. My delegation encourages Ms. Zerrougui to strengthen this type of cooperation with other organizations, such as the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Lastly, Belgium wishes to reiterate its support for the joint universal ratification campaign of the Special Representative, UNICEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. My delegation encourages all States that have not yet done so to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement on children in armed conflict.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Belgium also shares the concern of the Secretary- General and the Special Representative concerning the use of explosive weapons, especially in densely populated areas. We deplore that explosive weapons have been used in direct physical attacks against schools and hospitals. Those acts constitute a grave violation of children's rights. Belgium strongly supports the concrete recommendations made by the Special Representative regarding the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effect in populated areas, and calls for the universalization of the relevant international instruments, including the Conventions on the prohibition of antipersonnel mines and cluster munitions.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“The conviction of Thomas Lubanga by the International Criminal Court on the issue of child recruitment can undoubtedly be considered as a landmark judgment in the efforts to combat impunity. But there are also challenges. And the biggest challenge lies, no doubt, in the increasing number of persistent perpetrators who deliberately continue to ignore the resolutions of the Security Council. In our opinion, the Security Council has no other option than to increase even further the pressure on those persistent perpetrators of grave violations against children and to continue considering the application of targeted measures against the criminals. That is simply an issue of accountability for grave Violations against children, and as we all know accountability is a deterrent.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Important successes have indeed been achieved towards preventing the commission of grave violations, by the signing of several new action plans, which are key tools in protecting children from current and future abuse. Belgium was particularly satisfied to learn from the Special Representative's statement to the Human Rights Council last week that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has committed itself to the signing of an action plan with the United Nations to end the recruitment of and sexual violence against children in the security services of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My delegation does hope that this commitment will materialize soon. Significant progress has also been made in the fight against impunity.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Leila Zerrougui on her recent appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. As a long-term supporter of the mandate, Belgium and my delegation are looking forward to working closely with her and with her office. We welcome the annual report of the Secretary- General (S/2012/261), as well as the report prepared by Ambassador De La Sabliere, whom my delegation would also like to commend. Ambassador De La Sabliere was one of the first supporters of the cause of children in armed conflict and his commitment is unabated to this day. The annual report of the Secretary-General speaks of progress made and of challenges that remain in addressing grave violations committed against children in armed conflict. It is a balanced but realistic approach to that important issue.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for allowing my delegation to take the floor during this debate and for Germany's leadership on this issue. Belgium aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union. My delegation also fully supports what was said on behalf of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict. Like so many other delegations, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere and profound gratitude and admiration for the work of former Special Representative Radhika Coomaraswamy. Her efforts and commitment have greatly contributed to the advancement of the issue of children and armed conflict on the United Nations and indeed the international agenda. My delegation would also like to congratulate Ms.”
2012-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6838Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Peacebuilding is one of the key pillars of this new strategy, which will involve efforts on the part of the Government as well as of its international partners in the years ahead. It is important that this strategy also win a broad national consensus. As Chair of the country-specific configuration on the Central African Republic, I would like to reiterate here to the Government of that country that we are ready and willing to continue to support it in the period ahead in terms of mobilizing funds for the areas of the strategy that would contribute to peacebuilding. In that context, the Government will need to identify its priorities and present realistic numbers.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“Good governance and the fight against corruption are important priorities that the Government has highlighted in its general policy statement to the National Assembly. In the area of good governance, there needs to be an improvement in public finance management in order to restore relations with the International Monetary Fund. The PBC encourages the initiative of the Prime Minister to hold a national workshop on fighting corruption in order to raise the awareness of all components of the nation with respect to this major problem. The National Assembly has major oversight responsibilities in this area. The final point I would like to raise concerns the transition from the previous national poverty reduction strategy to the new one.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“Vogt, the holding of the 2011 elections led to a major political reshuffling that resulted in the principal opposition parties leaving the National Assembly and gave the presidential party a broad parliamentary majority. In late November, the Government's holding of an inclusive workshop on electoral reform made clear its awareness of the importance of policies that are based on seeking a broad-based consensus. Beyond electoral reform, the Peacebuilding Commission encourages the Government to extend this inclusive approach to all of the primary areas of public policy. The opposition should also be constructive in terms of its approach to dialogue with the Government, despite its having boycotted the elections, which proved to be counterproductive.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“Those militias not only pose an immediate threat to the security of the people but also hinder the completion of the DDR process. Furthermore, those groups represent a threat to peace and security throughout the region. The summits convened by subregional organizations provide the heads of State of neighbouring countries with an important opportunity to address the problem of subregional insecurity and its impact on Central Africa. The maintenance of the subregional force - the Mission for the Consolidation of Peace in the Central African Republic - beyond its current mandate would appear to be one of the appropriate measures. My second point concerns the political climate and good governance. As was recalled by Ms.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“It is now urgent to secure the funding necessary to complete the DDR process and avert a resumption of hostilities. The Peacebuilding Fund and the World Bank, inter alia, are currently considering ways of contributing to this financing. However, this appeal is addressed also to other potential donors. Security in the Central African Republic is closely linked to that in the subregion, and vice versa. The current subregional context could undo the fragile progress that has been achieved. The presence of foreign armed groups, in particular the Lord's Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony, and the Front populaire pour le redressement, led by Baba Ladde, continue to destabilize Central Africa considerably. In addition, new mercenaries from Libya are often joining foreign armed groups.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“Vogt pointed out, the Government has made considerable progress in terms of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of armed groups in the north-west part of the country, and brought the Convention des patriotes pour la justice et la paix (CPJP) to the negotiating table so as to enable it to become a party to the Libreville Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Full attention is now being devoted to the reintegration of ex-combatants. However, financing such reintegration remains a major and pressing challenge. It was the promise of support for reintegration that enabled the Government to disarm and demobilize rebel combatants in the north-west of the country and to sign a ceasefire agreement with the CPJP, and it is the implementation of that pledge that will enable the reintegration process to be successful.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“I should like, through this briefing, to outline the situation in terms of peacebuilding and the resulting prospects for the future, on the basis in particular of a visit to the field that I undertook in October, when I headed a delegation from the country-specific configuration for the Central African Republic. In that context, I should like to touch on three issues that involve both opportunities and risks: the security situation and its subregional dimension; the political climate; and the emerging new strategic vision of the Government. First, with respect to the security situation, as Ms.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for permitting me to address the Security Council once again in my capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) country-specific configuration for the Central African Republic. I fully endorse the statement made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Vogt, and I welcome here the presence of the Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, His Excellency Mr. Touadera. I believe that his presence here attests to the importance that his Government attaches to cooperation with the United Nations and with the international community as a whole. I should like to take this opportunity to convey to both of them my appreciation for their vision and their commitment and for the spirit of partnership in which they carry out their work with the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2011-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6687 (2011) · source
“Improving the Security Council's working methods is clearly one aspect of the ongoing negotiations in the intergovernmental negotiations in the General Assembly, just as it is an issue under consideration by this Council. (spoke in French) Finally, as others have done before me, I would like to congratulate the President on the way he has chaired this Council throughout November. He has handled this very heavy task with a great deal of authority and elegance.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, currently under German chairmanship, has granted access to the Chairs of PBC configurations, because issues such as child soldiers and gender-based violence against children are, all too often, common practice in countries on the agenda of the PBC. That practice of granting access to a subsidiary organ should be generalized and should be adopted as a general rule by all subsidiary organs, as appropriate. The Netherlands and Belgium have taken on an active role in the debate on wider Security Council reform. I believe that our statement of last Monday during the first exchange of views during the eighth round of intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform clearly underlined our common strong commitment to Security Council reform in all its aspects.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In recent years, Security Council debates have focused on climate change, international crime, terrorism, piracy, diseases, natural resources and other so-called "new" issues that affect international peace and security. We would like to encourage the Council to consult even more broadly than it has done so far. Fourthly, the Netherlands and Belgium strongly believe that there is potential for more inclusive and more transparent working methods in the subsidiary organs. Those organs prepare Council decisions and can thus only benefit from external advice at their level. Let me give one example.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The same goes for the Chairs of Peacebuilding configurations, who could similarly contribute in an even more effective way to the deliberations of the Council with regard to the country on the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) agenda. A similar reflection can be made with regard to the need for increased interaction between the Security Council, troop- and police-contributing countries and the Secretariat. That type of interaction would be particularly welcome prior to the deployment and after the return of technical assessment missions. Thirdly, the notion of peace and security today encompasses a far broader scope than it did 65 years ago.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“A way to enhance the transparency and the inclusiveness of the Security Council's work would be to invite countries regarding which issues are being debated but that are not members of the Security Council to contribute to Council debates of particular importance and under a formula to be decided on an ad hoc basis. By doing so, the Security Council would give a fair and decent chance to countries to put their point of view forward. After hearing such a country, the Security Council can still discuss the issues at stake in a restricted debate among its own members without the country concerned having to be present.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“That modern approach to working methods enhances not only interaction with Member States, but also the potential to increase the Council's outreach towards regional organizations, civil society and interested individuals. Secondly, the Netherlands and Belgium see room for further improvements when it comes to country- specific debates. It is the task of the Security Council to discuss challenges in specific countries. However, sometimes, the country concerned is not included in those discussions, when their [presence really matters.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The Netherlands and Belgium wish to fully respect the powers of the Security Council and its members, permanent and elected, as set out in the Charter. First, let us encourage the monthly presidencies of the Council to take whatever action needed, within their powers, in order to enhance the transparency, the outreach towards the wider United Nations membership and the efficiency of the Council. In recent times, inventive and creative presidencies have taken welcome steps in that direction, which deserve to become more common practice. There are now more public briefings, more public debates, more Arria Formula meetings and more informal interactive dialogues. That is much appreciated by the wider membership.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In other words, we do not want the working methods debate to come to a halt because there is no movement or progress on the other chapters of the Security Council reform agenda currently being debated in the General Assembly. In your concept note, Sir, you invite the wider membership to come up with practical suggestions aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency and Council interaction with United Nations members at large that could make a difference in the day-to-day Security Council business. The Netherlands and Belgium would like to submit some very concrete ideas, it being understood that none of those ideas, if implemented, would encroach on the decision-making power of the Security Council.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It is good to remind ourselves that the Council today operates under new, better and more transparent working methods than before. So there has been movement, there is movement and, hopefully, there will continue to be movement, be it incremental and sometimes discreet, but definitely movement. The Netherlands and Belgium would like to commend both the permanent members and the successive elected members of the Council on their efforts in that regard. The Netherlands and Belgium want to stress that fact, because we do not want the further development of better working methods to become hostage to a lack of progress in the wider debate on Security Council reform.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I have the honour to address the Council on behalf of the Netherlands and Belgium. First of all, I would like to thank Portugal, as President of the Security Council, for having convened this debate. It reminds me of a debate that I had the honour to preside over in August 2008, which was dedicated to the same theme (see S/PV.5968). We would also like to express our gratitude to Bosnia and Herzegovina and to Japan for steering this agenda in 2011 and before. In recent years, real and encouraging improvements have been made in the working methods of the Security Council. Your concept note (S/2011/726, annex), Mr. President, makes that very clear, and rightly so. The debates on working methods have already produced results.”
2011-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6672Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I wish in particular to commend the decision of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Bangui to strengthen the work of the United Nations to protect children as soon as she arrived a few weeks ago. Her team has already made a very important initial step by relaunching the work of the technical- level inter-agency group on the monitoring and reporting mechanism on grave child rights violations. The mechanism is finally up and running in Bangui. In conclusion, I wish to welcome the efforts of the Government of the Central African Republic to set up a national council for the protection of children, and I encourage it to implement the recommendations in the first report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Central Africa (S/2009/66), especially in the area of children and armed conflict.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Fifthly and finally, I wish to underscore the existence of two categories of child victims of armed conflicts who do not receive the attention they deserve: children born of rape, who are often treated as pariahs by society, and those who witnessed the rapes of their mothers, their sisters or other members of their family. To date this is a forgotten matter in the Central African Republic, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere. I know that Ms. Coomeraswamy is aware of the existence of these two categories, who have so far been forgotten or neglected, and is determined to give them all necessary attention.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“While the Council prepares to include attacks against schools and hospitals as a criterion to be taken into account, it must be remembered that strengthening the system at the level of principle, an expansion of triggers, is not sufficient. We should also ensure that those who work to protect children have the necessary resources and capabilities to carry out their duties. Without that, the gap between the observed needs and the support provided will only widen in countries such as the Central African Republic, where attacks against schools and hospitals are undeniably still being perpetrated today.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Thirdly, in the north-east of the country, on 12 June the Government concluded a ceasefire agreement with the Convention des patriotes pour la justice et la paix, the CPJP. Through that agreement, which should facilitate humanitarian access, one of the recommendations of the latest report of the Secretary- General on children and armed conflict in the Central African Republic (S/2011/241) is taking effect. And that is my third point: the reports of the Special Representative are having tangible effects. Fourthly, given the enormity of the challenges in terms of protecting children, I noted, during my numerous visits to Bangui, that the United Nations system is lacking in resources and capabilities.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The communities who welcome them also need humanitarian support, instruction and medical care, and just as urgently. Above all, this problem requires a regional response. Secondly, in the north-west of the country, more than 500 children have been demobilized from the ranks of the Armee populaire pour la restauration de la Republique et la democratie, the APRD. Nonetheless, there is still no assistance provided for these children through a reintegration programme that would go beyond, and last longer than, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. That is my second point: the demobilization of child soldiers must go hand-in-hand with reintegration programmes.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Moreover, I would like to congratulate the German presidency of the Council and you yourself, Sir, as well as the other members of the Council for its important decisions. As you know, Belgium was happy to co-sponsor this resolution. I would like to illustrate the topic of this debate with the case of children in the Central African Republic, on the basis of my experience as Chairman of the Central African Republic configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. Regarding the situation throughout the Central African Republic, I would like to very briefly make five points. First, with respect to the LRA - the Lord's Resistance Army - it still runs rampant in the south- east of the country, where it is to this day recruiting children as soldiers or sex slaves. Those who manage to escape it are in urgent need of psycho-social support.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank you, Sir, for having organized this important event, which underscores once again the importance that the Security Council and the entire international community give to the protection of children who are victims of armed conflict. Belgium welcomes the excellent report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/250) that Ms. Coomaraswamy presented to us and the practical recommendations that it contains. 1 would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her tireless commitment. We welcome with enthusiasm the establishment of the fourth criterion for acknowledgement, namely recurrent attacks against schools or hospitals. This development is an important step in terms of strengthening the normative framework regarding children and armed conflicts.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I encouraged the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Sexual Violence in Conflict to again Visit the Central African Republic this year in order to assess the situation on the ground, which, I reiterate, remains very worrying and deserves the full attention not only of the Commission but also ofthe Council.”
2011-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6575 (2011) · source
“For its part, the Commission will pursue its efforts to mobilize the support of existing and potential partners for peacebuilding projects. Before concluding, I would also like to emphasize an issue that is important both to me personally and to the German presidency of the Council - the situation of women and children in areas of conflict in the Central African Republic. That situation is still very serious in some areas. During my last visit to Bangui in April, I had the opportunity to stress the urgency of setting up a reporting and monitoring mechanism for children and armed conflict. On my return to New York, I briefed the Security Council's Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, which you chair, Mr. President.”
2011-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6575 (2011) · source