YouSaid · the spoken record

Gunnarsdettir

lines on the record

24

first

2011-07-20

most recent

2013-10-22

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

1. “In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that this time the negotiations must result in two States, living side by side in peace and security. That is the only way forward for both parties.”

   2013-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7047 (2013) · source

2. “It is extremely important that the peace process provide tangible results, while respecting the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination as well as Israel's right to exist within safe and secure borders. But time is short. The continuing settlement activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are an obstacle to peace and may well make a two-State solution impossible. The international community, including the Security Council, must address the situation and do its utmost to prevent ongoing violations of human rights and humanitarian law on the ground. That includes addressing the continuing settlement activities, which are not confined to the construction of new homes for settlers but also include new roads and infrastructure as well as demolitions and eviction orders.”

   2013-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7047 (2013) · source

3. “It is therefore vital that journalists be granted free access, so that they can report without obstruction. They have a right to the same protection as civilians, as the Council recognized in resolution 1738 (2006). In Syria, however, they are operating under extremely dangerous circumstances, with 28 journalists killed in the country last year. That has to change, and journalists' freedom of movement throughout the country, as well as a non-discriminatory visa policy for them, as called for in the six-point plan, must be respected. The situation in the Middle East cannot be separated from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which remains a key issue. We welcome the renewed peace talks between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine, and commend Secretary Kerry for his commitment.”

   2013-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7047 (2013) · source

4. “We welcome resolution 2118 (2013), which requires the verification and destruction of chemical-weapon stockpiles in Syria. We also welcome efforts to convene a second Geneva conference in November. In the light of the open debate on women and peace and security in the Security Council last Friday (see S/PV.7044), Iceland would like to stress the importance of women as mediators and their role at the negotiating table. Women's participation in peace negotiations is fundamental to ensuring results, and now is the time to put our words into action and have women actively involved in a Geneva conference, to ensure that their rights will be protected and promoted in any future political solution in Syria. Journalists are our eyes and ears in conflict zones.”

   2013-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7047 (2013) · source

5. “More than two and a half years ago, the unrest in Syria began, with unforeseen, horrific consequences. A country is in ruins. Iceland condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria in the strongest possible terms. We also condemn all other violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the country, regardless of the perpetrators. The latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/24/46) states that the perpetrators of those violations and crimes, on all sides, do not fear accountability and that referral to justice is imperative. Iceland agrees, and reiterates its request to the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.”

   2013-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7047 (2013) · source

6. “"We exist." That is a phrase from an appeal sent by Palestinians living in and around the E-l area asking relevant parties to advocate on their behalf that they not be evicted from their homes and displaced again. "We exist." Those are the words of people who have again and again been victims of demolitions of their properties, rendering them and their families repeatedly homeless. "We exist" is a necessary reminder to us all that, in the end, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about a people that indeed exist and their land. Iceland would like to use this opportunity to urge the Security Council to visit the State of Palestine, to reaffirm the illegality of the settlements, to accept the State of Palestine's application for United Nations membership and, finally, to bring the parties back to the negotiation table.”

   2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906Resumption1 (2013) · source

7. “That was clearly expressed by the membership on 29 November last year, when the General Assembly, in resolution 67/ 19, welcomed the State of Palestine as a non-member observer State. That development will hopefully persuade the Security Council to take a more active role in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For too long, especially in the absence of an active peace process, the involvement of the international community has mainly been reactionary, with statements being issued on an ad hoc basis in reaction to individual actions, such as the recent decision of the Israeli Government to go ahead with building new settlements in the E-l zone. If the international community is indeed committed to the two-State solution, it has to become proactive instead of being a passive bystander.”

   2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906Resumption1 (2013) · source

8. “The Security Council has the responsibility and the tools to maintain international peace and security, and the situation calls for urgent Council action. Steps must be taken to ensure that the regime and anyone else responsible for the horrible atrocities committed will ultimately be held accountable. For that reason, Iceland was among 57 Member States that jointly sent the Security Council a letter last week requesting the Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (S/2013/19, annex). We would like to take the opportunity here today to reiterate that request. The Palestinian people enjoy overwhelming support among the United Nations membership for their inalienable right to self-determination.”

   2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906Resumption1 (2013) · source

9. “The conflict in Syria must be stopped. The Council's inability so far to unite in action weakens the prospects for peace. The conflict has already had dire consequences for Syria and the Syrian people. We are all aware of the tremendous cost, with over 60,000 people killed and the already high numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons increasing every day. The Icelandic Government, for its part, decided last week to contribute close to $200,000 to United Nations humanitarian assistance. The Security Council must take the lead in fostering a political and peaceful solution, for the sake of Syria and the Syrian people as well as for wider regional stability, which could easily be threatened should the conflict continue. Waiting is not an option.”

   2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906Resumption1 (2013) · source

10. “Iceland fully supports the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and reiterates its call on the Security Council to recommend to the General Assembly that Palestine be accepted as the 194th State Member of the United Nations.”

    2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816Resumption1 (2012) · source

11. “There is a need for a breakthrough and, under the current circumstances, that breakthrough has to come from the international community. There are plenty of avenues to be explored. In particular, the international community could send a clear message on the illegality of the settlement activities and demand their immediate halt. It could also demand the immediate lifting of the blockade on Gaza, which in itself is a collective punishment and which reached its fifth anniversary in June. The Palestinians continue to look to the United Nations, especially to the Security Council, to help them realize their right to self-determination. The Security Council should renew its commitment to settling the conflict and inform the rest of the membership of the United Nations on how it intends to proceed.”

    2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816Resumption1 (2012) · source

12. “Iceland also urges Israel to cooperate with the fact-finding team recently appointed by the Human Rights Council in Geneva to investigate the implications of the settlements for the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory. We would like to reiterate our encouragement to the members ofthe Security Council to accept the invitation to visit the occupied Palestinian territory at their earliest convenience. Such a visit would demonstrate goodwill on behalf of the Council and give Council members the necessary insight to assist them in addressing this long-standing problem. At the moment, all avenues continue to seem closed to the Palestinians, and that in itself is very serious.”

    2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816Resumption1 (2012) · source

13. “It would be unwise to assume that it can be put on the back burner much longer, with developments on the ground continuing to systematically cement the occupation and seriously undermine the two-State solution. Continued and accelerated settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem, remain the main obstacle to peace. The settlements are illegal and in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. According to the Convention, all parties are obliged to ensure respect for the Convention. As a party to the Convention, Iceland calls upon Israel to adhere to its obligations and stop all settlement activities.”

    2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816Resumption1 (2012) · source

14. “This includes Palestinian refugees. Syria is host to almost halfa million Palestinian refugees who are registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which will have growing needs for assistance should the conflict continue to deteriorate. That leads me to the question of Palestine, with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict continuing to be the core issue for peace and security in the Middle East. The situation in Palestine is unfortunately not receiving much international attention at the moment, including on the part of the Security Council. The situation is, however, far from static.”

    2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816Resumption1 (2012) · source

15. “The escalation of violence in Syria and the failure of the parties to implement the Annan peace plan are of grave concern. We were extremely disappointed by the use of the veto last week (see S/PV.6810) and strongly urge the Council to continue its deliberations with a view to reaching consensus on how best to prevent further conflict in Syria, while at the same time taking steps towards permanent peace. Those steps must address the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people without regard to ethnicity, religion or gender. Ceasefire mustbe apriority and all violence aimed at civilians must be put to an end immediately by all parties. If nothing is done, there may be very far-reaching repercussions, not only for the Syrian people, but for the whole region. The number of refugees and internally displaced persons is increasing.”

    2012-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6816Resumption1 (2012) · source

16. “In the middle of a democratic revolution brought on by the fresh breeze of the Arab Spring, we cannot deny Palestine its right to statehood. In fact, it is long overdue. Iceland reiterates its appeal to the members of the Security Council to seize the historical opportunity they have been given to contribute to the realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people for self-determination by recommending to the General Assembly that Palestine be accepted as the 194th State Member of the United Nations. There is no contradiction between Palestine seeking membership of the United Nations and the Quartet-led peace process, which we fully support. United Nations membership would be an affirmation by States Members about our commitment to the two-State solution.”

    2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source

17. “Iceland welcomed the agreement between Fatah and Hamas last spring on reconciliation, but we await further steps by the two factions. Presidential and parliamentary elections in Palestine are crucial for bringing Palestine forward, and we urge the Palestinian parties to heed the calls of their own people to work towards the realization of an agreement as soon as possible. Since I last addressed the Council (see S/PV.6636), my country has formally recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign State within the pre-1967 borders and established full diplomatic relations with it. I would like to recall that Iceland supported Israel when it brought its case to the United Nations and emerged with statehood. In our view, Palestinian demands for self-determination and statehood are equally legitimate.”

    2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source

18. “According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the weekly average of settler attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties and property damage increased by 40 per cent in 2011 as compared to 2010, and by over 165 per cent as compared to 2009. At the same time, more than 90 per cent of monitored complaints regarding settler violence filed by Palestinians with the Israeli police in recent years have been closed without indictment. We call on Israel to shoulder its obligation under international humanitarian law and human rights law to prevent attacks against civilians and their property and to ensure that all incidents of settler violence are investigated in an impartial and independent manner.”

    2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source

19. “Developments on the ground, such as the ongoing settlement activities in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, remain the key obstacle to peace. Settlement activities, which are carried out unilaterally by the occupying Power and in violation of international humanitarian law, continue to create conditions on the ground that are rapidly making the two-State solution unattainable. Time is running out, and the Council has to take that into account in its deliberations. Living under occupation in and of itself creates a security concern for the Palestinians. Settler violence, including their so-called price tag policy, has increasingly added an extra concern.”

    2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source

20. “Let me first turn to the situation in Syria. Iceland condemns the widespread human rights violations taking place in Syria. We also condemn the recent terror attacks in the country. The Syrian authorities must put an immediate end to the violence. We urge the Syrian Government to heed the call made by the Secretary-General for a credible, inclusive and legitimate Syrian-led process of comprehensive political change that will address the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people. We also urge the Security Council to do its utmost to prevent the situation in Syria from escalating and to contribute to a solution that will maintain peace and security. Turning to the question of Palestine, let me at the outset reiterate Iceland's firm support for the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-State solution.”

    2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source

21. “This will make the response to climate change more effective and appropriately contribute to greater gender equality worldwide.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

22. “Fewer water resources also have a negative effect on health, sanitation and food security, which puts an additional burden on women. Due to their social roles and responsibilities, women are also more vulnerable to natural disasters than men. The principles guiding the Security Council when it adopted its landmark resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security, must also guide the Council's work when addressing the security implications of climate change. Women should be portrayed not only as victims of climate change, but also as fundamental actors in action against it. The Council must ensure that any response to climate change takes the gender perspective into account and that both women and men are included in the debate, decision-making and implementation with regard to all aspects of climate change.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

23. “While the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change remains the primary forum for addressing climate change at the international level, the Council, in fulfilling its role in maintaining international peace and security, should recognize the threats posed by climate change and seek ways to address them and ensure the viability and sustainability of our societies. Although everyone will be affected by climate change, it is important to remember that climate change magnifies existing inequalities. Women are especially vulnerable. Rural areas in developing States and emerging economies, as well as sectors and activities traditionally associated with women, are disproportionally affected by climate change. As a result, women face greater hardships with household activities and the daily struggle for survival.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

24. “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our times. Indeed, the very existence of some Member States is in danger due to rising sea levels. In that regard, we recognize that small island developing States are especially vulnerable. Others will face serious droughts and increased frequency of extreme weather conditions. These developments and others, which are well known to all of us, will have a significant environmental, social, economic and political impact. The consequences of climate change can increase tension and potentially lead to conflict. It is therefore very timely and important for the Security Council to address the security implications of climate change.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source