YouSaid · the spoken record

Heller

lines on the record: 1,079
first: 2007-04-17
most recent: 2011-07-12
sittings or episodes: 140
sources: un-security-council

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“Mr. Heller (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): Mexico would like to thank the Secretary-General for the sixth report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which includes important recommendations for strengthening the framework of protection that the Security Council could offer, as well as the United Nations system as a whole, to its activity on the ground. We are concerned to see that, even though the number of conflicts has declined, the situations of armed violence are still a threat to the stability of some regions of the world and that civilians are still the target of indiscriminate attacks, in direct contravention of the obligations of States under international law.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) was the outcome of the political resolve of the members of the Security Council to provide protection for the millions of women affected by armed conflict. The time has come to translate the resolution into real action on the ground.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We have therefore contributed to the work it is doing to ensure the participation of women from civil society in Haiti's peace process, which could be a model in other situations. Before I conclude, I would like to express Mexico's deep concern at the growing number of cases of sexual abuse against women during armed conflict, and even in the process of peacebuilding. Such recent cases as those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sudan and Iraq, to mention a few, cannot be tolerated either by the Governments of those countries or by the international community. The international community must take concrete steps to eradicate such practices.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Sixth, we must establish across-the-board mandatory training programmes in gender issues for United Nations staff working in the areas of peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. Seventh, we must put in place effective domestic legislative frameworks to eradicate impunity and establish educational programmes and awareness- raising campaigns on the issue of women's rights, in order to eliminate cultural prejudices against women and empower women to defend themselves against abuses to which they may be subject. Eighth, and last, we must systematically include women - especially from non-governmental organizations - in the taking of decisions during peace and reconstruction processes. Mexico commends the experience of UNIFEM. in that regard.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Third, we must strengthen the International Criminal Court, so that, as feasible, it can try those guilty of sexual violence in the context of armed conflict - which is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute. Fourth, we must implement measures in all areas to ensure security and access for humanitarian personnel to populations in need of assistance in conflict areas. Fifth, there is a need for sustained cooperation and coordination between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and United Nations bodies carrying out programmes to benefit women on the ground, such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Population Fund.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“It is for that reason that implementing the commitments contained in resolution 1325 (2000) cannot be seen as a matter limited solely to ensuring the protection of part of society, but rather as a precondition for achieving sustainable peace for all. Carrying out that task requires short-, medium- and long-term measures. I shall now refer to those that Mexico believes to be the most urgent. First, there is a need to ratify and unconditionally implement the existing international framework - especially as regards international humanitarian law - including human rights instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Second, all peacekeeping operations approved by the Security Council should include mandates with regard to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“It is only through joint implementation of concerted efforts at the international and national levels that we will be able to achieve substantial benefits for women affected by armed conflict. Women are not passive actors in highly complex emergency situations. They are nevertheless especially vulnerable to the marginalization, poverty and psychological and physical violence that such situations entail. Moreover, women often become targets of war, as they are perceived to embody the cultural and ethnic identities of their societies. In becoming pillars of their communities in times of conflict, their well-being and integrity are intrinsically bound up with the protection of men and children.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We appreciate the progress made and the work done by the Organization in the area of capacity building to improve the protection of women's rights, as well as its efforts to develop a methodology that will make possible more accurate measurement of the progress made in this field. However, we are concerned that the will that has been expressed in that regard has not resulted in an integrated and coordinated strategy, either within the United Nations system or in affected States, that would make it possible to overcome the diffused nature of efforts undertaken. We completely agree that countries themselves have a great deal of responsibility for mainstreaming the gender perspective into peace and security issues.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Heller (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): Mexico would like to commend you, Mr. President, for convening this recurring open debate on women, peace and security. We would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2007/567) on recent activities with regard to that issue. In the seven years that have transpired since the historic adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), many countries, international organizations and civil society organizations have spoken in the Security Council to reaffirm their commitment to achieve the full implementation of the resolution.”
2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Clear rules must be defined, according to which the Security Council would be able to authorize relevant resolutions under Chapters VI or VII to act against such crimes, while guaranteeing respect for international law. That is a task of primary importance for the General Assembly, in which the Mexican delegation is ready to play an active role.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“While some States see in the new principle the mere continuance of interventionist policies aimed at destabilizing political regimes, others promote its application in a selective manner, limiting its scope to cases significant for their foreign policy interests. For that reason, it is essential that States commit to reaching new agreements that give true content to such an important principle in an objective and impartial manner. One of the lessons learned from the atrocities of the past decade in the Balkans and Rwanda, among other conflicts, is that the United Nations must not remain passive and indifferent when faced with situations that threaten to become new humanitarian tragedies - hence, the importance of strengthening the response mechanisms of the United Nations in order to combat genocide and other crimes against humanity.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“Almost two years later, we have witnessed enormous difficulties in the application of that principle in concrete situations and in translating the spirit that led to its adoption into actions that have a genuine impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The resolutions adopted on the situation in Darfur illustrate the difficulties encountered in that respect and the diplomatic inertia to which the Secretary-General recently alluded in a press article. We all know that the debate about the responsibility to protect involves fundamental principles of international law. Despite the consensus reached in 2005, we cannot deny that an atmosphere of mistrust prevails over that subject.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“Subjects such as the international protection of internally displaced persons and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in conflicts have not been sufficiently addressed by the international community. Therefore, Mexico considers it important that Member States carefully consider the practical and tangible measures associated with the implementation of the Action Plan. One of the practical outcomes of the 2005 Summit was the adoption in the Outcome Document of the principle of the responsibility of the international community to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“In the same way, the provisions of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1502 (2003), on women, peace and security and on the protection of humanitarian personnel, respectively, must be systematically integrated into all relevant mandates provided for in resolutions on armed conflict adopted by the Council. Fifthly, concerning the full implementation of the 10-point action plan, the plan was introduced by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and offers a comprehensive strategy to support the protection of civilians in armed conflict. However, its provisions constitute for the most part a declaration of good intentions, given the few commitments by States towards its implementation.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“In that regard, it is imperative that the Council ensure that deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel in the field do not go unpunished and that all parties to a conflict guarantee the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel to affected civilian populations. Fourthly, concerning the strengthening of coordination and clear mandates, we must encourage broader coordination within the United Nations between the Department for Peacekeeping Operations and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and between those parts of the Secretariat and regional organizations, in order to make the protection of civilians in armed conflict a central objective of the respective mandates. That also requires the provision of the necessary resources and staff appropriately trained to respond to the needs on the ground.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“The Court's success is intrinsically linked to the need to prevent the recurrence of deliberate attacks against civilian populations and to prevent that practice in other conflicts. The strengthening of the Court has been reflected in the increasing number of cases under its consideration. We encourage the Security Council to appeal to the Court whenever the particular conditions of a conflict so justify. Thirdly, with regard to the protection of humanitarian personnel, violence against humanitarian personnel constitutes a war crime and directly affects civilians as it deprives them of the necessary assistance for their survival and consequently increases their suffering.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“My delegation therefore believes that a comprehensive strategy should be put in place to address the most important aspects so as to ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict, on the basis of the following principles. First, there must be respect for humanitarian law. It is imperative that the Security Council and the relevant regional organizations require the parties to conflict to abide by the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols, in particular the provisions of common article 3, which already constitute customary law. Secondly, with regard to strengthening the rule of law and the fight against impunity, the creation of the International Criminal Court represents an unprecedented development because it complements the efforts of national jurisdictions to bring to justice those who commit crimes against humanity.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“Gender-based violence continues to be an issue of particular concern, as is the fact that women are victims of sexual abuse and that a large percentage of the children recruited by militias are girls, who are also victims of violence and forced labour. Impunity prevails for those responsible for the many atrocities committed against the civilian population in the vast majority of armed conflicts, given that all too frequently the perpetrators are never brought to justice. Not only does our Organization have a moral responsibility to eradicate such practices, but, over the past few years, it has also given itself the necessary tools to do so. It is vital that the organized international community send a clear message that it will not tolerate disregard of the basic norms of international humanitarian law or of human rights.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“Mr. Heller (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): The delegation of Mexico would like to express its appreciation for the timely organization of this open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, given the increasing number of civilian casualties in various regions of the world as a result of either collateral damage or deliberate military targeting by groups or other actors in conflict. As we hold this debate, hundreds of civilians are dying in conflicts as diverse as those in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Gaza Strip, Iraq, Somalia and the Sudan - to mention just a few of the most obvious examples widely covered by the mass media. In the context of such countless human losses, it is the most vulnerable groups, including women and children, who suffer the effects of armed conflicts.”
2007-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5703 (2007) · source
“In the present United Nations reform process, we have agreed on the objective of ensuring the coherence of actions taken within the Organization. Consistent with that spirit, we should strengthen the operation of the bodies of the system that affect or could affect these matters, such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the conferences of States parties to the relevant international conventions and other instruments and mechanisms. The delegation of Mexico is prepared to make a contribution in that regard.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In the Mexican delegation's View, although the threats under review are urgent, the possibility of conferring on the Security Council the responsibility to adopt preventive measures that are the province of the specialized forums and other entities, would confuse the content and scope of the duties adopted under the various international legal instruments to which we are signatories, while also eroding the Council's efficiency regarding the maintenance of international peace and security. In any case, the action of the Security Council could be oriented towards buttressing the call for the fulfilment of the political commitment that each Member State has assumed on this matter, and towards ensuring that the organs and other entities of the system are mobilized with greater determination.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“States and international and regional organizations must be able to shoulder their responsibilities in their respective spheres. The Government of Mexico has taken the institutional decisions necessary to confront the consequences of climate change and to fulfil the international obligations it has undertaken. However, in our deliberations, we must be clear about the role that the various institutions of the United Nations system should play. When identifying the risks in the three areas under consideration - energy, security and climate - it is also appropriate to identify the competent forums and bodies that should deal with them. We should not forget that, when it comes to energy, the international community lacks an organization in which all States can reconcile their divergent interests.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“There will be no genuine security if we do not promote common solutions to the challenges we face on energy and climate change. It will not be possible to avoid the economic and human costs of the adverse effects of global warming or its potential impact in the form of conflicts of a new nature. The urgency of the situation demands increased international cooperation on the formation of a new political consensus on a coordinated response to the inherent challenges to global security. Today's meeting constitutes a valuable exercise that undoubtedly contributes to generating increased awareness and a comprehensive vision of the threats that could appear if the international community does not act in a timely manner.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The increase in the global population, which by mid-century will stabilize at almost 9 billion, will aggravate the current situation of poverty in which one third of humanity lives, while also increasing pressure on the biosphere and its capacity for biomass renewal and environmental services. The spread of poverty and inequality, if not reversed, will inevitably lead to more social conflicts and to migratory pressures that are more pronounced than those we know today. Such migration will be from the zones of the planet that are the poorest and the most affected by climate change towards the most developed areas, with the resulting tensions and risks for millions of people living in conditions of extreme vulnerability.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“According to current estimates, by 2030 global energy consumption will have increased by more than 50 per cent from today's levels. To satisfy such increased needs while maintaining global security, we must move to a sustainable energy base that includes a growing share of renewable energy sources and promote the development of cleaner and more efficient energy technologies. Furthermore, as has been said, climate change would continue to intensify extreme weather phenomena - cyclones, hurricanes, heat waves and droughts - creating humanitarian emergencies in many of our countries and increasing the human and economic costs associated with them.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Likewise, the envisioned impact of climate change would put at risk the existing oil and electrical industry infrastructure. Failing to factor the climatic variable into energy management in the future would reduce our ability to mitigate and adapt to the phenomenon in the years to come. With regard to demand, climate change would alter our energy requirements and patterns of production and consumption of various goods and services, leading to distortions in the productive sectors, with a consequent impact on the global economy. Such considerations make clear the need to adapt climate change models and scenarios to future socio-economic and energy requirements. Moreover, current challenges require us to redouble our efforts to reduce reliance on coal in the global economy.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“With regard to the issue of supply, climate change would result in a shortage of natural resources, since there would be a reduction in the quality and quantity of water available for human consumption, agriculture and electric energy generation, as well as in the amount of arable land, along with a deterioration in biodiversity and bioenergy in most of the tropics. Furthermore, such a trend would coincide with a historic decline in the availability of fossil fuels and an increase in the difficulty of gaining access to them. That could lead to an increase in the number of conflicts in unstable areas as a result of the rush to gain access to available reserves. That would create a geopolitical environment shaped by the availability of alternative sources of energy and by the capacity to access appropriate technologies for their use.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Throughout history, energy has been a strategic resource for human progress. The use of fossil fuels, including coal, as the principal sources of energy has allowed us to increase our capacity for development. However, today we know that it also endangers our common future. The most recent scientific consensus confirms that a significant number of natural systems have been affected by climate change and that global warming has undoubtedly had an influence on physical and biological systems. Climate change represents a serious and growing threat to the sustainable development and life of the planet. Its impact will have direct repercussions on energy supply and demand.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Mr. Heller (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having including this public debate in the Council's April programme of work. The issues of security, energy and climate change have usually been dealt with separately. However, a comprehensive analysis of the linkages between those subjects must be undertaken if we are to forge a global understanding and formulate policies that allow us to confront the threat posed to international peace and stability. The United Nations system, as it is a reflection of the will of Member States, is the proper forum for the discussion of these challenges confronting the international community. The development and well-being of all nations can be guaranteed only if well-founded measures are taken in a multilateral and concerted manner in the relevant forums.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663Resumption1 (2007) · source