YouSaid · the spoken record

Hoxha

lines on the record: 1,795
first: 2014-02-19
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 264
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

“Despite the appeals and requests, no independent bodies have been allowed to inspect the filtration camps, which in our view are an archipelago of unlawfulness, dehumanizing processes and black holes of human rights abuses where Ukrainians face torture and loyalty tests. Those who have passed through the camps have reported humiliation, verbal abuse and physical torture ranging from strip searches to electric shocks and staged mock executions, about which Ms. Drik provided spine-chilling details. According to a report recently published by Human Rights Watch, Russian and Russian-affiliated officials have forcibly transferred Ukrainian civilians in areas of Ukraine occupied temporarily by Russia or to the Russian Federation, including very remote areas. Ms.”
2022-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9126 (2022) · source
“They are facts that have been carefully and painstakingly confirmed by international institutions, independent agencies, human rights groups and professional news media, based on accurate information from interviews with people who have been deported and interrogated, as well as additional and concordant resources, including intelligence reports, verified social-media postings and satellite images. Everything confirms it, and the conclusion is beyond doubt and staggering. Russia is altering the demographic make-up of Ukraine. To put it in other terms, that is social engineering.”
2022-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9126 (2022) · source
“Mr. Hoxha (Albania) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo, Ms. Brands Kehris and Ms. Drik for their briefings, which were insightful and helpful but also very troubling. (spoke in English) One might think that there is almost no meaningful aspect of Russia’s war of choice in Ukraine that we in the Council have not discussed in the course of the past six months. But today’s topic is one. Since the beginning of the aggression, strong concerns have been raised, including by some of us — and for good reason — about the alleged deportations, interrogations and detentions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian and Russian-affiliated forces, all of them policies and actions that run counter to international humanitarian law. Our concerns are no longer allegations.”
2022-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9126 (2022) · source
“Albania condemns any act of violence perpetrated inside or near the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant or against its personnel. We fully support the recommendation of the IAEA to establish a secure perimeter around the nuclear power plant and call for its immediate implementation. Let me conclude by saying that nuclear power plants are not built to resist or survive military activity, either at the plant itself or anywhere near it. They must therefore not be turned into a military garrison or a platform for military attacks. Let us not forget that meddling with nuclear safety is tantamount to playing with fire, the kind of fire that could burn millions and lead to catastrophic consequences for the environment that would last for decades.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“We reiterate our call to the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces and all other unauthorized personnel from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, its immediate surroundings and all of Ukraine so that the Ukrainian operator can resume its sovereign responsibilities and the legitimate operating staff can conduct their duties without outside interference, threats or oppressive working conditions. We are worried that widespread infrastructure damage — a constant and ferocious feature of the ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine — and the loss of a power supply, which has happened more than once and led to the repeated switching off of reactors, will increase the threat of fire at the plant, which in turn would damage the cooling systems and lead to a nuclear meltdown. That would be dreadful.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“The situation is clear and there is no room for polemics or the blame game, and certainly not for the distorted narratives that we hear incessantly. We are called here, and not for the first time, to deal with the symptoms of a problem when we know that we need to tackle the problem’s very source. What business is it of Russia’s to attack, overrun, occupy and militarize a nuclear power plant in another country? Who is responsible for the fighting in and around the nuclear power plant in Ukraine in the first place? Why has Russia not answered the call to demilitarize the power plant, hand it over to those to whom it legally belongs — Ukraine — and agree to establish a secure perimeter in order to avoid the unthinkable? A clear and straightforward answer to those questions would help provide more clarity for us here and ease those worries.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“Just a few weeks ago, the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was unable to adopt a final document. It was another of those sad moments when diplomacy fails in its core mandate. We all know why it happened. We all know who stood alone, in complete isolation, stubbornly holding hostage the entire world, which had come together to reaffirm the importance of the NPT and its three pillars. It is therefore no surprise that we here in the Chamber, along with every nuclear expert in the world, are right to be seriously worried that the reckless actions of the Russian army may accidentally or intentionally lead to a cascade of dreadful events that will threaten not only Ukraine, its population and all of its neighbours, but also the European continent and beyond.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“It prevents the operator and the Ukrainian authorities from fulfilling their nuclear and radiation safety obligations in accordance with international conventions and IAEA safety standards. As has already been stated by the IAEA Board of Governors, “Russia’s invasion and its continued presence at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities significantly raise the risk of nuclear incidents and accidents”. The IAEA report released today confirms that assertion. As we have said here more than once, the Ukrainian staff operating the plant under the Russian military occupation are under constant high stress and pressure. That is not sustainable and could lead to an increased risk of human error, with implications for nuclear safety.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“We fully subscribe to the conclusion that continued fighting in and around the nuclear plant can only increase the risk of disaster, since, as has already been verified, the physical integrity of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been violated several times, and that the continued hostilities represent a continuing imminent threat. It is now common knowledge and a sad and worrisome fact that the seven pillars that are essential to maintaining nuclear safety and security, which were recalled by the Director General again here today, have been compromised at the power plant. That is unacceptable. The presence of Russian military forces at the nuclear power plant is illegal.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“Let me also thank the Secretary-General and Director General Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for their information and leadership on this very important issue. We are happy that despite having been delayed for no reason, the IAEA inspection team was able to conduct its first mission at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. We commend Director General Grossi and his team for their resolve in maintaining the mission despite extremely challenging circumstances. We thank them and welcome their report. We understand that this is the IAEA’s most important, complex and challenging field mission since Chornobyl. The visit and presence of IAEA experts in the plant is reassuring and a relief, even though the findings and what we heard today from the Director General are worrying — in fact alarming.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9124 (2022) · source
“There is also potential for more effective involvement of United Nations country teams and cooperation with the host country. We all bear witness to the increased challenges encountered by peacekeeping missions due to misinformation and disinformation. We would like to underscore the significance of strategic communications for United Nations peacekeeping operations to build trust and support with host Governments and local communities, counter disinformation and misinformation, enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers and strengthen their ability to implement their mandate. In our view, a holistic approach that encompasses peace and security, political engagement and justice, human rights and development and strategic communication is the best way to implement mandates and advance towards sustained peace.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“We are sure that the use of transparent systems, as foreseen in A4P+, will help the United Nations forge a bolder response in reviewing the efficiency of each peacekeeping operation. That is an opportunity for increasing the transparency, effectiveness and efficiency of the Organization across the board. Fourthly, we find progress on cross-cutting issues, such as women and peace and security, human rights and climate change, to be encouraging. More must be done to ensure that those issues are strongly reflected in mandate renewals as important aspects of United Nations action on the ground. Fifthly and finally, we support close cooperation between peacekeeping missions and local communities, in order to increase their effectiveness but also to build trust and help prevent conflicts.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Furthermore, continued and tailor-made training and capacity-building play a critical role in increasing the performance of peacekeepers. Each peacekeeper must be able to respond to the specific context in exercising the mandate. One-size-fits-all models do not respond to everyday challenges on the ground. Thirdly, we welcome the continued focus on strengthening performance and accountability across the board for peacekeepers and peacekeeping operations. Peacekeepers must embody the best ethical norms in implementing their mandate with professionalism and integrity. We commend the efforts of the Secretariat in developing performance standards and evaluation systems with the use of information and communications technology so that concrete progress on mandate delivery can be easily tracked.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“First, Albania fully supports A4P+ and its seven priorities and cross-cutting themes. We believe that a comprehensive approach to emerging challenges is vital — one that recognizes and addresses the intersectional character of those challenges, including sustainable development and human rights. Empowered good offices that support consensus-based political solutions are instrumental in that regard. Secondly, we remain of the view that providing peacekeepers with advanced equipment enhances their safety and ensures that their operations are more effective in protecting civilians — a core part of any United Nations mission. The safety and security of peacekeepers must remain a priority. We pay tribute to all peacekeepers who lost their lives under the blue flag.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Mr. Hoxha (Albania) (spoke in French): As this is the first meeting this month under the French presidency of the Security Council, I would like to wish you, Mr. President, and your team every success and assure you of our full support in the implementation of a very full and ambitious programme of work. I would also like to reiterate our gratitude to the Chinese presidency of the Council last month. (spoke in English) We thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today’s meeting which, in our view, highlights the very important role that Blue Helmets play in fostering sustainable political solutions. I thank Under-Secretary- General Lacroix for his update on the implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiative. I would like to underscore the following points.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“We reiterate our firm belief that elections in Libya are the only way to do justice to the Libyan people’s suffering, act on their demand for democracy and respect their right to the national wealth and resources. Only an elected and legitimate Government will be able to deal with and meet the urgent needs of the Libyan people, and that makes the electoral process a matter of absolute priority. We commend the Secretary-General’s tireless efforts to find a suitable candidate for the position of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and move towards balanced, inclusive and sustainable solutions to Libya’s situation. We reiterate our support for a Libyan-owned and Libyan-led process with United Nations facilitation and mediation. The recent events show that every day without a solution is a lost day for Libya.”
2022-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9120 (2022) · source
“We firmly condemn any and all actions that inject instability, insecurity and violence. We condemn the use of force for political purposes and for achieving political gains. While foreign interference must cease in Libya, we urge all the parties to take advantage of the support of the United Nations to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and to restart the political process. With full respect for Libyan sovereignty, Albania reaffirms its support to the United Nations mediation efforts to facilitate the intra-Libyan dialogue that is so urgently needed to overcome the current impasse. Libyan stakeholders must put the welfare of the Libyan people first and above their own narrow interests. That includes respect for human rights for all Libyans.”
2022-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9120 (2022) · source
“The protracted political impasse has intensified a legitimacy vacuum that in turn has exacerbated an increasingly volatile security situation in Libya. Sadly, what we are dealing with today is the worst possible display of institutional rivalry through militias. The divisions and stalemate in Libya generate a false impression that the long-standing crisis can be resolved by imposing a solution rather than through dialogue, compromise and political process. These tragic events in Tripoli clearly demonstrate that the country’s future is closely intertwined with the success of the political process and the holding of national elections. The decision about who should run the country and how its wealth should be distributed cannot and will not be decided by guns but by ballots, and not by strongmen but by the free will of the people.”
2022-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9120 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank Under- Secretary-General DiCarlo for her information on the recent developments in Libya, as well as Ambassador Kamboj for introducing the report on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya. We are outraged by the explosion in violence of the past few days and the brazen use of heavy weaponry in densely populated neighbourhoods of the Libyan capital. We deplore the loss of life in the recent wave of senseless violence, and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is an obligation to be respected by all parties in all circumstances, and that is something that must be repeated again and again. The fighting of the past few days has been a long time coming.”
2022-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9120 (2022) · source
“We stand with the Afghan people in their demand for equal rights, in accordance with Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, and reiterate our call on the Taliban to respect them. It is a fact that the Taliban is in charge. It must know that the decisions it has made so far are punishing Afghans and further isolating the Taliban from the international community, making it the only entity responsible for sending the country spiralling into an abyss. The Taliban is being judged, and will be judged, by what it does. It is not very difficult to understand, even for the inexperienced Taliban, that one cannot pretend to move forward by walking backwards.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9118 (2022) · source
“Those are critical prerequisites for the country’s long- term peace, stability and development. The worsening Afghan tragedy unfolding presents a daunting challenge even for a united and responsive international community. The de facto rule of the Taliban lacks legitimacy. It has given no indication of being capable of dealing with any of the existential challenges facing the Afghan people, except for either letting them deteriorate or actively making them worse. Such disarray will only fuel resistance, create tensions and lead to violence. We welcome any help and support to the Afghan people in these dark times and strongly support the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, as well as that of the non-governmental organizations present in the country under such challenging conditions.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9118 (2022) · source
“Women are starving and have lost access to their hard-earned rights, education and jobs. Under the Taliban, life in Afghanistan has lost its colour. Oppressing half of the population is the shortest path to perpetual misery and obscurantism. It tramples brutally on the basic norms of rights and dignity. We should not accept such an aberration to continue, or worse, gain support. Afghan women and girls need our help more than ever. We call on the Taliban to change its course, take steps to lift the restrictions on women and girls and respect their human rights and to meet the expectations of the Afghans and the world in order to permit their full, equal and meaningful participation in work, education and public life, as well as their freedom of movement and speech.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9118 (2022) · source
“The presence of the Al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Kabul confirmed fears that have been expressed repeatedly in the Council regarding the persistent and pervasive ties between the Taliban and transnational terrorist groups. We call on the Taliban to denounce terrorism in all its forms and to cut its ties with terrorist organizations. Afghanistan is one of the worst places to be a woman today. Contrary to its promises, the Taliban is undoing decades of progress in empowering women in Afghan society. They have forced women into silence, deprived them of their legitimate roles in society and made them invisible in the public place. Young girls are forced out of school — and Afghanistan is the only country in the world to impose such shocking measures. Girls are forced into early marriages.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9118 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Griffiths and Mr. Potzel for their updates. I also listened carefully to Ms. Morgan Edwards’s account. A year has passed since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul — a long year that by all accounts has been disastrously lost. As we heard, the overall situation in the country is critical. Afghanistan is going through one of the worst possible humanitarian crises. Under-Secretary-General Griffiths’ briefing needs no further comment. The economy is in free fall and in one year the Taliban has managed to shrink it by a third. It is therefore no surprise that human and drug trafficking are on the rise. As if the economic, humanitarian, human-made and natural catastrophes were not enough, Afghanistan continues to suffer from terrorism.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9118 (2022) · source
“Accountability for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law is crucial to achieving sustainable peace, based on an inclusive political solution, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). That will require credible justice and a genuine reconciliation process. Lasting peace will be achieved only if human rights are respected. Let me end by highlighting that the people of Syria need food, protection and security, but they also need a new perspective. We echo the calls for the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire, which would feed into efforts for a genuine political process to start a new chapter for Syrians to build their future — a future for all, with hope and freedom.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9117 (2022) · source
“Msuya, the conditions in Al-Hol camp, where 55,000 people live, 94 per cent of them women and children, continue to deteriorate. This year alone, there have been 33 murders — six of them in June and July. A solution is urgently needed, including through the repatriation of the detainees. Residents of the Rukban camp continue to live in dire conditions, with limited access to basic services. We support efforts by United Nations agencies to obtain access to reach those in the camp. The protection of civilians, international law and human rights law must be ensured by the parties to the conflict. It is not an option; it is an obligation. Impunity for serious violations and abuses of human rights and of international humanitarian law remains a grave concern.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9117 (2022) · source
“His work is far from easy. Without general goodwill and good faith, the political process will go nowhere. We call on all actors involved to support the transition and to exert the necessary pressure on the parties to move forward. Beneath the humanitarian catastrophe and the political paralysis lies the mountain of atrocities committed, mainly by the Syrian regime, and a cry for justice. More than 130,000 people have been arbitrarily arrested, are missing or have been forcefully disappeared. The anguish of nearly every Syrian family for loved ones continues to be ignored. We support the creation of an independent mechanism with a strong international mandate to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing people. We also expect full clarity and accurate data on the amnesty. As recalled by Ms.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9117 (2022) · source
“We urge the Council not to politicize that humanitarian mandate and work towards its smooth renewal in January 2023 in order to provide the necessary conditions, certainty and predictability for aid workers to do their job and reflect the real needs on the ground in order to expand access to life-saving aid across the country, as well as through all modalities, including, of course, cross-line deliveries. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen because the political transition is paralysed. We deplore the actions of the Syrian regime and its supporters that prevented the holding of the ninth session of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva last month. Those who derailed that process must know that they continue to hold hostage the country’s future. We support Special Envoy Pedersen and his efforts to produce tangible results.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9117 (2022) · source
“In the past two months alone, verified incidents have left more than 80 civilians killed and more than 100 civilians injured, many of them women and children. The lack of respect for basic norms and rights, especially the protection of civilians, persists with impunity. As we have heard, humanitarian needs throughout Syria are at the highest level. Those huge and increasing needs demonstrate once more the vital importance of the cross-border mechanism that the Council renewed last month.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9117 (2022) · source
“First, let me express our sincere condolences to the Government and the people of Pakistan regarding the terrible death toll and widespread destruction caused by some of the worst flooding the country has experienced. We stand in full solidarity with the Pakistanis and join their call for international help and solidarity. We remain convinced that climate change and its effects constitute a direct security threat and deserve proper and continued attention by the Security Council. Were there a perfect situation for which we could use the phrase “no end in sight”, it would certainly be the situation in Syria, given the fact that, after 11 long years, brutality, killings, the forced displacement of civilians, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and atrocities of all kinds continue unabated.”
2022-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9117 (2022) · source
“On the contrary, it has always brought suffering to both Israelis and Palestinians. The negotiation table is the only place where a viable and just solution can be found. We support all efforts to bring the parties together and deal with the difficult and complex issues with patience, determination, resolve and vision, through dialogue, mutual recognition of each other’s concerns and aspirations, understanding and respect. We should not let hope die, since nothing good is ever done without hope, and nothing important is ever built without dreams.”
2022-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9116 (2022) · source
“We have said it many times, but we believe it is important to reiterate once again that the parties should refrain from actions that run counter to genuine efforts to promote the peace process. In that respect, we will continue to highlight our position that settlements and their expansion contravene international law and constitute an obstacle to a two-State solution, the cornerstone of the peace process. They are wrong and must be stopped. We urge all sides to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric that escalates tensions and endangers the peace process. We see no way other than peace talks to reverse the worrisome trend of escalating tensions and periodic and cyclic outbursts of violence. If there is one lesson to be learned from the decades of this conflict, it is that violence has never been conducive to any positive development.”
2022-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9116 (2022) · source
“There can be no doubt that peace will remain an elusive dream until Israelis and Palestinians enjoy full and equal rights — the basic conditions for a dignified life. Rights are the foundation for reconciliation and mutual recognition between Israelis and Palestinians. Let me also reiterate our strong support for civil society as a critical pillar of any democratic society. We join the European Union and others in expressing our concern about Israel’s action against six Palestinian non-governmental agencies, as well as in calling on Israel to refrain from any action that would prevent those organizations from continuing their critical human rights, humanitarian and development work.”
2022-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9116 (2022) · source
“Civilians in general, and children in particular, should never be a target or put in a harm’s way in any circumstance. Those tragic cases should be properly investigated to deter similar cases in the future. Each and every innocent victim of violence serves as a tragic reminder of how desperately peace is needed now, not tomorrow. That is why we support every effort to resume the peace talks within the legal framework created by the United Nations, in order to find a lasting and just solution to the conflict, with a democratic and secure Israel and a viable and democratic Palestinian State living in peace with one another, with Jerusalem as their shared capital. While peace is always signed on paper, it is actually implemented on the ground through concrete and resolute actions that are palpable and beneficial to all.”
2022-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9116 (2022) · source
“Violence is a tragedy within a greater tragedy, which is and remains the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Therefore, every effort must be made to prevent escalation, and every opportunity must be seized to bring the parties closer together. We will not tire in reiterating our categorical rejection and condemnation of every terrorist attack against Israel or anywhere else. We abhor terrorism in all its forms and call on all to denounce it vigorously and unreservedly. We mourn every loss of life from such senseless and cowardly attacks, especially when they involve civilians. We support Israel’s right to defend itself and respond to terrorist attacks with proportionality and within the bounds of both domestic and international law. We are also concerned about the loss of life among Palestinians, especially children.”
2022-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9116 (2022) · source
“Every time we meet here on this issue — which happens quite often — we express our serious concerns about the worrisome trend of violence and tension, with the fear that such negative developments will take the Israelis and the Palestinians further away from efforts to resolve the tragic conflict. That is why upholding the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants is critical to avoiding another explosion of violence and safeguard the gains that have been made through the tireless efforts of many actors over the past couple of years. That is especially true with regard to Gaza, where the ability of an increased number of Palestinians to work in Israel has a real positive impact on the population and contributes to improving prospects for rapprochement and peaceful coexistence.”
2022-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9116 (2022) · source
“We reiterate our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, and we call on Russia to stop the war, withdraw its troops and change course, so that next year at this time there is a truly happy parade in Kyiv, not one that features the burned-out and abandoned husks of Russian military equipment, the epitome of this senseless war.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“As key European leaders stated as recently as yesterday, Ukraine’s friends are ready to support Ukraine’s fight to defend itself, not because anyone is against Russia and the Russians, but simply because all who are for peace see in Ukraine a litmus test of the European security architecture and a stress test of the resilience of world peace and security in the face of long-banished imperial behaviour. On this day, we once again reaffirm our full and unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We pay tribute to all who are fighting to defend their land and their lives and to all who have been sacrificed for the independence and freedom of Ukraine.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“All of it is a lie. We are just destroying peaceful lives.” His account is much longer — 141 pages — and is out in the open for anyone to read the immense despair of someone sent to commit crimes next door. We have warned before, and we want to reiterate, particularly on this day, that any annexation of territory, any development incompatible with Ukraine’s Constitution imposed by Russia, such as sham elections or referendums à la russe, will not be accepted or recognized. Pro-Russian officials in the territories under Russian control speak openly of joining Russia by implementing the Crimea template. That will be null and void, a dead end.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“That is very worrying for a situation that is already alarming, since after seeing what regular soldiers were capable of in Bucha, we shiver at the thought of what might happen when one gives weapons to murderers and criminals who should be behind bars in Russia, not in Ukraine wearing military uniforms. If that proves to be true, those new fighters will fill in for those who have come to their senses, discovered the truth, abandoned the war and decided to stop being a partner in crime. One such is Pavel Filatyev, who was sent to Kherson. He is free to speak his mind now and tell his story. What is he saying? Let me quote. “We understood that we were dragged into a serious conflict where we were simply destroying towns and not actually liberating anyone. We do not see the reason that our Government is trying to explain to us.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“The prisoners of war should have been protected by law, as well as by the guarantees given by to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross that the Azov detainees would be properly treated. Unfortunately, 53 of them were killed. We welcome the Secretary-General’s appointment of an investigation team and urge the United Nations to do everything to make sure that the investigation is done impartially and on United Nations terms. Those responsible for such despicable crimes must be held accountable. With a regular army stretched thin after six months of a disastrous and bloody invasion of Ukraine, there is increasing evidence that the Kremlin is making dreadful choices and recruiting Russia’s prisoners to fight. Credible reports and meticulous investigations point in that direction.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“Many more are left with invisible wounds that must be addressed without delay in order to prioritize children’s mental health and psychological needs and help them build resilience. If there were one single reason to put an immediate end to this war, it is that — to save children, our future generations, from the scourge of war, as is written in the Charter of the United Nations. A few weeks ago, a deadly explosion killed 53 Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Ukrainian territory under Russian control. That tragic event has still not been independently investigated, and as with everything of that nature, we are told that Ukraine did it.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“We commend Türkiye and the Secretary-General for their tireless and successful efforts to make sure that grain and other food products are being exported from Ukraine and can reach the tables of the needy throughout the world. The war is having a terribly negative impact on everything in Ukraine and beyond, but the worst is its devastating impact on civilians in general and children in particular, the generation of the future. Some 1,000 children, maybe more, will not be there to see Ukraine liberated. They have been killed — five every day — and 5.2 million of them are in need of humanitarian assistance. At least 3.6 million children have been affected by the closure of schools or the impact of attacks on schools, which will continue to delay the children’s return to in-person learning.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“It marks 25 weeks from a legally binding order of the International Court of Justice, the highest international court, addressed to Russia and requiring it to immediately halt its military activities. All those calls and documents continue to be ignored. Russia persists in its course, with the clear intention of dismantling Ukraine and subjugating its people, despite unquestionable evidence and hard proof that its actions have produced and continue to produce serious global destabilizing consequences for security, energy and food, including the risk of a nuclear catastrophe, and are increasingly decoupling Russia from the rest of the European continent.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“But celebrations are not easy and are hardly joyful when a country is under attack from a neighbour that from dawn to dusk pretends to be its brother — but the kind that assaults its own brother, killing its people, destroying its homes, bombarding its cities, abusing its women, deporting its people, breaking up its country and denying its existence — an abusive brother who wants to take everything. Today also marks exactly six months from the start of the invasion, the day the Charter of the United Nations was thrown into the Kremlin’s shredder, when the term “respect for international law” lost any meaning in Moscow. It marks 27 weeks from the adoption of General Assembly resolution ES-11/1, when every country in the world but four asked Russia to stop the war and respect the sovereignty of Ukraine.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“Let me also thank the Secretary-General and Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for their updated information. Thirty-one years ago today, Ukraine declared its independence from the decaying Soviet Union. It is a day to celebrate, and I am sure that, despite the situation, Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad will probably mark their day in one way or another. We join them in those celebrations and welcome President Zelenskyy’s participation in this meeting under the exceptional circumstances that he and his country continue to endure.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“When a full military attack on a country — Ukraine — remains ongoing, and with today being its Independence Day, with curfews imposed in various cities because of that threat, the Security Council cannot reasonably demand that the President travel to New York if he wants to participate in a meeting. It is therefore legitimate. And we fully understand that in such circumstances, the situation in Ukraine requires President Zelenskyy to be there. This is a unique and exceptional situation at this moment in the world, and therefore for the Security Council as well. We therefore strongly support the participation of President Zelenskyy via video-teleconference and invite other members to vote in favour.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“The letters from the United Kingdom, Albania and the United States of 11 April, 18 July and 19 July, respectively, explained in detail the reasons for granting the Ukrainian President the possibility of addressing the Security Council virtually. Allow me to reiterate that the justification for this exception remains unchanged from the previous times when the Council agreed that the President could address the Council via video-teleconference. It was so in April, it was so in June and it is so, sadly, now. Ukraine is at war and under foreign invasion.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“We listened carefully to the arguments put forward by the delegation of Russia. We disagree with them. Let me explain why. We have discussed this issue in the past. And here we are again, unfortunately, since the situation on the ground in Ukraine has not changed and has not improved. We agree that, in the post-pandemic situation, virtual participation under rule 37 should be an exception. We are faced with such a situation since a democratically elected leader of a sovereign country, a Member of the United Nations, cannot leave his country for reasons beyond his control. We all know what the reasons are.”
2022-08-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9115 (2022) · source
“Peace and security do not come from an imposed vision, but rather from what is achieved freely and jointly by acting together, as friends, good neighbours and fair partners. Only then do dialogue and cooperation acquire their true meaning with shared benefits.”
2022-08-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9112 (2022) · source