YouSaid · the spoken record

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert

lines on the record: 78
first: 2020-05-12
most recent: 2021-05-11
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

“UNAMI is engaging with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Iraqi and Kuwaiti authorities to repatriate Kuwaiti remains exhumed from a mass grave site in southern Iraq last January. Despite the severe travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, I am optimistic that the transfer will take place in the near future. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti forensic laboratories continue their complex DNA analysis to identify those Kuwaiti remains already repatriated last year. We look forward to the announcement of their results in due course. In conclusion, I would like to pay tribute to the courage, discipline and sacrifice of Iraqi women and men in confronting their shared hardship. It is essential that we maintain our support to the brave Iraqis, who are not giving up and who continue to push for change.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“If I may, I will say a few words about the rate of return for the remaining 1.4 million Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs), which is now at a three-year low. Understandably, it is the desire of every Iraqi to live in a country without displacement camps, but these camps will not disappear until durable solutions are found. We have initiated positive discussions with the Government, but I would like to re-emphasize that the wishes of IDPs regarding return or integration must be prioritized. That in turn requires the cooperation of receiving and/or host communities. We now turn to the issue of missing Kuwaiti, third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“I regret to yet again report that a preliminary agreement on a unified administration and stable security structures has failed to materialize. A final agreement can, and must, now be reached without delay. Anything else is intolerable negligence. Furthermore, in my most recent briefing in May (see S/2020/397), I emphasized that, in the Kurdistan region, as elsewhere in Iraq, transparency, fighting corruption, freedom of expression and fundamental reforms are of critical importance. I must repeat that message today. Forceful responses to public criticism or the shutting down of media outlets are surely not the way forward. In confronting complex challenges, Governments must also continue always to defend fundamental rights and freedoms.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“But, 15 years later, that lack of specificity continues to shape the debate between the federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government — 15 years without an agreement on the gradual enhancement of the federal system, without a deal on natural resource distribution or disputed territories and without laws enacted to clearly define the rights and obligations of both Baghdad and Erbil. Instead, we are witnessing another instance of ad hoc crisis management. I am certain we can all agree that it is past time for Iraq to become more than the sum of its components. Of course, we cautiously salute the agreement, albeit tenuous, recently reached by Baghdad and Erbil on issues, including the payment of Kurdish public salaries. Earlier this month, we commemorated the sixth anniversary of the horrific Sinjar massacre.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“Restoring public trust is hard work. Within that context, free and fair elections will prove crucial. An electoral reset could open a new and important chapter for Iraq. But for that to happen, the elections must be credible. This is the responsibility not only of the Independent High Electoral Commission and the Government, but also of all Iraqi political actors and electoral stakeholders. Turning to relations between Baghdad and Erbil, as I have said many times, constructive negotiations are the only viable way forward. The Iraqi Constitution was drafted under great time pressure in 2005. General principles were enshrined in the text, with their implementation left to be specified by subsequent supporting legislation.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“However, Parliament has not yet resolved the crucial questions of seat apportionment and constituency delineation. Technical considerations, not partisanship, must govern their finalization. Equally important, the Independent High Electoral Commission must be strengthened and freed from persistent political pressures, particularly in personnel selection, as well as the development and implementation of electoral procedures. To address electoral challenges and build public confidence in its impartiality and technical capabilities, the Independent High Electoral Commission also needs to adopt workable measures, such as a comprehensive and inclusive voter registry, a transparent, tested and reliable election results system, and a judicious framework to handle electoral complaints and appeals. Of course, UNAMI stands to ready to assist.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“I would like to salute and encourage Iraqi efforts to emphasize national independence and sovereignty. The Iraqi Government is determined to keep multiple channels of communication and exchange open, opting for State-to-State dialogue and relationship-building first and foremost. I sincerely hope that Iraq will be given further room to focus on its domestic resilience instead of being used as a venue for different power struggles. The recent escalation in the Iraqi-Turkish border areas is also a matter of great concern. We continue to urge both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue and cooperation, with full respect for national sovereignty. A central popular demand has consistently been the holding of early elections, and the date of 6 June 2021 has now been announced.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“But, to be clear, no party, person or entity must be allowed to hijack the legitimate demands of the Iraqi people. To my great regret, armed groups continue to recklessly flex their muscles, generally seeking to create an environment of blunt intimidation. This means that, while Iraqi citizens are in desperate need of a stable, safe and secure environment, the sabre-rattling continues. Surely, we all agree that Iraqis can scarcely afford another cycle of escalating violence. It is high time for these militant actors to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Benefiting from internal divisions and exploiting security gaps, Da’esh continues to claim lives. The Government of Iraq also operates in a uniquely challenging geopolitical environment.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“Yet we find reason to be cautiously encouraged by the statements and some early actions of the current Government. Indeed, we are witnessing a move towards greater accountability, more robust support for freedom of expression and assembly and a tangible commitment to justice. These are certainly hopeful signs, but further action is urgently needed to deliver true justice and accountability. Condemning the violence and announcing investigations are only a first step. Those who know and love Iraq recognize how puzzling the Iraqi context is, with too many parties pursuing their own narrow interests, weakening the State from within. Oblivious partisanship and short-sighted zero-sum politics continue to be major obstacles to progress.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“The Government of Iraq is undoubtedly operating in the eye of multiple storms at once. Unresolved, long-standing grievances have not disappeared. Iraqis want their voices to be heard. In recent months, social unrest has continued throughout Iraq, albeit somewhat muted by the ongoing pandemic. Of great concern is another spike in the killings and targeting of activists and human rights defenders. The silencing of peaceful voices by exerting pressure on activists and media, by confusing the scene or, even worse, by shedding blood is an affront against basic rights and dignity. Let us also remember those still missing, those in need of medical care and those who had to flee the country, often living in difficult circumstances and unable to return because of grave threats and intimidation.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“The Minister of Finance is expected to deliver a detailed economic reform plan to Parliament imminently. But, for important, painful reforms to take root within a historical context of perceived rights and entitlements, the political class must come together as one, prioritizing the country’s interest and protecting the vulnerable. So far, however, we have seen too little of that spirit. Nevertheless, let me emphasize that these reforms are of great importance to unlocking a brighter future for all Iraqis, in which the country can move from putting out fires to building sustainable solutions and domestic resilience. As I have said before, an environment that promotes inclusive growth and employment remains the best remedy against unrest, conflict and external interference.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“Iraq is expected to experience a 9.7 per cent decline in its gross domestic product (GDP). Oil revenues, severely affected by a steep crash in oil prices, have nearly halved. The private sector has been particularly impacted by job losses and income reduction. It also remains hindered by a lack of reforms. Non-oil GDP growth is slowing in a country that is in dire need of economic diversification. Lest we forget, corruption remains endemic, and its economic cost untold, as it continues to steal desperately needed resources from the ordinary Iraqi, eroding investor confidence. Crucially, this scourge of corruption also affects many of Iraq’s security issues. The Iraqi Government recognizes these challenges and has made economic and financial reform a priority.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“Alarmingly, gender-based violence has doubled amid dwindling options for victims to seek assistance and find shelter. With regard to our response to those challenges, I reiterate my earlier message with regard to humanitarian access on the ground. We need a simplified system that enables currently immobilized humanitarian actors and supplies to rapidly reach people in need. Positive discussions are under way, and we now hope to receive a decision within days. In terms of security, conditions for humanitarian actors are also hazardous in certain areas, as was starkly highlighted today by the explosion of an improvised explosive device that impacted a World Food Programme convoy in Ninawa. Economic difficulties are rarely separate from humanitarian concerns.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“No country or community has been spared the devastating impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and Iraq is no exception. To the contrary, the pandemic has aggravated the deep existing economic, social and political challenges. These are a few salient numbers to illustrate the humanitarian concerns. Poverty has increased by over 10 per cent in recent months. One-third of Iraqis now live below the poverty line, and two out of five suffer multiple deprivations in accessing basic social services and rights. Food consumption is now insufficient for more than 3 million Iraqis due to the reduced purchasing power rather than food scarcity. With regard to education, more than 11 million school and university students across Iraq have seen their studies disrupted.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“With that in mind, I wish to salute Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani, whose calm wisdom serves as an example to us all. I remain convinced that a more just, prosperous and resilient Iraq can emerge from the current compounded crises. However, for that to happen, political will is fundamental. As I said last time (see S/PV.8676), Iraq must move away from endless crisis management towards a more productive approach, building resilience at both the State and the societal level. Short-term political and private calculations do not serve Iraq’s long-term interests — on the contrary. The challenges are many, but so are the opportunities. I would like to reaffirm the continued support of the United Nations to the people of Iraq as well as Iraq’s new Government.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“The 113th meeting of the Technical Subcommittee, planned for 20 April, as well as other activities, had to be postponed. The Kuwaiti authorities were nevertheless able to carry out excavations of burial sites in Kuwait, as planned during the previous Technical Subcommittee meeting in February. I would like to encourage all members of the Tripartite Committee to follow this example, working together to identify other innovative ways to overcome the current constraints and adapt to the new reality. In conclusion, I would like to return to the courageous conviction expressed by countless Iraqis in recent months. Their hopes and demands remain burning issues and should guide the new Government. I sincerely hope that no party, person or entity will be allowed to hijack the legitimate demands of the Iraqi people.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“With regard to Sinjar, there have been many promises but so far no signatures, let alone implementation, with the Yazidis notably paying the price. In the Kurdistan region, as elsewhere in Iraq, transparency, freedom of expression, fundamental reform and fighting corruption are of critical importance, as is political unity. Recent internal tensions do not serve the interests of the Kurdish people — far from it. I now turn to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. Notwithstanding significant advances of late, the most recent being the discovery of human remains in a third grave at the Samawah site in January, COVID-19 has also impacted this file.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“I sincerely hope that the Iraqi authorities will now act without any further delay. With regard to relations between Baghdad and Erbil, we still cannot point to a final, fully agreed and implemented deal on critical issues such as the federal budget, as well as oil and revenue-sharing. On the contrary, we recently witnessed movement in the opposite direction, as the previous federal Government announced it would halt payments to the Kurdistan region, affecting the salaries of civil servants. Regardless of the merits of that decision, the timing was most inopportune. Negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil are ongoing. I can only emphasize that a long-term sustainable approach is urgently needed. Of course, for any sustainable solution, it takes both parties.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“The best form of counter-terrorism is for the Government to provide for its citizens, addressing the root causes that continue to allow groups such as ISIL to exist.Turning to humanitarian concerns, we cautiously welcome the ongoing efforts to improve access authorization for humanitarian workers, especially the non-governmental organizations in Iraq that provide life-saving services. Humanitarian partners need access letters to pass through the multiple security checkpoints in their areas of operation. Unfortunately, many access requests remain unapproved. Currently, access is even more constrained due to the COVID-19-related movement restrictions, adding another layer of complexity. A practical, long-term solution is urgently required, with an empowered focal point to regularly engage with humanitarian partners on access matters.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“Although these appear to have tapered off in recent weeks, they remain a constant threat to the stability of Iraq. I can only emphasize that the way in which armed elements, with differing ties to the State, choose to act at this time will determine how Iraqis, and indeed many others, perceive them. Once again, Iraq cannot afford to be used as a theatre for different power competitions and/or proxy conflicts. Also critical is the prevention of any attempted resurgence of violent extremism. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) must not be given room to step up its activities.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“The economy is projected to contract by 9.7 per cent in 2020, with poverty rates increasing to approximately 40 per cent. Considerable losses in labour income, as well as a decrease in economic opportunities, are foreseen. It is essential to restate that corruption is perhaps the greatest source of dysfunction in Iraq. It works against the average Iraqi woman and man and also puts off donors and potential investors, who are increasingly fed up with fighting the system for a chance to help the country. Domestic, regional and international security developments continue to take their toll on the country. Inflammatory rhetoric and a pattern of attacks and counterattacks on Iraqi soil are obviously unproductive and most regrettable.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“Time and again, it has been made clear that Iraq should reduce its oil dependency, repair and upgrade critical infrastructure, tackle its ballooning, inefficient public service and build viable and responsive State institutions. It should also fight corruption, combat patronage and clientelism and incentivize the domestic private sector, while attracting foreign investment. Iraq has clearly and repeatedly been encouraged to build a healthy environment that is conducive to broad-based, fairly distributed growth and employment generation, with the assistance of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and other partners. However, without adequate follow-up, the country will sadly remain ill-prepared to manage these acute shocks.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“The current economic situation has once again laid bare Iraq’s vulnerability due to the grave lack of economic diversification. Iraq’s monthly oil revenues dropped from $6 billion to $1.4 billion between February and April. At a time when the global financial system is being drained from all sides, it will be harder than ever to access international funds. On top of this, the necessary curfews to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have brought commercial activity to a near standstill, imperilling the already problematic livelihoods of many Iraqis who rely on daily earnings to feed themselves and their families. The need to broaden Iraq’s revenue base could not be more apparent.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“Iraq is facing a long list of urgent unfinished domestic business and, in order to regain public trust, the Government must prove itself able to carry out such essential functions as law and order and public service delivery.On the issue of early elections, although they are a top priority for many, Parliament has not yet completed its work on the electoral framework, in particular the contentious issues of constituency delineation and seat apportionment. I also wish to reiterate the pressing need for accountability and justice for the many deaths and injuries of innocent protesters. Allow me to say that we are encouraged by the early actions taken by the new Prime Minister, which demonstrate eagerness to move these important files forward.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“However, one does not need a crystal ball to understand that the road ahead will be fraught with many complex challenges. As I have stated many times, Iraq’s challenges did not arise overnight. Moreover, they are larger than any single Government. It is therefore most important to manage public expectations. There will be no sudden miracles. Equally important is a broad-based response that involves the entire political class and all communities, acting with a clear sense of unity and urgency, focused on building domestic strength and prioritizing the national interest. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the streets to calm down but, with public trust at an all-time low, the Iraqi people, calling for a more prosperous and inclusive Iraq, will not let go.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“The new Prime Minister’s stated priorities include addressing the COVID-19 health crisis, developing and reforming the security sector, limiting the control of arms to the State, strengthening the economy, fighting corruption and advancing accountability and justice. They also include holding a national dialogue, balancing external relations, safeguarding Iraqi sovereignty, promoting the return of internally displaced persons to their places of origin and working towards the conduct of early elections. These worthy aspirations must urgently be turned into action. Let me emphasize that Iraq does not have the luxury of time, nor can it afford destructive petty politics. While the new Government entered office only a few days ago, its first decisions are promising.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“Surely, at this time of acute crisis, partisanship and narrow interests must yield to the greater national cause and the good of the Iraqi people. Unfortunately, as Iraq’s economic situation worsened daily, we witnessed continued political infighting and saw three Prime Ministers-designate in just 10 weeks. However, at long last, a new Government was formed last week. The Council of Representatives confirmed Mustafa Al-Kadhimi as the new Prime Minister and approved his Government programme, as well as 15 out of 22 ministers. That is a long overdue but very welcome development. The swift completion of the remaining vacant positions, including the appointment of more women and minority representatives, is now necessary.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“One can hardly overstate the magnitude of the challenges facing Iraq. The deep existing political, social, economic and security crises have now been compounded by the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and a dramatic drop in oil prices. As the Iraqi health system was already near breaking point before the COVID-19 outbreak, the first priority was, and remains, to prevent a rapid spread of the virus. Within that context, I wish to reaffirm our support to the Iraqi authorities and to reiterate that no amount of Government response can succeed without the active involvement of the entire population. I recently joined my voice to those of my fellow Special Envoys in the Middle East in echoing the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire in the broadest sense, not only militarily but also politically.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source