YouSaid · the spoken record

Jonathan Allen

lines on the record: 336
first: 2020-03-31
most recent: 2021-05-26
sittings or episodes: 49
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

“On the political track, we should all support UNSMIL in convening further rounds of the Political Dialogue Forum and building towards Libyan agreement on a new, inclusive interim Government and a firm constitutional basis for those new arrangements. Again, we must be ready to respond clearly and quickly to those who seek to spoil, derail or indefinitely delay progress towards the political solution that the Libyan people want and deserve. I would also like to welcome the spirit of compromise that has led to a resumption of oil production and exports across Libya. It is now vital that the international community unite around the efforts of UNSMIL to ensure that the revenues generated by those exports are managed fairly and transparently for the benefit of people across Libya.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“I very much hope that we will hear today from all Council members that they support and endorse that position of the Libyan parties. The message is clear. Libyans want a rapid end to foreign military interference in their country and an end to violations of the arms embargo. The Joint Military Commission agreed last week that foreign forces should, as a first step, move at least five kilometres back from the front line. That must now happen, and quickly. Where members of the international community continue to flagrantly flout international law and block progress being made by the Libyans and the United Nations, we must be ready to take firm action, including by imposing sanctions.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“We welcome the courage of the Libyan parties in agreeing to a nationwide ceasefire and the early progress made in implementing the agreement, particularly the sense of common endeavour that members of the Joint Military Commission have created and the momentum that they have maintained, including through their most recent meeting. As Ms. Williams highlighted, though, much remains to be done. The ceasefire agreement between the Libyan parties specifies that within a period of three months of the agreement being signed, all mercenaries and foreign fighters shall depart from the Libyan territories, land, air and sea, and that until a new unified Government assumes its functions, military agreements on training inside Libya must be suspended and training crews must depart.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“I would like to start by thanking Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams for what may be her final briefing to the Council in that capacity. Her expert leadership of the dedicated team of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and her exceptional personal efforts have facilitated significant progress towards peace in Libya, perhaps more than we thought was possible earlier this year. We thank her for all she has done. The United Kingdom welcomes the agreement reached a few days ago by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum on a political road map, including for elections to be held in December 2021. Libyans now have a shared sense of political direction for the first time in years. I want to pay tribute to the important role played by women participants in the Forum.”
2020-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1129 (2020) · source
“Both parties should now seize that positive momentum and show commitment to their bilateral agreements through their actions on the ground. Seventy-three years ago this month, the United Nations decided on the partition of Palestine. Piece by painful piece over many years, progress was made towards an agreed partition — a two-State solution. As the region takes strides towards dialogue, it is time, too, for the parties to the Israel-Palestine conflict to stop dismantling peace and start building it again.”
2020-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1128 (2020) · source
“This week we saw the historic first ministerial visit of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Israel. Normalization agreements show that the Arab world and Israel can pursue a positive path, away from hostility and towards a more peaceful, prosperous region. With dialogue in mind, my Government therefore welcomes reports that the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel will return to cooperation and abide by signed agreements. Full cooperation across financial, security and health matters puts the needs and security of Israelis and Palestinians first. That is an example of the dialogue and compromise that we have called for, which will be required to make meaningful progress towards a two-State solution.”
2020-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1128 (2020) · source
“We call upon Hamas and other terrorist groups to permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. We note the Commissioner-General’s urgent call for additional funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this month, without which schools will close from the beginning of December. We call in particular on States that have cut their funding significantly in recent years to support UNRWA now. I note that this year the United Kingdom has given over $65 million, which is commensurate with previous years. We are sympathetic to those who argue that UNRWA must do more to reach a secure and sustainable financial footing, but that cannot be achieved by 1 December, and money is needed by then to avoid unnecessarily adding to the suffering of refugees.”
2020-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1128 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom calls on the Government of Israel to cease this policy and provide Palestinians with a clear, transparent route to construction in Area C of the West Bank. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are a violation of international humanitarian law. The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza, particularly at this time of a global pandemic. We continue to urge the parties to prioritize progress towards reaching a durable solution for Gaza and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery. We encourage actors to put forward long-term, sustainable proposals to resolve the threat posed to Israel’s security by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militants in Gaza.”
2020-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1128 (2020) · source
“Any other unilateral action that jeopardizes the physical viability of a future Palestinian State is also unacceptable. The United Kingdom condemns the Government of Israel’s publication of tenders for construction in the East Jerusalem settlement of Givat Hamatos, an extremely sensitive area of the West Bank. Settlements are illegal under international law and remain an obstacle to peace and a threat to the two-State solution. The United Kingdom also expresses its serious concern following the demolition of Humsa Al-Baqai’a by the Israeli Authorities on 3 November. That act caused the displacement of vulnerable Palestinians, including 41 children, as well as unnecessary suffering. The year 2020 has seen the highest levels of demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures since 2016.”
2020-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1128 (2020) · source
“I wish to thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing. As others have done, I would like to start by reflecting on the tragic passing away of Saeb Erekat. I echo the words of my Prime Minister and my Foreign Secretary in offering our condolences to Mr. Erekat’s family, President Abbas and the Palestinian people. Mr. Erekat dedicated his life to dialogue, Palestinian rights and advancing the cause of peace. He will be sorely missed. It is with Mr. Erekat’s legacy in mind that we must renew our commitment to acting through dialogue, building trust and cooperation and avoiding the unilateral and inflammatory steps that undermine the cause of peace. As we have made clear repeatedly in the Security Council, the United Kingdom opposes annexation and welcomes its suspension.”
2020-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1128 (2020) · source
“I am afraid that it is not difficult to understand Russia’s motives for constantly attacking and seeking to undermine the OPCW.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“It is unacceptable that these weapons have been retained, and even worse that they have been used. Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the poisoning of an individual through the use of a nerve agent is considered a use of chemical weapons. And, as the Council reaffirmed last November in presidential statement S/PRST/2019/14, any use of chemical weapons — anywhere, at any time, by anyone and under any circumstance — is unacceptable and a threat to international peace and security, and those responsible must be held to account. Russia must urgently conduct a full and transparent investigation into the use of a banned chemical weapon on its territory. We must not allow this behaviour to become normalized. Russia must fully cooperate with the relevant institutions, including the Security Council.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“As the latest monthly report states, Syria’s declaration cannot be considered accurate and complete, in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, Executive Council decisions and resolution 2118 (2003). Further amendments to the declaration are yet more evidence that the initial declaration was incomplete. I would like to stress once again that Syria needs to cooperate fully with the OPCW and make progress on all outstanding issues. I would like to touch on some points raised by the Russian Ambassador. We in the United Kingdom are gravely concerned by the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, with a nerve agent from the Novichok group. I remind colleagues on the Council that a similar chemical weapon was used in Salisbury, United Kingdom, resulting in death and severe injury.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“Turning to the Director General’s monthly report, I want to welcome the ongoing tireless work of the OPCW Technical Secretariat, particularly in the light of the limitations imposed by the coronavirus disease pandemic. Regarding the work of the Declaration Assessment Team, we welcome that it was able to travel to Syria at the end of September for further consultations and to resolve issues with samples collected in a previous deployment. Regarding the additional information and amendments to Syria’s declaration referenced in last month’s report (see S/2020/961, annex), we understand that these are still being assessed by the OPCW. We will wait for further reporting from the OPCW before we welcome any progress.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“The failure to comply with the 9 July decision represents yet another failure to comply with the fundamental terms of resolution 2118 (2013), the issue before the Council today. In that resolution, we decided that, in the event of non-compliance, including the use of chemical weapons, we would impose measures under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. For the Security Council not to take action would be a dereliction of its duty and would undermine its authority. It is incumbent on all of us to uphold the Security Council’s authority under the United Nations Charter. Syria’s continued non-compliance is a proven threat to international peace and security.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“In addition to the six years that Syria has already had to do that, the Executive Council granted it an additional 90 days. It is with great regret to note, as confirmed by the OPCW Director General on 14 October, that Syria failed to take the required steps. It is with further regret that the Syrian regime did not even see fit to respond to the Director General’s letter notifying it of the action requested of Syria. We strongly condemn the failure of Syria to comply with yet another Executive Council decision. As recommended in that decision, the Conference of the States Parties should now take appropriate action to address Syria’s failure to comply with the Executive Council decisions and the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“Those findings bring the number of chemical-weapon attacks for which the United Nations and the OPCW has found the Syrian regime responsible to seven. It was yet further evidence that Syria had retained a chemical-weapon stockpile beyond the agreed date of destruction, with the intent and ability to produce and use them, and that Syria’s initial declaration was incomplete. It was another reminder of the real threat this posed to Syrians and to the international non-proliferation regime. In response, in a decision on 9 July, the OPCW Executive Council requested that the Syrian authorities declare the facilities used for the Ltamenah attacks and the chemical weapons it currently possesses and resolve the outstanding issues with its initial declaration.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“Let me congratulate you, Madam President, on taking up your position. It is good to have a fellow Commonwealth member in the chair. May I thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing and, through her, the Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for his eighty-fifth monthly report (see S/2020/1056, annex), and the OPCW Technical Secretariat for its ongoing work in professionally and dispassionately implementing the tasks assigned to it by the OPCW Executive Council and the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. On 8 April, the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team issued its first report. In that report, it found the Syrian Arab Air Force responsible for three chemical attacks in Ltamenah in 2017, in which it used chlorine and sarin.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“The adoption of this draft text would have undermined the significant achievements made on this critical agenda and the enduring efforts of so many women’s rights activists. As members of the Security Council, it is our role not only to listen to the voices of a diverse range of women, but also to stand up for their rights and enshrine their inclusion and participation at all levels. The United Kingdom will remain resolutely committed to safeguarding the progress made on the women and peace and security agenda and advancing women and peace and security substantively alongside Member States, United Nations agencies and civil society. Women’s human rights are the concern of all. The women and peace and security agenda is the result of women’s actions, and it belongs to them. It is now for the Council to take women’s lead and act.”
2020-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1076 (2020) · source
“We voiced our concerns about draft resolution S/2020/1054 throughout the negotiations, consistently requesting recently agreed language in efforts to maintain the integrity of the normative framework. Our repeated calls for the inclusion of relevant language on women’s human rights and the protection of civil society were regrettably not met. We share the widely held view that this draft text lacks sufficient language on implementation and fails to reflect core components of the framework, such as the essential rights-based approach and the structural barriers to gender equality. For those reasons, the United Kingdom abstained in the voting on the draft resolution, which clearly lacked the support of a broad range of Council members and failed to represent a basis for achieving consensus.”
2020-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1076 (2020) · source
“As proud champions of the women and peace and security agenda, the United Kingdom will not accept any weakening of the hard-fought progress made over the past 20 years. We have repeatedly expressed our conviction that the women and peace and security normative framework is robust. As we heard from the compelling briefers in the open debate yesterday (S/2020/1084), what remains is for us to address the implementation gap and take action. There is no need for any additional resolution unless it serves to add distinct value to the acquis. Despite our reservations on the proposal for a resolution, we have remained constructive and engaged throughout the process. We collaborated readily, compromising on some of our own women and peace and security priorities in order to reach a draft text that, at a minimum, did not set back the agenda.”
2020-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1076 (2020) · source
“Such attacks highlight again — if we needed it to be highlighted again — the need for a political settlement, in line with resolution 2254 (2015), to resolve the crisis. Let me therefore end by urging all those with influence in Damascus to press the regime to engage meaningfully.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“News of fuel shortages, which delayed aid convoys in Homs and Hamah in September, are of grave concern as temperatures drop. We are also still deeply concerned about the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Syria. Water is urgently needed, including in Al-Bab, to enable the good hygiene that helps prevent the disease from spreading and health-care facilities are necessary to treat those affected. Some are already unable to absorb all suspected COVID-19 cases. The United Kingdom has committed £33 million — $43.1 million — in addition to address COVID-19 in Syria. But the 24 attacks this year affecting health care and killing 13 health workers only add to the pressure and worsen the humanitarian situation.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“The Secretary-General’s report of 14 October (S/2020/1031) makes clear that nearly two thirds of health-care facilities in north-eastern Syria, which depended on cross- border aid, have not been reached by cross-line aid in 2020. We commend the United Nations efforts in north-western Syria, including urgent road repairs and scaling up the Bab Al-Hawa operation, to help reduce the damage caused by the needless removal of Bab Al-Salam from the cross-border aid resolution. That aid access is desperately needed. Most of the almost 1 million people who fled the Russian-backed regime offensive on Idlib last winter are still displaced, living in squalid makeshift camps and, as November nears, the Secretary-General’s report confirms that 3.1 million people require additional winterization support.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“The release of arbitrarily detained persons has not happened in any meaningful number despite the continued calls of the Security Council and the United Nations. The conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees have not yet been met, not least because the regime continues to threaten the security of returnees. On that, I want to echo the remarks of my United States colleague and to say that the United Kingdom will not attend any conference, especially in a non-neutral location, such as Damascus, that intentionally ignores this fundamental requirement and that denies the participation of those whose return it purports to discuss. It is clear that humanitarian assistance still does not reach those in need.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“This month should have seen a further round of talks, and we regret that the regime’s insistence on an agenda not in line with the Committee’s mandate has meant that this has not happened. Without a new constitution, free and fair elections, with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate, cannot take place, as envisaged in resolution 2254 (2015). Elections that do not meet those requirements will deny millions of Syrians the opportunity to take part in deciding the future of Syria and to share in ownership of the political process, as endorsed by the Council. Unfortunately, there appears to be an equal lack of progress on other aspects of resolution 2254 (2015).”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“We call on all parties, particularly the principal actors, to refrain from escalatory actions, which risk undermining the fragile ceasefire. This Friday, 30 October, marks one year since the Constitutional Committee first convened. When it was first launched, the Security Council expressed its determination in its presidential statement S/PRST/2019/12, of 8 October 2019, that this would be the beginning of the political process to end the conflict in line with resolution 2254 (2015) that met the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians. But since 30 October, the Committee has convened on only two further occasions — once in November 2019 and once in August this year. In that time, not only has no substantial progress been made, it appears that it remains difficult even to get the regime to agree to attend meetings.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“Let me thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings today. We once again express our full support for their tireless work on Syria and commend the ongoing efforts of United Nations actors to address the needs of the Syrian people in dire circumstances on the ground. I am also grateful to the humanitarian co-penholders for the statement delivered by the Belgian Ambassador (annex III). I want to agree with him that we should ensure that we focus separately on the humanitarian situation going forward in our programme of work. Let me also, at the outset, express some concern about reports of a significant Russian air strike on opposition fighters in Idlib province yesterday. That appears to be the largest-single attack in Idlib since the 5 March ceasefire came into effect.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“Ultimately, there is no substitute for direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, which is the only way to reach a sustainable peace.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“These negative actions must stop. We urge the parties instead to pursue confidence-building measures to build the foundations of future final status discussions. The Palestinian Authority must resume cooperation with Israel. We urge progress on economic issues and the facilitation of trade. Settlements, demolitions and evictions must stop. Rocket fire and incitement will not be tolerated.S/2020/1055 The United Kingdom remains committed to taking forward progress on efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We continue to support a two-State solution based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. We restate our support for regional and international efforts aimed at facilitating a peace process.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom has expressed our concern at the increase in settler violence, the destruction of olive trees and the stealing of projects coinciding with the Palestinian olive harvest. As the occupying Power, the Israeli security forces must provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population. In Gaza, while relative calm has resumed, the Israeli Defense Force’s discovery on 22 October of a tunnel penetrating dozens of yards into Israeli territory is of great concern. There have also been further rocket launches this month and a return to launching improvised explosive device balloons by Gaza’s militant groups. The United Kingdom condemns such indiscriminate attacks against Israeli civilians. We continue to call upon Hamas and other terrorist groups to permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“Alongside European partners, the United Kingdom has made clear our strong opposition to this latest settlement advancement. The United Kingdom also remains concerned about demolitions of Palestinian buildings and evictions of Palestinians from their homes across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Demolitions and evictions in 2020 have proceeded at a concerning pace. The United Kingdom is seriously concerned by the possible demolition by Israeli authorities of a Palestinian school funded by the international community in Ras Al-Tin. The right to education is basic and essential to having a strong and thriving Palestinian education system that will provide opportunities for the next generation. We call on Israel to halt such actions.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“The suspension of the threat of annexation was the first step on this road. It must now become permanent. It is vital that the Palestinian Authority resumes cooperation with Israel and that the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships come together in dialogue to pursue the path of peace. That is the consistent message of my Foreign Secretary. To rebuild trust, we must see an end to the detrimental action on the ground. We are particularly concerned by the announcement on 15 October of nearly 5,000 settlement units, many deep in the West Bank. The expansion of settlements violates international law and is a counterproductive step in the light of the positive developments between Israel and its neighbours of which I have spoken.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“I thank United Nations Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing. The United Kingdom has continued to support the progress made on normalizing relations between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates and Israel. We hope others will follow suit for the benefit of the whole region, and we therefore welcome Friday’s statement from the Governments of the Sudan, Israel and the United States of America on the normalization of relations between Israel and the Sudan. As United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said, “this step is a boost for the democratic transition in the Sudan and peace in the region”. Last month, I stated that such agreements represent a profound shift in the region, a shift that must now proceed in parallel with steps to resolve the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. There is much to be done to rebuild trust.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“In conclusion, it is vital that we hear from all regional States, and we would welcome discussions beyond the Council that could help to identify political and practical steps to reduce mistrust within the region. Such discussions could include a potential mediation role for the United Nations. As I said at the outset, tensions and insecurity in the region ultimately serve none. I again thank the Russian Federation for organizing this debate on such an important issue.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“I want to welcome the commitment to regional security expressed by Iran in its letter of 15 October addressed to the Security Council covering the Hormuz Peace Endeavour. But, as a party to conflicts across the region, Iran is not an impartial actor, and it would not be appropriate for any initiative to be Iranian- led. More consultation is needed within the region to avoid another failed regional security initiative. We should learn from the many failed attempts in order to make a future initiative a success. The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which led to the 1975 Helsinki Accords, provides both positive and negative lessons, on which we can draw.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“While we hope that today’s debate is a step in the right direction, we must be honest that an open debate in the Security Council, however well intentioned, is not the forum for such conversations. Progress can ultimately be made only through candid conversations among all the parties. We are also not convinced that launching into security-focused working groups will result in meaningful dialogue. We must remain realistic about the current level of regional mistrust. The issues involved are complex and sensitive and an incremental approach is needed to build confidence and cooperation. More critically, as Russia points out, any dialogue needs to be shaped by regional participants.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“We welcome the Secretary-General’s participation in this debate and the role of the United Nations working to resolve each of the aforementioned conflicts and sources of tension in the region. The Secretary-General can continue to rely on the United Kingdom’s full support in each theatre. However, as the concept note (S/2020/1013) for today’s debate suggests, there is a need to look beyond the current crises and to engage on wider issues. In the longer term, that will require a process within the region, which includes confidence-building measures leading to a wider dialogue. The United Nations has a potential role to play as a trusted mediator and, indeed, paragraph 8 of resolution 598 (1987) makes provision for the Secretary-General to examine, with States of the region, measures to enhance regional security and stability.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“On Syria, the United Kingdom continues to support an inclusive Syrian- led political process, as provided for in resolution 2254 (2015). Following the latest Constitutional Committee talks, we again implore all parties to engage properly with the process. A political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis. We fully support the peace process led by the United Nations Special Envoy, and we urge all parties, particularly the Yemeni parties, to engage constructively. We remain committed to supporting a peaceful and prosperous Iraq, able to promote stability in the region. We are proud to work with Iraq within the Global Coalition against Da’esh — a clear example of shared cooperation, effectively addressing one of the region’s biggest security concerns.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“The antidote to resentment and enmity is reconciliation, and, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said, we hope that other States will follow the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain’s example and thereby secure a more peaceful Middle East. We must therefore build on the momentum of the Abraham accords in order to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which remains a wellspring of tension across the region. There is ultimately no substitute for direct talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians towards the ultimate objective of a two-State solution. As with many of the region’s conflicts, mistrust can be countered only by measures to rebuild confidence and facilitate dialogue. Conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Iraq continue to be sources of instability in the region.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“We will also ensure that the remaining provisions of resolution 2231 (2015), in particular the restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, are rigorously enforced. For too long the region has been scarred by terrorism, war and other conflict. However, although instability has increased, we must not lose hope. We therefore welcome the announcements of normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and we welcome the suspension of Israeli annexation plans. They must stay that way. The Abraham accords demonstrate the potential for and the power of Jewish and Arab peoples in the region, breaking with the resentment and enmity of the past. Nelson Mandela once said: “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies”.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“Iran has consistently carried out arms transfers to regional non-State actors in violation of Security Council resolutions. There can be no doubt that such proliferation destabilizes the region and escalates already high tensions. That is why we regret the expiry of the conventional arms restrictions provided for under resolution 2231 (2015). We will therefore continue to build our security cooperation with allies and partners and work to find a sustainable solution to Iranian proliferation. And we will redouble our efforts to ensure the implementation of other Security Council resolutions that prohibit arms transfers to regional non-State actors, including resolution 1546 (2004), on Iraq, resolution 1701 (2006), on Lebanon and resolution 2216 (2015), on Yemen.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“As we have repeatedly said in the Chamber, our commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) remains resolute, and it is at the forefront of our policy to support regional stability. Iranian nuclear armament would have catastrophic implications for the security of the region and beyond, and the JCPOA is the only vehicle currently available to prevent that. Nevertheless, while we remain committed to the nuclear deal, systematic Iranian non-compliance with its JCPOA commitments is putting it at risk. Iran must engage constructively with the Dispute Resolution Mechanism and it must implement its commitments under the deal. That is critical to security across the Middle East. We have also frequently expressed our concern about Iran’s wider activity in the region.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“I want to start by thanking the Russian presidency for holding this debate. The issue under consideration today is one of great importance. As I start, let me just also say, in response to Robert Malley, that I want to echo my German colleague on the case of Michael Kovrig, which causes us deep concern. The United Kingdom remains concerned by the trajectory of violence, instability and hostile State activity in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Heightened tensions and insecurity serve no one’s long-term interest and instead put all at risk. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and peace. The world cannot afford another conflict in the region.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is an example for others in terms of peace processes. All that we know is that an inclusive peace process is far more likely to be a sustained, lasting and successful peace process. We encourage all the parties in Colombia not to lose sight of this and to ensure the full implementation of the Comprehensive Programme for Safeguards for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders. Let me conclude by saying that we applaud the Colombian Government and the Verification Mission for the progress that they have continued to achieve despite a global pandemic. While many significant challenges remain, the need for a lasting and sustainable peace is clear, and the United Kingdom will continue to support Colombia on this journey.”
2020-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1023 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom also welcomes the recent approval by the Colombian Congress of the use of additional funds from mineral royalties to implement the development programmes with a territorial approach, as well as the progress being made in this area. It is imperative for the remaining road maps to be finalized and for the development programmes to be implemented in order to bring peace and stability to relevant regions. The State needs to increase and strengthen its presence in these rural areas to allow peace and prosperity fully to take hold. In this anniversary month of resolution 1325 (2000), let me echo the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. As we recall, the Colombian peace process was notable for the importance it placed on the involvement of women and the mainstreaming of gender in the Final Agreement.”
2020-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1023 (2020) · source
“We echo the call for all relevant Colombian institutions to support the Special Investigations Unit in the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that those responsible for this violence are put on trial. More broadly, as we have emphasized in previous statements before the Security Council, the establishment of a public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups is vital for bringing lasting peace across Colombia. It is encouraging that the National Commission on Security Guarantees met during the reporting period. This should now be followed by concrete and realistic proposals for action to be implemented as soon as possible.”
2020-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1023 (2020) · source
“This will bring some relief to the human rights defenders and social leaders facing constant threats, although additional resources are urgently required to continue this progress and to clear the backlog of requests. These social leaders cannot afford to wait. We remain very concerned by the high rate of killings of community leaders, human rights defenders and other activists, as well as the worrisome rise in multiple killings of civilians in recent months. It goes without saying that we condemn such violence, and we condemn the armed groups responsible. A powerful deterrent to such killings is the bringing to justice of those who ordered them and of those who carried them out.”
2020-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1023 (2020) · source
“Truth and the acknowledgment of past crimes, however long ago they were committed, play a powerful role in a country’s ability to heal and, I am sure, in Colombia’s ongoing peacebuilding process as well. More generally, we were pleased to see the continued progress made by those institutions of transitional justice despite the challenge of COVID-19. We look forward to hearing from Foreign Minister Blum de Barberi’s Government regarding a future role for the Verification Mission in supporting Colombia in monitoring compliance with the sanctions of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. We also welcome the significant increase in the approval of protection measures taken by the National Protection Unit.”
2020-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1023 (2020) · source
“In Colombia, I think that will be impossible without the full and comprehensive implementation of the peace process. Minister Blum de Barberi is among friends and has our support today. We believe it is important to highlight some of the positive developments since our last discussion (see S/PV.8749). Let me start with what might seem an unusual one: the recent apology of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejército del Pueblo for the thousands of kidnappings the group carried out and the suffering it caused, combined with its claiming responsibility for the death of Álvaro Gómez Hurtado. This was long overdue. It caused new pain as well as suffering, but it was also a vindication of the very purpose of Colombia’s post-conflict transitional justice institutions.”
2020-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1023 (2020) · source