YouSaid · the spoken record

Kamara

lines on the record: 303
first: 1999-10-22
most recent: 2019-08-02
sittings or episodes: 33
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

“The report provides some insights into good practices and progress made by Member States, regional and international organizations, as well as constraints in the global effort to fully engage women in all national processes, whether they concern peace and security or political or socio-economic development. We broadly support those recommendations. Liberia continues to make progress in its efforts to involve women at decision-making levels in all areas of national governance. At critical junctures in Liberia's history, its women have demonstrated the ability to lead. Liberia holds the distinct honour of being the birthplace and home of the first woman and the first African to be appointed President of the General Assembly at its twenty-fourth session in 1970.”
2011-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6642Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Already one year has passed since we commemorated the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) with many activities, including a similar debate in this very Council (S/PV.6411); a plethora of commitments by Member States to translate the major tenets of that resolution into smart national action plans; the adoption of initial indicators to measure progress; and a request that the Secretary-General develop a strategic framework to guide the United Nations implementation of the resolution. It remains our challenge to meet the expectations that have been raised by those activities. We commend the Secretary-General on his report on women and peace and security (S/201l/598*), which reflects a laudable effort to use the indicators currently available in assessing progress.”
2011-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6642Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It is an honour for me to participate in this debate during your presidency, Madam, which itself reflects the level of participation that we hope will become increasingly accessible to larger numbers of women. It pleases me even more, given the important contribution that your country, Nigeria, and other Member States have made towards the creation and maintenance of an environment of peace in Liberia. It is that enabling environment, coupled with visionary leadership and strong partnerships, which has allowed the Liberian Government to pursue policies that provide opportunities for the advancement and empowerment of Liberian women.”
2011-10-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6642Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Moreover, the cross-border activities heighten the country's vulnerability and present risks of destabilization. We would like to urge the international community to maintain critical focus on the escalating crisis in the sisterly country of C6te d'Ivoire, as we fear that failure to resolve the impasse could undermine the gains made not only in Liberia, but also in the West African subregion. We ask you, Mr. President, and members of the Council not to allow the situations in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire to become forgotten humanitarian crises. There is an urgent need for resources to enable the humanitarian community and the Government of Liberia to prepare an effective response to the growing protection needs of those who have been displaced internally and externally.”
2011-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6495 (2011) · source
“Liberia has reached a critical turning point. Critical because Liberians, in a few months' time, will be going to the polls to choose their leaders in the country's second post-conflict elections. This exercise is crucial, as it will test the commitment to democratic governance and the ability to manage democratic processes in a peaceful manner. Against the backdrop of this preoccupation with national elections, developments in neighbouring C6te d'Ivoire and the spillover effect of a continuing influx of refugees into Liberia give rise to serious concern. Not only do these developments present security challenges, as the Special Representative noted earlier, they impose a heavy burden on a Government and a people whose resources are already extremely limited.”
2011-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6495 (2011) · source
“The report under consideration today presents a balanced picture of progress and constraints, systemic weaknesses and critical gaps. It confirms, indeed, that Liberia still has some way to go. Liberia's request in May last year to be placed on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission was underpinned by its acknowledgement of those critical gaps and a determination to address them. The Commission's engagement with Liberia provides a platform and framework for accelerating action in the priority areas of the rule of law, security sector reform and national reconciliation, areas which are inextricably 6 linked to UNMIL's benchmarks and transition strategy. It is important, therefore, that activities on both tracks be carefully synchronized and that decisions be guided by the realities on the ground.”
2011-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6495 (2011) · source
“Indeed, many of the Governments which you, the members of the Council, represent - including yours, Mr. President - continue to provide valuable support to Liberia's recovery. It is only through this combination of global efforts within the United Nations framework, strong bilateral partnerships and an unwavering commitment of the Government of Liberia that Liberians can truly envisage enduring peace, stability and equitable growth and development. When the present Government, under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, assumed its responsibilities in 2006, the situation in Liberia was indeed dire. Significant gains have been made since then, and in some respects Liberia has achieved certain goals in record time. In other areas, however, progress has not met expectations, and many challenges remain.”
2011-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6495 (2011) · source
“I am grateful for the opportunity to make this brief statement as the Council prepares to consider the twenty-second progress report on the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) 5 (S/2011/72). Let me begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Liberia, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Laj, and Prince Zeid for their insightful presentations. My Government appreciates the committed services being rendered to Liberia by these two eminent persons, in particular their respective contributions to the process of peacebuilding and peace consolidation in Liberia. I would like to also thank the Secretary-General, the Council, the men and women in UNMIL and the countries that have contributed them, and the rest of the international community for their steadfast support for Liberia.”
2011-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6495 (2011) · source
“Among other impressive strides taken by the Government of Sierra Leone to improve the welfare of our women and girls are affirmative action for girl- child education and the recent adoption of the free health care delivery initiative for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under the age of five. We are well aware that it is our national responsibility to implement the provisions of this groundbreaking resolution. We acknowledge the support of the Unite Nations system and the international community as a whole in what we have been able to achieve since resolution 1325 (2000) was adopted 10 years ago. We count on their continued and sustained support, especially that of United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, in this noble venture.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The illicit flow and use of small arms and light weapons during the 11-year rebel war was devastating, particularly for our women and girls. In this regard, the enactment of the National Commission on Small Arms Act of 2010 and the formal establishment of the National Commission should, among other things, enhance our capacity to address the issue of violence, including gender-based and sexual Violence. We have also established a National Committee on Gender- based Violence to look into cases of abuse and violence against women and girls. Moreover, pillar 3 of the Sierra Leone national action plan specifically deals with the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators as a way of addressing the question of impunity for sexual and gender-based Violence.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“A woman was appointed as Chief Justice of the judiciary of Sierra Leone. Nine of the 21 judges are women, while four of the seven Supreme Court justices are also women. The first female brigadier in Sierra Leone - also the first in West Africa - was recently appointed as a major step towards the implementation of the equal opportunities policy adopted in 2009 by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Access to justice for our women has been reinforced through the enactment of the three gender- responsive laws: the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Devolution of Estates Act. These laws are designed to promote women's human rights and protect women against discrimination.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Prior to the launching of our national action plan, we also launched an overarching national gender strategic plan, with which the national action plan has been harmonized with a view to mainstreaming its implementation into the President's Agenda for Change. Increasing the participation and representation of our women in peace and security programmes within a democratic governance structure for us is key. To ensure that the role of women in the local Government machinery is enhanced, the Local Government Act stipulates gender parity at the municipal level. We have also ensured a significant improvement in the participation of women in the security and justice sectors by appointing a number of women to senior management positions. In 2008, for instance, there was a landmark appointment.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In resolution 1941 (2010), the Council commended the Government of Sierra Leone for recognizing the important role of women in peacebuilding, with reference to resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), by establishing national strategies relating to women, peace and security. Today, we can boast of a national action plan launched by President Koroma on 8 June, which was developed through a process that has been acclaimed by many as highly participatory and inclusive. This comprehensive plan includes a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure that all actors are accountable for its full implementation.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“My delegation would like to thank you for organizing this debate in connection with the tenth anniversary of the adoption of what has become a landmark resolution in the history of the United Nations - namely, resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report contained in document S/2010/498. From our own experience, sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full and effective participation of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace processes, and post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. A few weeks ago, the Security Council itself acknowledged the efforts that Sierra Leone is making towards the prevention and resolution of conflict and in peacebuilding.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I would like to confirm what the Special Representative of the Secretary- General has said to the effect that, while we are grateful for what has been provided, continuous support is indeed needed. We are hopeful that placing Liberia on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission will give further impetus to the efforts that are taking place on the ground. I would again like to thank the President for the opportunity to participate in this meeting.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“I did not come prepared to make a statement, but I think the least that I can do is, through the Council, to express our appreciation for the support that has been provided to Liberia over time by the peacekeeping Mission and by the continued extension of its mandate and presence. I also want to express our appreciation to troop- contributing countries that have deployed their forces in Liberia and constitute the mainstay of peace and security, as the Special Representative of the Secretary- General has stated. I also want to thank her for the exceptional guidance that she is providing to the peacekeeping Mission. Liberia appreciates all the support that it is receiving. The Government is making tremendous efforts to move forward with the rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes.”
2010-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6379 (2010) · source
“Ultimately, the end-state objective of a peacekeeping operation should include protection mandates to help create an enabling environment for the host nation to exercise absolute control in protecting its citizens. Judging from my country's recent past, I would like to conclude by reaffirming Sierra Leone's interest in and commitment to addressing the challenges affecting the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Special Court for Sierra Leone and other tribunals were established as instruments to combat impunity, thus holding responsible parties and individuals to account for serious violations, especially those considered to bear the greatest responsibility for violations of international humanitarian law. Despite the systematic efforts made within the United Nations system to find ways to streamline and improve peacekeeping operations in tandem with the protection of civilians, there are still inherent challenges related to ambiguity over how the United Nations should intervene when its Members lack either the military force or, in some cases, the political will to halt all forms of carnage.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The provisions of international human rights law also demand that all belligerent groups respect the distinction between combatants and non-combatants, attack only military targets and use only the degree of violence proportionate to their military requirement, while taking due care to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Regrettably, the practices of warring factions lag well behind the legal requirements and the global culture of the protection of civilians. The rational dimension of the protection of civilians is critical to the attainment of lasting peace.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The new mandate also included the provision of security in and around disarmament and demobilization areas and facilitating the free flow of people, goods and humanitarian assistance. Although the mandate succinctly talked about the protection of civilians under imminent threat of danger, it did not specify how it should be done. Therefore, a mandate has to be very clear so as to leave no ambiguity. Today, most peacekeeping operations have the protection of civilians entrenched in the mandates given by the Security Council. In his last report (S/2009/277), the Secretary- General urged compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as international and domestic criminal law, by States and non-State actors alike.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The initial mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone was changed in 2000 to include, among other functions, assisting in monitoring respect for international humanitarian law, including at disarmament and demobilization sites, emergency relief and the repatriation of internally displaced persons and refugees. Security and geopolitical situation during that period in Sierra Leone posed a very serious challenge to the concept of the protection of civilians. The atrocities committed by the warring factions accelerated the deployment of one of the largest peacekeeping forces in the history of the United Nations. That was necessary to protect civilians, who were left at the mercy of the rebels and their cohorts.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Broadly speaking, those challenges include measures that can be taken to protect the safety, dignity, integrity and sanctity of all civilians in times of war, which are rooted in obligations under international humanitarian, refugee and human rights law. International humanitarian law lays down the minimum protection and standards applicable in a situation where people are most vulnerable in armed conflict. It aims to prevent situations that might exacerbate vulnerabilities, such as displacement and the destruction of civilian property. On the specific question of mandates, I would like to preface our intervention by comprehensively looking at the situation in my country immediately following the United Nations troop hostage crisis in the eastern part of Sierra Leone.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I would like to explicitly stress the nexus between the protection of civilians and transitional justice, especially when occasioned by default in the context of armed conflict, as the nature of war keeps changing, with conflicts increasingly interrelated, involving non-State actors and including the deliberate targeting of civilians. It is important from the outset to recognize the significant strides made by the United Nations in addressing the immense challenges confronting the protection of civilians and the adoption of resolution 1894 (2009) of 11 November 2009 following a comprehensive review.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“My delegation wishes to pay special tribute to you, Madam President, for organizing this open debate of the Security Council to discuss the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I would also like to express our deep appreciation to the Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General John Holmes and High Commissioner Pillay for their perceptive remarks. Sierra Leone welcomes this open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which has become one of the most valuable and indispensable tools available to the Security Council in addressing conflict challenges. The significance of this discussion cannot be overemphasized, but it is particularly important given that Africa is still home to a number of conflicts, making the challenges so real.”
2010-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6354Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I would like to conclude by calling on all parties to armed conflicts the world over to adopt measures to halt the participation of children in hostilities by working closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and all relevant actors to ensure that the recommendations contained in the report before us are adhered to in accordance with international child protection standards.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It would be remiss of me if I were to conclude my intervention without commending the roles played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children in Armed Conflict, the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and the relevant Security Council sanctions committees - but more especially the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for its efforts in mainstreaming child protection into peacekeeping missions.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“All of those challenges need to be adequately addressed if our hard-earned peace is to be sustained. Many laudable gains have been achieved thanks to the support and assistance provided by our development partners. Let me take this opportunity to assure the Council that Sierra Leone will continue to address this issue by regularly participating in the debate on providing protection for victims and punishing perpetrators of violations and abuses committed against children.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Finally, on 8 April 2009, the Special Court of Sierra Leone handed down a verdict against three members of the defunct Revolutionary United Front for committing serious violations of international law - namely, the enlistment, conscription and use of children below the age of 15 to actively participate in hostilities - which is a very important precedent in ending impunity. Sierra Leone cannot choose to remain silent on this issue simply because we are no longer at war or because we do not appear in annexes I and II of the report before the Council. Although the war ended some eight years ago, its vestiges are still evident in our communities. We are still grappling with issues such as youth unemployment, amputees, children born of rape and roaming ex-child combatants, to mention but a few.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In February 2007, we endorsed the Paris Commitments to protect children unlawfully recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups. We enacted child rights acts that raise the minimum age for recruitment into the armed forces of Sierra Leone from 17.5 to 18 years of age. In 2002, we established a national commission for war-affected children, which is still functional. We also established a national commission for human rights that has a mandate to examine all cases of human rights, including those of children. We set up a family support unit within the police department to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation. We established a child protection committee, headed by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs, that operates in various parts of the country to take care of vulnerable children.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Having gone through a war that witnessed gross and systematic violations of the human rights of children, including but not limited to forceful conscription, forced labour, rape and other forms of despicable atrocities committed against innocent children, we are left with no alternative but to join the fight to end this heinous crime wherever it is committed in the world. As a State party to the relevant international human rights instruments dedicated to the promotion and protection of the rights of children, we have taken the following practical measures to ensure our adherence to resolution 1612 (2005) and all relevant Security Council resolutions on the issue, including its most recent, resolution 1882 (2009).”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In that respect, we reiterate our wholehearted commendation to the Council for adopting resolution 1882 (2009), which further strengthened the protection framework for children by extending the scope of the monitoring and reporting mechanism to include sexual violence and killing and maiming in addition to the issue of the recruitment of children. It is our fervent hope that the Council will work speedily to include the issues of abduction and denial of humanitarian access.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We believe that it affords States an opportunity to examine efforts made towards the implementation of the resolutions under consideration. For us in Sierra Leone, it is yet another opportunity to tell the international community that we were not only determined to address the question of impunity through the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court, but are also committed to working with the rest of the international community to address the scourge of conscription and the use of innocent children in conflicts, together with other grave violations.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“My delegation views it as a more realistic, effective and practical approach to addressing the scourge of the recruitment and use of children as soldiers. The establishment of the Task Force on Children and Armed Conflict, which reports regularly on grave violations, and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict gave more impetus to the issue. Moreover, the resolution appeals to parties to armed conflict to formulate specific action plans to stop the recruitment and use of children as soldiers, thereby providing a framework for compliance. Above all, the resolution carries the message of combating impunity, an issue that is very dear to my country. My delegation is very much delighted to be a part of this stocktaking exercise today.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Let me start by thanking you for, Mr. President, organizing this open debate on children and armed conflict and by congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June. My thanks also go to the entire membership of the Security Council for its landmark resolution 1612 (2005) and all previous and subsequent Council resolutions that seek to advance the agenda of children caught in the middle of unfortunate conflicts, in particular resolution 1882 (2009), from which this debate emanated. Permit me also to thank the Secretary-General for his very informative report contained in document S/2010/181. We note with appreciation the recommendations contained therein. The adoption of the Council's landmark resolution 1612 (2005) was a move in the right direction.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Even though we recognize the need to deal with the issue as a matter of urgency, we are of the view that all five clusters should be accorded the same sense of expediency. The Sirte Declaration and the Ezulwini Consensus, which are our guiding instruments in the matter of the reform of the Security Council, further underscore the need to improve the balance of competence between the General Assembly and the Security Council. The proverbial delicate umbilical cord essentially interlinks all the clusters. Thus, no attempt should be made to exclude or even render any one of them less important in the reform process.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“Given that the Security Council and the General Assembly must work closely together within their respective spheres in seeking solutions to the plethora of challenges confronting the international community, we have emphasized the need for regular consultations and the effective and timely exchange and flow of information between the Assembly and the Council, and for the submission of more comprehensive and analytical reports to the General Assembly, including special subject-oriented reports and informative press releases on current issues of international concern. Africa is strongly of the view that efforts aimed at restructuring the Security Council should not be subjected to a predetermined timetable.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“The Security Council should increase the number of public meetings, in accordance with Articles 31 and 32 of the Charter of the United Nations; allow for briefings by special envoys or special representatives of the Secretary-General and representatives of the Secretariat to take place in public meetings, unless there are exceptional circumstances; enhance its relationship with the Secretariat and troop-contributing countries, including through sustained, regular and timely interaction to allow for the effective planning and implementation of mission objectives; uphold the primacy of and respect for the Charter in connection with its functions and powers and in accordance with the provisions of Article 24 of the Charter; provide adequate and timely information on its activities to the general membership of the United Nations; avoid any attempt to use it to pursue national political agendas and ensure non-selectivity and impartiality in its work; refrain from resorting to Chapter VII of the Charter as an umbrella for addressing issues that do not necessarily pose a threat to international peace and security, but fully utilize the provisions of Chapters VI and VIII before invoking Chapter VII, which should be a measure of last resort, if necessary; avoid any recourse to the imposition, prolongation or extension of sanctions against any State under the pretext or with the aim of achieving the political objectives of one or a few States, rather than in the general interest of the international community; and formalize its provisional rules of procedure in order to improve its transparency and accountability.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“Africa favours a more accessible, democratic, representative, accountable and effective Security Council that responds to the exigencies of our time. In this connection, I should like to state the African common position on the Council's working methods, as adopted at the fourteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa on 31 January 2010, which complements the African common position on Security Council reform, as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“The introduction of written annual reports covering the operations of the subsidiary bodies, including the latest measure requiring each Council's presidency to prepare a published assessment of its operations, among other things, are all steps in the right direction of making the Council more responsive to the general membership. Despite the aforementioned noteworthy attempts of the Council to live up to the expectations of its members and non-members, it is the considered View of the African Group that the measures are not far- reaching enough to endow the Council with sufficient capacity to deliver on its moral obligations as a representative, transparent, democratic and accountable decision-making body charged with the principal responsibility of the United Nations, and some of whose decisions are binding on the entire membership.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“We acknowledge that the Security Council has made significant progress in taking measures to promote some degree of efficiency and transparency in the manner in which it conducts its business, thanks to the efforts of its Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions and especially with the adoption of the note by the President of the Security Council contained in document S/2006/507 and subsequent notes related to the working methods of the Council. We encourage further efforts in this direction through the practice of incoming Presidents to brief non-members on the programme of work at the beginning of each month.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“In addressing the theme of today's open debate on working methods, I must hasten to reaffirm that we support an expeditious and comprehensive reform process, embracing all the negotiable clusters, that will make the Security Council more representative, transparent, inclusive, accountable, effective and efficient in executing its responsibilities in order to ensure that its decisions are legitimate and representative of the views and positions of the wider membership.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“The fact that the rules of procedure of this very important organ of the Organization remain provisional clearly points to a lacuna in the working methods of the Council. Clearly, there is a missing link in the working methods of the Council, which makes it extremely expedient for the organ to undergo a reality check. This explains why the African Group has consistently called for a thorough reform that would make the Council responsive to the urgent needs of the increasingly turbulent world of the twenty-first century.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“1 have the honour to speak on behalf of the African Group at this open debate on the implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2006/507) and to express our continued support for Japan's presidency in the month of April, and particularly for convening a session on this all important subject to assess the implementation of the measures set out in the annex to document S/2006/507, following the debate of August 2008 (see S/PV.5968). At the outset, the African Group aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and further wishes to reiterate its correspondence of 23 December 2009 addressed to the facilitator of the ongoing reform process.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source
“In conclusion, I want to reaffirm Sierra Leone's unfettered commitment to the establishment of the International Criminal Court and to the maintenance of the integrity of its Statute.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Sierra Leone signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on 17 October 1998 and ratified it on 15 September 2000, joining those who believe that the creation of a jurisdiction capable of complementing national systems when they are unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects represents one of the most effective instruments that the international community has created to prevent future conflicts and to provide redress for millions of victims of outrageous violence. Today the Security Council has been convened to take action on a proposal regarding the maintenance of peace. We hope that, in their deliberations, Council members will adhere to international law, bearing in mind that what is at stake here is not only respect for universal norms but also, and above all, the lives and welfare of millions of individuals.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Victims of heinous crimes all over the world are crying out for justice, and we must give them hope that durable peace and a prosperous future are possible through the rule of law. Indeed, Sierra Leone is extremely grateful for the timely assistance and support provided by the Government and the people of the United States, and we hope that our country will finally recover and will be able to rebuild a free and democratic society based on justice and accountability.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568Resumption1 (2002) · source
“They are calling on the United Nations - especially the Security Council - to fight impunity and to hold accountable for their crimes the perpetrators of atrocities committed systematically and on a massive scale. My delegation believes it unthinkable that peacekeepers would engage in atrocities systematically and on a massive scale. Under the circumstances, my delegation does not have apprehensions about future Sierra Leonean peacekeepers falling under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). And even if Sierra Leonean nationals engaged in future peacekeeping activities were to commit atrocities systematically and on a massive scale, the Sierra Leonean judicial system would have primacy with respect to such nationals, in conformity with the principle of complementarity enshrined in the Statute of the ICC.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568Resumption1 (2002) · source
“As always, Sierra Leone is delighted to see the United Kingdom assume the presidency of this body, and in particular to see you, Sir, chairing this open debate. In the same vein, we thank you for giving the delegation of Sierra Leone the opportunity to participate in the debate. As the Council is aware, on 12 June 2000, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, requested the United Nations to establish a special court as a means of bringing and maintaining peace and security in Sierra Leone and, indeed, in the West African subregion. Victims of heinous crimes in Sierra Leone, and victims all over the world, want justice to be done. My delegation believes they deserve it, and I am sure that the Council agrees.”
2002-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4568Resumption1 (2002) · source
“This meeting should send a strong reminder to the international community that Africa should not be forgotten. In the midst of a rapidly changing international environment and global responses to changes, we should not forget Africa and its problems. Responses to the questions posed in the guidelines for this meeting suggest that the problems that confront Africa, numerous as they are, are well known. What we need now is a speedy global response to those problems. And I emphasize the words "speedy" and "global".”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source
“Based on our own experience in the area of conflict, we suggest that the Security Council establish- and, where they exist, strengthen- monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of arms embargoes and take the lead in ensuring that small arms and light weapons are not transferred to non-State entities. Secondly, we suggest the Council support the dispatch of more United Nations missions for inquiries or fact-finding in potential conflict areas as early as possible, to investigate, inter alia, any breaches of international humanitarian law. Thirdly, the Council should strengthen peace- building efforts by mandating appropriate measures that would empower relevant United Nations bodies to provide adequate and timely resources not only for disarmament and demobilization, but also for the reintegration of ex-combatants.”
2002-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4460Resumption1 (2002) · source