YouSaid · the spoken record

Khan

lines on the record: 485
first: 1992-11-16
most recent: 2023-11-08
sittings or episodes: 38
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

“In very simple terms, the types of evidence — video, audio, statements, medical, the whole variety of electronic data — need to be rendered more malleable and more accessible to investigators and analysts and then, ultimately, presented, as necessary and where relevant, to a court of law. The second principle is empowering victims and witnesses. The Hague is distant from the majority of its situations. It is distant from Libya, and it is blindingly obvious, in my respectful view, that arms- length investigations are not the most effective. We need to work shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand with victims, survivors and affected communities. We also need to embrace and, wherever possible, work with States.”
2022-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9024 (2022) · source
“The other aspect is an ever more acute realization that harnessing technology is absolutely vital. The massive data sets that are the hallmark of the kind of crimes that are within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) require us to utilize in an integrated fashion the latest technology that is available — artificial intelligence, machine-learning tools, translation platforms that allow mass data to be effectively translated before a more cost-intensive exercise of human review is carried out. All that will allow us to accelerate our action. I think that it is not an exaggeration to say that, when we start seeing some of that, and the timelines are listed in the report, it will have the potential, I hope, to have a profound effect on investigations.”
2022-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9024 (2022) · source
“I have said to the Security Council before that I will prioritize referrals made by the Council to my Office. That is not an abstract principle. That requires greater resources, greater skills and greater urgency because of the responsibility that this organ has for maintaining international peace and security. That promise of greater prioritization has already been given effect to in these past few months by additional resources and additional staff. At the same time, I highlighted an increased need to focus on a number of areas. For the purpose of today’s briefing, I will identify financial investigations and tracking in relation to the Libya situation, as well as focusing on sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against and affecting children.”
2022-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9024 (2022) · source
“It is my view, with the greatest of respect, that the new report put forward is a good attempt to try to identify and articulate benchmarks for the first time in an Office of the Prosecutor report in terms of timelines for certain action, so that the Office can also be held to account, and I can also make sure that it does better in terms of moving things forward. The stocktaking exercise has shown that some significant progress has been made. There is a renewed investigative strategy that provides a framework. But the plan for renewed action of a more dynamic and more impactful investigation is perhaps best articulated in some key principles that underpin my overall vision for the work of my Office. The first principle is prioritization.”
2022-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9024 (2022) · source
“I have to emphasize what is mentioned in the report and what I said on the first occasion. Those situations referred to by the Security Council cannot become never-ending stories. They need to move forward, and we need to ensure justice. It may be the case that the old adage, “Justice delayed is justice denied”, is not correct; maybe justice delayed still can be arrived at. But certainly victims and survivors have every right to see that their lives, their hopes and their suffering are looked at thoroughly, and if there is criminal responsibility, that it be brought before an independent court.”
2022-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9024 (2022) · source
“Mr. Khan: I thank you, Madam President, once again for the opportunity to brief the Security Council for the second time in relation to the Libya matter. I had the opportunity earlier this morning to sit down with the Permanent Representative of Libya to discuss matters arising from the situation. In my most recent briefing (see S/PV.8911), I set out a hope and a plan that I would review comprehensively the evidence and the Libya situation to give some greater clarity to the members of the Security Council and try to work as effectively as possible to discharge the very serious and very necessary responsibilities that the Council placed on my Office in 2011 by way of resolution 1970 (2011). This is the twenty-third report that the Office has presented to the Council.”
2022-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9024 (2022) · source
“I say to the representative of Kenya that I hope that I will be attending the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government next month, if it takes place. We will discuss a variety of matters, including better engagement between the Office of the Prosecutor and the States of the African Union.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Last year, I met the former Chair of the African Union, President Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and then I went to Dakar and met the current Chair of the African Union, President Macky Sall. The States of the African Union have shown themselves to be leaders — world leaders, in the Hissène Habré case — of ensuring different solutions for accountability. I therefore think we can look at new partnerships. As I said in my remarks, there is no magic in the forums of adjudication. The principle has to be to give life to the promise that every life matters and that people who have lost everything have a right to have those facts properly investigated and put before an appropriate tribunal, whether it be the International Criminal Court or in the Sudan or a hybrid option, including support from the African Union. I hope that engagement will go further.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Mr. Khan: I thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to say a few words once again. One thing that I think is clear to everybody is that the demand for justice is not going to go away, and the Office of the Prosecutor, which I have the honour to lead, will demonstrate and show the stamina and perseverance that the Darfuri people themselves have shown. There can be no reconciliation without justice. This is not an incantation; it is a statement of fact. And in this quest we can look at a number of different options. The representative of Kenya asked about the engagement with the African Union. Resolution 1593 (2005), of course, talks about trials in the region.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“It is my view that — and I will be quite candid about the state of evidence, but I will also be candid about a simple truth — unless and until we get justice, the Sudan runs the risk of always being defined by the past conduct and the past events that compelled the Security Council to act in 2005. If we — the Office of the Prosecutor, the Government of the Sudan, the Security Council and Member States — work together in partnership, we can close this chapter, and if we do so, I believe that the Sudan, unencumbered and relieved by some of the burdens of the past, will, by ensuring justice, have every possibility to do something that every Council member wants, namely, to write a new chapter so that the country can march forward to a better, more prosperous and safer future.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“I hope to go again to the Sudan in the next few months, perhaps, hopefully, in April. It has been promised that such a trip, including going to Darfur to speak with some of the survivors, victims and displaced persons there, would be facilitated so that we can undertake an acceleration in the work on the cases before the Court. With your leave, Madam President, I want to speak directly to those victims to underline that during my term we will have an unwavering commitment to ensuring that the landmark Security Council decision of 2005 is honoured and respected so that there can be a proper and rigorous investigation enabling us to put before judges what the truth of the matter is.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“That is required not just by the memorandum of understanding signed in August of last year; it is required not only by resolution 1593 (2005); it also required by the Juba Peace Agreement, so these are tripartite tiers of responsibilities and commitments that I hope very much the Sudan will honour, and also work with us more closely. Cooperation from outside the Sudan is also critically important, and we have had fantastic support from the European Union, the African States, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China. This is an area, if we are to close this chapter and allow the Sudan to move forward, in which there can be no passive spectators. We have to help the Sudanese people get what they deserve, which is justice and closure.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“This is a delicate stage, of course, in the transition in the Sudan, but I would underline again that the only option for us to move forward and close this situation or find a pathway towards closure is accelerating cooperation. I mentioned this on Friday to the representative of the Sudan, Ambassador Elbahi, and I also emphasized that these cases are not against the Sudan. The Sudan is a partner, not an adversary, They are against individuals for whom the evidence discloses their responsibility in relation to crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. We need safe and secure access to the Sudan and to the archives. We need to be able to look at where the mass graves are, and we need to be able to go to all parts of the Sudan and work independently.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“We had to, for a couple of months, in fact, until now, suspend active investigations, so that was a very troublesome, concerning turn of events. The upside is that just before Christmas, my team went to Khartoum again; they spoke to General Al-Burhan, who reassured members of my Office that the memorandum of understanding was still valid, that he was looking at cooperation, and he said on more than one occasion to me directly and to the team in December that it was essential to have justice for the victims in Darfur. The challenge now collectively for all of us is to make sure that those assurances are translated into concrete, tangible partnerships and accountability.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“If we are to carve out a road map for the completion of this situation in the way that I believe the Council and the victims want, the way to do it is to accelerate the process, to inject more cooperation and assistance within the Office, and if that is done, I think that we can move forward in an effective way. On 25 October, of course, the landscape changed, and that has not been particularly helpful. In my meetings in August, not only had the memorandum of understanding been signed; there had been commitments by the Government to sign the Rome Statute and to work more closely with my Office, and there had been the agreement to help ensure a permanent field presence of the Office of the Prosecutor in Khartoum. But the hiatus from 25 October has meant that we have lost focal points. We are trying to catch up.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“What is critical are independent and impartial investigations, independent and impartial adjudications, and then the rule of law, which should triumph so that victims can move forward, realizing that everything has been done to try to ensure justice. I emphasized to the members of the Government that I would be willing to use the full panoply of options that are entwined in the Rome Statute to try to make sure that we could work together and forge better bonds so that this chapter could be closed. The simple issue is this: if we do not accelerate cooperation between the Government of the Sudan and my Office, investigations will continue.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Again, this is evidence of my intent not just to say that I am prioritizing Security Council referrals but to make sure that the resources that are needed are put into that case. During my trip to Khartoum, in August, we had some constructive meetings. I met with General Al-Burhan, of the Sovereignty Council, then Prime Minister Hamdok and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Justice. We also met United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan UNITAMS Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes and members of the international community. In this I also underlined a new approach. That is the beautiful thing about the law — there are many different solutions to one fundamental problem. It is not the location of a trial or even the forum of adjudication that is critical.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Realizing that evidential landscape, I have given more resources to the team, put more investigators on the case, including people with Arabic-language skills, and immediately, in August, two months after my term commenced, I went to the Sudan to speak to the Government, realizing the importance of cooperation. That brought tangible results, because for the first time we concluded a memorandum of understanding not only in relation to Ali Kushayb but in relation to all four of the cases for which judges of the ICC have issued warrants. I also appointed a pro bono Special Adviser to focus exclusively on the Darfur situation so that we can move together, get cooperation to a greater extent, and that is Ms. Amal Clooney.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“But the reality is this: that for a variety of reasons, over the last 17 years, including the non-cooperation of the Government of the Sudan by the previous administrations, there were no field investigations in the country, and my predecessor hibernated this situation for a long period so that investigations did not mature. As a result, I realized that the evidence, particularly against Omer Al-Bashir and Mr. Hussein, needed strengthening. I am satisfied with the strength of the evidence regarding Ali Kushayb, but in relation to the two cases I mentioned, we need to make sure we do better. That requires cooperation from the Sudan. It requires assistance from the Sudan, and it also requires cooperation and collaboration from members of the Council and from States Members of the United Nations.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“There are, of course, four warrants outstanding: the case against former President Omer Al-Bashir; the case against the former Minister of the Interior, Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein; the former governor of South Kordofan, Ahmad Harun; and the former Justice and Equality Movement rebel commander, Abdallah Banda. In relation to the latter, I recused myself from that case, which is being supervised directly by the Deputy Prosecutor. It is important, as I said in relation to my Libya briefing in December (see S/PV.8911), that during my term I wish to prioritize cases that have been referred by the Council. I started that in the Sudan situation by conducting a review of the evidence to look at the strength of those cases, and I also ensured that additional resources are brought into that case so that we can, hopefully, be more effective.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“That is an important moment this year: in just three months’ time, the promise of the Council will start being demonstrated in action by the allegations that the Office has proffered being placed before independent and impartial judges. At the same time, outreach is important. I hope to work with the Court’s Registry to make sure that there is an organized and effective outreach programme so that Sudanese people — in the Sudan, in Darfur and outside — can follow the proceedings, because they have the right to know what happened and a right to see the truth. But the Ali Kushayb case is but one case.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“The victims, the survivors and the people of Darfur have shown that persistence. But it is important, as I said in my interactions with Sudanese Government members, that the referral is not a never-ending story. We are approaching middle age — 34 reports. We need to do better collectively — my Office, of course, but also the Council — to make sure that the promise and purpose of the referral are wedded with concrete action. There are signs of hope, and there has progress notwithstanding difficulties that remain. In July 2021, all 31 charges related to a notorious Janjaweed leader, Ali Kushayb, were confirmed. The trial is set to start on 5 April. The charges include war crimes, crimes against humanity, murder, rape, torture and attacks against the civilian population in Wadi Salih and Mukjar.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Many individuals have been struggling for almost two decades for something that should be simple but seems extremely complex, namely, justice — a modicum of accountability that underlines the fact that every life matters. They have struggled and shown perseverance in relation to crimes that have unfortunately characterized a generation, at least, of men, women and children. It was that suffering that led the Council to use if powers under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations in 2005 and refer the situation to the ICC. I share the frustrations, impatience and hopes of those survivors that that singular moment — the first referral by the Council to the International Criminal Court — will yield dividends. Expectations are not unreasonable; it is simply that there should be some justice.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Mr. Khan: First, may I congratulate Norway on its presidency of the Security Council this month. It is a real honour to have the opportunity in this new year to present the thirty-fourth report of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the Darfur situation in the Sudan, pursuant to resolution 1593 (2005), which the Council adopted in 2005. Despite the strictures of the coronavirus disease pandemic and the wearing of masks, it is wonderful to be here in person. I would like to begin by recalling what I said when I met with Darfur survivors and victims when I was in Khartoum on 17 August last year. I convened a meeting with Darfur civil society.”
2022-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8948 (2022) · source
“Mr. Khan: I think the only point I would add is that I have listened very carefully to the members of the Council and the representative of Libya. Two or three members have mentioned the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and that point is very well taken. We do know that ISIL generally represents, as the Council has underlined, a threat to international peace and security, and we also know the Sisyphean efforts that countries, particularly in the Sahel, have undertaken to deal with the metastasizing violent ideology. This is a matter that I will look into further. The point is well taken, and I hope in my next report that I will have put some lines forward in relation to that. It is indeed well taken.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“In these remarks, through the lens of justice, I call for a paradigm shift, a new and evermore constructive dialogue and partnership with the Council. In short, I call for nothing less than a new era of engagement between the Office of the Prosecutor and the Council.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“The victims cannot just be raised as an incantation that makes it look as if we are doing well — and I am talking about myself as well in this. We need to do far better than we have done to date, and we can if we are united. I really ask that we look at new, imaginative ways of partnering, that we look at synergies. We can advance our common objective of accountability in the Libya situation. If a cause unites us, why not this one? If a response falls upon us — upon the Council — surely that cause and that response must be to eradicate in the twenty- first century genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and to ensure accountability based upon evidence, not polemics, political agendas or political interests.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“Furthermore, it is consistent with the Council’s decision to refer the matter of Libya to the Court. I will make every effort if the Council would take that step, and it would be money well spent. It would be a statement of intent for a new dawn, a new relationship of cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor, and I think it could have many dividends that could be discussed in other forums. In conclusion, one thing is clear: the Council has consistently reminded us all that the interests of peace and stability in Libya require that all parties comply with their public international law obligations, including respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The victims cannot be a soundbite.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“As compared to the unquantifiable cost of human suffering, even in terms of the movement of people, the lack of security and the other expenditures that are needed, money to the Court, in my humble view, can be well spent. The Council has an option. Article 115, paragraph b, of the Rome Statute makes it clear that the United Nations can provide funds to the Court, subject to the approval of the General Assembly. I would ask that the Council give urgent consideration to the possibility of requesting the United Nations to fund the Court and my Office, at least in relation to the two matters that the Council has referred to the Court. In my humble view, that is completely consistent with the principles of the Rome Statute. It is also consistent with the principles of the Charter.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“We spoke about this collaboration together, and we are going to be looking at new ways in which we can embrace not just the Agency or EUROPOL, but other regional partners from other parts of the world, and how we can use the Office within the mandate of the Rome Statute to lend a hand to national accountability mechanisms. Article 93, paragraph 10, of the Statute makes it clear that that can take place. I also take this opportunity to make a plea to the Council, unashamedly and without embarrassment. I do this knowing that the fiscal environment of all Member States has been rendered more acute by the COVID-19 pandemic. We need resources.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“That engagement has been positive. A couple of months ago, I attended one of the joint team meetings, and I was delighted that, further to that collaborative partnership, the national prosecuting authorities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in October arrested and charged someone with this egregious crime. That is one example where, in my humble view, we need to redefine success for the Court. Success does not simply mean the number of trials or proceedings at The Hague. Success means narrowing accountability, supporting national authorities and looking at imaginative ways to work together in a united manner, rather than separately. Earlier this month, I also had an opportunity to meet with the President of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, Mr. Ladislav Hamran, during the annual meeting of the Genocide Network.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“That situation manifestly undermines stabilization efforts in Libya and continues to endanger the lives of tens of thousands of people. Accountability efforts must march alongside such condemnations. That situation, by any benchmark, is of such magnitude and complexity, involving multiple States and regions, that it calls out for imaginative and nuanced responses. With your leave, Mr. President, I would like to give one example of such a nuanced response. Given the scale of the problem and the lack of dedicated resources available to my Office, we have partnered with a joint team — consisting of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL), Italy, the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands — to combine efforts, share knowledge and try to move things forward in a way that is principled and positive.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“First and foremost, I look forward to a reforging of the relationship with Libya so that we can move forward together. The other matter that is important is the troubling situation of migrants in Libya. We have had recent allegations of raids on migrant settlements in Tripoli, the excessive use of violence and arbitrary detention of migrants. We call upon the Libyan authorities to establish prompt, thorough and impartial investigations in relation to those matters, with a view to ensuring accountability for those responsible. With the greatest of humility, I genuinely commend the Council’s constancy in condemning all acts of migrant smuggling and human trafficking into, through and from the Libyan territory and off the coast of Libya.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“We have been looking at the detention facilities in Libya and have a stream of information on both official and non-official detention sites, with allegations ranging from rape, torture and mistreatment to sexual and gender-based violence. There have been allegations regarding the Mitiga Detention Centre, which is controlled by the Special Deterrence Force, and the Gernada, Al-Kuweifiya and Tarek Bin Zayed detention facilities, which are controlled by the Libyan Armed Arab Forces. I ask Libya, all respected members of the Council and States parties to reach out and lend a hand in giving information that will help to stop the suffering and the crimes that are not new to anyone in the Chamber. We cannot do much alone and without partnership.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“We continue to investigate. The simple but unfortunate truth is that, since the situation was referred in 2011, cogent and coherent allegations continue to arise from that ancient land. The plight of women, children and men is something that requires greater action. That requires renewed focus from my Office. I accept that. It requires an acceleration and more demonstrable utility of the Office of the Prosecutor. But it also requires — with the greatest of respect — more engagement and more support from this organ, which referred the matter to the Office of the Prosecutor in the first place. In this period, we also looked further into the attacks on Tripoli in April 2019, including those related to the Tarhouna mass graves.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“Despite the difficulties of the security situation and the challenges within Libya, progress has been made: interviews have taken place; missions have been conducted by members of my Office to different countries; various documents and evidentiary material have been collected, and there has been dialogue with different domestic law enforcement entities. The Office has also taken steps to further confirm, or to try to further verify, reports of the deaths of two suspects, namely, Mr. Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf Al-Werfalli and Mr. Al-Tuhamy Mohamed Khaled. I take this opportunity to ask the representative of Libya for further help and assistance, as well as Council members. If we can verify the exact status of those two individuals, we can take the necessary action of informing the Judges of the International Criminal Court.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“Taher Elsonni, Permanent Representative of Libya, yesterday. I hope and pray that it will be the first of many such meetings, because we need to work together. We need to speak openly and candidly regarding the obvious problem of lack of security and the crimes that merited the Council’s referral of matters to the ICC. Conditions permitting, I intend to go to Libya early next year. I would like to engage further with the Government of Libya, but also other stakeholders. That conversation will inform the objectives and the understanding that will be presented to the Council in my next report. There needs to be an open dialogue, and I think that will also be an extremely important part.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“I should also emphasize that, upon assuming office, cognizant of my own responsibilities under the Rome Statute and my ethical obligations under article 42, paragraph 6, of the Rome Statute, I recused myself from any case or situation where there may be an appearance of lack of impartiality, and that includes the case of Mr. Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi. I will therefore refer all Council members to the written report submitted, which deals with those matters. Those cases have been completely handled by my Deputy, Mr. James Stewart, and not by me. This reporting period has been a challenging time due to COVID-19 as well as due to the security situation in Libya. It has not been easy, and the team has not been able to travel physically to Libya. I had a good meeting with His Excellency Mr.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“Of course, we will independently and impartially review the evidence without any view of politics or other agendas. However, in my view, the referrals deserve to be prioritized. In relation to all the inventory before the Office, I have asked that we review those matters. That includes the Security Council referrals that are before the Court: Libya and the Sudan. I hope in my next report that I will be able to set out clear objectives and a road map that would give clarity on these important matters and that would help to more transparently and clearly communicate what the plan is, what we are hoping to do and how we hope to achieve it.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“It is not a favour; the Rome Statute makes it clear that national authorities have primacy. It is in black and white. National authorities have the fundamental right and also the essential responsibility to make sure that these types of crimes are declared illegal — going as far back as the Nuremberg principles, which all permanent members of the Council adhered to. It presents an opportunity to move things forward. Turning now to Libya, I emphasize again that the Security Council referrals are a priority for me. Perhaps it was the case that over a period of time the scarce resources of the Office were spread too thin. In my view, when the Council acts, we should work in accordance with the Rome Statute to prioritize the matters referred to us by the Council, given its own responsibilities.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“I am going to be looking at new, imaginative ways of embracing regional organizations and international organizations to share the burden and to do better in the discharge of our human, moral as well as legal responsibilities in relation to the categories of crime that I have mentioned. I commit today to the Council to use my best endeavours to work towards broader inclusivity in terms of the Rome Statute system and the principles that are owned by Council members. I believe that by doing that we can also foster reconciliation. We can enhance stability and security, not only of nations but of regions. But we can do that only if we work together. During my term of office as Prosecutor, I am going to give renewed purpose to the principle of complementarity, working with States and allowing States to step up.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“It is not something that is the sole preserve of States parties. It is owned as much, in my view, by non-State parties as well, should they wish to take ownership of something they already have. It is not the preserve of the common law system or the civil law system or the Islamic law system, but of all traditions of the East and of the West. I think, by any common-sense analysis, this body of law, this joint quest to narrow impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, must be a cause that can bring us closer together, instead of driving us further apart. The success of my mandate requires support from the Council and from Member States, States parties and non-States parties alike.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“I look forward to ever-more constructive dialogue with the Council, and I believe quite sincerely and quite practically — not as some theoretical possibility — that there can be a convergence between the Council’s own responsibilities under the United Nations Charter and the principles of the Rome Statute to ensure that no safe haven is given for war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. I was sworn in on 16 June; I have barely been in the post for five months. When I was sworn in, I emphasized something that is obvious; however, sometimes the obvious is forgotten. The Rome Statute system that creates the ICC is not the property of Italy, or of Europe or of the West. The values of the Rome Statute belong to humankind everywhere. It is a large family to which every single member of the Council belongs.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“My view is that the Rome Statute principles echo the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. This organ — and the Council knows this far better than I — has a very serious and unique role in the firmament of public international law in terms of international peace and security, not only being a principal organ of the United Nations but having the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The Council has acted on notable occasions to ensure that the value of human life is not viewed as some tradable commodity and that impunity will not be committed with abandon. The referrals that the Council has made in the situation of Libya is one example of that action.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“We live, we say, in the age of reason, the age of man, the age of science in which remarkable battles are done against invisible foes. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is but one example of that. Harnessing collective effort, sharing knowledge, working with purpose shows that amazing things can happen and that lives can be saved. Despite that proven, demonstrable reality, we unfortunately are in a somewhat miserable state when it comes to the continuous violations that so many of our brothers, sisters and children suffer as we speak. I have hope that the Rome Statute system and the Office that I lead can help to ensure that the tomorrows of our children are better than the yesterdays of so many of our fellow members of humankind. That message is one that needs to be translated into action.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“Mr. Khan: It is a singular honour to brief the Security Council on this occasion, which is my first opportunity to do so in my new role as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). I present the twenty-second report that has been presented before this organ since resolution 1970 (2011) was adopted in 2011. It is also a pleasure because this is the first face-to-face briefing that the Prosecutor of the ICC has had with the Council in the past two years, due to the strictures of the pandemic. I think it is only right and proper, with your leave Mr. President, that because this is my first report as Prosecutor, perhaps I may be indulged to say a little bit about my vision. It is a vision in which the relationship with the Council plays a very important part.”
2021-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8911 (2021) · source
“I would humbly suggest that this precedent is a very good one. I hope that, in future briefings, by the leave of the Council, other survivors from other communities in Iraq will also have the chance and the honour to address the Council for a few moments.”
2019-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8675 (2019) · source
“The past six months have been characterized, in my View, by a real move forward from start-up to real operations. We have assisted in building case files and fed into third-country courts. We are refocusing our commitment to bring our communication with the Government of Iraq ever-closer, while maintaining the independence of our investigations, which, of course, is absolutely essential. I am profoundly grateful for the support not only from the Government of Iraq, but for the support and the trust that we are fostering and that we have been so generously given by survivors. I am pleased that today, at the initiative of the United Kingdom - and I thank you, Madam President - the Council will have an opportunity to hear from a survivor - Mr. Kachi - who is on screen at the moment.”
2019-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8675 (2019) · source
“We are currently in receipt of three further formal requests from States to feed into domestic prosecutions that they are conducting in relation to Da'esh crimes. We have also received an assortment of additional inquiries from other States that believe that, with the assistance of the Government of Iraq, we may be able to move forward. Over the past six months, we have also received commitments of support from Australia, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Sweden and Uganda. Again, without both the assistance of Government-provided personnel and contributions to the trust fund, the operational activities of UNITAD would be severely circumscribed.”
2019-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8675 (2019) · source
“With the full support and knowledge and real meaningful assistance of the Iraqi authorities - particularly the judiciary - we managed to have eight witnesses give evidence from the UNITAD headquarters in Baghdad straight into the court of appeal in Turku, Finland, in complete accordance with international standards. We saw not only prosecution witnesses, but also defence witnesses. It is a very real credit to my brothers and sisters in Iraq and the Government that it even extended to transferring people from custody to the UNITAD headquarters. The authorities in Finland have formally expressed their thanks to the Government of Iraq for that facilitation. Through this engagement, UNITAD has demonstrated its ability and willingness to respond to a requirement in the mandate to feed into courts in Iraq or those of third States.”
2019-11-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8675 (2019) · source