YouSaid · the spoken record

Kickert

lines on the record: 90
first: 2015-10-14
most recent: 2020-01-13
sittings or episodes: 14
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

“Austria is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and we call on the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC as well as to ensure cooperation and follow-up in situations it has already referred to the Court. In conclusion, I would like to stress once again that the provisions of the United Nations Charter are legally binding for all States Members of the United Nations. They serve not an abstract goal but the protection of the rights and interests of both States and individuals. The United Nations Charter is the cornerstone of the rule of law at the international level. Austria, also in its role as coordinator of the Group of Friends of the Rule of Law, will continue to give utmost priority to this subject.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“While Austria would like to highlight in this regard the vital function of the Office of the Ombudsperson for the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, we call on the Council to ensure that procedural human rights guarantees are institutionalized in all sanctions regimes. Finally, Austria believes that accountability and the fight against impunity for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law are central to ensuring lasting peace.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“Austria urges Security Council members to refrain from using the veto to curtail Security Council action where such action could prevent or stop violence or conflict in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter. Austria supports the code of conduct of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group as well as the initiative by Mexico and France in that regard. Also, when it comes to Security Council sanctions, fair and clear procedures, including an independent mechanism for review, are a prerequisite for the legitimacy of and compliance with sanctions.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“We note with concern the increasing number of cases where armed force is applied unilaterally, invoking the inherent right of self-defence pursuant to Article 51 of the Charter. These cases and the fact that other States Members of the United Nations do not publicly express their legal views on each and every case may not be interpreted as a new State practice or opinio juris that might lead to the erosion of Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter, which the International Law Commission has determined to be a peremptory norm, or jus cogens. We emphasize the importance of a collective response to threats to international peace and security, which must be guided by the rule of law. In this regard, in situations where Security Council action could prevent or stop violence, it is the Council’s responsibility to do so.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“Early warning and response capacities need to be enhanced, as do national expertise in mediation and preventive diplomacy. Austria is working with partners in the Economic Community of West African States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in that regard. Austria supports all means of peaceful settlement of disputes referred to in the United Nations Charter and we call on all Member States to accept, without any reservations, the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, in accordance with Article 36 of the Charter. All States must refrain from actions that are in violation of Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter, prohibiting the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“Austria strongly believes in multilateralism and that a rules-based international system with clear and predictable rules is an essential precondition for lasting peace and development. As States Members of the United Nations, it is our responsibility to adhere to the Charter and the rule of law at the national and international levels. Lately, as the United Nations Charter, legally binding Security Council resolutions and human rights obligations are being blatantly ignored, one might get the impression that some countries believe they are above the law. In order to uphold the principles of the Charter and the rule of law, it is clear that we must do more. We must further strengthen the prevention of violence and conflict, including in the Council.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“We would like to thank the delegation of Viet Nam for convening this open debate and giving all interested Member States the chance to express themselves on what is now already the third day of the open debate. Austria aligns itself with the statement of the European Union (see S/PV.8699(Resumption 1)). We have come a long way since 1945. While we may have succeeded in saving humankind from the scourge of a new world war, we have not saved it from regional or national wars and we are still far from realizing fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of every human person and the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, as stipulated in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations. Nevertheless, the United Nations, with the Charter at its core, has undeniably proven to be indispensable.”
2020-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699Resumption2 (2020) · source
“We have been deploying gender advisers to the peace operations of regional organizations, including the European Union, NATO and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, as well as other United Nations peacekeeping operations. Austria will continue to deploy qualified experts in this important domain in the future. More than ever, it is our conviction that women are agents of change for peace and security. As we look forward to the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), let us actively follow up on our pledges in order to further advance the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda through a collective effort.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“Secondly, Austria deems the role of civil society to be paramount to the full implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, both as actors on the ground and as monitors of the overall implementation of the agenda in the Security Council. In that regard, as part of a series of events leading up to the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), Austria is proud to be hosting a global civil society forum on women and peace and security in Vienna in early 2020. Lastly, Austria is endeavouring to increase the number of Austrian uniformed women in peace operations, and we will also foster a gender perspective among all deployed personnel.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“We applaud their courage and that of all women fighting for peace every day. We hear their call and that of the Secretary-General telling us to focus on the full implementation of all aspects of the women and peace and security agenda. Let me briefly underline three components of Austria's engagement in the full and effective implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. First, as financial resources often fall short of political commitments and funds often fail to reach the most vulnerable, including women's organizations working to prevent Violent conflict and build peace, we are a proud donor and supporter of the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund to support local women's networks and engage in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, inter alia in Iraq and, more recently, in Uganda.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“We are doing so at the national level, through international cooperation with partner countries and civil society, as well as through our support for the United Nations, notably UN-Women. We welcome the Secretary-General's report (S/2019/800) and its recommendations. We note with concern that agreed commitments have not been matched by action. Let me refer to just a few examples: the meaningful participation of women in peace negotiation processes is still a distant reality in many conflict regions; violence against women, and in particular women human rights defenders, is on the rise; and sexual and gender-based violence continues to be used by conflict parties as a weapon of war. We thank Ms. Lina Ekomo and Ms. Alaa Salah for their truly moving and impressive testimonies this morning.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“We thank South Africa for convening this open debate on the full and effective implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, which we also View as the starting point for the run-up to the twentieth anniversary of the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) next October. Austria aligns itself with the statements delivered by the observer of the European Union and by the representative of Canada, on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women and Peace and Security. Austria has been a vocal supporter of the women and peace and security agenda ever since the adoption ofresolution 1325 (2000). We are constantly working for the promotion and realization of the full and effective implementation of the women and peace and security agenda.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption1 (2019) · source
“In that light, Austria offers two United Nations-certified courses annually aimed at creating better awareness of the protection of civilians at the operational level. The recent renewal of the certification of those courses for another four years serves to underline their continuous importance and high quality. Lastly, let me repeat our call for full compliance with international humanitarian law. Austria continues to be a strong supporter of strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law. In that regard, we remain steadfast in our support for the International Criminal Court as a central means of combating impunity for atrocity crimes.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“For that reason, Austria will host an international conference on protecting civilians in urban warfare, which will take place on 1 and 2 October in Vienna. We look forward to broad participation at the conference and hope that it will contribute to raising awareness and strengthening the debate centred on finding concrete solutions. We will also host a side event on the margins of today's open debate tomorrow, Friday, 24 May, on protecting civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, which will take place in Conference Room D. Thirdly, as the protection of civilians has become an integral part of many United Nations peacekeeping missions, we need to make sure that peacekeepers are well-prepared to fulfil their protection of civilians mandates, including through adequate training to implement those mandates.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Only by identifying and addressing actions that endanger the security of every individual, as well as involving all of society, can we take steps towards sustainable peace. Among many worrisome current trends, we continue to see unlawful attacks and threat of attacks against educational institutions. Austria is a proud supporter of the Safe Schools Declaration, and we will participate in the third International Conference on Safe Schools. We hope that, on that occasion, we will be able to welcome many more States as supporters of the Declaration. Secondly, as in previous years, we thank the Secretary-General for his excellent report (S/2019/373). We note with particular concern that the report continues to highlight the grave consequences of urban warfare, including from the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank Indonesia for convening this open debate on the protection of civilians on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the protection of civilians agenda. Austria aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Switzerland on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians and the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. In my national capacity, I would like, in all brevity, to highlight three points. First, I would like to make the important connection between the twentieth anniversary of the protection of civilians agenda this year and the twentieth anniversary of the women and peace and security agenda next year. Both of these issues highlight the crucial importance of placing human security at the centre of our collective actions.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Let us use that anniversary to strengthen our work towards durable solutions in line with the Guiding Principles. The development of a multi-stakeholder plan of action for advancing prevention, protection and solutions for internally displaced people covering the period 2018- 2020 is an excellent first step in that regard. Lastly, the protection of civilians is now a central task of many United Nations peacekeeping missions. Those missions have become increasingly dangerous and multidimensional. We must ensure that peacekeepers receive adequate training and the necessary equipment to fulfil their protection-of-civilians mandate. With that aim, Austria will continue to offer a United Nations-certified course to create better awareness of the protection of civilians on the operational level.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“We therefore call on all States to participate in the development of a political declaration to address the humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Nineteen of our African colleagues have shown us the way by adopting the Maputo communique. Let us follow their lead. We also share the Secretary-General's call to improve and extend civilian-casualty tracking, reporting and response in order to be able to reduce civilian harm. Austria is co-organizing side events on those two topics tomorrow and Thursday. My third point relates to one of the consequences of conflicts, namely, forced displacement. We continue to witness increasing numbers of displaced persons. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“We therefore need to invest more in conflict prevention. Therefore, we call on the Security Council to strengthen the prevention agenda, including the importance or recognizing human rights violations as the early warning signs of conflict. Whenever conflicts break out, full compliance with international humanitarian law is paramount. Austria continues to be a strong supporter of the intergovernmental discussions in Geneva on strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law. My second point relates to the dramatic non-compliance with international humanitarian law we witness in many conflicts. As the Secretary-General points out in his report, "[w]hen explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 92 per cent of the casualties were civilians." (S/2018/462, para. 41) I repeat - 92 per cent.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Poland for convening today's open debate on the protection of civilians. We also congratulate Poland on its initiative to present a coordinated calendar of events on the sidelines of the debate. Austria fully aligns itself with the statements delivered, or to be delivered, on behalf of the European Union, the Group of Friends on the Protection of Civilians and the Human Security Network. In our national capacity, we would like to highlight four additional points we deem to be particularly important. First, I would like to emphasize the importance of the single most effective and sustainable tool for the protection of civilians, namely, prevention. Even when all parties fully respect international humanitarian law in a conflict, civilians will continue to suffer.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Austria would also like to highlight that, as of 17 July, the twentieth anniversary of the Rome Statute, the ICC's jurisdiction over the crime of aggression will be activated, which will contribute to upholding international law within the context of the maintenance of international peace and security. In conclusion, I would like to stress that our efforts to promote international law and the rule of law do not serve an abstract goal, but the protection of the rights and interests of every individual. Austria, including in its role as coordinator of the Group of Friends of the Rule of Law, will continue to give the utmost priority to that subject.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Austria is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and we call on the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC and to ensure cooperation and follow-up in situations it has already referred to the Court. Austria supports the International, Impartial and IndependentMechanismfortheSyrianArabRepublicand the Commission of Inquiry, which document violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and gather evidence in view of future legal action. With regard to the Investigative Team to support domestic efforts in Iraq to hold Da'esh accountable, it is the duty of the Security Council to ensure that it will operate impartially and in accordance with international human rights standards.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Austria urges the members of the Security Council to refrain from using the veto to curtail Council action where it could prevent or stop violence or conflict, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter. Austria therefore supports the code of conduct of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group, as well as the initiative by Mexico and France in that regard. We also hope that open debates such as this one, or Arria Formula meetings, can be further utilized. As to the third main area on which we are asked to comment, Austria believes that accountability and the fight against impunity for violations of human rights and humanitarian law are central to rebuilding post-conflict societies and sustaining peace.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“When it comes to Security Council sanctions, fair and clear procedures, including an independent mechanism for review, are a prerequisite for the legitimacy of sanctions and compliance with them. Austria urges the Secretary-General to exercise his prerogative by swiftly appointing an Ombudsperson for the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, in accordance with resolution 1904 (2009), a post that has been vacant for more than nine months now. The longer that vacancy lasts, the more likely it is to undermine trust and confidence in Security Council sanctions and jeopardize progress made over many years in establishing and implementing fair and clear procedures.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“The intergovernmental process within the International Committee of the Red Cross to strengthen respect for humanitarian law and the good offices of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission under Article 90 of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions are important tools in that regard. As Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe last year, Austria was able to contribute to the initial activation of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, in connection with an incident on 23 April 2017 in eastern Ukraine. We emphasize that our collective response to threats to international peace and security must be guided by the rule of law.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“The Security Council has often reaffirmed that justice and the rule of law are fundamental building blocks of conflict prevention and resolution and sustainable peace. The Security Council, in cooperation with the United Nations system, must therefore ensure that peacekeeping operations have the necessary resources to deliver justice and promote respect for the rule of law and human rights, including in the transition to United Nations country teams. Secondly, we must do much more to ensure compliance with international law during conflicts.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Regarding the first area 4 the peaceful settlement of disputes 4 we call on all Member States to accept, without reservations, the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, in accordance with Article 36 of the Charter of the United Nations. Crucially, we must also work much harder to prevent violence and conflicts in the first place. One way to do so is to enhance capacities for early warning and response, as well as national expertise in mediation and preventive diplomacy. Austria is working with partners, for example, with the Economic Community ofWest African States, as well as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, in that regard. The United Nations must also do more to support Member States in implementing the rule of law and related elements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Austria aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union. We would like to thank Poland for convening this open debate, as Austria strongly believes that a rules- based international system with clear and predictable rules is an indispensable precondition for lasting peace and development. We call on all Member States to actively promote an international order based on international law and the rule of law, with the United Nations at its core. The President has asked us to consider what can be done, in concrete terms, to improve the state of respect for international law in three main areas.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Sexual violence in conflict builds upon the structural violence and discrimination against women and girls, which is already present in peacetime. Against that backdrop, Austria recently launched a campaign, with a fund of â‚¬l million, to support activities that oppose female genital mutilation and its effects. Rest assured that we will continue our work to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women across the board, with a special focus on women and peace and security.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Since 2008, the Austrian Development Agency, together with the International Center for Transitional Justice, has implemented four consecutive projects with a focus on supporting ongoing work on transitional justice in Uganda, with the aim of reintegrating victims into their communities. Against the background of my own professional experience, I also note the case of the conflict-related sexual violence that took place in Kosovo in the late 1990s, which is not mentioned in the Secretary- General's report (S/2018/250). It is important that every woman and girl who has experienced sexual violence is recognized, as such recognition may constitute the first step in a very difficult healing process to overcome the inconceivable traumas suffered. Violence directed against women and girls has to be eradicated in all its forms.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“The course is held on a regular basis at the Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Stadtschlaining and is attended by senior staff in United Nations peacekeeping from around the world. The fourth point involves reintegrating survivors. Sexual violence in conflict has a significantly detrimental impact on individuals and communities. In all too many settings, victims and their children are stigmatized, discriminated against and rejected by their communities. An example of determined efforts to support the reintegration of survivors of sexual violence is the case of northern Uganda, where during the conflict with the Lord's Resistance Army many serious crimes, including various forms of sexual and gender-based violence, were committed.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“The third point concerns preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers. Reports of sexual exploitation and abuse by both military and civilian personnel in United Nations peacekeeping missions in recent years have increasingly tainted the reputation of the United Nations and undermined its credibility. Austria condemns such behaviour and welcomes the focus of the Secretary-General on that important issue and his initiatives in that regard. Austria will sign the Secretary-General's compact on the elimination of sexual exploitation. We also intend to include this subject in the curriculum of the United Nations-certified course on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Austria wants to see all perpetrators, including Da'esh and Boko Haram fighters, held accountable for their repulsive acts of violence against women and girls. As Special Representative Patten said today, only by truly fighting impunity will we achieve a deterrence effect. In order to help establish accountability, Austria has supported and contributed financially to the creation of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. We also anticipate that the investigative team to support domestic efforts to hold Da'esh accountable by collecting evidence in Iraq will soon generate actionable results.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“As Special Representative of the Secretary- General Patten stated today, empowerment is a main building block for protection. We also emphasize the relevance of early-warning and awareness- raising measures to tackle problems regarding the situations of minorities, including through the relevant United Nations mechanisms and bodies, as well as regional organizations. My second point involves countering impunity. We must do much more to combat and prevent sexual violence directed against women. Women and girls are kidnapped, held captive as sex slaves and traded like goods or animals. The crimes committed against them amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Those responsible simply have to be brought to justice.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Equally appalling is the fact that Da'esh continues to traffic Iraqi Yazidi women and girls into and across Syria as part of its campaign targeting minorities. The patterns of violence against women and girls belonging to minorities are embedded in underlying structural conditions, including inequality, gender-based discrimination and neglect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities. As the sponsor of the resolutions on the rights of persons belonging to minorities at the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, Austria stresses the obligation of States to protect minorities from Violence and underlines the necessity of empowering women and girls belonging to minorities who are often particularly vulnerable.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“Austria aligns itself with the statements made on behalf of the European Union, the Group of Friends on Women, Peace and Security and the Human Security Network. We would like to thank Peru for convening this open debate and the briefers for their reports. Understanding the impact of armed conflict on women and girls is central to effectively address sexual violence, prevent its occurrence and protect those at risk. We will highlight four points in the context of this debate. My first point concerns protecting minorities. Persons belonging to minorities encounter a high risk as targets ofviolence. That was exemplified to us today by the testimony of Ms. Razia Sultana from the Rohingya community of Myanmar.”
2018-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8234 (2018) · source
“We encourage everyone to contribute to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, Especially Women and Children, and thank Italy for its leadership and recent generous contribution in that regard.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“We also welcome the focus of today's debate on fostering cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in order to eradicate trafficking in persons. In that regard, we would like to highlight the important work done by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). During our OSCE chairmanship this year, Austria has made the prevention of and fight against trafficking in human beings a priority. We strive to strengthen the OSCE's commitments to combating trafficking in persons, also in the context of crisis situations, and to build on the momentum created by resolutions 2331 (2016) and 2388 (2017). Finally, we call on those States that have not yet done so to ratify or accede to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo Protocol.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“We must therefore continue to pursue an inclusive, comprehensive approach and step up cooperation with non-traditional partners. Thirdly, with its portfolio of technical assistance programmes, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) continues to be a central partner for assisting the States Members of the United Nations in implementing practical measures to combat trafficking in persons. We encourage States to make use of UNODC's expertise. Capacity- building programmes for criminal justice practitioners, support in the development of legislation and national referral mechanisms to identify and assist the victims of trafficking, as well as the development of training modules for law enforcement, are a few examples of the kind of assistance provided.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Bringing the perpetrators to justice and ending the climate of impunity is of utmost importance. In post-conflict settings, accountability and transitional justice mechanisms, including at the international level, are key elements in sustaining peace. In view of the transnational nature of the offence, we would like to stress the need for the closest possible cooperation among all relevant stakeholders, at national and international level. While the work of international organizations remains key in the fight against human trafficking, we would also like to again highlight the indispensable role of non-governmental organizations and civil society, in particular with regard to providing valuable assistance in enhancing the identification, care and referral of victims.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Thousands of them have been recruited by armed groups and used as child soldiers, human shields or suicide bombers. Furthermore, unaccompanied children on the move are particularly at risk. In armed conflict, trafficking in persons is also used as a strategy to target ethnic and religious minorities. Through its General Assembly resolution presented again this year, Austria continues to advocate for the protection of persons belonging to minorities and for their rights. Secondly, to combat trafficking in persons, Austria follows a victim-centered approach based on rights and the rule of law. Therefore, we put the focus on preventing trafficking in persons, identifying and protecting the victims of trafficking and other serious forms of exploitation.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“At the outset, Austria warmly welcomes today's adoption of resolution 2388 (2017), which we gladly co-sponsored. Austria aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier today by the observer of the European Union. Conflict and post-conflict settings often create conditions where civilians are increasingly exposed to the risk of becoming the victims of trafficking. We would like to highlight three issues in that regard. First, with regard to persons belonging to vulnerable groups, in situations of conflict women and girls are far too often sexually exploited, forced into marriage and abused for domestic work. Terrorists capture women and girls, sell them or offer them as rewards to the fighters of terrorist organizations. Similarly, children are particularly vulnerable to becoming victims of trafficking in conflict settings.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“We fully share the view that IDPs have received inadequate attention from their Governments and global leaders, as stated in the report (see S/2017/414, para 61), and we certainly do agree that we need to use the twentieth anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, in 2018, in order to advance this important issue. In conclusion, let me repeat that Austria shares the Secretary-General's assessment that protection is a whole-of-UN responsibility. We also call on all States to continue in good faith the ongoing discussions in Geneva about ways and means to enhance the implementation of international humanitarian law.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“Austria, from this year on, organizes two operational-level courses per year, certified by the United Nations, on the protection of civilians. Again this year, we will host and support one training-of-trainers course on training materials concerning protection of civilians and related areas, developed by the Integrated Training Service together with interested States, among them Austria. Only adequately trained peacekeepers are able to effectively implement their mandates and protect civilians. Let me finish by thanking Secretary-General Guterres for not only linking the protection of civilians to the issue of forced displacement, but also for not forgetting the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs).”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“In too many conflict situations, attacks on schools, teachers and students or the use of schools and universities for military purposes are not uncommon. Similarly, we note the numerous incidences of direct and indiscriminate attacks against humanitarian and medical personnel and objects. Hence we wholeheartedly support the call for the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration and the recommendations presented by the Secretary- General on implementing resolution 2286 (2016) to protect medical care in armed conflict. On a different note, we need to further operationalize the protection of civilians in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Against that background, we continue to advocate for Member States' endorsement of the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“Austria therefore welcomes the attention the Secretary-General gives in his report (S/2017/414) to the massive harm, destruction and negative long-term consequences of explosive weapons with wide-area impact when used in populated areas. The available data shows that 2016 was the worst year recorded within the past six years for civilian deaths resulting from explosive weapons. We therefore strongly support the clear and unequivocal call of the Secretary-General on all State and non-State parties to conflict to avoid the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas and appreciate his encouragement regarding the efforts led by Austria on the development of a political declaration on that issue. We also share the Secretary-General's concern regarding the detrimental impact of conflict on education and medical care.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“Allow me at the outset to thank the Uruguayan presidency for convening this open debate on the protection of civilians. Austria fully aligns itself with the statement just delivered by the observer of the European Union and those still to be delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians and the Human Security Network. In our national capacity, we would like to highlight some additional points we deem especially important. Enhanced respect for international law, especially international humanitarian law, is of paramount importance, as highlighted by the Secretary-General and the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross at the outset of the debate.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“That covers only a fraction of all the victims, and many projects are waiting for the necessary funds. Yet it is still an immensely important contribution. We therefore encourage all States to contribute to the Trust Fund in order to ensure financing for many worthwhile programmes.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“I am also very glad that we had the chance to hear from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, which provided a good example of what the regional organizations can contribute. We reiterate the importance of the Palermo Protocol, which provides the internationally agreed definition of the crime of trafficking in persons, and focuses on the prevention of trafficking, the protection of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators. We invite all States to ratify it without delay and to ensure its effective implementation. Finally, the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking has facilitated direct assistance to approximately 2,500 trafficking victims each year.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Understanding the correlations better will help us to improve our response aimed at preventing and combating trafficking. With its portfolio of technical assistance programmes, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has been and continues to be a central partner for assisting Member States in implementing practical measures to combat trafficking in persons. At this point, we would also like to acknowledge the valuable expertise and contribution of non-governmental organizations in the framework of the coordinated efforts on the national, regional and international levels.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source