YouSaid · the spoken record

Kumalo

lines on the record: 1,090
first: 1999-08-25
most recent: 2008-12-31
sittings or episodes: 160
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

“For that reason, my delegation fully shares the view of Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine, set out in his letter to the President of the Security Council dated 15 January 2008, in which he says that "Such illegal acts of aggression by the occupying Power poison the atmosphere, inevitably undermining peace efforts and fuelling the dreaded cycle of violence that has so long plagued our peoples". (S/2008/23) The international community has the duty to assist and support the parties to reach a settlement, as well as to ensure that political progress is coupled with a change for the better in the lives of Palestinians and Israelis. In that regard, we commend previous regional and international efforts to take the peace process forward, including the Arab Peace Initiative and the Annapolis process.”
2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source
“It is for that reason that South Africa has always condemned attacks on civilians, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli. We call on elements within Israel and Palestine to cease attacks on civilians. The firing of improvised Qassam projectiles towards Israel is unacceptable. We also reiterate that the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli army, including the collective punishment that is being meted out against the Palestinian people in general, is also unacceptable and cannot be justified on the basis of self-defence.”
2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source
“The Council must do that by adopting without delay the draft presidential statement before us and send a message to the people of Gaza - indeed, the people of the entire Middle East - that the international community cares and has not abandoned them. During his recent visit to the Middle East, the President of the United States called "for an end to the Israeli occupation [of the West Bank and Gaza] that began in 1967". My delegation wishes to reiterate that the pursuit of peace must mean that neither side creates conditions that would undermine possible confidence- building measures. Any process to find a peaceful solution should also translate into parallel progress on the ground. The continuing occupation undermines the credibility of the peace process.”
2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source
“The International Committee of the Red Cross has said that hospitals have limited fuel and medicines that can last only a couple of days more. Amnesty International has stated that "This action appears calculated to make an already dire humanitarian situation worse, one in which the most vulnerable - the sick, the elderly, women and children - will bear the brunt, not the men of violence who carry out attacks against Israel. The rocket attacks should cease, and immediately, but the entire population of Gaza should not be put at risk to bring this about". My delegation believes that the Security Council should call on Israel to permanently lift the blockade on Gaza, including by restoring the electricity supply. The border crossings must remain open to permit the unhindered access of humanitarian supplies.”
2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source
“The recently reported easing of the situation, which has resulted in the delivery of some fuel supplies to Gaza, appears not to be guaranteed and could end at any time, thereby continuing to subject the people of Gaza to even more suffering. The deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, in which 1.5 million residents have been left without water, electricity and basic sewage systems, have drawn global condemnation. The European Union called it the "collective punishment" of the 1.5 million Gaza residents. Mr. Christopher Gunness, a spokesperson of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), warned that food distribution to 860,000 Palestinians may have to end.”
2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source
“My delegation commends you, Mr. President, for convening this urgent Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, based on the letter dated 21 January 2008 from the Charge d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2008/31). My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered later today by the Permanent Representative of Cuba on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We also thank Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Under- Secretary-General for Political Affairs, for his briefing to the Council. The situation in occupied Palestinian territories, in particular in Gaza, cannot be ignored any longer. In particular, the Security Council cannot remain silent and hope that the situation will change as time goes by.”
2008-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5824 (2008) · source
“We once again reiterate that, notwithstanding the events that led to the current situation, the Security Council has a responsibility to ensure that the powers granted to the Multinational Force are exercised in a manner consistent with the decisions of the Council, that Iraq's natural resources and funds in the Development Fund for Iraq are used for the benefit of the Iraqi people, and that international law and human rights are upheld and respected by all parties.”
2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source
“My delegation strongly supports an expanded United Nations role in Iraq, in line with our commitment to multilateralism and conflict resolution. The United Nations has a particularly important role to play with regard to national reconciliation in Iraq. As the Secretary-General has previously indicated, not only does the United Nations enjoy good relations with all parties across the political spectrum in Iraq, but it also has the advantage of relying on past best practices gained from operating in other global conflicts. However, it should be stressed that, with regard to a more direct role of the United Nations, as resolution 1770 (2007) itself implies, the expanded role foreseen in the resolution can be realized only as circumstances permit. The safety of United Nations personnel has to be an overriding consideration.”
2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source
“Resolution 1790 (2007) also extends the mandate of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. South Africa welcomes that decision, but remains concerned that repeated findings of serious irregularities with regard to the disbursement of funds from the Development Fund for Iraq and the oversight of all oil sales and contracts have not been acted upon. The decision to hold a long-overdue meeting of the Security Council to discuss the findings of the independent auditors attached to the International Advisory and Monitoring Board is therefore welcome. The current mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in terms of resolution 1770 (2007) is testimony to the international community's determination to assist the Iraq people to move beyond the current crisis.”
2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source
“The role of regional actors cannot be overemphasized, and my delegation supports efforts aimed at addressing the violence, internally displaced persons and refugees. We view positively the series of discussions between Iraq and all of its neighbours, working in partnership to ensure stability, security and economic reconstruction in the region. Regional cooperation is necessary to ensuring stability not only for Iraq, but for the entire region as well. My delegation recently supported the adoption of resolution 1790 (2007), renewing the mandate of MNF- I, because the Iraqi Government is of the View that its continued presence will be necessary for security. We note the Iraqi Government's expectation that this could be the final mandate renewal of the MNF-I.”
2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source
“In fact, the Secretary-General also cautions that "mass casualty attacks on civilians, such as the triple car bombing in Amarah on 12 December and the series of attacks at the end of December, are a sobering reminder that those using terrorism in pursuit of their political aims have no regard for human rights or human life" (S/2008/I9, para. 68). We wish to reiterate that any resolution to the conflict in Iraq has to include an all-inclusive political process and national reconciliation, as well as constructive dialogue with all neighbouring States. The adoption of the Justice and Accountability Law is welcome as a step towards reconciling different parties. It is our hope that the Iraqi parties will continue to find ways to further reconcile.”
2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source
“We, too, wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Iraq, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, for his briefing on the report before us, as well as Ambassador Khalilzad of the United States for his briefing on the activities of the Multinational Force in Iraq (MNF-I). While we welcome the decrease in the level of violence in Iraq, my delegation remains concerned that the security situation there remains precarious. The Secretary-General reports that there are approximately 90 security incidents a day, which is unacceptable.”
2008-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5823 (2008) · source
“Holmes coming before us and we appreciate his ability to go to those areas that are still in great need of help and especially the fact that his briefing comes to us at Christmas time when everybody is thinking about those who have less than we do, and we very much appreciate his work.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“We also need to deploy UNAMID in order to address the safety of the humanitarian personnel, as the humanitarian personnel are clearly now at the mercy of the marauding rebels, who are hijacking cargo and attacking the workers, who are there to assist the people in the camps. We hope that with the deployment of UNAMID we will then have a force on the ground of sufficient strength that could begin not only to protect the people in the camps, but also to protect all of the people who are so important to the survival of the people in the camps. Once again, we appreciate Mr.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“We truly hope that the Security Council will revisit the region of Somalia and working together with the Secretary- General, find a stronger solution. 07-62908 We are pleased that the Under-Secretary-General again visited Darfur - another place that is a challenge to the international community. My delegation continues to underline that all of us truly need to work together - the Government of the Sudan, the African Union and the United Nations - in the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as soon as possible, because without UNAMID on the ground the lives of the people in those camps is becoming more precarious by the day.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“For that reason, we continue to hope that on another day we will revisit the request for the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations to speed up their assessment of whether it would be possible to deploy a peacekeeping operation to Somalia to assist the people of Somalia. The briefing by the Under- Secretary-General proves beyond a doubt that the situation is not improving at all, thus the international community cannot afford to leave the people of Somalia to fend for themselves. As the Under-Secretary-General said, the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in inaccessible areas is now proving even more difficult than it has been and the continued weakness of the Transitional Federal Government does not help that situation.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“Let me thank Ambassador Holmes for briefing us this morning. I must say that the Under-Secretary-General has been very courageous in shining light on areas of the world that are facing great difficulty and we truly appreciate that. The region that Mr. Holmes visited is the one that poses the biggest challenge at this stage for the international community. Beginning with Somalia, we are truly concerned about the situation in Somalia and often worried, because it does not seem to be getting any better. The Under-Secretary-General mentioned that there are currently 230,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are dispersed along a 15 kilometre stretch of road between Mogadishu and the town of Afgooye and have been left to fend for themselves.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5792 (2007) · source
“On behalf of my colleagues who participated in the mission, I would like to thank the Government and people of Timor-Leste for their hospitality, assistance and cooperation, as well as the entire staff of UNMIT for providing us the necessary support during the Security Council mission to Timor-Leste. We particularly wish to note the invaluable support from the Government of Indonesia in assisting the delegation with smooth transit to Timer-Leste. Finally, I cannot end without thanking our support team of Ms. Norma Chan, Ms. Signe Jepsen, Ms. Vijayalakshmi Menon, Ms. Paula Goncalves and Mr. Troels Erichsen, all of the Security Council Secretariat Branch and the United Nations security personnel respectively, for their tireless efforts and support during the preparatory stage and also during the mission.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“On the other hand, the country faces enormous challenges associated with the political differences among leaders in resolving critical issues facing the country, such as socio-economic difficulties associated with widespread unemployment and poverty. In the humanitarian sphere, the plight of the IDPs remains a big task facing the people and Government of Timor- Leste. Despite those challenges, the mission left Timor- Leste convinced that the country is on the right path to regaining its role as a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous country. In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the representatives of China, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, Slovakia and the United States of America for their unwavering support and patience during the mission.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“The mission commended UNMIT for its continuous work in Timor- Leste and recalled that it was the Security Council that would consider the extension of UNMIT's mandate when it expires on 28 February 2008. 3 Lastly, it is worth noting that following the 2006 Violent crisis, the country has recovered very well and, with the support of the international community, even managed to organize, prepare and hold free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections earlier this year. Despite the challenges associated with the results of the parliamentary elections, a new Government is in place, political parties are represented in parliament and civil society seems to be flourishing.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“The missions also expressed its hope that the role of the United Nations police will be reviewed to ensure maximum results. In this context, the mission recognized the need to send a team of experts from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations to assess the situation and ways and means to improve it. Regarding the role of UNMIT, all of the mission's interlocutors emphasized the importance of the continued presence of the UNMIT and the United Nations in Timor-Leste. Everyone we met called for the UNMIT presence in the country to be continued. The mission stressed to all its interlocutors the importance of utilizing the United Nations presence to achieve self-reliance and self-sustenance.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“In this context, the mission recognized from its interactions with its interlocutors that the 2006 crisis was a result of challenges within the two security institutions, namely the national police - the PNTL - and national defence -the F-FDTL. The mission stressed the urgent need for reform of those institutions and the importance of a Government strategy to address this issue. In the meantime, the mission noted that despite acknowledging the important role the United Nations and the international security forces are playing in their country, some interlocutors expected those international institutions to respect local culture and institutions as well as to provide the space for Timorese ownership of some operational activities.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“In the short term, it is crucial that the Government of Timor-Leste, with the support of the United Nations and the international community, work together to improve the living 07-62902 conditions of the IDPs. In this regard, the mission repeatedly emphasized the need for Timorese ownership of their fate and the need to engage in political dialogue and reconciliation and continuous engagement in addressing those challenges. There was no doubt that the challenges that face Timor-Leste could be best addressed by all Timorese people. Despite the challenges facing the country, the mission was encouraged by the well-functioning democracy in Timor-Leste. On the matters of reform of the security sector, the mission and its Timorese interlocutors agreed that both the security and justice sectors were in need of strengthening.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“The mission also recognized that the challenges of governance and the legacy of the violent crisis of 2006 and its aftermath continue to haunt the country's political leadership and to affect the people of Timor- Leste. Related to these are the unresolved issues of petitioners, the fate of 100,000 IDPs currently settled in about 53 camps and the humanitarian and socio- economic challenges that the country continues to face. With regard to the capacity of State institutions, the mission noted that Timor-Leste faces challenges associated with weak institutions, lack of capacity and difficulties in areas of governance. The mission highlighted the need for collective responsibility among Timorese people and their leaders to find solutions to their challenges.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“The mission observed that at the core of those concerns there seem to be continuing differences regarding the country's political direction between the ruling Alliance for Parliamentary Majority (AMP) led by Prime Minister Gusmao, and the main opposition party, FRETILIN, led by former Prime Minister Alkatiri. Most of the mission interlocutors argued that those differences concern the constitutionality and legitimacy of the current Government and its ability to govern. The good news, however, was that despite the political differences among the parties, all 15 political parties, including FRETILIN, were working together in parliament and elsewhere, trying to address the challenges facing their country.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“All the interlocutors that the mission met indicated that Timor-Leste is experiencing stability and peace. However, there is a collective View that the issues of the IDPs, the so-called "petitioners" who are former soldiers who deserted the army and the unresolved case of Major Alfredo Reinado, who also left the army, cause uncertainty and divisions among the people and leadership of Timor-Leste. In its meetings with interlocutors, the mission emphasized the need for political dialogue, reconciliation and political engagement among the country's leadership.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“The mission also visited a camp for internally displaced persons near Dili hospital to hear of the challenges faced by the people in the camps. The general political situation in Timor-Leste remains calm and stable, but fragile. Following the successful conclusion of presidential and parliamentary elections held in May and June this year, respectively, the new Government has recently completed its first 100 days in office and new ministers and office bearers started with their work. The mission noted that while there are high expectations among the Timorese 07-62902 people, the new Government is also grappling with establishing its policies and institutions. One of the issues the Government was grappling with during our visit was the national budget.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“The mission also held interactions with non-governmental organizations and representatives of women's, youth and church groups, as well as representatives of UNMIT and other United Nations agencies on the ground. The mission also received a briefing from the International Stabilisation Force led by Australia and New Zealand. On 28 November, at the invitation of the Government, the mission participated in the national day celebrations of Timor-Leste's independence Meanwhile, the mission conducted field visits in the districts of Liquica and Baucau outside Dili, in order to listen to the views and concerns of the people on the ground. In Baucau, members of the mission visited a United Nations-sponsored school, where the World Food Programme and UNICEF are involved in feeding the children.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“It also sought to discuss and exchange views with the Timorese authorities on ways and means to assist the country in developing the capacities necessary to build on security and democratic and other gains achieved thus far and to express the Security Council's full support for the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) in the country and the United Nations presence in Timor-Leste, and to assess the progress made on the ground relating to the implementation of UNMIT's mandate. During its visit to Timor-Leste, the mission met with various interlocutors in Government, including the President, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, members of the judiciary, the national parliament and political parties, including the leader of the main opposition party.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“South Africa was honoured to lead the Security Council mission to Timor-Leste, comprising six delegations, namely, China, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa and the United States of America. The mission left New York on 24 November and returned on 1 December 2007. The purpose of the visit was to encourage the Government, the parliament, the political parties and 2 the people of Timor-Leste to continue to work together, engage in political dialogue and consolidate peace, democracy and the rule of law, security sector reform, sustainable social and economic development and national reconciliation in their country.”
2007-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5791 (2007) · source
“At the same time, we would hope that the African Union- United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur will be deployed on the ground as soon as possible to help stop the ongoing carnage in Darfur. This is the least that the people of Darfur would expect, as they are subjected to persecution, abuses and violations of fundamental human rights. It is for this reason that we would support the Council's issuing a declaration reaffirming its position.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source
“In resolution 1593 (2005), the Security Council called upon the Government of the Sudan and all other parties in Darfur to cooperate fully and to provide necessary assistance to the Courts and the Prosecutor pursuant to that resolution. The Council also recognized in that resolution that, while the States not party to the Rome Statute have no obligation under the Statute, it none the less urged that all States and concerned regional and other international organizations cooperate fully with the Court. We urge the Government of the Sudan, and other parties involved in Darfur, to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court. We believe that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Darfur. A political process inclusive of all parties should be vigorously pursued.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source
“The Court, through its ability to deter further commission of international crimes, serves as an advocate of adherence to the rule of law, and thus we expect cooperation with its work. We are acutely aware of the challenges facing the Prosecutor, arising primarily from the fact that the International Criminal Court does not have its own police or army to serve its warrants of arrest, and therefore depends entirely on the cooperation of States. It would seem to us that there is a responsibility upon the Security Council to demand the cooperation of States, particularly in cases where the Security Council has referred cases to the Court.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source
“Let me congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency for the month of December, and assure you of my delegation's support. Allow me also to thank the Ambassador of Indonesia for his sterling work in presiding over the Council during the month of November. I also wish to express my delegation's appreciation to the Prosecutor for International Criminal Court for his statement before this chamber and in particular for the important work that he is doing. South Africa is a member of the International Criminal Court, and we remain committed to supporting the important work of the Court. We see the International Criminal Court as central to ending impunity for international crimes and to establishing conditions under which justice and the rule of law can be maintained.”
2007-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5789 (2007) · source
“We also believe that the protection of civilians in armed conflict would be better addressed in partnership with regional mechanisms, and that strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the Security Council and regional organizations would contribute to tackling common security challenges and ensuring speedy action on the ground.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“The report points out that between 1997 and 2005 the absolute number of acts of violence perpetrated against humanitarian workers nearly doubled. The international community will have to redouble its efforts if it wants to protect the humanitarian workers who are often the only lifeline for the victims of war. The protection of civilians in armed conflict is, and must remain, an absolute priority for the Council. My delegation is therefore of the view that finding a common solution to the protection of civilians will require the cooperation of each and every Member State.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“These weapons constitute an obstacle to the return of refugees and other displaced persons, humanitarian aid operations, reconstruction and economic development, as well as to the restoration of normal social conditions, and have serious and lasting social and economic consequences. Concerted efforts are required to end the use of cluster munitions, and my delegation looks forward to future discussions in the United Nations on how to address the danger posed by cluster munitions. We are pleased that the report of the Secretary- General addresses the disturbing and seemingly increasing trend of attacks on humanitarian workers. We welcome Security Council resolution 1502 (2003) on the protection of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“In resolution 1674 (2006) the Security Council reaffirmed the importance of preventing armed conflict and its recurrence by stressing the need for a comprehensive approach through promoting economic growth, poverty eradication, sustainable development, national reconciliation, good governance and democracy, the rule of law, and respect for and protection of human rights. This confirms the agreed principle that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and should form the basis for our collective security and well-being. South Africa expresses deep concern about the impact of unexploded cluster munitions on civilians, particularly children, who are maimed and even killed by these weapons long after the war has ended.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“It is worth noting that the report further points out that this displacement phenomenon can be found anywhere in the world where there is armed conflict, whether it be in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Darfur region of the Sudan. The next challenge for the international community will be how to resettle people in the territories from which they fled during war, but which may now be occupied by the victors in the conflicts. Ensuring the right of safe and unimpeded return for refugees and internally displaced persons needs to be addressed if future peace is to be sustained and further violence prevented. The right of people to return to their former homes and countries is sacrosanct and should never be compromised.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“The zero-tolerance policy of the United Nations must be uniformly applied, and action should be taken by States and international and regional institutions to investigate and punish those who perpetrate acts of gender-based violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict. Above all, the international community should assist in providing all necessary assistance to the victims of rape and other sexual violence, who are usually forgotten after their crimes have been publicized. Another major result of conflict is the unprecedented wave of displaced people, both within and across borders. The report points out that for 35 million people flight has become the only option as displacement has become the main feature of conflict, creating a great humanitarian challenge.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“In its recent open debate on women and peace and security (see S/PV.5766 and Resumption 1), the Council stressed its repeated condemnation of all acts of violence, including killing, maiming, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse in situations of armed conflict. The Council called on all parties to armed conflict to cease such acts with immediate effect and adopt specific measures to protect women and girls from all forms of violence. The Council stressed the need to end impunity for such acts as part of a comprehensive approach to seeking peace, justice, truth and national reconciliation. Furthermore, it is important that steps be taken to ensure that all aspects of peacekeeping operations have adequate training of personnel on the specific needs of women and children prior to deployment.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“For this reason, my delegation wishes to reaffirm the primary responsibility of each State to protect its citizens and persons within its jurisdiction, as proclaimed in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. Furthermore, it is important that humanitarian assistance continues to be provided in accordance with the principles of neutrality and impartiality, and parties to the conflict must allow timely and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance to civilians. Perhaps the most cruel and despicable tool of conflict is the systematic use of gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual violence. It is for this reason that my delegation has always supported the call for the elimination of rape and other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations, including in conflict and related situations.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“Of course, this in no way implies that the occupied people are absolved from respecting international law, which should have primacy in all circumstances; but rather, the point is to stress that any examination of the situation and developments in this regard must be considered within the overall context of the occupation, which unquestionably impacts all aspects of the situation on the ground and remains the root cause of this conflict". The fact that suicide attacks are still used against civilians in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Somalia remains a challenge for the international community. In situations of conflict it is incumbent on States, with the support of the United Nations and relevant humanitarian actors, to protect civilians from abuse, to mitigate the impact of warfare and to alleviate their suffering.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“Suicide attacks have since decreased in Israel and have not taken place in a long time, and it is for this reason that we regret that the report did not make that clear. In his letter to the Security Council, dated 19 November 2007, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine, confirms the decrease in suicide attacks. He also points out that "[t]he perpetuation of reporting, including certain language usage that overlooks the existence of this occupation, is unacceptable.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“According to the report, the nature of contemporary armed conflicts presents new and unique challenges for protecting civilians and has raised issues that require further study by the Security Council before it responds appropriately. However, while exploring the response to these new challenges for the protection of civilians, it is important that on the question of the conduct of hostilities there is an accurate and factual account of conditions on the ground. For example, one of the most objectionable forms of attack on civilians, which needs to be utterly condemned, is the use of suicide attacks. When suicide attacks were used against civilians in Israel, they were roundly condemned by everyone, including Palestinians.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“My delegation wishes to thank the Indonesian presidency for organizing this open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We also thank the Secretary General for having taken time from his busy schedule to join us in this debate. We wish also to commend Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for briefing the Council. We look forward to the briefing to be given later by the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The sixth report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, contained in document S/2007/643, is a stark reminder that the protection of civilians in armed conflict has become even more urgent since the Security Council first addressed this issue eight years ago.”
2007-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5781 (2007) · source
“CTED's mandate expires at the end of 2007, and the General Assembly is reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This is an opportunity for the collective United Nations membership to give serious consideration to the way forward. We need to ask ourselves whether the Security Council's approach has yielded practical results and buy-in from the wider United Nations membership and whether subsidiary bodies of the Security Council are the most appropriate bodies within the United Nations system to be handling technical assistance issues.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“The PIAs are potentially useful tools insofar as they may help States to identify gaps in implementation and assistance needs. The PIAs are not an end in themselves, nor are they tools for assessing compliance. Rather, they are a means of facilitating dialogue between the CTC, CTED and the general membership. It is important that the forthcoming survey of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) should provide a comprehensive assessment of anti-terror activities around the world, including respect for international law and human rights whilst countering terrorism. This survey should be critical and balanced, acknowledging the divergent threats, realities and priorities in different parts of the world, and it should refrain from targeting specific Member States or regions.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“South Africa further welcomes the fact that the Committee's current outreach planning takes cognizance of the fact that there are important synergies between the objectives of resolution 1540 (2004) and other important developmental and security objectives of States. It is our firm belief that efforts to concretely address these issues would go a long way to countering the "buy in" deficit amongst Member States regarding the work of the Committee. I now turn to the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and would like to congratulate Ambassador Mike Smith on his appointment as the new Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). The recent adoption of 50 Preliminary Implementation Assessments (PIAs) by the CTC is a noteworthy achievement.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source
“Ensuring access to technologies for peaceful purposes, as an important catalyst to development, should therefore also remain a central consideration of the Committee as it assists States in meeting their non-proliferation obligations. While it would not be appropriate for the 1540 Committee to engage in pure development activities, South Africa believes that the "negative" objective of preventing proliferation is intricately linked to the "positive" objective of explaining how to pursue proliferation-secure trade, financing and technology transfers. Both of these aspects are relevant to the Committee's mandate and should receive balanced attention in the Committee's outreach, best practice development, assistance and other activities.”
2007-11-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5779 (2007) · source