YouSaid · the spoken record

Ladsous

lines on the record: 1,177
first: 1992-11-19
most recent: 2017-03-16
sittings or episodes: 118
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

“As announced by President Al-Bashir, that national dialogue has the potential to lay the foundations for a stable and prosperous Sudan if it is inclusive, transparent and open and takes into account the concerns and interests of a broad cross-section of Sudanese society. The Doha Document has an important role to play in that context, since it seeks to address concerns that are specific to Darfur, which include the much- needed economic development envisaged in the Darfur development strategy. In accordance with its mandate and within its capabilities, UNAMID has continued to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence irrespective of its source, in accordance with its mandate under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“As the Councilknows, those three priorities are, first, mediating between the Government of the Sudan and armed movements that have not signed the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, while taking into account the ongoing democratic transformation at the national level; secondly, supporting mediation of community conflict, including through measures to address its root causes taken in conjunction with the country team; and thirdly, protecting Civilians, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance and ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian personnel. In regard to those strategic priorities, I welcome the Joint Chief Mediator's proposal to develop, with the African Union, a common framework for political negotiations within the context of the national dialogue.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“(spoke in English) In this challenging environment, UNAMID has focused on concrete actions and measures that reflect the key priorities of the strategic review outlined in the Secretary-General's report of 25 February (8/2014/138) and endorsed on 3 April by the Security Council in resolution 2148 (2014).”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“Also according to OCHA, the total number of displaced people in Darfur is now more than 2 million, which makes this humanitarian crisis one of the worst in the world. As the Secretary- General's report emphasizes, while most of the newly displaced people have received at least some form of assistance, the restrictions on movements imposed by the warring parties have prevented humanitarian aid from reaching them quickly enough and in sufficient amounts. This restricted movement has also prevented UNAMID from fulfilling its mandate, in the way we would have wished to see it, to protect the Civilians dealing with this growing insecurity.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“These have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and displaced many people, particularly on 19 and 27 February, when the Sudan Armed Forces, with the support of the Rapid Support Forces, launched an operation near Um Gunya, 50 kilometres south-east of Nyala. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that this operation alone displaced between 30,000 and 40,000 people, who fled and took refuge closer to Nyala, and in the El Salaam, Kalma and Labado camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). All this violence has clearly worsened the humanitarian situation in Darfur. OCHA estimates that the numbers of those displaced since January now exceed 370,000, of whom two-thirds have still not returned to their homes.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“A pro-Government militia known as the Rapid Support Forces has been deployed in the region and has contributed to exposing the civilian population to further serious risks, especially in various parts of North and South Darfur. The violence and abuses this militia is said to have been responsible for include the targeting of civilians, ransacking and burning of villages and looting of property and livestock. At the same time, the rebel groups that have not signed the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur have intensified their attacks on Government positions, especially in the area of Jebel Marra in North Darfur and more sporadically in parts of South Darfur. The Sudan Armed Forces have responded by stepping up their operations, using shelling and aerial bombardment.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“As Council members are aware, after a period of relative calm Darfur is currently experiencing a resurgence of violence. The current situation is characterized by mass population displacements and notable discord among the local allies of the Sudanese authorities, which is exacerbated by growing political rivalries. Such unrest is particularly strong in North Darfur, where control both of the local governorate and of mineral resources, in particular gold deposits, is at stake. All of this has led to fighting among the supporters of the main actors, leading to often serious casualties among the civilian population. And we should not forget the economic context in the region, which is very problematic and further aggravates the difficulties.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in Darfur. Following the publication on 15 April of the periodic report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/279) onthe activities oftheAfricanUnion-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), I would like to share with the Council the latest developments regarding the peace process in Darfur and the current security and humanitarian situation in the region. I will also take this opportunity to apprise the Council of the measures that the Secretariat has taken, in consultation with the African Union and UNAMID, to implement the recommendations contained in resolution 2148 (2014) for strengthening the Mission and streamline its operations.”
2014-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7159 (2014) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the people of South Sudan have suffered too much and for far too long. Its sole wish is that the crisis end as quickly as possible. It is now the duty of the political authorities to stop the violence, and to do so immediately. They must give orders to their respective forces to cease military operations without delay, participate in a significant and constructive manner in the talks that are taking place in Addis Ababa and work towards building a State that exercises its functions through democratic institutions and transparent processes, accountable for their acts before the representatives elected by the people. The international community was a guarantor of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that allowed South Sudan to gain its independence.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“In the light of the obstructions to a political resolution of the crisis, the Secretary-General is asking the Security Council to raise the ceiling for UNMISS military and police personnel for one year, outside the inter-mission cooperation framework. The ceiling would therefore increase from 7,000 to 12,500 soldiers and four mobile police units. The deployment of additional military personnel would take place in three phases. The second phase will be completed between now and the end of June, with 2,800 soldiers deployed and three mobile police units on the ground. The third phase provides for the deployment of the two remaining infantry battalions and will be realized once the Mission has re-evaluated the situation and its own absorption capacity.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“The Mission's freedom of movement has been severely restricted, despite repeated de'marches, including from the Secretary-General to President Kiir. We very much hope that the situation changes soon, as its continuation is not sustainable, nor indeed is it acceptable. I would urge the Security Council and its members to intervene on behalf of UNMISS, condemn the campaign and request President Kiir to condemn it himself immediately and issue instructions to national and local authorities and SPLM. cadres to stop it. (spoke in French) Last December's decision by the Security Council to authorize the deployment of additional troops and police units to UNMISS was certainly timely and greatly contributed to saving human lives on the ground.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“We offered to the Government to conduct a joint investigation, simply to prove our good faith and provide full transparency. Unfortunately, that offer was declined. The situation is grave. World Food Programme operations have been brought almost to a standstill, despite the dire need for humanitarian assistance. Cross- border movements of humanitarian supplies - for instance, food and seeds to plant the next crop - which urgently need to be prepositioned before the rainy season sets in, are being delayed. United Nations flights are being searched, convoys stopped and personnel harassed by South Sudan security across the country. Organized demonstrations against the Mission have increasingly begun to adopt a very aggressive tone.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“There has been an unacceptable vilification of the United Nations by some local and national officials, with public demonstrations, media articles and harassment of United Nations personnel, including to the point of putting their lives in danger. Under those conditions we will need to consider further drawing down our staff and limiting our activities to the absolute minimum related to protection, human rights monitoring and support to humanitarian assistance. The incident of 7 March in Rumbek, during which national authorities seized the weapons and ammunitions of a United Nations contingent, has been used to excite the negative climate regarding UNMISS. I dispatched a high-level team last Wednesday to investigate where mistakes were made in the shipping of that equipment.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“First, UNMISS will not undertake any activity that could enhance the capacity of either side to engage in military or hostile operations, and, secondly, the Mission will not participate in any activity with the parties that could jeopardize the mediation process led by IGAD. That new posture of the Mission will remain in place until the parties finalize a comprehensive political agreement. At that time, we shall conduct a more comprehensive integrated review of the mandate, posture and capabilities of UNMISS and provide further recommendations to the Security Council. At this point, I need to raise a very serious question. There has been a negative campaign against UNMISS and its leadership in South Sudan, which seems systematic and organized.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“Subsequently, as additional troops arrive and conditions are created for the safe, voluntary return of the internally displaced persons, upon a request from humanitarian partners, the protection operation would spread further so as to contribute to creating the conditions for safe and voluntary returns. To implement that protection mandate, UNMISS will, let me say again, uphold strict impartiality, interacting with both sides as necessary, to reach out and facilitate access to civilians at risk. As far as other activities ofUNMISS are concerned, they will be guided by two cardinal principles.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“Accordingly, we will temporarily put on hold activities aimed at the extension of the authority of the State and focus on five main priorities, all within a posture of impartiality. They are the protection of civilians, the facilitation of humanitarian assistance, human rights monitoring and reporting, the prevention of further intercommunal violence and support to the IGAD process, as and when requested and within capabilities. The troops of UNMISS are operating under a Chapter VII mandate, which allows the use of force to protect civilians and ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and assets. The protection priority will be for those sheltering at United Nations compounds and other locations where they have sought sanctuary, which the Mission will try to support by facilitating humanitarian access.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“IGAD has indicated that it will require the financial support of Member States to deploy and sustain the force. We shall keep the Council informed closely of further developments in that regard. UNMISS was deployed to help South Sudan transform into a democratic State and to assist its leadership in delivering long-awaited dividends of peace and independence to its citizens. Today, the leadership stands divided, its security institutions are fragmented and the society is victimized by communal tensions. Under those conditions, and as discussed with the Council, the initial raison d'etre of UNMISS no longer applies. It is for that reason that the Secretary-General's report on South Sudan before the Council highlights the need for a strategic shift in the posture ofUNMISS.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“In that regard, the immediate establishment of the monitoring and verification mechanism is essential. A joint technical committee has been established, with a functioning headquarters in Juba, and monitoring and verification teams are being trained for deployment to six sites in conflict areas. With a view to ensuring effective and robust monitoring and verification, the IGAD Heads of State decided on 13 March to deploy by mid-April a robust protection and deterrent force to provide security for the monitors. This week, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and UNMISS are sending planners to Addis Ababa to work with IGAD and other partners in developing the concept of operations of the force and the modalities of its cooperation with UNMISS.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“The forces opposing the Government, both the SPLM/A in Opposition and the released political leaders, on the other hand, demand the immediate start of a broad-based dialogue, in addition to the formation of an interim Government ahead of the elections. The security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan will continue to deteriorate until the parties engage fully in the political talks, until they respect the cessation of hostilities and allow freedom of movement for the United Nations and its partners. Both parties continue to prioritize the pursuit of military gains over talks towards a comprehensive political settlement. The crisis has already affected the security of the region. The longer it goes on, the more the chances for further regional intervention will grow.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“(spoke in English) A key demand of the opposition is the release of all ll political detainees. Seven of them were indeed released on 29 January, but the remaining four remain in detention, and trial proceedings against them commenced on 11 March. The resolution of that issue will be necessary to make meaningful progress in the talks. Furthermore, the gap between the parties on the content, objective and sequencing of the broad-based dialogue, as envisaged by IGAD, remains wide. While agreeing to the conduct of a national conference, the Government continues to insist that it be held within the country, once a ceasefire has been agreed upon and is effectively implemented.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“During the second round of negotiations, the parties agreed to resolve the political conflict at the root of the internal dynamics of the SPLM. It is expected that a meeting will be held between the eight members of the SPLM. party leadership - four allies of the Party Chairman, President Salva Kiir, and four of his opponents - to find a solution to the party's internal crisis. Those negotiations are to be conducted jointly under the aegis of officials from the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and the African National Congress. With a view to ensuring that that exercise in national reconciliation includes all segments of society, this week the mediation is convening a civil society forum where the views of civil society can be considered in determining the modalities that will allow the country to move forward.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“That is why the mediation process, led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has focused on three priorities, namely, the cessation of hostilities, the crisis in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the national political dialogue. As the Council knows and as I stated, the mediation process conducted by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development led to the signing, on 23 January, of agreements between the Government of South Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition on the cessation of hostilities and on the status of detainees. Mediation under the auspices ofIGAD has also led to the release of7 political leaders of the SPLM, among the II who were arrested, as members may recall, at the beginning of the political crisis in December 2013.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“With the arrival of the rainy season, we fear that the humanitarian situation, which is already extremely difficult, will further deteriorate. Moreover, the initial investigatory findings suggest that atrocities and grave violations of human rights have been committed by both parties in the course of the fighting. In that regard, I would like to welcome the news of the establishment ofa commission of inquiry by the African Union. This crisis is fundamentally a national political crisis. The conflict has spread to the whole country. No region has been spared. It is true that the violence has mainly taken place in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Central Equatoria, but the political polarization caused by the conflict now affects the lives of all South Sudanese and the functioning of Government throughout the country.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“I thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council once again on the situation in South Sudan and to present the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/20l4/ 158). Little more than three years since the holding of the referendum that led to the independence of South Sudan, the country, it must be said, is in a tragic situation marked by extreme violence. The number of civilians who have been brutally killed or mistreated is in the thousands, with at least 800,000 refugees and displaced persons, 75,000 of whom are in camps of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Despite the signing ofa ceasefire agreement, it must be reported that both parties continue to fight against one another, in violation of that agreement.”
2014-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7141 (2014) · source
“It is therefore essential that our commitment this time be strong and proportional to the complexity of the situation in order to put a definitive end to the vicious cycle of instability into which the Central African Republic regularly falls. In conclusion, I wish to underscore that the establishment of a multidimensional peacekeeping operation will generate substantial costs. However, in the same breath I will say that delaying a sustained response would be even more costly. The potential negative impact for stability in the region and beyond, including the risk ofthe country being split and creating a breeding ground for extremist groups, should not be ignored. We have a Window of opportunity now to take action and build the foundations for a lasting peace in the Central African Republic.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“The unwavering commitment of the Central Africans themselves, as well as the continued commitment of neighbouring countries, the Economic Community of Central African States, the region, the African Union and the international community will be essential to finding a solution to this grave crisis. As the Council knows, this is not the first Mission of the United Nations in the Central African Republic. Similar concerns were raised by Security Council members when the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) was deployed in 1998, in particular with regard to its financial implications. However, MINURCA was withdrawn in early 2000 because it could not address the root causes of the crisis and or create the conditions for a lasting peace.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“The scale of the needs in the Central African Republic is daunting, and progress in any one area will not be sustainable without significant and simultaneous engagement in others. Therefore, the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation should be part of a broader, long-term engagement of the international community. Success in that broader effort to help the Government and people of the Central African Republic rebuild a State will depend on the contributions and commitments of many actors, most importantly the Central Africans themselves. (spoke in French) We are greatly encouraged by the determination that the new transitional Government has shown in addressing the immediate challenges while the preparations for lasting peace and stability in the Central African Republic are being made.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“Police will also be phased in and, as the security environment improves, they should eventually replace the bulk of the initial military surge capacity. While a large, initial military deployment will be necessary to address the security challenges, it is envisaged that United Nations military forces would draw down progressively as quickly as conditions will allow, allowing the United Nations to focus as much of its efforts as possible on critical civilian, State-building tasks. Although the peacekeeping mission would be tailored to the circumstances on the ground with a military footprint expected to decrease once the situation permits, let us be clear - there will be no quick fix in the Central African Republic. Responding to the crisis will require time; it will require resources.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“In the early phase of its deployment, the objectives ofthe United Nations peacekeeping operation will focus on providing a secure environment. That, of course, a sine qua non for progress in other areas. It will support the transitional Government in its exercise of basic State functions, as well as peace and mediation efforts, the extension of the authority of the State, the protection of basic human rights and the facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian assistance. That will require an initial surge of military personnel and the corresponding military enablers. Alongside the initial military surge, essential civilian capacities will be deployed, phased in gradually as the situation stabilizes and the necessary living and working facilities are developed and more work can be undertaken on civilian tasks.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“MISCA still lacks the critical capabilities to achieve its full potential. Let me therefore join the Secretary- General in calling on bilateral partners and Members Sates to provide urgently to MISCA rapid and generous financial and material support, including for the payment of its personnel and for the reimbursement of major military equipment. The Secretary-General's proposal is based on a fit-for-purpose approach that takes into account the specificities of the context in the Central African Republic. We are committed to being flexible and to adopting a phased approach. We will review our objectives and priorities on a regular basis and will adjust our configuration and activities over time to the particular conditions and needs of the country and its people.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“Of course, we are fully aware that it will be a particularly challenging environment for a United Nations peacekeeping mission. Yet, we believe that the United Nations is uniquely positioned to deploy and to sustain a multidimensional peacekeeping operation with the full range of capacities that are required to address the deep-rooted nature of the complex crisis unfolding in the Central African Republic. The Secretary-General's proposal envisages the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation that would aim at re-hatting as many MISCA troops as possible. A strong MISCA will not only help to address the immediate security Challenges faced by the population but also will be essential to facilitate the transition to a United Nations peacekeeping operation.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“Meanwhile, the State administration is now largely absent throughout the country, with the international community substituting, or trying to substitute, for the State in delivering basic services where possible. The challenges that confront the Central African Republic run deep and are not susceptible to any easy solution. In spite of the progressive effectiveness of MISCA and Operation Sangaris, the current deployment of international security forces is not sufficient. It lacks the civilian component to adequately protect civilians under imminent threat and to tackle the root causes of the conflict. Addressing the crisis in the Central African Republic requires a unified and integrated approach through the deployment of a multidimensional peacekeeping operation, the utmost priority of which will be the protection of civilians.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“It is rooted in the long-standing socioeconomic, political, structural and governance deficiencies, fragile social cohesion and deep-seated feelings of marginalization among some communities, in particular the populations in the northern part of the country, which have felt discriminated against by the central Government. Those conditions were exacerbated by corruption, nepotism, abuse of power, internal strife and the deteriorating capacity of the national army. The State has virtually no capacity to manage the massive array of threats that it is facing. There is no national army and the remnants of the police and gendarmerie lack the basic equipment and the means to exercise their duties.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“For my part, I will focus on the recommendation of the Secretary-General with regard to the deployment of a peacekeeping operation, whose establishment will take approximately six months. However, there remain urgent needs that require a response today in order to put an end to the violence and massive human rights Violations while the humanitarian assistance continues. The proposal that the Secretary- General presented to the Council on 20 February (see S/PV.2114) seeks to meet the urgent priorities while we prepare the ground for a future peacekeeping operation. (spoke in English) The crisis in the Central African Republic began long before the unconstitutional change of Government in March 2013.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“Although the situation in Bangui has somewhat stabilized to some extent thanks to the tireless efforts of MISCA, the Operation Sangaris and the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic, civilians continue to be killed every day by other civilans and armed groups, in particular owing to their religious affiliation. The Muslims peoples, as far as they are concerned, are forced to flee the targeted and deliberate violence against them. Unfortunately, all that will have long-term social consequences. MS. Amos and Mr. Guterres will present the chief results of their recent visit to the Central African Republic. They will describe in greater detail the unacceptable suffering of the Central Africans and the serious critical period of protection that the country is at present undergoing.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the devotion and courageous efforts of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) and the French forces, which, in carrying out their respective mandates in difficult circumstances, have saved many lives. As the report indicates, the situation on the ground has changed dramatically in recent months. The attacks of 5 December 2013 in Bangui and Bossangoa by the anti-Balaka against the Seleka forces, as well as the use of heavy weapons, have changed the dynamic of the conflict and led to a deterioration of the security situation and the triggering of a vicious cycle of retaliation among civilians and clashes between armed groups.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“I would first of all like to thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the opportunity to introduce the report of the Secretary- General (S/2014/ 142), which recommends the establishment of a United Nations multidimensional peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic. In accordance with the wishes expressed by the Security Council, the report was prepared in close collaboration with the African Union and I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my sincere thanks to the African Union for its support and the valuable advice with which it provided us throughout the process.”
2014-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7128 (2014) · source
“It depends upon the commitment of all those who take part in peacekeeping to fully implement the mandate and the provision of sufficient capabilities and resources to effectively confront the challenges on the ground. Peacekeeping was born when the Council sought to hold combatants apart. Let us confirm its continued vitality through our permanently reaffirmed determination to protect civilians from violence.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the Council for approving the use of unarmed, unmanned aerial systems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the consent of the Government. Clearly, that is already making a difference on the ground. Now, do not mistake my point. Much has been put into place, but we still continue to face challenges, and we have a great deal farther to go. In too many places throughout the world, civilians suffer in conflict. That situation, whether in countries with peacekeeping missions or without, is a vital issue that requires the Council's continued attention. Peacekeeping is an expression of the will of the Security Council and, let me say again, of troop- and police-contributing countries. Its success depends upon clear, decisive and resolute direction from the Council.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Recently, in Afghanistan, the United Nations family lost four of its members in a senseless attack on a Kabul restaurant. In Mali, our peacekeepers face the possibility of terrorist groups that are willing and able and actually want to target Blue Helmets. That makes the job of protecting civilians an extremely challenging task. In navigating those new environments, we must be more flexible - learning and adapting as an Organization. Exploring new capabilities and adopting new technologies will not be an optional matter in the future of peacekeeping. We must improve our capacities for early warning and rapid reaction, in which gathering, analysing and acting on information will be vital.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“No peacekeeping mission can physically protect all, or even most, civilians where a serious conflict has broken out. Of couse, often our missions are judged by journalists who are seeking headlines or by analysts who emphasize too strongly the use of force. Therefore, the Council has an important role to play in articulating its expectations for the protective capacities of peacekeepers - expectations that will form the basis for clear standards for action. Ultimately, civilians will be fully protected only when there is sufficient peace and there are sufficiently stable national structures to sustain and protect it. That must be the overall goal. Today, we also face a world that, in many respects, is more dangerous than it was in 1994. United Nations personnel now face threats that were unheard of 20 years ago.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“They support accountability for human rights violations and promote compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. Peacekeepers are also important in many places for the facilitation of humanitarian assistance while also respecting humanitarian space. Where applicable, our missions have developed comprehensive strategies for the protection of civilians. Those strategies draw together all mission components in a concerted effort focused on the most critical threats to civilians. They provide for dedicated organizational and leadership structures to facilitate early warning and joint operational response. The limits of peacekeeping are real. Within their capabilities, missions must do their utmost to protect but, beyond those limits, other means must be found.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“It is therefore no coincidence that the human rights due-diligence policy grew out of the work of peacekeepers and, more specifically, their work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo several years back. While our troops may need to stand against rogue Government elements in order to protect civilians, peacekeeping is viable, ultimately, only with the consent of the host Government. The protection of civilians by United Nations peacekeepers should therefore never be confused with non-consensual intervention under the third pillar of the responsibility-to-protect framework. With the increasing complexity of the situation in the field, peacekeepers are vital actors in improving the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and they play a central role in the Secretary-General's "Rights up front" framework.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Today, virtually all of our missions not only incorporate civilian expertise in political affairs, human rights, the rule of law, along with, of course, military and police officers, but many are also integrated with our humanitarian partners. In Mali, our peacekeepers are supporting a delicate political process aimed at establishing an inclusive Government. In Haiti, Liberia and C6te d'Ivoire, our peacekeeping missions are supporting and strengthening the respective Governments' capacities to assume their protection responsibilities. (spoke in English) Supporting host Governments in meeting those protection responsibilities lies at the heart of modern peacekeeping.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“I believe that the Council took decisive action, increasing the troop strength of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan by authorizing significant reinforcements. The Mission has met the challenge, providing what I consider to be unprecedented protection and opening its doors to increasing numbers of displaced persons, amounting now to 85,000 civilians. Yet it must be acknowledged that, despite burdening the Mission's human and material resources, hundreds of thousands of other South Sudanese remain at risk. Clearly, our soldiers cannot impose peace upon the parties to that conflict, and resolving protection challenges ultimately requires political solutions. Peacekeeping is fundamentally a part of those political solutions.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Over the years, the Department has made a determined effort to develop a consistent operational concept on the protection of civilians in peacekeeping, based on a comprehensive, holistic approach and drawing on the full range of the possible activities of a United Nations mission aimed at enhancing protection. The Council's clear intent and, importantly, the consensus of troop- and police-contributing countries together are of major importance. Protection crises are never times for doubt. In my opinion, it is crucial, in terms of daily operations, that the expectations agreed to by all actors be expressed as precisely as possible. Last month, the Council faced a very grave decision when violence erupted in South Sudan.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“But it must be acknowledged that lessons have been learned from past experiences, and that nowhere are they more evident than in the field of peacekeeping. Today, it must be emphasized that no less than 95 per cent of peacekeepers work in missions mandated by the Security Council specifically to protect civilians. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations has worked diligently to clarify operational guidelines in that important area, which forms the core of many mandates - nine, to be precise. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, peacekeepers have utilized a clear and robust mandate to respond to the perpetrators of attacks on civilians. In that respect, I believe that the November incident involving the surrender of the Mouvement du 23 mars testifies to the effectiveness of such work.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“In two months, we will mark the twentieth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, an event that was horrible beyond words, devastating a nation, a region and the world's collective conscience. But that tragedy also contributed to shaping the United Nations and the international community. Today's debate is evidence of both how much has changed and how much remains unchanged. Perhaps never before in history have world leaders directed such focused attention on the protection of the defenceless. Yet, all too often, we continue to see civilians' rights violated during conflict. From South Sudan to Syria to the Central African Republic, countless men, women and children are caught in the crossfire, displaced by conflict and even targeted because of their religion, political affiliation or ethnicity.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“I strongly urge the Government to observe the terms of the status-of- forces agreement and to ensure that Mission personnel have full and unhindered freedom of movement for the substantive implementation of the mandate throughout Darfur.”
2014-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7100 (2014) · source
“To conclude, let me say again that the security situation in Darfur continues to be unstable and the protection needs of the local population remain considerable. Efforts must continue to address the associated challenges facing humanitarian and protection actors in the short term, including through the increased support of UNAMID to local mediation efforts. But at the same time, it is clear that finding lasting solutions for the affected local population in Darfur lies inherently in the larger political context of Darfur. That means the need for a ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement. At the same time, there is a need to address better, with the Government, the issue of improved access to populations affected by conflict.”
2014-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7100 (2014) · source