YouSaid · the spoken record

Lauber

lines on the record: 271
first: 2006-09-28
most recent: 2019-11-19
sittings or episodes: 26
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The protection of civilians is a core obligation ofthe United Nations, but expectations and capability must converge. We therefore encourage more focused debates in all bodies responsible for peacekeeping operations, and we welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General to mobilize all partners and stakeholders in support of more effective United Nations peacekeeping, including through his Action for Peacekeeping initiative. Fifthly, and finally, there is a need to dedicate greater attention to the protection of civilians in counter- terrorism contexts. Counter-terrorism measures taken by States must always comply with international humanitarian law, human rights law and international refugee law.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Fourthly, United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions play a vital role in supporting the transition from conflict to peace in some of the most fragile regions in the world, and we would like to thank all of those who contribute to such endeavours, especially troop- and police-contributing countries. The destabilizing effects of such conflicts, particularly the violence and displacement that they produce, often leave civilian populations vulnerable to human rights violations and abuses. Peacekeeping missions contribute to reducing that threat, and protection-of-civilians activities, including those carried out by the civilian component of missions, are rightly at the heart of their objectives, taking note of the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“We call on all States to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and fully cooperate with the Court. Thirdly, the implementation of resolution 2286 (2016), on the protection of health care in armed conflict, must remain a priority. In that regard, we welcome recent initiatives by Member States and organizations dedicated to mobilizing political leadership, encouraging the exchange of good practice and fostering implementation at all levels, in particular the establishment in Geneva of an informal group of support to the resolution.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“In view of widespread violations, we call on the Council and Member States to uphold their responsibilities in that regard, notably by supporting the Geneva-based intergovernmental process on strengthening respect for international humanitarian law. Secondly, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law is of paramount importance to demonstrate to actual or potential perpetrators that violations do not go unpunished and, equally important, to deliver justice to victims. We welcome national-level investigations and prosecutions. In line with the principle of complementarity, when such national systems are unable or unwilling to act, accountability should be ensured through existing international investigative and judicial mechanisms.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Let us learn from the benefits of compliance with the norms and principles of humankind and from positive examples. Let us be ambitious with regard to protection. It is within that context that the Group of Friends would like to stress the following five priorities. First, enhancing respect for international humanitarian law is absolutely crucial. We are all called upon to ensure respect for international humanitarian law through the Geneva Conventions relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts. Armed conflicts are regulated by specific rules, which include those governing the conduct of hostilities, providing for humanitarian access and protecting the wounded and sick, including the provision of medical care to the enemy.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Children are often the ones to suffer the most devastating effects from conflicts, and that is why unlawful attacks directed against schools must be condemned in the strongest terms, while taking note in that regard of the Safe Schools Declaration. The starvation of the civilian population and its besiegement are increasingly being used as methods of warfare. On this last issue, we welcome the ongoing discussions in the context of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court regarding a proposal to amend the current legal accountability framework. Recognizing the heavy civilian toll of today's conflicts should not be to the detriment of highlighting progress and identifying avenues for action.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Detainees are treated inhumanely, impartial humanitarian actors continue to face widespread and persistent humanitarian access constraints and millions of civilians are forced from their homes into a perilous fate where they face heightened protection and assistance needs, countless others are missing, with insufficient attention provided by States to clarify their fate and inform next of kin of their whereabouts. There is a continuing trend of the urbanization of conflicts, with an acute impact on civilians and civilian objects, due to the indiscriminate use of weapons in densely populated areas.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“The protection of civilians is a key aspect of the maintenance of peace and security, and we call on the Council to systematically uphold and include core protection-of-civilian standards in its deliberations and decisions consistently and throughout the Council's agenda. Doing so is more necessary today than ever. The latest report (S/2018/462) of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians clearly indicates widespread violations of international humanitarian law and worrying trends in a number of areas. Indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including medical facilities and schools, occur with appalling frequency in many contemporary conflicts. In some cases, the wounded and sick, as well as medical personnel, are intentionally attacked.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“I am pleased to take the floor on behalfofthe members ofthe Group ofFriends on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, namely, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and my own country, Switzerland. The Group of Friends thanks the Polish presidency of the Security Council for organizing today's open debate. We also thank today's briefers for their statements. It is of paramount importance that the protection of civilians be discussed by the Council on a regular basis to advance full respect for, and the implementation of, the norms related to the protection of civilians, as enshrined in international humanitarian law, human rights law, international refugee law and international criminal law.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“I invite the Government of Burundi and its partners to engage in dialogue on mutually beneficial, people-centred and innovative forms of engagement. Fifthly, I remain convinced that a swift signing of the memorandums of understanding between the Government and OHCHR, as well as between the Government and the African Union, and the deployment of the respective human rights observers will provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the human rights situation and help safeguard the space for civil society in Burundi.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“It would be a great achievement if national, regional and international actors could agree on some kind of road map so as to create the necessary conditions for democratic, peaceful and inclusive elections in 2020. Thirdly, humanitarian needs must be addressed. I call on Burundi's international partners to strengthen the resilience of the population by addressing the current humanitarian challenges on the ground in cooperation with the Government. At the same time, I call on the Government of Burundi to continue to cooperate closely and constructively with its international humanitarian partners to address the most urgent needs of Burundi's population. Fourthly, mid- and long-term socioeconomic development must not be ignored.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“The second new PBF initiative, at about $1.75 million, supports capacity-building among the youth wings of political parties. The third project, in the same amount, supports intergenerational networks of women leaders in their ability to launch local peacebuilding initiatives. Based on my recent contacts with Burundian stakeholders and regional and international actors, I wish to draw the following conclusions. The EAC-led dialogue process remains an indispensable instrument to address the current situation in Burundi. National, regional and international interlocutors should continue to lend their support to the efforts undertaken by President Museveni and President Mkapa. Secondly, the upcoming 2020 elections require increased international attention.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“That is a subject to which the President of the Republic of Burundi attaches great importance. The priorities are very similar to those defined by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) for its current engagement. Since my briefing in November, the Peacebuilding Fund has approved three new projects in Burundi, worth a total of $6.5 million. The sum of $3 million was approved for a project involving the four communities in Burundi with the highest number of expected returnees. The project seeks to increase the protection of displaced persons in border areas, specifically with regard to social and economic rights, including access to basic services and livelihoods for returnees and members of host communities, as well as gender-based violence.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“I will encourage my interlocutors to reflect on how free, fair and democratic elections in a pluralistic and peaceful environment can be ensured in Burundi and how the international community can support Burundi on that path. Thirdly, I also plan to continue the socioeconomic dialogue with the Government and its international partners. That dialogue should seek both to address the needs of the population and to overcome existing obstacles to cooperation. I plan to involve additional partners, such as regional actors, the private sector, civil society and academia, in that conversation. Fourthly, I will continue to focus on the humanitarian situation and to engage with the humanitarian actors on the ground in cooperation with the Government. Fifthly, national reconciliation and dealing with the past will remain high on my agenda.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“In the field of security, since my most recent visit to Burundi and the region, I have received reports that the security situation in the country has been generally calm. I encourage all national stakeholders to contribute to peace and stability in Burundi. I am currently preparing my next trip to Burundi, which is planned to take place from 27 to 30 March. In view of the recent developments and after consultations with the configuration, I intend to focus on the following five topics during my visit. First is the mediation efforts of the EAC. In my contacts in Burundi, I will insist that the remaining political divergences be addressed in the framework of the EAC-led dialogue and in an inclusive manner. Secondly, related to that, I plan to discuss the path leading towards the 2020 elections.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“In both recent meetings of the PBC Burundi configuration, Member States expressed overwhelming support for the EAC-led dialogue process and gratitude to President Mkapa for his personal engagement. While the Government recognizes that progress was made during the fourth session of the dialogue, some delegations regretted the lack of progress in the process. Some members of the configuration expressed concern that the upcoming referendum on a revised Constitution could reverse some of the gains achieved through the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi. Other delegations expressed the view that constitutional amendments came under the sovereignty of the country and that the situation was generally improving.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“As mentioned in earlier briefings to the Council, it is obvious that the activities of the configuration must be complementary to the efforts to advance the political reconciliation in Burundi undertaken at the subregional, regional and international levels. To that end, I have maintained regular contacts with Mr. Benjamin Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, East African Community (EAC) Facilitator for Burundi; Mr. Sma'i'l Chergui, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security; Mr. Basile Ikouebe, AU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region; and, of course, Michel Kafando, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Burundi, all of whom I had an opportunity to meet recently in Addis Ababa or Geneva.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“The United Nations country team is trying to address the chronic vulnerability and a series of shocks simultaneously. At the moment, strengthening the resilience of the population is a priority of the country team engagement in Burundi. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the negotiations on a revised memorandum of understanding between OHCHR and the Government of Burundi have yet to be finalized, and the cooperation that was suspended on 11 October 2016 has not yet resumed. I encourage both parties to move forward and to finalize the memorandum of understanding. Meanwhile, the preparations for the deployment of three human rights experts to Bujumbura, in line with Human Rights Council resolution 36/2, of 28 September 2017, are being finalized.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Besides that, a regional refugee response plan is in place to support the 434,000 Burundian refugees living in Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. On 29 January, the Permanent Representative of Tanzania informed the configuration that Tanzania had decided to withdraw from the comprehensive refugee response framework. In various interactions with the configuration, Resident Coordinator Conille pointed to the challenging socioeconomic situation. A negative trade balance, inflation, which rose from 5.6 per cent in December 2016 to 18 per cent in December 2017, unemployment and a shortage of foreign currency reserves are among the most worrisome economic trends. The Resident Coordinator outlined multidimensional challenges for the United Nations.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Ninette Kelley, Director of the New York Office of UNHCR, informed the configuration of the challenges related to the return of refugees from Tanzania to Burundi. On the basis of an agreement reached by Burundi, Tanzania and UNHCR at the Tripartite Commission meeting last August, 13,000 refugees returned in 2017. The repatriation of another 60,000 persons is planned for 2018. The return of refugees will increase pressure on the receiving communities, requiring additional reintegration support to those who return, as well as to those who did not leave the area. UNHCR also reports an influx of more than 8,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo into Burundi since the beginning of 2018. The displaced persons inside Burundi are being supported under the humanitarian response plan.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“On a more positive note, a malaria epidemic, which resulted in approximately 9,400 deaths between 2015 and 2017, has successfully been contained. On 19 February, OCHA presented its report on the humanitarian response plan for 2018 in Bujumbura. On 21 February, the Government reported in a press release that it rejected the content of the report as a whole owing to a lack of cooperation, calling OCHA's numbers exaggerated and referring to positive developments regarding food security. The Government invited OCHA to discuss cooperation on humanitarian responses with the responsible ministries in order to produce a consensual plan for both parties. At the configuration meeting of 29 January, Ms.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Burundi, and from representatives of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Peacebuilding Support Office. At the briefing on 29 January, Ms. Ursula Muller, Assistant Secretary-General of OCHA, reported that in the past three years, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Burundi had tripled, increasing from 1 million people to 3.6 million people. She noted that 25 per cent ofthe population was estimated to be food insecure. That is an increase of 7 per cent as compared to 2016. In 2017, 500,000 people received food and nutrition assistance. Currently, at least 60,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Mr. Lauber: On behalfofthe Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), I would like to thank you, Sir, for inviting me to brief the Security Council today and for the excellent cooperation between the Council and the configuration. As per established practice, the following statement has been approved by the members of the configuration, including the country concerned, Burundi. Since my previous briefing to the Council (see S/PV.8109), the Burundi configuration of the PBC convened on two occasions, on 8 November 2017 and 29 January 2018, with a focus on humanitarian, socioeconomic and political questions. The configuration heard briefings from Mr.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“While there are situations or stages of deliberations on certain items that require closed- door meetings or consultations, we encourage Council members to hold open meetings whenever possible and to seek interaction with Member States, other bodies and civil-society representatives who can provide useful advice to the Council. Close interaction is also essential if we are to avoid situations where the Security Council finds itself adrift from the larger membership because the use of the veto has prevented it from taking decisions. In that regard, ACT encourages all States to adhere to and implement the ACT code of conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“We also call on it to extend the Ombudsperson's mandate, which has been further improved in the meantime, to other sanctions regimes. Fourthly, the relationship of the Council with the membership and other bodies is an area where we have been happy to note some positive developments over the years. It now has regular interactions, for instance, with the African Union Peace and Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission in its role as an advisory body to the Council. We also note a trend whereby Council members choose to speak in open meetings more often, thereby contributing to increased transparency.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“Resolution 1904 (2009), of 17 December 2009, which established the Office of the Ombudsperson to the 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, was a significant step forward in improving the fairness and transparency of the sanctions regimes on Al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant and enhancing the rule of law in the implementation of Council decisions. We strongly urge the Security Council to complete the appointment procedure for the post of Ombudsperson, which has been vacant since August of last year, without further delay.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“With regard to decision-making, the revised note 507 underlines the importance of holding at least one round of consultations with all Council members on drafts before their adoption. That is crucial to ensuring that all members have an opportunity to engage and fulfil the responsibility that the wider membership has entrusted to them. Thirdly, ACT strongly believes that the rule of law should apply within the United Nations as well as outside it, particularly in situations in which United Nations actions directly affect individual rights. The United Nations in general, and the Security Council in particular, should lead the way in that regard.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“Furthermore, coordinating the incoming elected members with both the outgoing members and those staying on the Council for another year is essential to ensuring unity and coherence in the Security Council's work. Secondly, the Council's drafting and decision-making practices need some attention. Assuming that the penholdership system persists, the elected members should be enabled to engage actively on all issues, including those that are particularly important to them and where they have particular expertise. More penholderships could be entrusted to elected members. Another possibility for ensuring that could be by increasing the use of co-penholderships, and we encourage Council members to discuss jointly deciding on the distribution of penholderships and co-penholderships.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“The first has to do with enabling the 10 elected members of the Council to be fully involved in all of its business. We encourage all measures aimed at involving the non-permanent members early on in the Council's business and ensuring continuity. In that respect, we welcome the fact that in the past two years, starting in October, incoming members have been invited to observe closed Security Council meetings and consultations. We also welcome and encourage the elected members' active engagement in wrap-up sessions and interactive briefings on the monthly work of the Council. However, more can be done to ensure they have access to as many resources and documents as possible at an early stage.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“Most recently, the adoption last August of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2017/507, annex), after a process of revision successfully led by Japan, has given us a coherent overview of the practices and working methods discussed so far. But we must acknowledge that overall progress has been slow and the implementation of what has been agreed on has been uneven. In order to safeguard the effectiveness and reputation of the Council and the United Nations at large, and to gain the support of the wider United Nations membership for Security Council decisions, we believe it is important to implement these practices in a consistent manner and not to backslide from previous decisions and commitments. Today I want to highlight four areas where ACT would like to see specific improvements.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate on the working methods of the Security Council. I also thank Mr. Ian Martin, Executive Director of the Security Council Report, for his excellent briefing this morning. We are grateful to him and his team for the work they are doing in relation to our subject. I am speaking on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group. As many of those here know, we are a group of 25 Member States from every region. Our objective is to encourage better working methods in United Nations bodies, particularly the Security Council. The working methods of the Security Council have been a subject of discussion almost since the creation of the United Nations and the Council itself. Over the years, there has been some progress.”
2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source
“Switzerland remains committed to strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to recognize and address new and complex challenges to peace and security. Currently they are enormous, but we also have very solid reference frameworks and agreements on human rights, climate change, development and peace and security. We can effectively contribute to conflict prevention by taking them seriously and implementing them thoroughly.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“To date, 71 Member States havejoined the Appeal, and we invite all others to do the same. Fourthly, many conflicts arise around issues of perceived or real exclusion and injustice. That is an aspect that deserves our attention, including in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together with Brazil and Sierra Leone, we helped to launch the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. As part of that cross-regional group of Member States, we are determined to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 and its related targets. The Pathfinders recently launched a road map that spells out the process and challenges more clearly.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“We are involved in the Blue Peace Initiative, which aims at preventing conflicts linked to the domestic or transboundary management of water. Switzerland encourages members of the Council to further analyze the relation between the competition for natural resources, climate change and peace and security. Thirdly, respect for human rights is essential for conflict prevention. In order to enhance systematic cooperation within the United Nations system on human rights issues and to strengthen the existing human rights framework, in 2016 Switzerland launched the Appeal of 13 June. The Appeal specifically calls for intensified cooperation between the Security Council and the human rights organs of the United Nations with a view to strengthening conflict prevention.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“Prevention is in the DNA of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and of the resolutions on sustaining peace that the Council and the General Assembly unanimously adopted in 2016 . An additional impetus for linking the pillars with prevention is anchored in the Secretary-General's reform agenda. The new United Nations-World Bank prevention study says that for every dollar invested in prevention, $16 is saved. Secondly, the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is, in our view, a significant preventive step. The Paris Agreement acknowledges the strong links between climate change and peace and security. Switzerland is currently addressing the specific challenge of the interaction between water resources and peace.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“Mr. Lauber (Switzerland) (spoke in French): We thank you, Mr. President, for having launched this debate. We share the conviction that we must confront emerging problems at an early stage and that the greatest insecurity arises when risks accumulate. It is not enough to enumerate the different phenomena and negative trends. We need to discuss the tools that we have at our disposal to address the issues and their root causes. In that regard, I would like to focus today on the preventive potential of certain recent international frameworks, agreements and processes and give a few examples of how Switzerland and other Member States can contribute to realizing this potential. First, the United Nations has never had a more solid framework for conflict prevention than today.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“I remain committed to engaging on the socioeconomic situation not only with the Government and Burundi's main donors, but also with the private sector, African economic actors and academia. Fourthly, the question of truth and national reconciliation should receive more attention and support. This will be one of the issues I am planning to raise during my next visit to Burundi, which is tentatively scheduled for early 2018.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Secondly, while the ongoing efforts on the political track remain important, the forthcoming election cycle of 2020 requires increasing attention from all of us. I believe that some kind ofroad map is required, defining the necessary conditions for free, fair, peaceful and democratic elections, as well as the necessary steps to get there. I also believe that the PBC should be able to contribute, in one way or another, to such an endeavour. Thirdly, the socioeconomic conversation must complement these efforts with a focus on addressing the needs ofthe population, as well as existing obstacles for cooperation. Such conversations with the Government need to involve additional partners who were not able to participate in our Bujumbura retreat of 12 July.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Saeed said: "There is a strong need to improve the socioeconomic and human rights situation in Burundi to ensure the sustainability of returns and reintegration at the community level, both for refugees and those returning from internal displacement within Burundi." In the subsequent discussion, it was also underlined that it is essential to safeguard the civilian character of refugee camps in accordance with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In View of this situation, I suggested to the members of the PBC Burundi configuration that they focus on the following four points for the time being. First, national, regional and international actors should continue to fully support the mediation efforts undertaken by President Museveni and President Mkapa on behalf of the EAC.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“On 31 August in Dar es Salaam, the Governments of Tanzania and Burundi and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees agreed to assist the voluntary repatriation of 12,900 refugees who had by then registered their desire to return. At the latest configuration meeting, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, the Deputy Director of the OCHA Coordination and Response Division, underlined the fact that the voluntary character of these repatriations is essential and must be respected in the current movement of return. As for reintegration, Ms.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“The human rights situation has been discussed, as the Assembly knows, in the Human Rights Council in mid-September and by the Third Committee of the General Assembly on 28 October. As is well known, at its thirty-sixth session in Geneva, the Human Rights Council adopted two resolutions on Burundi; one extends the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry for one year; the other asks the High Commissioner to appoint an expert who will provide technical assistance and capacity-building to the Government in the area of human rights. Fourthly, with regard to the question of refugees, many of my interlocutors pointed to the return of refugees from Tanzania to Burundi.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Against this background, international partners are increasingly concentrating on strengthening the resilience of Burundi's population and on their immediate humanitarian needs. On 20 October, for example, the European Union announced a new population resilience support programme, with a volume of â‚¬95 million. Thirdly, on human rights, in my contacts I continued to hear reports about human rights violations in Burundi, as well as regrets about the outstanding memorandums of understanding with the OHCHR and the African Union for their work in Burundi. In my meetings with the representatives of the Government of Burundi, I continued to encourage them to swiftly conclude these agreements.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“While I heard disappointment regarding the lack of progress in the dialogue process, I was encouraged to see that Secretary-General Guterres, as well as the members of the East African Community, the African Union and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region continue to pay considerable attention to the situation in Burundi. As the Special Envoy just mentioned, the holding of the next Arusha round has been tentatively scheduled for late November. I would like to encourage Burundi's political stakeholders to fully commit to the continuation of the EAC-led process and to constructively participate in the planned session. Secondly, with regard to the socioeconomic situation, national and international actors continue to highlight challenges in the areas of food security, health, education and energy.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“The Permanent Representative of Burundi stressed that this was an internal matter and reassured PBC members that changes to the Constitution would not be detrimental to the spirit of the Arusha Accord. From my interactions in recent months, I am drawing the following conclusions: First, with regard to the political dialogue, President Mkapa remains committed to facilitating the EAC-led political dialogue and he continues to enjoy support inside and outside the region. At the same time, the facilitation remains challenging.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Member States reiterated their unequivocal support for the EAC-led dialogue process, although some of them expressed concern over the lack of progress in the process. The human rights situation was described by several delegations as concerning. In that regard, the Permanent Representative of Burundi, Ambassador Albert Shingiro, indicated that the negotiations between his Government and OHCHR about the outstanding memorandum of understanding were in their final phase. A number of representatives enquired about the prospects of an amendment of the Constitution, and they stressed their concern about the potential impact on the spirit of the Arusha Accord. Other representatives noted that amending the Constitution is part of Burundi's sovereign rights.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Representatives from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees highlighted the gravity of the humanitarian situation and indicated that the number of persons in need of humanitarian assistance will possibly soon reach 6 million people, that is, over half of the population. They noted a funding gap for the humanitarian response plan of 50 per cent, as well as for the Regional Refugee Response Plan, which is currently funded at only 19 per cent. In the subsequent discussion, the members of the configuration expressed support for the engagement of the configuration, namely, for its efforts to draw attention to the deteriorating socioeconomic and humanitarian situation.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“While in Addis, I also met the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Under-Secretary- General Vera Songwe, as well as experts from the AU, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and members of the diplomatic community. On 8 November, I updated the configuration on my activities and on recent developments in Burundi. The new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Burundi, Mr. Garry Conille, participated in that meeting of the configuration. He characterized the situation in Burundi as one of chronic vulnerability and informed Member States about United Nations efforts aimed at strengthening the resilience of the population.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Benjamin Mkapa, the former President of Tanzania and the EAC Facilitator for Burundi, as we were both in Geneva on that day. From 25 to 28 October, I used the opportunity of a visit to Addis Ababa to discuss the situation in Burundi with the Permanent Secretary of Burundi's Foreign Ministry, His Excellency Mr. Jean de Dieu Ndikumana; the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, His Excellency Mr. Smai'l Chergui; the new AU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, His Excellency Mr. Basile Ikouebe; and the Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union, His Excellency Mr. Haile Menkerios.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“During the high-level week of the General Assembly, I met with His Excellency Mr. Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Burundi's Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation, and we discussed the continuation of the socioeconomic dialogue. Minister Nyamitwe confirmed that the next round of the dialogue will include additional partners, as agreed at the latesst retreat, held in Bujumbura on 12 July. Also during the high-level week, I met the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Mr. Liberat Mfumukeko; the European Union Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes, Mr. Koen Vervaeke; and the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Great Lakes Region, Ms. Katja Lasseur. On 12 October, I had a meeting with His Excellency Mr.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Mr. Lauber: Mr. President, on behalf of the members of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), I would like to thank you for inviting me to brief the Security Council and for the continuous constructive cooperation between the Council and the configuration. Members of the configuration noted with appreciation the positive reference to the PBC contained in the Council's presidential statement S/PRST/20l7/l3, 0f2 August. As per established practice, the following statement has been submitted to and approved by the members of the configuration, including the country concerned, Burundi. Since my last briefing to the Council on 26 July (see S/PV.8013), I have had a number of meetings in New York, Addis Ababa and Geneva on Burundi in my capacity as Chair of the configuration.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source