YouSaid · the spoken record

Lodhi

lines on the record: 545
first: 2015-03-16
most recent: 2019-10-29
sittings or episodes: 79
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

“Governments and local authorities must share all available facts and relevant intelligence information for a clearer understanding of the security situation, the environment in conflict zones and tactics of warring groups and non-State actors. For their part, journalists should give due consideration to the briefings and advice of official authorities. They should also respect local laws, regulations and traditions. Practices like embedded journalism need to be carefully reviewed from the perspective of their impact on the safety of journalists. This is also essential to ensuring their impartiality. Journalists covering conflict situations should be given the requisite training and practical guidelines to cope with the changing nature of conflict and the tactics of terrorist groups.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Despite those provisions, deliberate violence againstjournalists is on the rise. This alarming trend calls for innovative approaches and responses. We would like to offer the following suggestions: greater understanding and awareness and full and effective implementation of existing provisions of international law; and a well-coordinated and comprehensive international awareness-raising campaign that highlights the prevailing provisions in international law and underscores the consequences of their violation. As impunity remains a disturbing trend, efforts should be intensified to ensure that perpetrators of attacks against journalists are brought to justice.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Today, as many regions of the world descend into chaos and conflict, threats to journalists have become ever more complex. Several new trends are now in evidence: the increased use of terror tactics, rising threats to journalists' lives and kidnapping for ransom in conflict zones, the danger posed to female and freelance media workers in particular and the media's resort to private armed escorts for their protection. The current international legal framework for the protection of journalists is robust. Among other provisions of international law and norms, article 79 of Additional Protocol 1 to the Geneva Convention clearly identifies journalists engaged in professional missions in areas of armed conflict as civilians, provided, of course, they take no action that prejudices their status as a civilian.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“General Assembly resolution 68/163 outlines a comprehensive framework for the protection of journalists that envisages legislative, awareness-raising and other important measures. The Human Rights Council has also taken a lead role in strengthening the normative agenda in that regard. Such frameworks, norms and enforcement mechanisms should be strengthened. The most dangerous places for journalists remain conflict zones, especially areas controlled by terrorist groups and non-State actors. Achieving the delicate balance between freedom of movement and reporting and the safety ofmedia workers is crucial. The challenge is not only to strengthen the means to assure the safety ofjournalists in conflict situations, but also to ensure that they are not exposed to avoidable risks.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“The culture of impunity that has come to endanger their work and jeopardize their lives in those situations should be brought to an end. My country, Pakistan, unequivocally condemns all attacks and violence against journalists in the performance of their professional duties. We share the international outrage on the recent beheading and summary execution ofjournalists by terrorist organizations. That barbarism must come to an end and the safety of media professionals should be fully assured. Resolution 1738 (2006) adopted an action-oriented approach to the safety ofjournalists in armed conflicts. It sent a strong signal to parties in armed conflict to comply with their obligations under international law. Apart from condemning attacks against journalists, it also called for ending impunity in that context.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“It is the unhindered functioning of the media that promotes transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs and, of course, in governance. The information age in which we live has made the role and contribution of journalists even more crucial, more so in situations of armed conflict. The media not only bears witness to facts on the ground and provides authentic information; it also shapes opinion and assists in presenting moral and political choices in conflict situations. There is an obvious relationship between the crucial role journalists play on the front lines and the growing threats to their safety and security. Violence against journalists and their deliberate targeting should be unacceptable.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“We thank the Lithuanian presidency for organizing this useful and timely debate and Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson for his comprehensive and thoughtful briefing. We hope that today's debate will help the Council to focus its attention on protecting journalists in situations of armed conflict, as part of the broader debate on the protection of civilians. Independent journalism is vital for a free society, to hold the powerful to account, and for citizens to be informed and actively engaged. As a former journalist, myself, I know the risks journalists take to unveil and uphold the truth. Freedom of the media is widely regarded as an enabling right, because it helps to secure a wide range of other universal human rights.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“We are also taking additional measures, including in the areas of enforcement, imports and licensing. We have regularly filed national implementation reports on the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects that outline national measures taken over the years. Finally, the Council has addressed the issue of small arms for many years in areas within its purview. There are potential synergies that can be generated between the Council and other processes led by the General Assembly. Given the enormity and complexity of small arms issues, it would be prudent to leverage complementarities while being mindful of respective mandates. We look forward to continuing the debate during the meeting of governmental experts next month.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“It remains a grim irony that weapons that propel and sustain conflicts come from areas or regions that themselves enjoy peace. Only four countries account for two thirds of global arms exports, while developing countries, mainly in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, are major importers. We need to make the entire chain of development, production, trade, transfer and the impact of these arms part of the new global debate. Pakistan has developed the necessary legislative, regulatory, enforcement and institutional mechanisms to regulate the sale, supply, import and transfer of those arms. An inter-ministerial group addresses those issues in an integrated manner. We have adopted policy guidelines for the export of conventional arms and have established mechanisms to regulate the trade, ownership and use of these arms.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“The current peacekeeping and peacebuilding toolkit, while valuable and essential, needs to be supplemented with more strategic and innovative approaches to conflict prevention and resolution. That means going beyond managing conflicts or their manifestations and investing more in preventing and resolving them. It is perhaps time to initiate a new debate about the linkages between excessive production, trade and the use of those arms and their impact on societies. We know from historical experience that instituting controls on trade and transfer cannot be separated from motivations behind the production of arms. Similarly, arms acquisition by States motivated by security needs cannot be de-linked from their production and sale, which is driven by profit and politics.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“That means dealing with unresolved disputes, the root causes of conflicts, the breeding grounds for terrorism and the factors behind the rise in organized crime. The causes of war are even more important to address than the instruments of war. In order to deal with the growing and unacceptable human cost that such weapons inflict, a comprehensive and integrated approach is required. We wholeheartedly endorse the Secretary-General's call in his report for "a multidimensional approach" (S/2015/289, para. 21) that addresses arsenals and ammunition flows, legitimate grievances, past and current human-rights violations and the underlying drivers of conflict.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“It is the principal enabler of global, regional and national efforts to regulate and prevent the use of such weapons. We therefore call for stronger commitments from the international community to mobilize resources to that end. The regulation of arms, including through enhanced controls and improved standards for their transfer, is essential. The enforcement of arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council is also vital. Effective marking and increased cooperation in the tracing of weapons are also necessary. However, such mechanisms focus primarily on regulating the supply side of weapons. There is an urgent need to develop mechanisms and mobilize the political will to address the demand side.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“We concur that such arms are major enablers of criminal violence and conflict. The nexus between organized crime, drug trafficking and the illegal arms trade adds a layer of complexity to an already daunting challenge. The United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms, the International Tracing Instrument and the Firearms Protocol provide solid normative frameworks for addressing the use, regulation and impact of such weapons. All States need to intensify efforts to fully implement those mechanisms. The Arms Trade Treaty has set global benchmarks for regulating the transfer of those arms. We hope that the Treaty is enabled by its States parties to achieve the goals enshrined in it. For developing countries, particularly in Africa, the role of international assistance and cooperation is critical.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“I wish to thank you, Madam President, for convening today's timely and important debate. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his thoughtful briefing to guide our deliberations. The negative consequences of the misuse of arms - small, light or heavy - are well known and amply documented, as are factors such as illicit trade, brokering, diversion, lax regulations and the weak management of weapons stockpiles. Every day, innocent people, including women and children, fall victim to the murderous designs ofterrorists, criminals and insurgents using such weapons. Peacekeepers, police and security forces bear the brunt of that reality in the line of duty. Such lethal instruments of violence are widely available, inexpensive and easy to transport and to conceal.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“Next month, with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, my country will co-host in Islamabad a skills development and needs assessment conference focused on youth. The United Nations with its expertise, on-the-ground experience and unique convening power can play a leading role in developing a comprehensive strategy. Given the complexity and global dimensions of Violent extremism, the General Assembly should also be enabled to play a leading role in developing a multifaceted strategy, building on resolution 68/127. We hope that the September United Nations summit on the issue will provide a clear direction towards that end.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“Acknowledging the key importance of creating economic opportunities for young people and harnessing their potential to promote national progress, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched a special youth programme last year. It is designed to provide educational and vocational support and socioeconomic opportunity in the form of special schemes for young people. As part of our national action plan to counter terrorism, Pakistan has taken other steps to curb Violent extremism. Those have included curbs on hate speech and material, steps against religious persecution, registration of religious schools and measures against the use of social media for terrorism or its glorification. We support the useful work of the United Nations Centre for Counter-Terrorism in that area.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“This entails enlisting the support and trust of local communities, particularly youth and women. Educational programmes, as many others have emphasized before me, can play a vital role in fostering values of tolerance, harmony and respect for diversity. The role of religious leaders is no less important, because they can contribute to shaping young people's attitudes and building their resilience. They can also help to counter and delegitimize acts of violence, regardless ofjustifications or motivations. We in Pakistan are pursuing a comprehensive approach that involves, in addition to law enforcement, educational, social and economic measures.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“We know only too well how the youth bulge in several parts of the Middle East has played a major role in the political upheavals of recent years. The interplay between demographics, lack of socioeconomic opportunity and radicalization magnifies the challenge of Violent extremism. When economic opportunity fails to keep pace with demographics, young people become particularly vulnerable to being attracted to extremist narratives. Social frustration and economic deprivation thus provide a breeding ground for Violent extremism. So if violent extremists are to be defeated, the economic empowerment of youth must be a major component of a counter-radicalization strategy. Building resilience in communities and societies is necessary to evolve an effective strategy, because resilience and cohesion are essential bulwarks against violent extremism.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“The radicalization of youth in certain Western States flows from social alienation, economic marginalization and the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia. A major step to reverse this is legislation to prohibit insults to religions and to establish a clear distinction between free speech and hate speech. The Council, even as it considers the social and economic dimensions of this phenomenon, has a vital political role to play. It must intensify its efforts to address long-standing conflicts and disputes. The radicalization of youth cannot be understood, much less addressed or curbed, shorn of its political, social and economic context. Economic and political exclusion and social injustice fuel disenchantment, which drives young men and women towards extremism, and that in turn assures terrorist groups of a steady supply of recruits.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“The energy of youth can generate progress and prosperity but, equally, it can exacerbate Violence and war. It is up to States and societies to ensure that the energy and idealism of youth is directed towards promoting peace and progress rather than conflict and chaos. When young people become alienated within societies, when they perceive oppression and injustice, local or global, they become susceptible to seduction by the ideologues of extremism. The rise of violent extremism has a direct correlation with conflicts and disputes; foreign intervention and occupation; religious, racial and ethnic discrimination or persecution; and social and economic exclusion. Extremists use such injustices to lure youth into supporting their agenda.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“Mr. President, my delegation thanks you for having convened this important debate. Violent extremism has emerged as one of the most complex challenges of our time. It has claimed innocent lives, caused wide-scale destruction and disrupted social order as well as State structures. Its scope, nature, causes and manifestations make it a global phenomenon, and this requires a common understanding and cooperative solutions. A critical aspect ofthis challenge is the radicalization of youth, which often leads them to commit violent acts. But youth are also the key to building resilience against this threat. We therefore welcome Jordan's initiative to highlight the role of youth in addressing this challenge. Throughout history, youth have been the engine of change, for good or for bad.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source
“Several ofthe conflicts that have erupted across the Middle East reflect the exacerbation offault lines within the Muslim countries concerned. The Islamic world must not allow those fissures to tear apart the divinely prescribed unity of the Ummah - the community of all Muslims. Pakistan stands ready to do all it can to promote peace and reconciliation within the world of Islam. Finally, Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the people ofPalestine is manifested by its support over the decades. We urge the Council to act and take the lead on that issue. The resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict will also help address the new conflicts that engulf the Middle East. Urgency is essential.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“A rebel group, with the aid of dissident leaders, has occupied large parts of the country and forced out the legitimate Government, including the country's President. That situation, created by illegal force, cannot be allowed to stand, much less be accepted as the basis for negotiating a settlement of the crisis. Pakistan welcomed the adoption of resolution 2216 (2015) and called for its full and effective implementation. We believe that the restoration of the Government of President Hadi will be an important step towards establishing peace in Yemen. The Council has called on the rebels to cease hostilities and vacate the areas they have occupied. That ought to be ensured. That said, there is an urgent need for finding a peaceful negotiated solution to the crisis through dialogue.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“In Syria, a Hobbesian war ofall against all rages, with cruelty and human suffering of a magnitude that calls into question the very humanity of the perpetrators. The situation in the Palestinian refugee camp in Yarmouk defies description. ISIS must be defeated. But for peace and order to be restored, a political solution will need to be negotiated between those willing to make mutual accommodations. The Geneva process, United Nations mediation, the Russian initiative and all other avenues should be utilized to evolve a political solution to that difficult conflict. The first priority should be to end the massive human suffering of the Syrian people. In Yemen, the parameters of international legitimacy are much clearer.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“Wittingly or otherwise, the long conflict in and around Iraq has exacerbated ethnic and sectarian fault lines and given new life to Al-Qaida and birth to an even more abhorrent terrorist entity, namely, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) - or Daesh - which now rampages across Iraq and Syria and is gaining adherents beyond, in Libya and elsewhere. In the cases of Libya and Syria, the road to hell has been paved with good intentions. The tragic outcomes are self-evident. The Arab Spring has turned into a cold and forbidding winter. In Libya, tribal and regional rivalries have combined with extremist militants, including ISIS affiliates, to generate conditions of chaos. The Security Council must ensure action by those in a position to contribute to restoring peace and order in Libya.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“Even if words can be retracted, the continued spread ofillegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands, the blockade of Gaza, the provocations around the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and the continued imprisonment of Palestinians pose ever-growing obstacles to a two- State solution. Such actions are effectively foreclosing the prospect of an independent, contiguous and viable Palestinian State on the basis of the pre-l967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Security Council bears the responsibility to act with vigour and unanimity to enforce its resolutions demanding a just and durable settlement. The Council should adopt a draft resolution establishing the parameters of the Palestinian State, set a timeline for ending the occupation and launch a new peace process to take negotiations forward.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“The proximate causes of each conflict are different, yet there are some common threads: the failure of Governments and governance to meet the legitimate aspirations of the peoples concerned, unresolved issues and the consequences of outside interventions, as well as acts of omission by the international community. In many ways - political, historic and emotional - Palestine and the plight of its people remain the root cause of the conflict and chaos that now rages across the Middle East. Sadly, today the prospect of a just solution to that perennial problem is further away than at any other time. The recent pronouncements by Israel have appalled even its closest friends.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“The Pakistan delegation thanks the Foreign Minister of Jordan for presiding over this meeting earlier. We also thank the Secretary- General for his perceptive briefing to the Council. The Middle East is the cradle of human civilization. Today, sadly, it appears to have become the cradle of chaos - riven by conflict and regional rivalry, afflicted by terrorism and extremism and enduring massive human suffering. Unless this chaos, within and across borders, is contained and controlled, it will endanger global peace, security and prosperity. Each of the several conflicts in the Middle East needs to be addressed simultaneously - if separately, with long-term vision rather than short-term or partisan perspectives.”
2015-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7430 (2015) · source
“Historical and recent experience has demonstrated that the challenges posed by the current chaos in the Middle East will not be overcome by foreign intervention. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries will have to be fully respected. Ultimately, durable peace can be restored through national reconciliation in each affected State and can be encouraged and promoted with regional and global support. The Security Council can contribute to restoring peace and defeating the extremist and violent groups by helping to develop a global consensus on the principles and structure for the solution to the challenges confronted in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and, most importantly, in Palestine. To achieve that, the Council must adhere to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its own unimplemented resolutions.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“That requires a more comprehensive approach, one that offers a path for the constructive involvement and engagement of young people in the economic, social and political life of their societies and States. Most importantly, it requires an effective and thoughtful response to the narrative of many of these extremist groups, a narrative that they cynically seek to deploy. That narrative is that Muslims have been historically oppressed and can regain their rights and freedoms only through violent means. The narrative will not be neutralized by solemn declarations alone. It can be credibly countered only through genuine efforts to resolve the underlying political problems, among them, a solution for the Palestine issue and other conflicts raging across the Levant and beyond.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“The weak 4 minorities, women and children 4 have suffered the worst excesses whenever order and justice have collapsed. It is now clear that disorder and the collapse of State authority across North Africa and the Middle East have transformed the Arab Spring into a brutal winter. The partial or complete breakdown of State authority in Iraq and Syria has allowed for the rise of violent groups such as Daesh, which are inured to extremist ideologies and radical agendas. The quest for power by cynical and brutal leaders wrapped in religious cloaks is not surprising under the circumstances. What is surprising and alarming is the fatal attraction that some of those groups hold for disaffected and alienated youth within and outside the Middle East. Military and police action can deal with the symptoms of the phenomena, but not the disease.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“What is deeply offensive and unacceptable is that some vested interests attempt to blame our great faith, Islam, as the source of the current chaos, rather than recall its historical and political roots. The current chaos in the Middle East contrasts sharply with the history and ethos of Islam. The Middle East, as many speakers before me have pointed out, is a cradle of major religions and civilizations. Islamic history in the region is replete with examples of what true Islam preaches: love, brotherhood, tolerance and humanity. Over the course of history, the rights of minorities have been preserved and prosperity promoted when effective authority and order have combined with an enlightened governance of nations, empires or States.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“We appreciate the presence of your Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. President, today in the Council for the deliberations on this vital issue. We have heard the statements of the Secretary- General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with great interest. The recent escalation of Violence and terrorism against religious and ethnic groups in the Middle East is an affront to humanity and all civilized norms. We endorse the calls for relief and redress for the victims of these atrocities, who have suffered grievously from religious and ethnic bigotry and extremism. Throughout history, millions have been killed, tortured, maimed and dispossessed by the venom of religious and racial hatred. Violence and atrocities against minorities and other vulnerable groups must be unequivocally condemned.”
2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source
“Finally, I would wish to underscore that the legal parameters of the Council mandate must be respected. Our focus should remain on situations of armed conflict and those threatening international peace and security.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“It involves police and security actions, building resilience in local communities against radicalization as well as political, economic, social and financial measures. Preventing the recruitment and indoctrination of children by extremist and militant organizations is a priority area for us, as is focusing on education to promote tolerance and harmony. Key steps that we have taken include the registration and regulation of religious seminaries, curbs on hate material and literature, and the introduction of a modern school curriculums. But even as Pakistan executes its campaign against terrorists and acts to protect its children, sharing best practices and experience gained by different countries can help strengthen our collective response to keep our citizens and our children safe from the violent actions of armed groups.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“Her act of extraordinary courage became a symbol of resistance to the evil designs of violent groups. Pakistan has embarked upon an effective law enforcement campaign, which includes what we call Zarb-e-Azb, a military campaign in our tribal area, to take out terrorists, dismantle their networks and halt the flow of finances to them from inside and outside the country. We have learned by doing. That is why Pakistan recognizes that while the use of force may be necessary it is not sufficient to effectively eradicate the menace. Non-kinetic measures such as developing a counter-narrative to defeat the terrorists' twisted ideology, are just as important, if not more so. Pakistan is implementing a comprehensive national plan of action to address this very complex and imposing challenge.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“The Peshawar school attack has strengthened the resolve of the Government and the people of Pakistan to combat terrorist violence and the groups that inflict it. It has further reinforced our national consensus to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. That school children across my country stood in solidarity with the victims of Peshawar and expressed an unshakable, collective resolve to confront terrorists sent a powerful message that schools could not be forced to close down in fear, nor would children be cowed by such cowardly attacks. These children - in my country and beyond - have been inspired by the power of Malala Yousafzai, Pakistan's Nobel Prize winner, who took a bullet in her head rather than submit to the terrorists" dictates or agenda.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“We all witnessed on our television screens what happened to the children of Gaza. We join the international community in condemning these atrocities in the strongest terms. Terrorist groups have intentionally targeted and attacked schoolchildren. They have killed, abducted and inflicted serious injuries on thousands of children in utter disregard of all norms of humanity and international law. The massacre of over a 100 school children - 132, in fact - in my country's city ofPeshawar three months ago was one of the worst atrocities perpetrated against children. In so doing, these terrorist outfits have sunk to new levels of cruelty and displayed a reprehensible capacity to attack the core values of humanity.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today's important debate. We appreciate the insightful briefings by the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, as well as the perspective provided by the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and civil society representatives. We hope that our deliberations today and the concept note circulated by the French delegation (S/2015/168, annex) will become useful guidelines on how to prevent and effectively respond to the abuse of children by non-State armed groups and bring the perpetrators to swift justice. Violence and attacks on children, particularly by non-State actors, are on the rise globally. Armed groups have committed barbaric acts of terror against children. But children are also victims of brutal force in several situations of foreign occupation.”
2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source
“UNAMA should give priority to assisting the process of refugee repatriation and resettlement. Its core work in capacity- building and supporting the Afghan Government in coordinating assistance and in reconstruction, socioeconomic growth and good offices remains vital. The destinies of the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan are inextricably linked by geography, history, culture, language and faith. Such ties cannot be cut or rent asunder by the tides of power or politics. For the past 35 years, the people of my country have shared in the suffering and tragedies of the Afghan people. Now, with the dawn of hope, we look forward, God willing, to sharing in the triumph of peace and development in Afghanistan.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“Security and development are interdependent. A priority aim must be to break the nexus between drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism. We share the Secretary-General's concern about the deterioration in the Afghan economy. Short-term measures for economic revival should be accompanied by steps designed to lay the foundations for self-sustained growth. The road, rail and trans-regional energy projects envisaged by Pakistan and Afghanistan will contribute to creating that foundation. The Afghan refugees in Pakistan, still the largest single-country refugee population anywhere in the world, can make a valuable contribution to Afghanistan's economic revival. We welcome President Ghani's resolve to bring them home and provide a road map to do so within a specified time frame.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“There are encouraging indications that the Taliban may be willing to negotiate with the national unity Government. We hope it will join the reconciliation process. It is for the Afghan Government to set out the terms and framework for such reconciliation. The international community should actively support that process, and Pakistan will do everything possible to facilitate it. We welcome China's closer engagement in promoting reconciliation and economic development in Afghanistan. But as the Secretary-General warns in his report, the process of achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan is not likely to be fast or smooth. The Afghan parties and the international community must exercise strategic patience. Those who desire to disrupt the peace process should be discouraged. They are on the wrong side of history.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“Renewed interaction in the military and intelligence sphere has strengthened mutual confidence. We are working to strengthen border controls and cooperation. Pakistan's Zarb-e-Azb military operation, which is under way right now, is targeting all terrorist groups without distinction. Afghanistan's cooperation against terrorists targeting Pakistan is greatly appreciated by Islamabad. The security challenges confronting Afghanistan remain imposing. As anticipated, violence has escalated. The Taliban will no doubt test the mettle of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). The ANSF will need to demonstrate to them that a military solution is not possible. The new Afghan Government has called for a dialogue to resolve differences through political means.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“Pakistan wholeheartedly endorses his decade of transformation and the programme for effective governance, economic and social development and national reconciliation. President Ghani's historic visit to Islamabad last November and his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif succeeded in overcoming in three days the accumulated challenges of 13 years and produced a strategic shift in Pakistan-Afghan relations. The leaders of the two countries share a vision of a partnership built on multiple pillars of common security and economic interests. They have committed not to allow their respective territories to be used against each other. They have initiated actions to intensify security cooperation, promote bilateral trade, streamline transit trade and forge a close economic relationship.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source
“It is an honour to make my maiden statement in the Security Council on the vital issue of Afghanistan and under your skilled presidency, Mr. President. We thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2015/151). We welcome the perceptive briefing by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom, whom we had the pleasure of receiving recently in Islamabad. I also welcome the statement of Ambassador Tanin. The renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today comes at a defining moment for Afghanistan - a moment of hope for its people and the entire region. Pakistan has welcomed the peaceful transition in Afghanistan and the formation of the national unity Government, led by President Ashraf Ghani.”
2015-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7403 (2015) · source