YouSaid · the spoken record

Lucas

lines on the record: 1,853
first: 1997-08-28
most recent: 2016-12-19
sittings or episodes: 261
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

“I will quote from the testimony found in in the detailed conclusions of the commission of inquiry: "[A]bout twice a week, [the guards] would choose one kid and do the inspection to see if this person is stealing something or hiding something, but she was so unlucky that she was chosen as the kid to be inspected. And, in her pocket there were some grains and then the guard asked where she got it. Then, she told the guard that she picked them up on the street. There was a wooden stick that the guards used. And, the guard says that's not the way I taught you, so you went against my teaching. So, she was beaten so badly that she fainted, and we had to take her to her mom.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7353 (2014) · source
“Secondly, the perpetrators of those crimes enjoy total impunity, since their actions are conducted pursuant to policies established at the highest level of the State. Thirdly, the violations affect the most vulnerable parts of the population indiscriminately - first of all women, who are subject to systematic discrimination and intolerable abuse, often of a sexual nature, and then children, who are the first victims of famine and who have not been spared the hell ofpolitical prison camps. In that regard, I would like to cite the testimony of Mr. Shin Dong-hyuk, an escapee from Political Prison Camp No. 14. His testimony concerns a small 7-year- old girl who had the audacity to pick up grains of cereal to quash her hunger.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7353 (2014) · source
“That is what the devastating report (S/2014/276, annex), published on 7 February by the commission established by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, documents methodically, rigorously and transparently. I will not list the macabre inventory ofthe atrocities committed in North Korea. They make one sick. I would, however, like to make three points that emerge from the commission of inquiry's detailed report. The first is that the Commission finds a series of violations that meet the criteria established by international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court for the existence of crimes against humanity.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7353 (2014) · source
“In the past decade, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has worked methodically to flout international law, undermine the nuclear non-proliferation regime and challenge the Security Council's decisions. Since 2006, in defiance of its international obligations, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has carried out various nuclear and missile tests. It has refused to engage in constructive dialogue with the international community and continues to issue regular threats of nuclear strikes. Such an attitude aggravates the risks of conflict and is a threat to peace and international security, which no one can deny. But there is more, and it is just as serious. For several decades, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been violating its people's most basic rights on an unequalled scale.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7353 (2014) · source
“Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for taking the necessary steps to ensure that the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea could be formally placed on the Council's agenda and this briefing meeting held at the request of 10 members of the Council, including my country, Luxembourg. I thank Mr. Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary- General for Political Affairs, and Mr. Ivan Simonovic', Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, for their briefings on the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and its implications for international peace and security.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7353 (2014) · source
“We hope that the good practices established in terms of transparency of the Council's work, particularly these monthly wrap-up meetings, will be continued in the future, and that we will benefit in our turn from the transparency that has characterized our work with regard to the entire membership over the past two years In conclusion, I would just like to wish the newly elected members i Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela - success and satisfaction in carrying out their mandates. Finally, we would like to extend our best wishes to Ambassador Barros Melet and the entire Chilean team during their presidency of the Security Council in January 2015.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“We end our term of office with a sense of mission accomplished, but also with a feeling of humility, more than ever aware of the limits of the Council's actions and of the fact that we have assumed that responsibility over a two- year period on behalf of all the States members of the General Assembly. We are coming to the end of our term office with a feeling of great gratitude with regard to colleagues, permanent and non-permanent members, with whom we have closely cooperated during this period of very intense work. We will now continue to work outside the Security Council.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“We hope that more frequent use of briefings by the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Envoys of the Secretary-General for the prevention of genocide and the responsibility to protect will enable the Council to more accurately anticipate the outbreak of crises and therefore to take appropriate conflict prevention measures more quickly. It is also in that spirit that we welcome the open information meeting that the Council will hold this afternoon on the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Over the past two years, Luxembourg has committed its resources and resolve to the service of international peace and international security.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“We have come to recognize the degree to which the use of the veto or even the threat of its use weighs upon the Council's work. The illegal annexation of the Crimea and the violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine cast a sharp light on the limitations of the Security Council under its current structure, despite the provisions of Article 27, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations. The example of Ukraine is unfortunately only one of many that prove that additional efforts are required to more fully take into account the importance of conflict prevention in the work of the Security Council. Preventing conflicts will certainly contribute to restoring the credibility of the Security Council. In that regard, we place high hopes on the Secretary-General's Rights Up Front initiative.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“That is why we stress the importance of ensuring that the protection of children is taken into account across the spectrum of the Council's work and why we insist on the implementation of the Council's resolutions and presidential statements on the issue, most recently resolution 2143 (2014), adopted on 7 March. Faced with growing threats to international peace and security, it is essential to strengthen the effectiveness of the Security Council. Along with others, we promoted innovations in the Council's working methods to that end. Our time on the Council has also strengthened our support for the French initiative for a code of conduct under which the five permanent members of the Security Council would voluntarily and collectively commit not to resort to the veto in cases of mass atrocities.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“We have made every effort to use the full array of tools available to us to promote the protection of children - first, of course, within the context of our term as Chair of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, but also by ensuring that the language concerning the protection of children affected by conflict was inserted into all decisions and positions adopted by the Council. If our statements on the subject struck some as repetitious, it is because children are unfortunately the first victims of contemporary conflicts.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“In that context, we have insisted on the protection of civilians, respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, the question of women, peace and security as well as the fight against impunity, highlighting the fundamental role of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The fact that the Council was prevented from referring the Syrian situation to the Prosecutor of the ICC will surely remain a black stain for all those who, like us, saw such a referral as part of a preventive logic that could have dissuaded the parties to the Syrian conflict, including terrorist groups such as Daesh, from committing further war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“We were correct to act, but in all those cases, sustained and vigilant support from the international community has been essential. The same holds true for Somalia. Our work in the Security Council has been in keeping with the convictions and priorities that Luxembourg has long upheld in the United Nations. Our approach to addressing crisis situations, inspired by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, has been a holistic one that views the links among security, development and human rights as the best way to establish lasting peace and maintain peace in post- conflict settings.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“We hope that the coming year will prove decisive in that regard and that the efforts undertaken by Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura will allow the contours of a solution to the crisis to emerge. Over the course of the past two years, the Council has taken important decisions, and it can be said that its action has prevented the worst. By way of example, I will mention the establishment of an Intervention Brigade within United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the creation of new United Nations stabilization missions, first in Mali and later in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where there was reason to fear a new genocide, which was an unacceptable risk just as we were commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“At the same time, we take this opportunity to renew our call on all parties to the conflict, in particular the Syrian authorities, to fulfil their responsibility to protect their population and to end their violations of international humanitarian law and their abuses of human rights. We call on them in particular to end the violations and abuses committed against millions of children by implementing the recommendations on Syria adopted on 26 November by the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. But we should have no illusions - absent a political solution to the Syrian conflict, there can be no end in sight to the tragedy that has befallen the Syrian people.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“The joint work undertaken, first with our Australian friends and then with our Jordanian friends, with a view to improving the situation of civilians and access to humanitarian aid was reflected in the presidential statement of 2 October 2013 (S/PRST/2013/15), and subsequently in resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014). The mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid across borders and conflict lines established by resolution 2165 (2014) and extended for a year by resolution 2191 (2014) has proven effective. We hope that scaled up efforts on the part of the international community will allow more people in need to be reached.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“That awareness has guided our actions throughout our term, especially with respect to the question of Syria. Regrettably, the Syrian situation, which continues to deteriorate, represents the most egregious failure of the international community with respect to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The determination of the Syrian regime to repress all opposition, the subsequent rise of terrorism and the persistent differences among the great Powers have prevented a political solution to the crisis up to this point, plunging the Syrian population into an endless calvary. In such difficult conditions, we did everything possible to ensure the right of the affected populations to humanitarian assistance.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“That is the case with Syria, the Sudan, South Sudan, Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, the Middle East peace process and Libya, but also with regard to a number of matters to which Chad quite rightly drew particular attention, such as counter- terrorism and cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. Throughout Luxembourg's first term on the Security Council, we have tried not to lose sight of the fact that behind every agenda item, and behind every statistic in the Secretary-General's reports, there are human beings and individual destinies that are directly affected by the results of our action or inaction. Holding a seat on the Security Council is a very special and grave responsibility.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): As 2014 draws to a close and the Chadian presidency of the Security Council reaches the end of its term, I would like to congratulate you, Sir, and your entire team for the excellent role you have played in guiding our work. Since this is the last wrap-up session in which we are taking part as a non-permanent member of the Council, I hope you will allow me to look back over the Council's activities not only during the month of December, but also for the period of 2013-2014. A number of issues that were part of this month's agenda have also concerned us over the past two years.”
2014-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7352 (2014) · source
“But not going far enough is still moving ahead, and that alone is encouraging for those Afghans who have demonstrated that they want to take their fate into their own hands to shape a better future for their country.”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“In the coming years, with the withdrawal of international combat troops, the support role of UNAMA will become even more important. Supporting the Afghan authorities in strengthening the rule of law, shoring up democracy and protecting human rights will continue to be a the heart of the Mission's mandate. The important role that the United Nations has to play in terms of good offices and international assistance coordination should also be taken into account. UNAMA should have the adequate means to fulfil its mission in order to ensure a field presence throughout all of Afghanistan. There are many areas in Afghanistan that require work. Some will lament that the progress made is not being made fast enough or not going far enough. That may be true.”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“Another key area is that of child protection. We welcome the fact that the National Assembly has passed a law criminalizing the recruitment of children by the Afghan National Security Forces. That is an important step in the implementation of the action plan to counter the recruitment and use of children. We encourage the authorities to persevere in those efforts. We are nonetheless concerned at the continuing reports of boys arrested and detained because of their alleged association with armed groups or on charges related to national security. Those children must first be considered victims and immediately transferred to child protection specialists. I would like to conclude by reiterating our appreciation for the outstanding work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“We are encouraged by the fact that President Ghani Ahmadzai has expressed his support on many occasions for the respect of human rights. For our part, we would like to call on the new authorities to spare no effort to prevent, report and denounce violence committed against Afghan women. We also advocate that the progress made in terms of the status of women not be sacrificed on the altar of a possible national reconciliation agreement. In human development, the fight against poverty must be another priority. The proportion of the Afghan population living below the poverty line is still too high. National resources must be allocated in a more equitable manner. Large-scale economic reforms are needed and will also have to address the growing dependence of the country on the illicit economy linked to drug trafficking.”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“At the London Conference on 4 December, donors reiterated their commitment to staying at the side of the Afghan people. On the security front, the NATO Resolute Support Mission, heralded by the unanimous adoption of resolution 2189 (2014), will provide advice, training and assistance to Afghan security forces. The international community's support will continue to be manifested through UNAMA's work on the ground. I will say more on that in a moment. While security efforts are essential to the stability of the country and the protection of civilians, efforts to improve human development will be critical to the long-term stabilization of Afghanistan. Respect for human rights is, in this respect, a crucial element, and improving the status of women is an absolute necessity.”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“The international community must recognize the progress that has been made and the credit that is due to the Afghans. Nevertheless, it must not lose sight of the challenges that remain. Today it is absolutely necessary that the Afghan ruling class put itself fully at the service of its people and quickly agree on the formation of a National Unity Government that reflects the diversity of the country. Otherwise, the destabilizing effect of political uncertainty will strengthen the power of those looking to return Afghanistan to its old demons. To meet the huge challenges ahead, the National Unity Government, once formed, will need the continued support of the international community, which is willing to provide that support.”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Nicholas Haysom, for his briefing. I wish him a warm welcome to the Council in his new role. I also thank the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Yury Fedotov, and the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Ambassador Zahir Tanin, for their statements. I align myself with the statement to be made during this debate by the observer of the European Union. Afghanistan has come a long way since 2001. The path has been strewn with hardships and sacrifices, but also remarkable advances. That is evidenced by the progress made in the fields of education and health. It is also evidenced by the regular holding of elections and the first democratic transfer of power.”
2014-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7347 (2014) · source
“In this spirit, we support the deepening of triangular cooperation among the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union. We welcome the fact that the synergies among the three organizations figure prominently in the presidential statement S/PRST/2014/27, which we have adopted at Chad's initiative. Luxembourg will continue to commit itself to strengthening the bonds of solidarity among the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union in order to better address the root causes of instability represented by the absence of development, inequality, exclusion, poverty and inadequate governance.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“Europe supports the development of African crisis management capacities through training and equipment. In 2016, more than 17,000 African soldiers were trained with the support of the Europeans - some, in Mali and Somalia, by instructors from Luxembourg. The support of the European Union and its member States is also demonstrated through their substantial contributions to the budgets of United Nations operations and African missions, particularly through the African Peace Facility. The presence of several operations in the same country, such as at present in the Central African Republic, reinforces the need for coordination at the political, operational and financial levels. Such coordination involves an ongoing exchange of information and experience at all levels of the chain of command.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“We believe that these measures are necessary to bring the parties to the conflict to finally engage in good faith in political negotiations for a lasting settlement of the conflict, in the primary interests of the people of South Sudan. The strength of a partnership is tested at moment such as this. Luxembourg welcomes the strong partnerships that have been established both between the United Nations and the European Union and between the African Union and the European Union. The United Nations and the European Union have developed synergies that benefit Africa in the fields of immediate crisis response, humanitarian action, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. That is the case in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Mali, especially in the area of security sector reform.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“The main protagonists continue to give pride of place to military strategy, and with the end of the rainy season there is a growing threat of renewed large-scale fighting, with incalculable consequences for the already traumatized civilian population. Given the situation and the statements issued by IGAD and the African Union Peace and Security Council, we believe that the Security Council should take restrictive measures against any party responsible for violations of the ceasefire, obstructing political negotiations, or even violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. The country's natural resources, including oil, must also be used for the benefit of the South Sudanese people rather than to fuel rearmament and war.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“As part of this partnership, we believe that the interaction between the members of the African Union Peace and Security Council and all the members of the Security Council, permanent and non-permanent alike, would benefit from being strengthened in New York and in Addis Ababa. This would improve the exchange of information at an early stage and thereby contribute to better informed decision-making on both sides. One year after the outbreak of hostilities in South Sudan, despite the concerted efforts of the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (GAD), the situation remains appalling.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“It is important to pursue these efforts to institutionalize child protection mechanisms in all activities of the African Union in the field of peace and security. The examples of Mali and the Central African Republic highlight the operational impact of the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. In both countries, in 2013 and 2014 African-led missions turned into Blue Helmet operations - the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“I highlight one area to which attach particular importance - the protection of children affected by armed conflict. The Security Council has emphasized the valuable contribution that regional and subregional organizations can make in this sector, and has welcomed in particular the signing on 17 September 2013 of the joint statement of the Office of Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission. In that regard, I welcome the discussion held on 6 June within the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict with the the African Union Commission for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General and the High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel for their opening statements. Luxembourg fully endorses the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union. The Security Council rightly recognizes the role and contribution of regional and subregional organizations to preventing, managing and resolving conflicts in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The strengthening of cooperation between the United Nations and these organizations is not only desirable, but necessary. It is in Africa that the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations is the most developed. Cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union extends to many areas.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I should like at the outset to join those who have condemned in the firmest possible manner today's cowardly terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, which killed many innocent children and wounded numerous others. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Pakistan. I thank the Chadian presidency for organizing this public debate on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, particularly the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. Your presence, Sir, demonstrates the centrality of this partnership and Chad's commitment to strengthening it.”
2014-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7343 (2014) · source
“The fact that the Security Council can refer situations to the ICC makes it a key player in establishing responsibility. The International Criminal Court needs the decisive support of the Security Council to meet the needs of the many victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. We must not forget that for those victims, the International Criminal Court is often the only recourse available to make their voices heard and to stand up for their rights.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“We hope to have the comprehensive report as soon as possible. Everything must be done to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated. It is essential that the Security Council and the ICC have the most complete and credible information possible on the violence committed in Darfur. I will conclude by citing the conviction that Luxembourg has consistently reaffirmed throughout its mandate as an elected member of the Council. The time is right to do so, while the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is taking place at United Nations Headquarters. It is our conviction that the onus is on the Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities to end impunity, including by providing full support to the ICC.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“We deplore the fact that UNAMID has still not got obtained free and unhindered access to the village of Thabit, in North Darfur, which would have allowed the Mission to verify the allegations of rape committed against nearly 200 women and girls on 30 and 31 October. A thorough and impartial investigation into those allegations to establish responsibility must be undertaken. Lastly, with regard to the alleged manipulation of the information contained in UNAMID reports, I recall that Luxembourg was among the Council members that supported the ICC Prosecutor in June when she proposed that the Secretary-General expedite a comprehensive, independent and public inquiry to shed light on those allegations. We note the conclusions that the internal investigation team established by the Secretary-General submitted to the Council.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“We encourage the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC to continue to closely monitor the situation in Darfur, to gather information on the alleged crimes and to consider the introduction of new investigations on the situation in Darfur. We realize that this is not easy, given the lack of cooperation of the Sudanese Government and the inability of the ICC officials to travel to conflict zones. We need to continue our discussions to find ways to remedy this unacceptable situation. The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and humanitarian actors continue to be denied access to conflict zones where people need emergency assistance and where violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are being committed.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“The national dialogue announced by the Sudanese President offers an opportunity, provided that conditions conducive to an inclusive dialogue are created. However, that is hardly the case now. Ms. Bensouda's report gives an insight into the crimes perpetrated in Darfur - crimes that may fall under the Rome Statute. For example, there are aerial bombardments, attacks against civilians, humanitarian actors and peacekeepers, as well as gender-based and sexual violence against women and girls. We are very concerned about the role of the Rapid Support Forces who commit abuses with absolute impunity and in whose ranks the presence of children has been noted.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“It continues to refuse to do so and it has failed to take action to fight effectively against impunity at the national level. That is unacceptable. It is also with great concern that we note the cases of non-cooperation with the Court and the fact that the President of the Sudan, Omer Al-Bashir, continues to make trips to the region. We hope that the Security Council will be able to respond to the formal communications that the Court addressed to it to report these cases of non-cooperation. The Security Council must ensure the effective monitoring of cases that it has referred to the ICC. It is a question of credibility and effectiveness. The security and humanitarian situation in Darfur has significantly deteriorated in 2014. The settlement of the crisis requires a political solution.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (Spoke in French): I thank the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms. Fatou Bensouda, for the presentation of her twentieth report on the situation in Darfur and the judicial proceedings in progress. Next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the referral to the International Criminal Court by the Security Council. That, however, is no cause for celebration. Indeed, the arrest warrants issued by the ICC against five individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and, for one of them, genocide, have still not been executed. It is incumbent upon the Government of the Sudan in the first instance to comply with resolution 1593 (2005) and fully implement the arrest warrants.”
2014-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7337 (2014) · source
“The tranche of the programme related to the Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso clearly illustrates the resolve of the local authorities of these three countries to work together to create cross-border socioeconomic development areas, which are also an important part of regional integration. In conclusion, I would like to assure the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the full support of Luxembourg in this task. Bolstered by these cooperation programmes and Luxembourg's long- standing relations with the countries of the Sahel region, my country will continue to be resolutely engaged in strengthening international efforts for peace, security and development in the region - three objectives to which the populations of the Sahel have long aspired. Let us not dash their hopes.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“In that regard, I should like to mention the fact that since 2012, as part of our regional cooperation programmes, Luxembourg has been financing, among other programmes, in partnership with the West African Economic and Monetary Union, a regional programme of the United Nations Capital Development Fund known as Local Cross-Border Initiative. The programme aims to strengthen the governance framework for cross- border cooperation in West Africa. At the regional and national levels, it involves the adoption of strategies to strengthen cooperation beyond borders. At the local level, the programme has made it possible to develop support tools for local authorities for financing cross- order investment.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“The participation of women, who are often left outside decision-making process, must be encouraged. Civil society must also be able to play its full role. Governance that promotes development and the resilience of democratic institutions serve as effective bastions against violent radicalization and the emergence of national and regional conflicts. In parallel, particular attention must be paid to border areas and to infrastructures that facilitate regional integration. That will also make it possible to improve territorial control and strengthen the authority of the State throughout its territory.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“In late October and early November, we witnessed an unprecedented popular uprising in Burkina Faso, which led to the resignation of the President and to the establishment of transitional authorities in a peaceful manner with respect for the Constitution. These events illustrate the importance of strengthening the legitimacy of States as a priority. The Sahel countries will undoubtedly require additional security capacities to meet the challenges I have mentioned. At the same time, it is important to encourage the emergence of institutions that are accountable to citizens and able to provide basic services to the entire population, including access to justice. That would help to reduce internal tensions and find lasting solutions to the root causes of instability in the region.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“On the one hand, there is the Ministerial Coordination Platform, chaired from 2013 to 2015 by Mali, which benefits from crucial national and regional ownership and is supported by a technical secretariat. On the other hand we have the Group of Five Sahel, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, the Niger and Chad. The third meeting of the Ministerial Platform was held on 18 November in the presence, for the first time, of the permanent secretary of the Group of Five Sahel. In that context, I would like to ask Ms. Sellassie to what extent closer work between the two initiatives - the Ministerial Platform and the Group of Five Sahel - could build trust among the countries of the region to pave the way for stepped up security cooperation.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“Armed conflicts, the proliferation of arms, transnational organized crime and drug trafficking, and the links between such criminal activities and terrorist groups, continue to pose a serious threats to peace and security region. The rise in violence has for further exacerbated the extremely fragile humanitarian situation in the Sahel. As the Special Envoy has just recalled, at least 20 million people remain exposed to food insecurity and more than 6 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition. Today no State is in a position to meet those challenges alone. Business as usual is no longer an option. Strengthening regional cooperation is imperative. Two initiatives are under way to that end, which we welcome.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“Ms. Lucas (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I thank Chad for having convened this meeting devoted to the Sahel under its presidency of the Security Council. My thanks also go to the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ms. Guebre Sellassie, for her briefing on the progress achieved in the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. Her statement rightly underscored the important need for the international community to have a coherent and coordinated regional approach that is complementary to national policies to strengthen governance, security, resilience and development in the Sahel region. Since the last time the Special Envoy addressed the Council, in June (see S/PV.7203), the security situation has continued to deteriorate in the north of Mali, in Libya and around Lake Chad.”
2014-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7335 (2014) · source
“The implementation of the principle of accountability is a key element in maintaining international peace and security. Justice and accountability must continue to occupy a central place in the Council's work.”
2014-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7332 (2014) · source