YouSaid · the spoken record

Majid Takht Ravanchi

lines on the record: 278
first: 2020-04-23
most recent: 2021-10-19
sittings or episodes: 39
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

“Furthermore, such arrangements must not be abused by those members seeking to impose their will on the countries of the region concerned — both members and non-members of the regional agency concerned. Instead of building confidence, in practice that will lead to mistrust. In the same vein, as stipulated in Article 53, paragraph 1, of the Charter, “no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Security Council”. In addition to regional organizations, individual regional countries also have an important role to play in launching regional dialogue, building trust and confidence, settling disputes and preventing and resolving conflicts.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Likewise, the independence, impartiality, professionalism and rules-based approach of the regional organization concerned is also key to the success and effectiveness of its efforts to enhance regional confidence and dialogue. Accordingly, all regional arrangements or agencies that intend to undertake activities authorized under Chapter VIII of the Charter must act in full conformity with the Charter, strictly observe the principle of transparency and seriously avoid politicization and selective approaches. It must also be stressed that, according to Article 52, paragraph 2, of the Charter, activities authorized under Chapter VIII can be undertaken only with respect to members of the regional arrangements or agencies concerned and, of course, with the explicit consent of the relevant members.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“In our view, neither can the Council disregard the potential of regional arrangements in conflict prevention and resolution nor can such arrangements substitute for the Council. Therefore, resorting to regional organizations must be considered as a subsidiary and complementary means for the Security Council in discharging its Charter-based duties. While we can recall the exemplary role played by certain regional organizations in confidence-building, promoting dialogue and preventing, or settling, international disputes at the regional level, it is quite obvious that the success of such efforts is, inter alia, dependent, to a large extent, on the actual technical, professional, legal and political capacities of the regional agencies concerned.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“The maintenance of international peace and security has a prominent place in the Charter of the United Nations, which, in turn, attaches great importance to the prevention of threats to the peace and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Even though the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security is conferred on the Security Council, a role is also reserved, under Chapter VIII of the Charter, for “regional arrangements or agencies” for dealing with such matters. Taking into account the growing threats to regional and international peace and security, the use of the capacity of regional organizations in the prevention and peaceful resolution of international disputes and conflicts should therefore be duly taken into account.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“To that end, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to extend its cooperation in humanitarian mine action with countries in the region and beyond, to share its experiences, exchange technical experts and expertise, hold training courses and implement demining projects.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Mine-clearance activities, whether in the context of peacekeeping operations or otherwise, must be consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the principles of full respect for the sovereignty, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States and non-interference in their internal affairs. To ensure that mine-action operations contribute effectively to sustaining peace and socioeconomic development of the societies that are facing the challenges of mines and explosive remnants of war, enhanced international cooperation and assistance, upon request, is a must. This should therefore be a key priority area for the relevant United Nations bodies.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Instead, the access of mine-stricken nations to the machinery and technology necessary for speedy and effective mine-clearance operations must be facilitated.S/2021/346 Taking into account the threat that mines and explosive remnants of war pose to the lives of United Nations peacekeeping personnel, the Council must continue to consider this issue in the mandates of peacekeeping operations. However, it is evident that the involvement of peacekeeping forces in mine clearance does not provide any mandate to the Council to put the subject of mine action under its purview. Owing to the serious humanitarian and socioeconomic nature of mine action, it remains under the purview of the General Assembly, which must therefore continue to upgrade its relevant functions, including in post-conflict situations.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“As a step towards further enhancing regional cooperation in humanitarian mine action, an international seminar — co-sponsored by Iran Mine Action Center and the International Committee of the Red Cross — was held from 8 to 11 March 2019 in Tehran, wherein mine action-related institutions from 13 regional countries and a number of relevant regional and international organizations, including the United Nations Mine Action Service, actively participated. The application of sanctions on the transfer of mine-clearance technologies and equipment to certain mine-afflicted countries seriously undermines their national capacity in mine action. Given the humanitarian nature of mine action, such sanctions are unjust and unacceptable and must therefore be removed immediately.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“As a result, we have neutralized and destroyed over 3 million mines and explosive remnants of war and decontaminated most of the contaminated areas, enabling the promotion of agricultural, transportation, mining and other projects in such areas. Building upon such precious hard-won experience, currently more than 60 Iranian private companies continue demining in Iran and also are assisting other countries in the region to address the threats to them resulting from landmines and explosive remnants of war. In recent years, we have also established an international centre for education on humanitarian mine action.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“As a result of Saddam Hussein’s aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, five provinces of our country have immensely been affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war, seriously inhibiting the reconstruction of those provinces, hampering the socioeconomic development of the affected cities and villages, delaying the safe return of internally displaced persons and causing the martyrdom or wounding of many of our citizens. Despite suffering from the United States’ unlawful unilateral sanctions, hampering our access to necessary equipment and technologies and preventing us from receiving international assistance, we have relied on our zealous human resources and, using indigenously produced equipment and new demining methods, conducted a large-scale mine-clearance operation.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In this context, the Non-Aligned Movement, in the final documents of its successive summits and ministerial meetings, has called upon all States in the position to do so, to provide the necessary financial, technical and humanitarian assistance to landmine clearance operations, the social and economic rehabilitation of victims, as well as to ensure full access of affected countries to material equipment, technology and financial resources for mine clearance. This cannot be overemphasized.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Landmines and explosive remnants of war pose a challenge to the security and sustainable development of some countries. To mitigate their associated risks, protect lives and create safe conditions for socioeconomic activities, a comprehensive plan that focuses on demining and includes efforts, such as capacity-building, training and awareness-raising, is required. The timely and effective implementation of such plans requires, among other things, skilled human resources, various types of advanced equipment and adequate financial resources. Nevertheless, unfortunately, many of the countries facing the challenges of landmines and explosive remnants of war lack such capacities.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In its turn, Iran is committed to a political resolution of this crisis and will continue supporting a truly Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and United Nations-facilitated political process, as well as assisting the people and the Government of Syria to restore the unity and territorial integrity of their country.”
2021-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/315 (2021) · source
“As a tool for collective punishment of entire nations, unilateral sanctions are flagrant violations of the purposes and principles of the United Nations and must therefore be removed immediately. We once again call for the mobilization of international assistance to address the current humanitarian situation in Syria, while stressing that its long-term solution is to work towards ending the conflict, ensuring Syria’s full sovereignty and territorial integrity, removing unilateral sanctions and avoiding the politicization of humanitarian issues such as reconstruction and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.”
2021-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/315 (2021) · source
“It has now become quite obvious that certain countries have intended to achieve, through imposing sanctions, the objectives that they have failed to gain by military means or political leverage. By imposing sanctions, these countries are punishing the entire Syrian nation, adding insult to the injury for the most vulnerable segments of the society. No State shall use economic, political or any other type of measures, including unilateral sanctions, to coerce another State. Weaponizing food and medicine and endangering the food security of a nation are unjust and unacceptable, and the so- called humanitarian exemptions are not panaceas, as in practice they do not work within the vast and sophisticated sanctions web.”
2021-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/315 (2021) · source
“At the same time, a political solution can neither be achieved in isolation or overnight nor must progress in that domain be considered as a precondition for assisting in making progress in other areas. Politicizing humanitarian assistance and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons or imposing unilateral sanctions are hurtful, as they only prolong both the crisis and grief of the Syrian people, who are already suffering seriously from other hardships, particularly the coronavirus disease pandemic. While 10 years of conflict have negatively impacted Syria’s economic condition, the destructive effects of unilateral sanctions in further worsening the economic situation of the country are self-explanatory.”
2021-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/315 (2021) · source
“The first and foremost of such acts is ensuring Syria’s full sovereignty and territorial integrity by uprooting all terrorists, withdrawing uninvited foreign forces, ending the occupation and securing its borders. Furthermore, necessary measures must be taken for the reconstruction of the country’s critical infrastructure and further improving the conditions conducive for the return of all refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as stimulating further progress in the political process. We cannot overemphasize that there is no military solution to this conflict. It must be settled peacefully and in full conformity with international law.”
2021-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/315 (2021) · source
“We have heard recently from the Secretary-General and other United Nations officials about the risk of hunger in Syria in 2021. This leaves no doubt about the necessity and urgency of mobilizing international assistance to address this critical challenge. While providing food and other humanitarian assistance to the people in need is necessary and must be pursued as a high priority, in the long run it cannot by itself resolve the problem. However important, providing humanitarian assistance can in no way substitute for fundamental measures that need to be taken in order to ensure durable peace, security and stability in the country.”
2021-03-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/315 (2021) · source
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to contributing to a more secure and prosperous Afghanistan through further enhancing relations between two fraternal nations.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“For our part, in addition to hosting over 3 million Afghans despite facing savage United States economic terrorism, we have promoted economic cooperation with Afghanistan and, by implementing certain projects, established the link of that landlocked country to high seas through Iran’s Chabahar port and to Europe through the Khaf-Herat railway. The latter was inaugurated last December by the Presidents of both countries, who called the inauguration of this project an historic event, further strengthening bilateral and regional economic cooperation, thus enhancing the foundations of durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Iran and Afghanistan enjoy common religious, cultural, linguistic and historical backgrounds and our stability, sociocultural development and economic growth are intertwined and mutually reinforcing.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“We reiterate our long-standing call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan, which, as many speakers have stated, must be orderly and responsible and must not lead to a security vacuum in Afghanistan. At the same time, prior and simultaneous to the withdrawal of foreign forces, Afghanistan’s military and security forces must be supported and strengthened, and effective assistance must be extended to Afghanistan in combating the illicit production of and trafficking in narcotic drugs, which is a source of financing for terrorism and other crimes. It is a given fact that durable peace in Afghanistan cannot be established without improving its economic situation, which requires strong regional and international support.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“As a consistent principled position, Iran continues to call for the central role and further and substantive engagement of the United Nations in an intra-Afghan peace process. Iran stands ready, in coordination with the United Nations, to further contribute to the success of this process. At the same time, peace and violence are contradictory and cannot go hand in hand. Therefore, to reciprocate the good will of Afghanistan’s Government in the peace talks, the Taliban must halt all its attacks against Afghan defence and security forces. Afghanistan’s security situation has remained a source of serious concern. On the one hand, the terrorist acts by Da’esh represent a grave threat to the security of Afghanistan and the region and, on the other, the presence of foreign forces is another source of Afghanistan’s instability.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“Any proposed plan must be realistic, comprehensive and balanced. It must preserve and be built upon the past achievements of the people and Government of Afghanistan, particularly the present Constitution; the right of the people to self- determination through elections; the rights of ethnic and religious minorities and of women; as well as the commitment to combat terrorism. In this context, we recall General Assembly resolution 75/90, in which the Assembly called for the preservation of Afghanistan’s Constitution and rejected the restoration of the Islamic Emirate. It is to be recalled that the present system of governance, which was chosen by the people of Afghanistan, enjoys strong international support.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“The mere fact that there are now a good number of efforts and initiatives on Afghanistan is a welcome development, as at least they represent the political will of internal, regional and international players to end the tragic conflict in that country. Nevertheless, peace cannot be imported or imposed; nor can the high number of initiatives ensure their success. What is needed most now is to invest in an Afghan- led and Afghan-owned, United Nations-facilitated, comprehensive and inclusive peace process. It must include all Afghan factions, including the Taliban; place the interests of all people of Afghanistan above the interests of certain segments of that society; duly take into account the legitimate interests and concerns of neighbouring countries; and receive the support of the international community.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“I thank Ms. Deborah Lyons, the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Afghanistan, for her briefing. Iran stands ready to cooperate with Mr. Jean Arnault, the newly appointed Personal Envoy of Secretary-General on Afghanistan and Regional Issues. At this time, the people of Afghanistan are celebrating Nowruz and the start of a new year. Conveying Nowruz wishes to all Afghans, we hope that the beginning of the new year will be the start of a new chapter in their history towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity. The demand of Afghans from all walks of life for durable peace has never been as loud as now. Their voices must be heard and effectively supported. They must not be left alone at this critical juncture.”
2021-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/291 (2021) · source
“Measures such as politicizing humanitarian aid, the return of refugees and displaced persons, and in particular imposing unilateral sanctions, only prolong both the crisis and suffering of the Syrian people, who are already suffering seriously from other hardships, particularly the coronavirus disease pandemic. By any measure, these sanctions are unlawful and inhumane and violate the basic human rights of the Syrian people and must therefore be removed immediately. Iran is committed to a political resolution of this crisis and will continue supporting the people and the Government of Syria to restore the unity and territorial integrity of their country.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“Along with the Astana guarantors, Iran supports the work of the Constitutional Committee and stresses that its work should continue without foreign interference and externally imposed timelines. Likewise, while the Committee’s work must be governed by a sense of compromise and constructive engagement, the reconstruction of the country and the return of refugees and displaced persons must go hand in hand with the political process. They are interlinked, mutually inclusive and mutually reinforcing. Mounting political and economic pressure against the Syrian Government and people and making multiple preconditions for the peaceful settlement of the crisis has proven to be counterproductive.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“That regime must be compelled to put an end to such military adventurism. Similarly, restoring Syria’s territorial integrity requires unabated fighting with all terrorist groups, as any pause in such operations will allow them to consolidate their presence and atrocious activities in Syria, prolong the conflict and delay a political solution to the crisis. Of course, the protection of civilians must at all times be a guiding principle in combating terrorists. We also strongly reject abusing counter-terrorism efforts to support any separatist tendencies or illegitimate self-rule initiatives or violations of Syrian sovereignty. A truly Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and United Nations-facilitated political process is critical.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“This can in no way be compromised. Neither will the Syrian people accept the continued occupation of their territory and violations of their sovereignty, nor must the international community accept this, as it runs counter to the cardinal principles of international law. We once again call for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces present in Syria without the permission of its Government, particularly United States forces that continue to occupy parts of the Syrian territory. In this context, we condemn the unlawful military strike on the Syrian-Iraqi border on 25 February. Such unlawful acts escalate the already tense situation in the region, and hence must stop. Equally, we condemn the continued Israeli military attacks in Syria. They are unlawful, provocative and destabilizing.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“In the past 10 years, the Syrian people have suffered greatly from the Syrian conflict, which also has had adverse consequences for the peace, security and stability of the entire region. This cannot and must not continue indefinitely. At the tenth anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict, all efforts must be made to end the fighting. In this context, a number of key principles are of paramount importance and must be observed fully, effectively and in good faith by all. This crisis has no military solution and must therefore be settled peacefully and in full conformity with international law, particularly the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The conflict cannot and will not end without ensuring the full sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.”
2021-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/265 (2021) · source
“Accordingly, the full realization of the “inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition” and ensuring the key elements of food security, namely, the availability, accessibility, adequacy and sustainability, hinges upon the full and effective compliance of all States with their respective obligations, particularly strict observance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“The immediate removal of sanctions must therefore be considered as a main element in efforts to address food insecurity. No less important is the promotion of international cooperation and assistance to address food insecurity. In article 11, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, States have recognized “the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger” and have undertaken to “take, individually and through international cooperation,” the measures needed for the full realization of, inter alia, the right to food. Last but not least, as stated in the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition, “society today already possesses sufficient resources, organizational ability and technology and hence the competence” (E/CONF.65/20, chap. I, para.1) to eradicate hunger.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Indeed, in these trying times, nothing is more humanistic than confronting policies such as weaponizing humanitarian items, particularly medicine and food. As the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States declares, “No State may use or encourage the use of economic, political or any other type of measures to coerce another State”. Accordingly, all States must refrain from taking measures, which, inter alia, undermine the enjoyment of the right to food in other countries. In 2002, in the Declaration of the World Food Summit: five years later, the world leaders reiterated that “food should not be used as an instrument for political and economic pressure” and reaffirmed the “necessity of refraining from unilateral measures … that endanger food security” (A/57/499, annex).”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“As a tool for the collective punishment of an entire nation, sanctions violate all human rights of targeted nations, including their right to food, causing food insecurity. By any measures, unilateral coercive measures, including sanctions, are inhumane, immoral and unlawful and, due to their broad, devastating and long-term implications, are as brutal as terrorism and as criminal as such core international crimes as war crimes and crimes against humanity. During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, sanctions are insult to injury for the targeted nations.S/2021/250 In that context, the United States sanctions on Iran have seriously restricted our access to humanitarian goods, including food, medicine and medical equipment, and inhibited our ability to fight COVID-19 more effectively.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“It is to be emphasized that, when applying sanctions under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council should not, under any circumstances, impose sanctions, directly or indirectly, on humanitarian trade, particularly food and medicine. In that context, nothing is more urgent than the immediate removal of the inhumane blockade imposed against the people of Yemen, causing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in contemporary history. Likewise, the unlawful blockade of Gaza, which is seriously hampering the right to food of the oppressed Palestinian people, must be removed forthwith. One of the main factors hampering the full realization of the right to food, in peace times and conflict situations, is the application of sanctions.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“The essential role of international cooperation is recognized in numerous international instruments, including in Articles 1, paragraph 3, 55 and 56 of the Charter of the United Nations. Therefore, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, as well as the relevant bodies and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, must redouble their efforts to that end. Equally, conflict-driven acute food insecurity should be considered by the Security Council by urging all parties to conflicts to ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law, which, inter alia, protects the access of civilians to food during armed conflicts and occupation and prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“As the 1974 Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition states, “to be free from hunger and malnutrition” is an “inalienable right”. The full realization of that right requires a comprehensive approach and decisive action at the national and international levels, particularly by focusing on addressing all underlying causes of food insecurity, as well as coherent international cooperation and assistance. Accordingly, States, which have the primary responsibility for their own socioeconomic development, must take all necessary measures to “respect, protect and fulfil the right to food” at the national level. To succeed, efforts to ensure national food security must be supported by an enabling international environment.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 report, currently, almost 690 million people, representing 8.9 per cent of the world population, “are hungry”. It is “up by 10 million people in one year and by nearly 60 million in five years”. The number of people affected by “severe food insecurity” shows a similar upward trend. Likewise, “the COVID-19 pandemic may add between 83 and 132 million people to the total number of undernourished in the world”. Those alarming facts indicate that we are back to 2015 hunger levels and are far from achieving zero hunger by 2030. That trend also underlines the necessity and urgency of addressing food insecurity. To that end, the general rule must be to ensure the realization of the right to food for everyone, everywhere and at all times, in peace and war alike.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“All in all, to prevent even more serious consequences of the pandemic, including reversing our progress against poverty and exacerbating already-high levels of inequality within and among countries, we have no choice but to succeed in containing the virus. This can be achieved only through boosting international cooperation, solidarity in action, ensuring an adequate supply and fair distribution of vaccine to all peoples and removing all impediments, such as unilateral sanctions and blockades, that undermine the capacities of certain nations in suppressing the virus.”
2021-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/157 (2021) · source
“The removal of sanctions against Syria is also imperative for the same reason and, more important, for preventing terrorist networks from exploiting the socioeconomic hardships caused by the pandemic to radicalize society, recruit new members and intensify their brutal activities. Likewise, the international community must not allow the risks of COVID-19 to exacerbate the already-dire humanitarian situations in Gaza and Yemen, which, for many years, have seriously suffered from all-out inhumane blockades. It is also likely that, if the COVID-19 pandemic is not curbed and its socioeconomic impacts not properly addressed, particularly in certain African countries, existing conflicts will continue, providing fertile ground for the spread of terrorism.”
2021-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/157 (2021) · source
“To that end, further measures must be taken, the most important of which — as the Secretary-General and many other international dignitaries have called for — is the immediate removal of unilateral sanctions, which are, unfortunately, being applied against certain countries. In countries such as Iran, sanctions have seriously inhibited our capacities in suppressing transmission of the virus and treating those infected as well as addressing the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. For example, the continuation of the freezing of Iran’s financial assets abroad has prevented us from using such funds to prepare, in an effective manner, stimulus packages to help recover the private sector, affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns.”
2021-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/157 (2021) · source
“It is, however, unfortunate that, while developed States have vaccinated millions of their citizens, many developing countries, likewise affected by the pandemic, have not received even a handful of vaccines. This is alarming. The virus continues to infect us regardless of our nationality, ethnicity or faith. Therefore, in our shared battle against our common enemy, COVID-19, we must stand united and no nation must be left behind. Moreover, while protecting the lives of our citizens in the face of the pandemic is imperative, it is equally important to recover our economies and bring other activities back to normalcy.”
2021-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/157 (2021) · source
“However, there is hope that the COVID-19 vaccines will help to overcome the pandemic. We must therefore focus on mass production and fair distribution of vaccines — the latter is more important, as it has now become crystal clear that no one will be safe until everybody is safe. Therefore, fair distribution of vaccines is beyond merely an ethical requirement; it is in the self-interest of all States. The speed and scale of the spread of the virus, particularly its new, more transmissible variants, have made it clear that we will succeed in reducing the scale and duration of the pandemic and averting its heavy socioeconomic costs only when we can ensure enough supply and fair distribution of vaccines to all nations and citizens.”
2021-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/157 (2021) · source
“The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has infected and killed millions of people and severely impacted our socioeconomic situations. Yet it is still unfolding and has remained out of control. It is a test of our ability to confront serious global challenges, by which we have, unfortunately, not yet been fully successful. It is now clear that, in our highly interdependent world, many of the cross-border challenges cannot be addressed effectively by States alone, and therefore international cooperation is a must. The COVID-19 pandemic is not the first public health emergency of international concern, and it will not be the last. However, our success in containing this and future pandemics is dependent on our level of preparedness, cooperation, unity and solidarity.”
2021-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/157 (2021) · source
“The Security Council must therefore be vigilant about the ill intent and disinformation campaign of the Israeli regime. At the same time, we reserve our inherent right to self-defence and to vigorously respond to any threat, including those made today by the Israeli regime’s representative, in clear violation of Article 2, paragraph 4, of the Charter of the United Nations, requiring the Security Council to hold that regime accountable for such threats.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“Today, the representative of the Israeli regime made unsubstantiated claims about Iran’s nuclear programme and, through certain fabrications, desperately attempted to portray its peaceful nuclear activities as a threat. That is only to divert attention away from the development by Israel of hundreds of nuclear weapons, which continue to threaten the peace and security of the region and beyond. Likewise, we recall that, during the past five years, the Israeli regime, in clear violation of resolution 2231 (2015), has spared no effort and missed no opportunity to destroy the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Deception and playing the victim are inspired elements of Israel’s foreign policy, which are pursued to cover up its oppression and crimes against Palestinians, as well as its destabilizing policies in the region.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“Furthermore, the Israeli regime must be compelled to end the occupation of all Palestinian territories, the occupied Syrian Golan and parts of Lebanon and to stop all its destabilizing activities in the region, including the systematic violation of the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon. The Israeli regime must also be forced to put an end to its continued construction and expansion of settlements, as well as the inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip. I would like to reiterate that the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to support the just cause of the Palestinian people and the full realization of all their inalienable rights, including their inherent right to self-determination and to establish an independent Palestinian State throughout Palestine, with Al-Quds Al- Sharif as its capital.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“The Security Council has a special responsibility in that regard and must act decisively in resolving the question of Palestine in accordance with the principles of justice and international law. The international community must also do everything in its power to address this crisis and prevent its further deterioration and its negative consequences for regional and international peace and security. To that end, the United States must be compelled to put an end to its irresponsible policy of unreservedly supporting the unlawful acts of the Israeli regime and the complete and systematic shielding of Israel against the Security Council’s criticism.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“Similarly, during the same period, the Israeli regime has pursued systematic ethnic cleansing and racial discrimination against Palestinians, the intensive and systematic Judaization of Palestine, particularly by changing the demographic composition and Islamic and Arabic identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the systematic confiscation of land and the demolition of Palestinian homes. The list goes on and on. The inaction of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, has seriously eroded the trust and confidence in the Council and resulted in the credibility and legitimacy crisis of this body. That inaction cannot continue indefinitely and must therefore come to an end.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“Needless to say, the reason behind the Council’s failure to fulfil its duties is the complete and systematic shielding of the Israeli regime by the United States in violation of international law and the principles of humanity and morality. The decades-long inaction by the Security Council has seriously emboldened the Israeli regime to brazenly continue all its unlawful acts and inhumane practices with total impunity, an example of which is the killing of about 100,000 Palestinians and Arabs since 1948 until this day, as recently announced by the President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source