YouSaid · the spoken record

Maria de Jesus dos Reis Ferreira

lines on the record: 26
first: 2020-05-27
most recent: 2021-04-08
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“National and international actors are looking for new assistance so as to move forward with the demining process. In conclusion, landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices continue to pose threats to international peace and security as they do more than injure and kill thousands of people every year, whether in conflict situations or not; they aggravate social disintegration and trigger serious negative economic effects and environmental problems. It is against this backdrop that Angola reiterates its commitment to continue working, in partnership with international donors and national and international actors, within the scope of the implementation of the Ottawa Convention, to destroy all anti-personnel mines by 31 December 2025.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Education and awareness-raising campaigns have been important solutions for reducing the risk of suffering for thousands of affected civilians. The adoption of resolution 2365 (2017) on mine action was a clear sign of the concerns we share about the serious threat to civilians, including children and humanitarian and medical personnel, represented by landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices. In this regard, in 2020, 98,131 people in Angola — primarily children, the main victims of accidents — were made aware about the risks posed by mines. International donations to Angola’s demining programme are increasingly diminished and scarce, with the country now supported by the United States of America, Japan and the United Kingdom.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Angola recorded 22 deaths and 41 injuries due to 30 accidents with unexploded ordnance last year, according to data from the Angolan Executive Demining Commission. Angola is party to the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, also known as the Ottawa Convention, as well as the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. In 2002, Angola ratified the Ottawa Convention, which came into force a year later, committing us to destroying all anti-personnel mines by the end of 2012 at the latest. However, in March 2017 we requested an extension until 31 December 2025. In our 2017 extension request, Angola indicated the existence of 1,465 areas, covering a total of 221,409,679 square metres, yet to be demined.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“From the national point of view, in our country the main S/2021/346 S/2021/346 achievements and challenges in acting to mitigate the threat mines pose to civilians are as follows. Angola launched its National Mine Action Strategy 2020–2025 and a work plan for the implementation of article 5 of the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, both developed under the leadership of the National Intersectoral Commission on Demining and Humanitarian Assistance, with clear goals for land release and demining completion by 2025. Continuous improvement has also been made in information management, with the database being reconciled and updated in 2019 and its quality assured. However, although funding increased in 2019 after years of decline, Angola still lacks the necessary funding or capacity to meet its compensation goals.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“To this end, we take good note that, in 2021, the United Nations is promoting the efforts of the mine action sector under the theme “Perseverance, Partnership, Progress”. The perseverance of the United Nations, in close partnership with the African Union and the main mine-action partners, is contributing to progress in reducing the threat posed by explosive weapons. This work is being carried out despite the continuing challenges of conflict, as well as the coronavirus disease pandemic. It is important to remember that Angola still has vast areas of territory contaminated by explosive devices, the result of three distinct phases of armed conflict from 1961 to 2002.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“It is important to mention that it is only after extensive demining that land can be used for agriculture and cattle raising, children can return to school and water- and electricity-supply projects can be implemented or restored. Regarding the obstacles to approaching mine action at the global, regional and national levels, Angola encourages all measures to improve partnership and cooperation between the United Nations and Member States at the national, regional and international levels in the field of mine action in order to enhance coordination and synergies among developing countries, thematic issues and specific challenges. Priorities to strengthen partnerships should include expanding collaboration in multisectoral assistance for survivors and their communities.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In this sense, the Strategy of the United Nations on Mine Action 2019–2023 guides the activities of the United Nations at the global and national levels to ensure that it responds to the specific needs and priorities of the context, while ensuring the integration of action against mines in broader humanitarian, human rights, peace and security, and development responses. Angola believes that action against mines is crucial for the maintenance and consolidation of peace, since programmes in these areas allow the reconstruction of important infrastructure, such as agricultural fields, electricity-transmission lines, roads, railways and water pipelines; promote sustainable development; and prevent mines and IEDs from being used by terrorists and armed groups.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Despite progress in addressing the threats posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including advances in the universalization and implementation of international instruments to combat them, explosive weapons continue to pose significant threats to civilians, parents and children, peacekeepers and aid workers during conflicts and long after they end, in many countries around the world. Mine action has become a nexus among humanitarian action, peace and security, and development, as well as a cornerstone for conflict prevention.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“First of all, we would like to commend Viet Nam, in its capacity as the President of the Security Council for the month of April, for calling this timely open debate of paramount important on “Mine action and peacekeeping: stronger partnerships for better delivery”. In the same vein, we take this opportunity to wish you, Sir, success in your presidency of the Council during the current month. We also express our thanks to the briefers for their presentations and to all Member States participating in this important meeting.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“We advocate the inclusion in peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes of specific commitments related to child protection, including requirements for the rapid release of children from armed forces and non-State armed groups, and their social reintegration. Preventing the outbreak of conflict is still the best way to protect children. The international community must continue to work towards adopting the most appropriate tools for effective preventive action. Meanwhile, the protection of children in armed conflict must remain at the heart of the international community’s priorities and be addressed through a comprehensive strategy of active protection and humanitarian response.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Angola joined the Safe Schools Declaration, which was adopted at the Oslo Conference in May 2015, and endorses the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict, a process conducted by Member States, civil society and child-protection actors. It is also a State party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In conclusion, on a positive note, we would like to underline the progress made by the “Act to protect children affected by conflict” campaign, national political negotiations and peace processes. In some situations, conflict reduction has been beneficial for the protection of children in armed conflicts.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“In this regard, we would like to stress the importance of the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the Security Council ensure that child protection provisions are included in all relevant mandates of United Nations operations, including peacekeeping and special political missions. We note with concern the growing trend of attacks against civilian personnel and medical facilities. These criminal actions must end, and, in due time, the perpetrators are to be held accountable. We call on Member States and the international community to carry on with everything in their power to help protect schools, students and teachers in situations of armed conflict and ensure that schools remain safe places, with strict respect for their civil character.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“First, in addition to putting their lives at risk, they are deprived of contact with their families and communities at a stage in their lives when such relationships are essential. Secondly, child soldiers no longer dedicate themselves to their studies, which compromises their personal and professional future. Moreover, the consequences can be drastic for their psychological, mental and academic development, which will make it difficult for them to readapt to society and sustain themselves in adult life. We understand that the COVID-19 issue poses new challenges for children in situations of armed conflict, which may lead to difficulties for the United Nations system, including the Office of the Special Representative and peacekeeping missions, to protect children, due to movement restrictions.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Fundamental challenges hindered the successful and sustainable reintegration of these children, of children at risk who were protected from recruitment through action plans or other measures, and of children released from detention for actual or alleged association with armed groups, including those designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations. The situation of child soldiers should receive special attention from the Security Council, as they are used in many cases directly or indirectly by armies, armed opposition groups and rebels as well as by terrorist and extremist groups, in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Sending children to war is a violation of their most basic rights.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“In this regard, we note with deep concern that, according to the Secretary- General’s report, the United Nations has verified more than 25,000 serious violations against children in 19 situations, more than half of which were committed by non-State actors and a third of which were committed by Government and international forces. Some 7,747 children were verified as recruited and used. Among these, 90 per cent were used by non-State actors. Likewise, in 2019, a total of 13,200 children worldwide were separated from non-State actors and armed forces.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“We believe that today’s open debate is a great opportunity for States Members of the United Nations to reflect on the challenges faced since the adoption of resolution 1612 (2005) and look for new ways to promote compliance with the children and armed conflict agenda. Some 15 years after the adoption of resolution 1612 (2005), which strengthened the monitoring and reporting mechanism that set up a functional and structured system for verifying and reporting on the six types of violations committed against children around the world and which established the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, armed conflicts currently continue to negatively affect children.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“First and foremost, I would like to thank France for inviting us to participate in today’s supremely important debate on children and armed conflict. In the same vein, we commend Belgium for its dedication and a job well done as the Chair of the Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict at this challenging moment, which is strongly marked by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We welcome the briefing on the report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/525) by the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter, as well as the briefing by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“We call on the Council and all international actors to move beyond rhetoric, demand respect for international humanitarian law and lead international efforts to end impunity by holding perpetrators to account and to facilitate the taking of decisions and actions that respond to the present global reality and challenges.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“In this regard, Angola joins the Secretary-General’s call for the wide ratification of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction and for States to endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration. This open debate is a clear sign that we are not doing enough to implement existing policy regarding the protection of civilians. As the Secretary-General correctly emphasizes in paragraph 50 of his report, the principal challenges regarding the effective protection of civilians remain respect for the law and accountability for serious violations, and our shared responsibility for preventing violations continues to be as essential as ever.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“In that context, we remain particularly concerned about three critical issues: first, referring to humanitarian access, which remains a key challenge in many armed-conflict situations, with warring parties obstructing the delivery of assistance, as a tactic of war, putting additional strain on civilians; secondly, the brutalizing of civilians and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, in total disregard of international humanitarian law, and the lack of accountability enjoyed by most parties to armed conflict has become an endemic feature in ongoing conflicts, further aggravating the plight of civilian populations; and, thirdly, the fact that the widespread use of explosive devices is having a devastating humanitarian impact on civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“With an increase in the number of civilians killed or injured by improvised explosive devices, ground engagements, air strikes or other tactics, children, women, older people, people with disabilities and humanitarian personnel continue to account for the vast majority of recorded victims.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“It is urgent to promote conflict prevention and conflict resolution centred on dialogue, with the true aim of silencing weapons and creating conditions favourable to development. Unfortunately, despite the establishment of a robust normative framework by the Security Council, the United Nations and other international bodies, the protection of civilians and the strengthening of protection in peacekeeping missions have not been translated into significant improvements to the protection of civilians where conflicts are rampant. The most recent report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilian points to widespread civilian deaths and injuries and estimates that more than 20,000 civilians were killed or injured in 2019 as a result of attacks in conflicts.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“It is important that Governments and the international community, while absorbed by the health crisis, do not neglect protection activities and adjust their actions in the field in order to continue to fulfil critical functions, respond to emerging needs, support public-health efforts and discourage parties to conflict from pressing their advantage or seeking opportunities to perpetrate attacks or increase the violence and civilian suffering. The world continues to experience prolonged conflicts that lead to economic and humanitarian crises and require urgent long-term solutions. Furthermore, terrorism, violent extremism and proxy wars waged by outside Powers continue to pose an existential threat to civilians. We cannot allow armed conflicts to derail our common development agenda.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“While the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the fundamental fractures and societal deficits in many countries and significant resources are being diverted to respond to the health crisis, containment strategies have amplified the existing vulnerabilities of civilian populations caught up in conflict and humanitarian crises, and they have created new protection challenges for humanitarian workers and peacekeepers, while conflict actors have continued to engage in violent attacks against civilians and vulnerable groups.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Angola is of the view that prevention is the most effective tool for addressing potential conflict situations; that States bear the primary responsibility for the protection of their civilian population; and that the international community has a subsidiary but very important role to play in addressing the very serious problem of threats against civilians. As the world faces an unprecedented challenge in responding to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, those living in conflict-affected countries remain among the most vulnerable and at risk from the consequences of the disease. It is crucial that we discuss the impact as well as the repercussions on protection activities and humanitarian assistance of the public-health measures adopted subsequently to mitigate its propagation.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“I wish to thank and congratulate the Estonian presidency for having convened this debate on the critical issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We welcome the Secretary-General’s report (S/2020/366) and take good note of the recommendations therein, and we avail ourselves of this opportunity to reiterate Angola’s commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Geneva Conventions of international humanitarian law and the international human rights framework.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source