YouSaid · the spoken record

Mark Lyall Grant

lines on the record: 1,799
first: 2009-11-13
most recent: 2015-04-24
sittings or episodes: 275
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

“First, on 1 March, President Putin requested authority to use Russia's armed forces in Ukraine on the basis that there was "a threat to the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation, our compatriots and the personnel of the armed forces". That oft-repeated claim underpinned Russia's justification for military intervention in Ukraine. But the OHCHR report concludes that in fact attacks against the ethnic Russian community in Ukraine were "neither systematic nor widespread". It further assesses that "Russian- speakers have not been subject to threats in Crimea". That finding supports those of other independent authorities, including the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, who also found no evidence of violations or threats to the lives of Russian-speakers.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7157 (2014) · source
“The report found that since the change of Government in late February, allegations of human rights violations had decreased. But we do not underestimate the magnitude of the task ahead. In that regard, it is encouraging that the OHCHR report finds "clear indications of a willingness by the present Government to ensure a break with past injustices and to elaborate a new vision for Ukraine's future". The United Kingdom is fully committed to supporting Ukraine in that endeavour. The OHCHR report comprehensively refutes assertions made by the Russian Federation in the Chamber and elsewhere tojustify its illegal intervention in Ukraine. I will give just three examples.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7157 (2014) · source
“I would like to thank Mr. Simonovic' for his briefing today. I would also like to thank him and the United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine for producing the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published yesterday. The United Kingdom welcomes the report and its findings. To date, it is the most comprehensive and independent assessment of the human rights situation in Ukraine since the onset of the crisis. It is therefore an important contribution to our discussions on the situation in Ukraine. Attempts to discredit the report as biased or politically motivated, as my Russian colleague has just done, lack all credibility. The OHCHR report is clear: human rights violations were a root cause of the popular protests that began in November last year.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7157 (2014) · source
“But immense challenges remain. South Sudan, the world's newest nation, faces descent into civil war if peace talks falter. In Syria, the regime still denies the life-saving access the population desperately needs and continues to persecute and kill its own citizens indiscriminately. With 20 years having passed since the terrible atrocities in Rwanda, there are no more excuses. We now have the tools not just to say "Never again", but to stay true to our word and to act together to prevent future genocides.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“The responsibility to protect initiative of 2005 is another positive development and is increasingly incorporated into national Governments' deliberations. We must support States that are building their capacity on the preventative aspects of the responsibility to protect and help them to respond to tensions before they escalate. When the international community is united, we can achieve progress that would otherwise be impossible. A united Security Council effectively prevented mass atrocities in cote d'lvoire and in Libya and has made positive progress in Mali and Somalia. Today Widespread insecurity in the Central African Republic is creating intensifying ethnic and religious divides, but the African Union, the United Nations and the European Union are working together to bring hope to that appalling situation.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“The protection of civilians is now a cornerstone of modern peacekeeping and is incorporated into most peacekeeping mandates. The United Nations has developed better early warning mechanisms to equip the international community with the means to preempt mass atrocities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special procedures ofthe Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Council and the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide all make important contributions. But as Ambassador Keating spelled out, early warning by itself is not enough. We must get better at translating early warning into effective preventive action and that requires political will. Political will is a responsibility of every single member of the Security Council and especially every permanent member of the Security Council.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“It is a matter of great regret that some ICC States parties have failed to comply with their obligation to implement an arrest warrant for an indictment which covers three counts of genocide. It is high time for States to live up to those obligations and for the Council to follow up on its referral of the situation in Darfur. The Rwandan genocide is one of several instances in which the Security Council has failed to act, but since 1994 the United Nations has brought about real improvements in our collective ability to take action in situations that could result in mass atrocities. We have responded to the horrors of the past with a number of important decisions. In 2006, the Security Council adopted resolution 1674 (2006) on protecting civilians and reaffirmed its commitment in resolution 1894 (2009) in 2009.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“Since the genocide in Rwanda, global work to fight impunity has been considerably strengthened through the investigation and prosecution of crimes in the international criminal justice system. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has made a substantial contribution. And in the International Criminal Court (ICC) we now have a permanent court with jurisdiction over genocide war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is vital that States cooperate with the ICC so that it can deliver accountability where national authorities are unable or unwilling to act. There must be no safe harbour for those who commit atrocities, no matter what office they hold.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“But 1994 showed us that where a State is failing to act to protect its own population or, even worse, is active in persecuting and killing its own citizens, the international community has an equal and shared responsibility to do all it can to protect populations at risk. States must act in full conformity with the United Nations Charter and work with and through the United Nations to confront threats. We urge countries that have not already done so to sign and ratify treaties such as the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Those treaties work because they provide effective penalties for persons guilty of genocide. To deter atrocities and achieve justice for victims, perpetrators of genocide must be held accountable for their actions.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“We remember both the personal tragedies and the horrendous scale of the killing. We commend the Rwandan people on the outstanding progress they have made in transforming their country from an impoverished war-torn State into a stable, confident country. The United Kingdom has been and will continue to be a long-standing friend, but it is not enough to simply remember. The events in Rwanda in 1994 and other genocides and mass atrocities, like Srebrenica in 1995, underline the vital shared interest in devising and re-evaluating measures to protect populations at risk. The primary responsibility for protecting citizens rests, of course, with the States themselves.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“I thank you, Madam President, for convening this important meeting to mark the twentieth anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda. I would like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General for his presence and his thoughtful intervention today. And I thank Colin Keating for his powerful and telling testimony, speaking from a position of real authority, as the President of the Security Council in April 1994. We must heed his important recommendations. It has been 20 years since the international community said "never again". This debate is an opportunity to assess the progress made against that pledge and to consider what more should be done. Terrible events took place in Rwanda in 1994. Today we remember the victims, the survivors and those who risk their lives to stop the horror.”
2014-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7155 (2014) · source
“The Ukrainian Government has stated clearly that its programme of constitutional reform will include discussions on the degree of autonomy devolved to Ukraine's regions. That is a clear pathway to resolve differences through peaceful, constitutional means. The use of armed force that we are now witnessing in eastern Ukraine to impose one set of views on the peaceful majority is therefore entirely without justification. Moscow must reject these latest unlawful actions, and do so publicly.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“The special monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations human rights monitoring mission are in Ukraine to observe the situation and report on developments. Their presence is designed to safeguard the rights of all the citizens of Ukraine. We look forward to their assessment of the situation and we fully support their work. Russia is seeking to impose its will on the people of Ukraine by using misinformation, intimidation and aggression - tactics drawn from the darkest days of the past century. That is completely unacceptable. The Ukrainian people have the right to determine their own future free from Russian interference. On 25 May Ukraine will elect a new president.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“The international community is not fooled by the Kremlin's use of propaganda and misinformation to spread fears among the population of eastern Ukraine. Contrary to Russian claims, the recent demonstrations in eastern cities are not organic. They do not enjoy widespread support, and the numbers of genuine protestors on the streets pale in comparison to the crowds of hundreds of thousands who protested against the former regime. Rather, what we are witnessing is a well-orchestrated campaign designed to destabilize the country. If Russia really has genuine concerns about Ukraine's Russian-speaking population, then its actions have done nothing to safeguard their interests. The illegal annexation of Crimea, stoking tensions and provoking violence in eastern Ukraine, hurt and endanger all the people of Ukraine.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“The United Kingdom calls on Russia immediately to redeploy its troops away from the border, cease all activity designed to heighten tensions and sow discord, and revoke the mandate given by the Federation Council on 1 March to use military force on Ukrainian soil. The Russian Federation has made little secret of its efforts to undermine the process of reconciliation in Ukraine. Rather than assisting its neighbours in rebuilding their country after the fall of a deeply corrupt regime that left the nation on the verge of bankruptcy, Russia has instead sought to destabilize the country further in pursuit of its narrow interests. Russia must desist from those steps and address whatever grievances it has through dialogue, starting with the contact group talks scheduled for this coming week.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“Yet satellite images show that there are between 35,000 and 40,000 Russian troops in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine, equipped with combat aircraft, tanks, artillery and logistical support units. That is in addition to the 25,000 Russian troops based illegally in Crimea. Just as six weeks ago Russia denied deploying its troops to Crimea, it also now denies that it has amassed troops on Ukraine's eastern border. It claims that the publicly available satellite images illustrating that troop deployment were taken in August 2013. That is false; additional images released on 11 April show clearly that the build-up started in early March of this year. Russia's aggressive stance is a clear threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“Coming just weeks after Russian troops illegally deployed to Crimea while wearing uniforms without insignia, these events point clearly to Russia once again interfering directly in the internal affairs of Ukraine while using manufactured pretexts and military force. Such actions are contrary to international law, have already been condemned by the international community and have been declared invalid by the General Assembly. As a Member of the United Nations, and as a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia is obliged to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any State.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“The United Kingdom is gravely concerned by events in eastern Ukraine, which have escalated over the past 48 hours, with armed men seizing control of Government buildings and erecting checkpoints and barricades in six different cities. Street protests have given way to violent action. That is a dangerous escalation of an already dangerous situation. We have all seen the video footage of events over the weekend: professional, well-armed and well- equipped units wearing identical uniforms conducting coordinated military operations against Ukrainian State institutions. That is a pattern that is all too familiar.”
2014-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7154 (2014) · source
“Political engagement from the international community, such as through the Security Council, is needed to provide checks and balances to national decisions. The different instruments of the United Nations must work in a complementary fashion, such as between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. If we are to replicate the success of Sierra Leone, we must take those lessons and apply them to our discussions elsewhere in Africa and beyond, while drawing on the experiences and reflections of our colleagues and friends from Sierra Leone. In conclusion, I would like to extend the United Kingdom's best wishes to the Government and the people of Sierra Leone and to the new United Nations country team in their work in the years to come. The United Kingdom will continue to be one of the country's closest friends.”
2014-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7148 (2014) · source
“The United Nations, the United Kingdom and other members of the international community will continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone. In that regard, we are delighted that Sierra Leone will be one of seven new markets to receive United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry resources. Finally, I would like to touch on the lessons we can learn from Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone's experience teaches us that it is possible to build peace in the aftermath ofbrutal conflict and that the United Nations can play a central role in that process. Strong national ownership of peacebuilding processes and a focus on building national institutions are essential to securing sustainable peace. Political will is required at both the national and international levels.”
2014-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7148 (2014) · source
“While today we celebrate the departure of UNIPSIL, we must remember the long road ahead for Sierra Leone as it seeks to become a middle-income country. As the Secretary-General recognized during his visit earlier this month, there is still much to be done if we are to consolidate the gains of the past decade. President Koroma's ambitious five-year development plan, the Agenda for Prosperity, sets out the development and social tasks ahead. Tackling corruption will be essential to attracting investment and insuring that economic growth benefits all citizens. The recently agreed mutual accountability framework will underpin the Agenda for Prosperity by bringing together the Government of Sierra Leone and donor partners.”
2014-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7148 (2014) · source
“In 2014, Sierra Leone contributes its own troops to other peacekeeping missions in Africa, helping to provide stability in countries such as Somalia and Mali. The United Nations played a central role in helping Sierra Leone to recover from its devastating civil war. Effective, tailored and well-planned United Nations peacebuilding interventions can improve people's lives. The United Kingdom welcomes the closure of the United Nations peacebuilding mission in Sierra Leone, and I commend the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, and all other UNIPSIL staff for their dedicated work in Sierra Leone. I also welcome David McLachlan-Karr as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator. Second is the work ahead in Sierra Leone.”
2014-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7148 (2014) · source
“Today, I will reflect on three points: Sierra Leone's success, the work ahead to consolidate peace, and the key lessons we can learn from Sierra Leone as we address conflicts elsewhere in Africa and around the world. First, with respect to Sierra Leone's success, since Sierra Leone came on to the Security Council agenda 15 years ago it has undergone a remarkable transformation from civil war to landmark presidential elections in November 2012. Today is another milestone in Sierra Leone'sjourney from fragile State to a country that now supports conflict-resolution efforts around Africa. In 2002, Sierra Leone hosted the world's largest peacekeeping mission in the aftermath of a brutal war.”
2014-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7148 (2014) · source
“I should like to welcome Foreign Minister Kamara to the Security Council this morning. I also thank Executive Representative Jens Toyberg-Frandzen and Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski for their briefings. I pay particular tribute to Mr. Toyberg-Frandzen for his personal contribution over the past two and a half years to the work of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). The United Kingdom welcomes the presidential statement to be adopted later this morning on the completion of the UNIPSIL mandate. Today marks a watershed in the history of Sierra Leone and is a moment of celebration for the people of Sierra Leone, the United Nations and the Security Council.”
2014-03-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7148 (2014) · source
“We do not expect instant results, but we remain fully committed to finding a diplomatic solution. The Geneva agreement and ongoing negotiations are the best opportunity we have for real and sustainable progress. All sides must continue to make every effort to succeed.”
2014-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7146 (2014) · source
“As that report recalls, Iran has also not replied to the Committee regarding a request for information on an intercepted arms shipment to Yemen. We call on Iran to engage with the Committee on such incidents. We are concerned that Iran continues to provide substantial military and financial support to Hizbollah and the Syrian regime, in contravention of the United Nations embargo on the export of weapons by Iran. We urge Member States to continue to enforce the sanctions regime and encourage Member States to act on and report all suspected violations of those sanctions. We look forward to the Panel of Experts' final report in May. The United Kingdom is committed to finding a peaceful, negotiated solution with Iran on the nuclear issue. That will be a long-term process.”
2014-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7146 (2014) · source
“Reports that a cargo ship, the Klos C, was found to have dozens of Iranian- supplied rockets on board in hidden containers, are deeply worrying, including the fact that the final destination appears to have been the Gaza Strip. That not the first time that we have seen reports of potential arms transfers to Gaza involving Iran. We would like to the Panel of Experts investigate the circumstances of the case, identify individuals and entities responsible, and make recommendations to the Committee, as appropriate. In January 2013, the report of the Panel of Experts clearly and unanimously concluded that Iran's ballistic missile launched last year constituted a violation of resolution 1929 (2010). The Committee contacted Iran twice on the issue, but Iran has yet to respond.”
2014-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7146 (2014) · source
“In January, the United States and the European Union delivered the sanctions relief, and we welcome the latest report by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, dated 20 February, which confirms that Iran has continued to implement the nuclear measures agreed under the joint plan of action. Meanwhile and importantly, the bulk of sanctions remain in place, including all United Nations sanctions. We should continue to robustly enforce those sanctions to ensure that economic pressure continues to act as a peaceful incentive for Iran to negotiate a comprehensive solution. Turning to the work of the Committee, we are concerned by breaches and possible breaches by Iran of its international obligations.”
2014-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7146 (2014) · source
“I thank the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), under the chairmanship of Ambassador Gary Quinlan, and the Panel of Experts for their continued to work in supporting implementation of the Security Council's resolutions on Iran. The report may be dry, but the work that the Committee does is very important. On 24 November 2013, the E3+3 and Iran reached an important and encouraging milestone, when a first stage agreement was reached on the nuclear issue. Since then, a first round of talks on a comprehensive agreement was held in Vienna in February, where there was a willingness and a commitment from all sides to negotiate in good faith. Those talks continued in a positive atmosphere earlier this week. The interim agreement was a significant step forward and allows for time to negotiate a comprehensive solution.”
2014-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7146 (2014) · source
“However, such actions only underline how close we are to a further dramatic escalation. The issue extends far beyond Ukraine's imperilled borders. The issue before us is about respect for bilateral and international treaties. It is about upholding the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Those are the frameworks on which we all rely and that Russia is challenging. We have a collective responsibility to defend everything that we have worked so hard to build over the past 70 years.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Russia cannot be granted the impunity to disregard international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Even at this late stage, Russia has the option to change course, to heed the message of the international community and to engage in dialogue with Ukraine. Last week, in the Council, we all heard the Ukrainian Prime Minister offer to open up such a dialogue with Russia (see S/PV.7134). Yet, so far, even that basic step has been rejected. The situation in Ukraine and the region is serious. Yesterday, another threshold was passed when a Ukrainian serviceman was killed during the storming of a Ukrainian military compound in Crimea by forces aligned with Russia. There are credible reports of Russian-inspired provocations across eastern and southern Ukraine. We praise the continuing and remarkable restraint of the Ukrainian military.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“There are plenty of lessons from history about where that kind of extraordinary logic leads. One only has to think back to the 1930s to recognize the dangers of a complacent international response when such behaviour occurs. The United Nations system and the framework of international norms that it embodies were the response of our forefathers to a global conflict that resulted from lawless aggression. The United Nations was designed to provide security to us all by preventing the subjugation of any State. We all therefore have an interest in upholding the international framework and norms that the United Nations represents. Russian actions throw into doubt the credibility of that international order. That is why they should be clearly condemned and why Russia must now face further consequences for its actions.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“However, treaties and international agreements are between States, not Governments. A change in Government in Kyiv does not absolve Russia from its international obligations and commitments. We are witnessing the illegal behaviour of a large country bullying its neighbours, disregarding international norms and unilaterally adjusting internationally recognized borders to its own advantage. Yesterday, in his speech to the Federation Council, President Putin said: "In the hearts and conscience of the people, Crimea has always been, and remains, an inalienable part of Russia". He went on to add that, because Crimea was a strategic territory, it needed to be under the strong and stable sovereignty of Russia. Now, at last, after weeks of denial, Russia's real motives for its military adventurism have been admitted.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“It was illegal under the Ukrainian Constitution, arranged at 10 days' notice, met none of the OSCE standards for democratic elections, was held under Russian military occupation and gave the people of Crimea no option to vote for the status quo. Neither the referendum nor the succession of increasingly desperate, contradictory and inconsistent legal arguments put forward by Russia can conceal the stark reality of that country's actions. Russia has annexed part of the sovereign territory of an independent State Member of the United Nations through the use of military force. Russia claims not to be bound by any ofits previous obligations and commitments in respect of Ukraine, including the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, on the grounds that it does not regard the new Government in Ukraine as legitimate.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Our aim was to avoid further escalation and to ask Russia to heed the views of the international community. Russia has rejected that message. It rejected it on Saturday by vetoing a draft resolution that carried the overwhelming support of the Council. Yesterday, following the referendum, it underlined its disregard for our appeals for calm and for de-escalation by announcing new laws to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation. The Permanent Representative of Russia spoke about that process being in compliance with international law, without outside interference and through a democratic process. It is hard to know which of those three assertions is the biggest lie. Sunday's referendum was a mockery of democratic practice.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Cases of arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, ill-treatment, disappearances and population displacements directly contradict Russia's claims to the contrary. We share Mr. Simonovie's concerns about the gross human rights violations that took place under the previous Ukrainian Government. In that context, we welcome the new Ukrainian Government's request for United Nations monitors to investigate those concerns and its commitment to reflect Ukraine's rich linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity. We urge the rapid deployment of the United Nations monitors across the country. Last Saturday, 14 Council members underlined their commitment to Ukraine's unity and territorial integrity (see S/PV.7138). Russia was urged to distance itself from the referendum set to take place the next day in Crimea.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“I thank the Deputy Secretary-General for his briefing. We welcome the Secretary-General's intent to travel to Moscow and Kyiv this week. We hope that his visit will help to persuade President Putin to step back, to de-escalate the siutation, to fulfil Russia's obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, to allow the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and United Nations monitors full access to Crimea, and to engage in dialogue with Ukraine. We also thank Mr. Simonovie for his briefing. It is inexcusable that he was denied access to Crimea, but we applaud his efforts to gather information from the peninsula via other means. His report on the extent of human rights violations in Crimea is of serious concern.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Reconciliation that fails to enshrine the indispensable rights of women, advance a constitutional democracy or tackle endemic corruption is not reconciliation. The road to peace is fraught with perils and pitfalls, but it is increasingly one on which Afghans will lead the charge.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“If the international community is to continue its special level of engagement with Afghanistan, it will also need to be confident that tangible results are being achieved in the fight against Government corruption. Action on that front will also help generate the investor interest needed to grow and sustain the Afghan economy. Passing a minerals law that is in line with international standards would send a clear signal to the world's investors that Afghanistan is genuinely open for business. In conclusion, Canada remains committed to helping Afghanistan become a more peaceful and prosperous country in the heart of Asia, one that is able to benefit from the vast economic opportunities available. In that vein, we emphasize that networks of terrorists deployed from neighbouring States must be held accountable, as must their supporters.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Afghanistan's full potential cannot, and will not, be achieved without the full participation of all of its citizens. Afghans also want an end to Government corruption. We see the vibrant youth and civil society movements in Afghanistan - over half of the population is under 25 years old - and we can see their appetite for change, for jobs, for an end to corruption and for a chance to compete in the regional and global economy. The Afghan Government must do more to combat corruption by becoming more accountable to its people and to international donors. Canada encourages the Government of Afghanistan to meet the benchmarks set out by the International Monetary Fund and to pass new laws to address the corruption that is eroding the public's trust at all levels of Government.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Canada has made enhancing human rights protections and empowering Afghan women and girls the focus of its development assistance for 2014 to 2017 and the priority in our relations with Afghanistan. We call upon the Government of Afghanistan to fully implement the elimination of violence against women law, and make every effort to guarantee the participation of women in all facets of Afghan life, be it in the security, political, economic or cultural domains. Canada stresses that all Afghan laws must ensure strong protections for women and girls, as guaranteed by the Afghan Constitution and in line with Afghanistan's international commitments to protect human rights, particularly protecting Afghan women and girls from sexual and domestic violence and child early and forced marriage.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“In addition, Canada remains committed to the safety and security of Afghanistan through continued support to sustain the Afghan National Security Forces with $330 million between 2015 and 2017. Afghans themselves know that much remains to be done to improve the protection of human rights in their country. We note that the Government of Afghanistan recently released its report on the implementation of the elimination of violence against women law. Although that report satisfies one of the obligations under the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework, it also illustrates the startling reality that violence against women remains pervasive throughout Afghanistan.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Canada is proud of the contribution we have made 4 and continue to make - in strengthening the ANSF. We call upon the Government of Afghanistan to sign without delay the requisite Afghanistan-United States bilateral security agreement and conclude the NATO-Afghanistan status-of-forces agreement to allow the international community to continue its military assistance to Afghanistan. While Canada's military mission has ended, Canadian support to Afghanistan has not. Indeed, Canada has committed $227 million in development assistance for 2014 to 2017, to maintain the hard-fought gains for women and girls through support for improved health, education, humanitarian assistance and human rights.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“(spoke in English) Since 2011, the Government of Afghanistan, with the assistance of the international community, has built a strong and capable Afghan National Security Forces that now leads security operations throughout the country. By 31 December 2014, those forces will have full responsibility for the security of Afghanistan, as the International Security Assistance Force mission draws to an end. We can expect that the growing capability of those forces will be tested in the coming months by a determined insurgency. Nevertheless, with each passing day, Afghans are increasing their confidence in their security forces. Those outside of the political process should come to recognize that their future, their safety and security, and the future of Afghanistan, lies within a peace and reconciliation process.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“We welcome the efforts of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Ministry of the Interior, who have identified and addressed numerous security challenges to help ensure that all Afghans are able to participate in the elections. We are especially interested to see the success of measures that facilitate the enhanced participation of women. Canada is encouraged by the number of women voters registered thus far, and further calls on all Afghan citizens, Government officials, civil society organizations and the international community to increase their efforts to ensure the meaningful participation of women in all aspects of the electoral process leading to the elections of 5 April.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Mr. Grant (Canada) (spoke in French): Allow me to express my appreciation for the opportunity to address the Security Council. This year, Afghanistan will witness a number of significant milestones - ones that will involve Afghans taking on a greater responsibility for the future direction of their country, as well as ones that will address the vital needs of democratization, security and peace. On 5 April, Afghan citizens will exercise their right to elect the next Afghan President and the members of provincial councils. That historic day will mark Afghanistan's first democratic transition of power from one presidential leader to another. Over the past year, Afghanistan put into place a robust legislative framework, national institutions and local machinery to conduct credible, constitutional and inclusive elections.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Afghanistan is changing fast, with a growing economy, a young population and a revolution in access to the outside world through social media. Despite the many challenges, therefore, 2014 is a year full of opportunity for Afghanistan. We pledge to continue our support to the Government of Afghanistan as it seeks to build a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for all Afghans.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“But we urge the United Nations and its agencies to work more closely together, share resources and work with NATO and other relevant organizations to spot the opportunities and tackle the challenges of the post-2014 environment. One of the main challenges for Afghanistan, and indeed the work of the United Nations, is human rights, specifically the rights of women and girls. Women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face huge challenges, and the gains made are fragile. We encourage the United Nations to continue working closely with the Government of Afghanistan, international partners and civil society to improve the status of women and girls. Afghans are taking charge of their security and their democracy.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“The United Kingdom looks forward to co-chairing, with the Afghan Government, the development conference to be held later this year, which will be an opportunity for the international community to assess progress against the Framework and set our ambitions for the future. Finally, the United Kingdom firmly supports a strong United Nations presence in Afghanistan. The United Nations will have an essential role next year, working with the Government of Afghanistan, to lock in the gains made by the international community over the past decade. We want the United Nations to have the resources it needs to enable a country-wide presence and carry out its responsibilities in line with the mandate endorsed today.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“The United Kingdom encourages the Government of Afghanistan to give all election observers the access they need to the electoral process so that, when the time comes, they can provide informed reports on the process. Thirdly, I would like to address the issue of the next steps on the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework. The Framework, which was agreed in 2012, remains the blueprint for the international community's development efforts in Afghanistan. Progress in priority areas such as the role of women is essential for long-term development and to sustain donor funding. We encourage UNAMA to assist in monitoring, coordinating and reporting on progress over the coming months, as requested in the resolution we have adopted today (resolution 2145 (2014)).”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source