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

“These will be felt most acutely in low-lying and small island developing States. I welcome the fact that representatives of so many of those countries affected in the Pacific will participate in today's debate. Resource scarcity, flooding and drought all are likely to result in significant movements of people, in some cases across national boundaries, as we are seeing today in the Horn of Africa. Where people move to areas that do not themselves have sufficient resources or infrastructure to accommodate them, the risk of tension and conflict is increased. Some delegations have voiced concerns over the Council's mandate to discuss this issue. We agree that it is important that the different roles, functions and mandates of the various United Nations bodies dealing with climate change are fully respected.”
2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587 (2011) · source
“It is in that context that climate change must be seen as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing tensions and increasing the likelihood of conflict. As a result of climate change, crop yields are predicted to fall in the long term. This will have serious repercussions for communities dependent on agriculture. At the same time, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has estimated that global demand for food will increase by up to 70 per cent by 2050. Weaker production coupled with greater demand will affect all countries. In areas where food security is already a source of instability, this impact of climate change has the obvious potential to fuel tension. We have also heard this morning about the impacts of the rise of sea levels caused by climate change.”
2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587 (2011) · source
“The impacts of climate change are keenly felt around the world. Today, we are discussing the implications of climate change for international peace and security. We are grateful to the German presidency for bringing this important question to the Council. The number of countries speaking in this debate is a graphic demonstration of its significance, and I particularly want to thank the Secretary-General and Mr. Achim Steiner for their powerful contributions to our discussion. Scientific evidence suggests that the effects of climate change will include more droughts, shorter growing seasons and more frequent extreme weather events. Those will be felt most keenly in areas of the world already experiencing stress from shortages of food, water and energy. It is just those areas where Governments do not always have the capacity to respond.”
2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587 (2011) · source
“That is why it is right to maintain and increase our ambition, including by expanding children and armed conflict work to cover the important topic of attacks on education, as we have done today.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581 (2011) · source
“Denying children access to education is in itself a violation of their human rights; it also robs them of the ability to understand and claim their wider rights. Safe schools can deliver life-saving advice in conflict zones. Attending school can keep children from more dangerous livelihoods. It can help prevent conflict in the longer term by reducing youth employment and ensuring that young people are not disenfranchised from society. We hope that this addition will strengthen our efforts to reduce attacks on children and improve their lives. United Nations action on children and armed conflict works, and it works best when we are practically, not institutionally or theoretically, focused.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581 (2011) · source
“Secondly, we should continue to focus our efforts on practical action. The preparation and implementation of country action plans remain the most effective tool for releasing children. It is here that we should focus much of our effort. Of course, we must carefully consider the context before deciding which actions to take. No two countries are the same, so the Working Group and country task forces must constantly be searching for new and innovative methods to make the maximum difference on the ground. We welcome the increased use of field visits, for example, which have been shown to be an effective tool in informing the decisions of the Working Group and bringing about increased local dialogue. Thirdly, I welcome the focus of our new resolution on addressing attacks on schools and hospitals.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581 (2011) · source
“In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we need to generate far greater momentum to release child soldiers, including those associated with the Forces Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo. In Burma, the United Nations needs to be granted greater access to monitor and report on abuses against children, particularly in areas of ethnic conflict. In the five years following the adoption of resolution 1379 (2001), two-thirds of the world's child population were living in the 42 countries most affected by violence and conflict. In a series of resolutions, Member States have demonstrated the courage to tackle violations of children's rights globally. Resolution 1998 (2011), which we have adopted today, marks another important step forward, but it should not mark the end of our ambition.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581 (2011) · source
“I would like to focus on three topics - ambition, practical action and the importance of addressing attacks on education. First, our ambitions for this agenda must remain high. United Nations efforts to help children affected by armed conflict can, in many situations, work and work well. In the Sudan and Afghanistan, we look forward to the implementation of new action plans to release and reintegrate children recruited and caught up in fighting. We can highlight specific results, such as the release of almost 3,000 children in Nepal in 2010 and the reintegration of 191 children in Chad this year. But there are also areas where progress has been much slower.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581 (2011) · source
“I would like to join other speakers in thanking you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate. We welcome the international attention that Germany has brought to this issue, both in its role as President of the Security Council and in its chairmanship of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. We are grateful for the statement of commitment from the Secretary-General this morning and for the briefings from Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, his Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, and from Mr. Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF. Let me express my particular appreciation for the work of Ms. Coomaraswamy. We are very grateful for her efforts to help children across the globe and for the leadership that she has brought to this dossier.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581 (2011) · source
“We reiterate the readiness of this Council, as set out in the resolution that we have just adopted, both to continue current United Nations operations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states and to assist the parties in implementation of new arrangements to be agreed between them. We recall the importance of completing the CPA-mandated popular consultations processes, by which the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile will express their views as to their future governance.”
2011-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6579 (2011) · source
“Civilians continue to suffer the impact of conflict, including aerial bombardment by the Sudanese Armed Forces and other abuses, reportedly including extrajudicial killings, forced displacement and arbitrary arrests and detentions. We unreservedly condemn the ongoing violence. In the absence of agreement on an extension, we call on the Sudanese authorities to cooperate with UNMIS in accordance with the status-of-forces agreement and the provisions of resolution 1997 (2011) as it winds down its operations, and to allow and support unfettered humanitarian access by humanitarian personnel to populations in need. We 11-40867 further call on the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement North to end hostilities and agree a ceasefire leading to new security arrangements.”
2011-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6579 (2011) · source
“It is with regret that we have today supported the adoption of resolution 1997 (2011) on the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS). Since its inception in support of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005, UNMIS has worked to support the parties in fulfilling their commitments under the Agreement and, where conflict has occurred, and has acted to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. We thank UNMIS and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haile Menkerios for their tireless efforts in this regard. Sadly, the UNMIS presence is still needed in Southern Kordofan state, where we continue to be deeply concerned by reports of ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
2011-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6579 (2011) · source
“Finally, despite the challenges, significant progress has been made on the road to a secure and viable Afghanistan. As Afghanistan moves from being a post-conflict country to one with more traditional development needs, UNAMA and the wider United Nations family will play an increasingly important role. We therefore welcome the forthcoming review of United Nations activities. We hope that the Secretary- General will include an assessment of the delivery of UNAMA against its current mandate, its role in the post-transition landscape, and how the United Nations can support the Afghan Government in bringing about the emergence of a strong, durable and self-sustainable Afghan State.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“Putting in place the necessary measures to allow an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme will be crucial if we are to make progress on these issues. Following the incident of the Kabul Bank, we call for a rapid resolution to negotiations on a new IMF programme, and for those who have broken the law to be brought to justice. The Afghan people deserve no less. Since the Secretary-General issued his quarterly report, important progress has been made preparing for the Afghan-led Bonn conference. Members of the International Contact Group had a constructive dialogue in Kabul. We now need to focus on translating these discussions into tangible outcomes, particularly on regional cooperation. We welcome the work led by Turkey in this area and look forward to the Istanbul Conference in November.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“We are therefore deeply concerned that the dispute between the Special Court and Parliament remains unresolved. We call upon all parties involved to work together to find a solution in line with Afghan law and to respect the separation of powers that is guaranteed by the Constitution. The current situation illustrates the need for further progress on electoral reform. We continue to support the role of the United Nations in assisting the Afghan Government, institutions and people as they take forward commitments made at the London and Kabul Conferences last year. This continues to form a vital part of the mandate of UNAMA. Irreversible transition and progress on the political track must be supported by governance and development progress.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“To be durable, any political settlement must be inclusive and must respect the interests and rights of all Afghan citizens. The death of Osama bin Laden gives the Taliban an opportunity to make a decisive break with Al-Qaida. The British Foreign Secretary has called for the Taliban to make that break and participate in a political process. We urge the international community to call for the same outcome. Fundamental to any political settlement and crucial to the future stability of Afghanistan is the safeguarding of democratic principles, including free and credible elections. The United Kingdom remains fully committed to working with the Afghan Government, Parliament and people to strengthen Afghan democracy and representative institutions.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“When such casualties occur, it is despite the strong preventive measures that have been put in place. As the Secretary-General notes in his report, the vast majority of casualties are caused by the insurgents, who deliberately use violent tactics designed to intimidate the population. In the past quarter, the insurgency has continued to assassinate Government employees and to deliberately attack civilian targets, including hospitals, markets and the Intercontinental Hotel. Insurgent-related civilian casualties outnumber Afghan and international forces casualties by a ratio of approximately eight to one. We condemn such attacks in the strongest possible terms. An Afghan-led political process is needed to underpin the military progress.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“The Afghan National Security Forces will continue to grow in size and capability as they prepare to take the security lead in all provinces by the end of 2014. The United States surge has helped to prepare for transition and, as Ambassador Rice has confirmed, will be drawn down as originally planned. Other international forces will also begin to withdraw as conditions allow. My Prime Minister announced earlier today that United Kingdom force levels will be reduced by a further 500, from 9,500 to 9,000, by the end of 2012. These are signs of progress, improved security and the growing strength of Afghan forces. But it does not signal the end of international support for Afghanistan. The United Kingdom deeply regrets all civilian casualties that result from the actions of international and Afghan Government forces.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“It is vital that dedicated United Nations staff can carry out their work in a safe and secure environment, with the full support of the Afghan Government and the international community. I would also like to pay tribute to all other international personnel for the sacrifices they have made in this campaign. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has just returned from a visit to Afghanistan, where he saw at first hand the progress that the Afghan Government and the international community have made in preparing for the transition to Afghan-led security responsibility across the country. It is encouraging that the first areas are on track to begin the transition process on 20 July.”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I also congratulate Ambassador Messone and the Gabonese delegation on their stewardship of the Council during the month of June. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2011/381), Special Representative of the Secretary-General Staffan De Mistura for his informative briefing this morning and Ambassador Tanin for his statement. As other speakers have done, I extend the United Kingdom's condolences over the shocking deaths, in Mazar-e-Sharif in April, of staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).”
2011-07-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6574 (2011) · source
“We remain committed to engaging with Iran to address the Council's concerns, but it is clear that Iran continues to proliferate and continues to pursue a nuclear-weapons programme. Iran has given us no good reason to believe that it is willing to engage in meaningful negotiations on its nuclear programme. For the dual-track strategy to succeed, rigorous implementation by States of the measures contained in resolution 1929 (2010) and the Council's previous resolutions is essential. We should keep these measures 3 under review to ensure that they remain effective and up to date.”
2011-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6563 (2011) · source
“In refusing publication, some members of the Council are denying the wider United Nations membership access to this valuable assessment, which could assist with the full implementation of sanctions. The Committee should agree to release the report as a matter of urgency. At our last meeting to discuss a 90-day report (see S/PV.6502), we raised the issue of the interdiction of Iranian rockets sent to the Taliban in Afghanistan, another clear violation of Security Council resolutions. We remain gravely concerned that the Iranian Government is directly engaged in providing arms to the insurgency in Afghanistan. We look forward to receiving the Panel's report on this violation shortly.”
2011-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6563 (2011) · source
“In particular, we welcome the agreement that implementation assistance notices will be drawn up and considered by the Committee in response to the five main areas of recommendation in the Panel's report. These will be of great benefit in raising awareness among Member States of their responsibilities and of the actions they can take to prevent further violations. The Committee should also take forward the Panel's recommendations by designating those individuals and entities involved in reported violations. We look forward to discussing these notices and further designations in the Committee. We regret that the Panel's final report has not yet been published.”
2011-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6563 (2011) · source
“In short, the IAEA concluded that Iran has once again failed to comply with its obligations both to the Agency and to the Council. Against that backdrop, the renewal of the mandate of the 1737 Committee's Panel of Experts was essential. The Panel plays a key role in promoting the implementation of resolution 1929 (2010). We offer them our strong support and full cooperation in the 11-38541 year ahead. We encourage the Panel to continue actively investigating Violations and engaging the wider United Nations membership to promote the implementation of resolution 1929 (2010). We welcome the Panel's efforts to raise awareness of the steps that all Member States are required to take to implement the sanctions and to foster better collaboration between States. We welcome the Committee's recent discussions of the Panel of Experts' report.”
2011-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6563 (2011) · source
“Iran's test of three medium-range ballistic missiles since October and its launch of the Rassad-l satellite using ballistic-missile technology are further clear violations of resolution 1929 (2010). The June report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlighted once again the failure of Iran to provide the agency with the necessary access to locations, equipment, documents and individuals, or to answer questions about its procurement of nuclear-related items and the possible military dimensions of the Iranian programme. It makes clear, as have successive reports of the IAEA, that Iran has not suspended its enrichment activity and that the agency is unable to confirm that all nuclear material is being used for peaceful activities.”
2011-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6563 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank Ambassador Osorio for today's briefing and for his leadership of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). As the Panel of Experts' recent report to the Committee makes clear, Iran continues to violate the Council's sanctions, both as a nuclear and conventional weapons proliferator. The Iranians themselves say as much. Earlier this month, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced Iran's intention to increase its capacity to produce 20 per cent enriched uranium at Qom. This directly contravenes six Security Council resolutions requiring Iran to suspend enrichment immediately, and it illustrates the fact that Iran's illegal enrichment programme is completely incompatible with its claims to be pursuing a peaceful programme.”
2011-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6563 (2011) · source
“We pay tribute to partners who have taken forward such prosecutions already and express particular gratitude to the Governments of Kenya, the Seychelles and Somalia for their leadership role in the region, as well as to the Governments of India and the United States for their repeated willingness to take determined steps to ensure prosecution of the pirates captured by their military forces.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6560 (2011) · source
“The United Kingdom believes that such a proposal should therefore now be put aside and efforts and money focused instead on supporting national courts and prison capacity. Regarding the specific proposal to base an extraterritorial court in Arusha, the United Kingdom believes that a single extraterritorial court in Arusha would be unable to handle the problem. Both the judicial and detention requirements would be more than Arusha can provide, particularly while the Rwanda Tribunal continues its work. The United Kingdom is willing to consider prosecuting pirates in its national courts on a case-by- case basis, especially where our nationals have been affected, and we encourage all flag States and international partners to show similar willingness.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6560 (2011) · source
“As Patricia O'Brien has highlighted this morning, the report sets out the clear view of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the regional administrations of Somalia that they do not support the establishment of a specialized Somali anti-piracy court outside of Somalia. We believe that it would be wrong to disregard their views. In addition, the report sets out the challenges and difficulties that would be faced in setting up such an extraterritorial court. It seems clear that it would not be workable in the near future for legal and other reasons, nor would it be cost-effective when compared to the costs of prosecution in national courts in the region or elsewhere.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6560 (2011) · source
“It is of note that there is a greater willingness among regional partners to prosecute suspected pirates than there is to hold those convicted, and that the Somali administrations are willing to accept post-trial transfers from courts in the Seychelles, and in principle from others too, once similar agreements are reached. The United Kingdom welcomes the stated intention of the authorities in Somalia to work with the United Nations on specialized anti-piracy courts within Somalia and on prisons within Somalia to provide more capacity in both areas as soon as possible.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6560 (2011) · source
“The United Kingdom is also taking forward work to identify how development work can most effectively be targeted to undermine piracy. As a key part of this commitment to a comprehensive approach to counter-piracy, the United Kingdom strongly supports efforts to deliver viable legal solutions. In the past year the United Kingdom has provided $8 million of support for the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in building the capacity of local courts and prisons in the region, in line with the Special Adviser's recommendations. In our view, there must be particular emphasis on efforts to build prison capacity, which remains the critical capacity issue, much more so than court capacity.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6560 (2011) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2011/360) and Patricia O'Brien for her comprehensive briefing this morning. I also commend Mr. Jack Lang, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, for his work on this issue, which led to the adoption of resolution 1976 (2011). The United Kingdom remains strongly committed to the fight against piracy across the spectrum of necessary activity to address piracy directly and to tackle the roots of piracy on land. We continue to provide military assets in support of the European Union, NATO and the Combined Maritime Forces counter-piracy naval operations, and we provide capacity development support to regional partners, including direct support to the Coast Guard of the Seychelles. The United Kingdom is supporting work to target pirate leaders and disrupt the financial flows linked to piracy.”
2011-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6560 (2011) · source
“The statesmanship that delivered a peaceful referendum on 9 January is urgently needed now. Both parties must renounce violence and negotiate in earnest in order to provide a secure and prosperous future for their States.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“The events of the past few weeks show that such a presence will also be necessary to maintain international peace and security. Reports of 6,000 internally displaced persons gathering around the UNMIS headquarters in Kadugli for protection underline the risks that the civilian population faces if there is no continued United Nations presence after 9 July. We are ready and willing to enter a dialogue with both parties on that subject. We believe that there are clear benefits to the parties of a continued international presence to allow monitoring and verification of the agreements that they reach. Today, 20 June, we are three weeks away from the independence of South Sudan. Amid the noise of conflict, we call on both CPA parties to reflect on the future that they want to deliver for their people.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“The parties must also ensure that a ceasefire in Southern Kordofan is established and that new security arrangements for the two areas are set up. We welcome President Mbeki's confirmation that negotiations on that continue in Addis Ababa. The parties must also engage seriously and without further delay on the future status of Abyei in line with the provisions of the CPA and the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. That needs to be completed before 9 July, when South Sudan gains its independence. We have repeatedly stated our belief that the security of both the Sudan and South Sudan would be greatly strengthened by a single United Nations presence in Abyei and in the two areas after 9 July, which could also support the parties in their management of the common border.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“They must now withdraw, as demanded by the Council and stipulated in the Abyei agreement signed today. For now, the situation remains tense. Further clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) have been reported, and Agok town has been shelled. The number of civilians displaced has now reached more than 100,000. The rains are setting in and humanitarian access is still not permitted. Given the gravity of the situation, it is clear that the parties must implement their commitments under the Abyei agreement without delay. It was signed today following negotiations in Addis Ababa, under the auspices of President Mbeki, and included a commitment to withdraw all Sudanese Armed Forces, SPLA and other forces.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“Full humanitarian access must be provided now and steps must be taken to ensure that that is maintained after 9 July. We welcome the fact that negotiations continue in Addis Ababa. All parties must commit to reaching agreement without delay on new security arrangements for Southern Kordofan state that will ensure the safety of the civilian population and that will enable them to express their views on the future governance through a credible and popular consultation process, as provided for in the CPA. New security arrangements for Blue Nile state must also be put in place. We call on all parties there to maintain calm. In Abyei, we have seen little change on the ground. The Sudanese Armed Forces remain in control of the Abyei Area, in violation of the CPA.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“The United Kingdom calls on all parties immediately to cease fire, and for all crimes against civilians to be fully investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. We urge UNMIS to do all it can to implement its Chapter VII mandate to protect civilians, and remind the Government of the Sudan of its primary responsibility in that respect. The humanitarian situation in Southern Kordofan is deeply concerning. The United Kingdom calls urgently on all parties to provide full and unimpeded access for UNMIS and for humanitarian workers. It is unacceptable that humanitarian access is being restricted by the closure of airspace, in particular, of Kadugli airport to the United Nations, roadblocks, the laying of landmines and the imposition of restrictions on other movement.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“The Council will hold them to those commitments, which must be delivered and implemented without further delay. The signing of an interim agreement on Abyei is a necessary, but insufficient, step on the road to the full implementation of the CPA and to peace for all the Sudan because today, the Council meets amid violence and the threat of further conflict. In Southern Kordofan, escalating violence has led to the displacement of at least 60,000 civilians, including 30,000 to 40,000 from Kadugli town. Civilians elsewhere in Southern Kordofan state have suffered the effects of aerial bombardment by the Sudanese Armed Forces. We unreservedly condemn that, as we do summary executions and other abuses reportedly committed by both sides.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank President Mbeki and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Menkerios for their briefings and for the tireless work of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on the Sudan, the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in support of peace in the Sudan. We welcome the news that they have given us this morning that the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have signed an agreement on interim security and administration arrangements for Abyei. That is an important step forward. I note also the statements that Ambassador Osman and Mr. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth have made to the Council, reiterating the commitment of their Governments to a peaceful resolution in Abyei and Southern Kordofan and of outstanding CPA issues.”
2011-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6559 (2011) · source
“A recommendation to de-list an individual or entity will trigger a sunset clause, which will make it more straightforward to de-list individuals and entities which no longer constitute a threat, while ensuring that those who do continue to pose a threat remain listed. We have also agreed on an additional sunset clause, triggered by a de-listing request from a designating State. Finally, we have further improved de-listing procedures by clarifying the need for Member States to provide reasons when proposing or opposing de-listing requests. The combined changes to both resolutions adopted today constitute a significant step forward in ensuring that sanctions respond to current terrorist threats, adapt to the new situation in Afghanistan and continue to ensure fair, clear and effective procedures.”
2011-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6557 (2011) · source
“We have renewed and strengthened the role of the Ombudsperson and we have improved de-listing procedures by introducing two so-called sunset clauses. In particular, we have agreed in today's resolution to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the Ombudsperson, which demonstrates the Council's unanimous support for this important role. We have agreed that Member States should provide all relevant information to assist the Ombudsperson in carrying out reviews of de-listing requests, including, where appropriate, classified information. We have also introduced stronger language, urging designating States to allow the Ombudsperson to reveal their identity to petitioners. In addition, the Ombudsperson will now be able to make recommendations to the sanctions Committee on whether individuals and entities should be de-listed.”
2011-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6557 (2011) · source
“It also allows for more specific procedures tailored to the situation we face today in Afghanistan. The resolution introduces broader listing criteria and a greater role for the Afghan Government in consultation on listing and de-listing decisions. It also explicitly links de-listing individuals with the Kabul communique's reconciliation conditions of renouncing violence, cutting ties with Al-Qaida and accepting the framework of the Afghan Constitution. We are pleased that the Government of Afghanistan supports this initiative and welcome its continued engagement in the implementation of sanctions that counter the insurgency. Let me now turn to the Al-Qaida resolution. Here we have enhanced procedures to ensure that they continue to be clear, fair and effective.”
2011-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6557 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank the United States Permanent Mission for its hard work in steering the successful adoption today of resolutions 1988 (2011) and 1989 (2011). I also commend the efforts of all Security Council members over the last few weeks. Today the Council has taken an important step in strengthening one of its key tools in the fight against terrorism. We have adopted a new sanctions regime targeting the insurgency in Afghanistan and a second targeting the terrorism threat posed by Al-Qaida. In effect, we have split the old 1267 Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions regime into two. Creating a new and separate regime for Afghanistan is an important step. It sends a clear signal that now is the time for the Taliban to come forward and join the political process.”
2011-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6557 (2011) · source
“We have heard how sexual exploitation and abuse have the ability to prey on those parts of the community that are most vital to longer-term peace and stability. The risk of HIV infection and the burden that the disease can place on the very fabric of local communities are additional horrors from which those communities require protection. We have discussed at length whether the spread of HIV and AIDS constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The United Kingdom believes that we have an obligation to such communities to consider, from time to time, whether the Security Council has a complementary contribution to make in our overall efforts to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS. It is for that reason that we thank you, Mr. President, for bringing this important issue to the attention of the Council today.”
2011-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6547 (2011) · source
“We believe that we should see United Nations peacekeepers as positive agents for change in our efforts to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS in post- conflict societies. We encourage peacekeeping operations to incorporate HIV awareness in the execution of their mandates. Such activities may involve awareness training for demobilized combatants or HIV education programmes pursued in tandem with initiatives to combat sexual and gender-based violence. The United Kingdom welcomes the outreach to local communities already seen in a number of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping operations can effect real change on the ground. In recent months, we have discussed in this Chamber ways to combat the disturbing incidence of sexual violence used as a weapon against vulnerable communities.”
2011-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6547 (2011) · source
“But both peacekeepers and the communities they are protecting are susceptible to HIV and AIDS. As our understanding of the HIV epidemic has developed, so we have together seen considerable improvements in the methods we use to tackle it. We used to fear that during the fog of war itself, the unchecked spread of HIV and AIDS could have a debilitating effect on peace and security. We now understand that the risk of infection can be even greater in communities emerging from violent conflict. 11-3654] United Nations peacekeeping operations, with their military, police and civilian elements, are well placed to engage with vulnerable communities that have been affected by conflict in order to ensure that the epidemic does not gain a foothold among them.”
2011-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6547 (2011) · source
“We have seen how Member States providing troops to United Nations peacekeeping operations have made concerted efforts in the past decade to provide sufficient prevention, treatment, care and support to their personnel. We should be proud of significant improvements. But we should also remain concerned at the high number of fatalities and repatriations due to HIV and AIDS-related illnesses among United Nations peacekeepers deployed overseas. Today, United Nations peacekeepers are more likely to die from illness than from activities undertaken to fulfil their mandate. We owe it to those men and women, who risk their lives in the pursuit of international peace, to understand why that should be the case, and then to do something about it. Tackling HIV and AIDS among peacekeeping personnel is essential.”
2011-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6547 (2011) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the concerted action taken across the United Nations system to combat the HIV epidemic. We are committed to the vision of a world with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. In support of our collective efforts to achieve targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals, the United Kingdom warmly welcomes the leadership and guidance shown by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, including in its Outcome Framework for 2009 to 2011. In the past, the Security Council has focused on minimizing the chances of transmission from United Nations peacekeepers to local populations. We have called for greater focus on implementing HIV and AIDS awareness programmes within national militaries.”
2011-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6547 (2011) · source
“I congratulate you, Mr. President, and the Gabonese delegation for bringing this issue to the Security Council today. I also welcome the presence of the President of Nigeria, the Deputy President of South Africa and the Foreign Minister of France. I also want to thank the Secretary-General and Michel Sidibe for their informative briefings. We warmly welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 1983 (2011). This resolution and today's debate send a strong message that the HIV epidemic still has a serious impact on international peace and security. Taking action on HIV and AIDS remains a key priority for the United Kingdom. We look forward to agreeing on a strong statement of commitment at this week' s high-level meeting of the General Assembly.”
2011-06-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6547 (2011) · source