YouSaid · the spoken record

Mathu Joyini

lines on the record: 106
first: 2021-02-17
most recent: 2021-10-19
sittings or episodes: 13
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

“We hope that the ICRC will work closely with the African Humanitarian Agency once it is operational, a practical African Union response to humanitarian challenges on the continent. In conclusion, we would like to propose that the Security Council consider a thematic draft resolution that addresses protecting objects indispensable to the survival of civilian populations, as currently there are myriad resolutions that partially address issues under this theme. This will allow the Council to monitor the implementation of its decisions on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“South Africa would like to stress the need to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian and health workers in order to ensure the continuation of their essential work, and to further urge parties to conflict to prioritize the safety of such workers. In this regard, South Africa urges the international community to continue to deepen its support, in particular funding, for host States’ efforts to provide protection to civilians in conflict situations. South Africa would like to express its appreciation to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its unwavering commitment to preserving human lives and upholding human dignity. We commend the ICRC’s ongoing work to reach people who are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and relief.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“We hope that the ongoing Action for Peacekeeping plus initiative process will take into account the need to review some of the challenges besetting United Nations peacekeeping operations in discharging their protection of civilians mandate, including protecting objects indispensable to the survival of the civilians. South Africa recognizes the critical role of early warning and intelligence- gathering in the prevention of attacks on critical civilian infrastructure. In this regard, we emphasize the establishment of such systems in order to allow for early and quick response to any threats. This will require close coordination between the security apparatus of the host State and the peacekeeping missions in order to effectively respond to imminent threats to civilians and essential infrastructure.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“The Security Council has made progress on the protection of civilians, since the landmark adoption of resolution 1265 (1999), in terms of translating mandated peacekeeping missions into effective action on the ground. However, numerous limitations at the strategic and operational levels remain a challenge. These challenges negatively impact the capability of peacekeeping missions to fulfil their protection of civilian priority tasks. In this regard, it is crucial that the Security Council carefully consider each specific conflict situation and ensure that clearly defined mandates, adequate resources, capabilities and assets be made available, as applicable, to enable peacekeeping missions to successfully complete their protection of civilian mandates.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Those who do not fulfil their obligations to international humanitarian law must be held accountable for those violations. Furthermore, we urge affected States to bring the perpetrators to justice, and for the Security Council to continue designating perpetrators for targeted sanctions. All parties to conflict must comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law, in particular the principle of distinction and proportionality and the obligation to take all the necessary precautions to avoid harm and danger to civilians and civilian objects. Alongside this, it is critical that international humanitarian law be applied consistently and in an impartial manner. No country or party to a conflict can be above the law.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Furthermore, such failure poses a threat to food security and nutrition, especially in conflict situations where humanitarian corridors are deliberately blocked or destroyed to deny access to both food aid and humanitarian health personnel to the affected population and vulnerable groups. The violation of international humanitarian law and the specific use of starvation as a method of warfare ultimately endanger civilians and reduce access to essential services. This automatically deprives civilian populations of their liberty and their basic fundamental human rights and freedoms. We therefore call on all parties to armed conflict, including armed opposition groups, to bear responsibility for ensuring that civilians and objects indispensable to their survival be protected.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Parties to conflict have the responsibility to ensure the protection of essential civilian infrastructure, such as food systems and markets, health and education facilities, energy systems, transport routes, including international airports and water and sanitation installations. It is also crucial for host States to ensure that safe access to essential civil services is uninterrupted. The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Protocols Additional thereto of 1977 form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. As signatories to the Geneva Conventions, every State has the obligation to protect civilians, and failure to do so results in humanitarian crises, catastrophes and human suffering.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“As South Africans celebrate Freedom Day today, we are reminded that freedom cannot be truly achieved if civilian populations are in danger owing to attacks on objects indispensable to their survival. Therefore, South Africa condemns any forms of restrictions on humanitarian access and the deprivation of civilians of objects indispensable to their survival. We also condemn the use of hunger and starvation as a tactic of war in armed conflict, as well as the wilful obstruction of the provision of essential services to populations in need. This debate reminds us that the primacy of international humanitarian law is to protect the civilian population and their property infrastructure in order to avert humanitarian crises and catastrophes.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Protracted armed conflict undermines the efforts of affected States to repair and maintain essential civilian infrastructure resulting in a lack of provision of essential services to civilians for longer periods. In this regard, it is important for the Security Council to work closely with regional and international partners to address these challenges. In this regard, South Africa emphasizes the importance of quick impact projects and other peacebuilding activities focused on institution building, which have proven useful in alleviating the plight of civilians in need. Today, 27 April, marks 27 years of freedom since South Africa defeated apartheid.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Armed conflict continues to have a devastating impact on civilian lives, especially women, children and youth who are disproportionately affected by armed conflict. In some cases, these indiscriminate attacks lead to civilians being forced to flee their homes, leading to high numbers of internationally and internally displaced persons. This has resulted in these vulnerable populations requiring humanitarian assistance to survive. South Africa remains concerned regarding the current global humanitarian situation, which has deteriorated, primarily owing to armed conflict and other emerging threats, such as climate-induced conflict. Adding to this, COVID-19 has further compounded the humanitarian situation in conflict situations.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“I thank the presidency of Viet Nam for convening this ministerial-level open debate on the theme “Protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population”, under the item entitled “Protection of civilians in armed conflict”. Let me also thank Mr. Mark Lowcock, Mr. Peter Maurer and Mr. Kevin Rudd for their briefings. The protection of civilians has been the focus of ongoing discussions and debates at the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies for decades, yet we continue to see violations of international humanitarian law and untold suffering. The objectives of international humanitarian law and those of the Security Council overlap in that both attempt to bring peace to civilian populations.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“In conclusion, more needs to be done to strengthen the collaboration between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in the pacific settlement of disputes. In this regard, South Africa believes that more attention should be afforded to conflict-prevention mechanisms in addressing emerging and ongoing conflicts. South Africa wishes to stress the importance of designating African envoys when addressing conflict situations on the African continent. We believe that they have the requisite expertise and that, since they are better informed about conflict situations in their respective subregions, they are able to contribute to resolving these conflicts.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“In this context, we encourage the Security Council to continue to undertake fact-finding-mission visits to conflict areas, which it should also utilize to monitor the effectiveness of political dialogues and confidence-building measures. Sixthly, and equally importantly, we believe that the establishment and effective use of early-warning systems are vital to the prevention of conflicts, especially in averting escalation of tensions. The African Union and African subregional organizations are best placed to share best practices with the United Nations and other regions on early-warning systems and conflict prevention because of their well-established continental and subregional early-warning systems.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Resolving conflicts through political dialogue and tailor-made and situation-specific confidence-building measures agreed to by all parties is necessary. This will enhance collaboration on cross-cutting issues and ensure that multiple challenges are addressed in an integrated and holistic manner. We encourage the Council to continue to support cooperation between peacekeeping missions and regional and subregional organizations. Fifthly, South Africa attaches great importance to the significant contributions of field visits as a fact-finding tool for assisting the Council to respond effectively to conflict situations. The timing of Security Council visits to conflict areas should be carefully planned in order for its interventions to be timely and so that they contribute to creating conditions conducive to reaching political settlements.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Thirdly, we strongly believe that confidence-building measures are a significant step towards promoting trust among conflicting parties and strengthening long-term commitments to resolving outstanding disputes and conflict situations. Mutually agreed confidence-building measures are also vital to enhancing implementation of political peace agreements, which can pave the way for stabilization, peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Fourthly, we believe that peacekeeping missions should be more involved in conflict prevention and resolution by working closely with regional and subregional organizations. Consistent with the objectives of the Action for Peacekeeping initiative, our peacekeeping operations should be fit for purpose and capable of addressing evolving security threats.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“We particularly commend the role played by United Nations special political missions in facilitating political dialogues and confidence- building measures to defuse tensions and resolve conflict-related disputes. For instance, in the past few years the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa have contributed immensely to pacifying tensions in their respective regions in consultations with S/2021/394 the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States. It is necessary that the special political missions continue to cooperate with regional and subregional organizations in conflict-prevention activities.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“It is within this context that we subscribe to the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity in addressing eruptions of conflict. It is of paramount importance that the relevant regions are afforded an opportunity, in line with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, to participate adequately in addressing conflict situations in their regions. Secondly, we support the continued use of United Nations good offices as a means to settle disputes in the various regions as well as the commitment to strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional groups with a view to assisting parties to address the root causes of conflict and embark on peaceful negotiations.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“We therefore commend the Security Council for enhancing cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, in particular the African Union. In that regard, we would like to offer the following recommendations. First, while recognizing the Security Council’s mandate to maintain international peace and security, South Africa believes that regional and subregional organizations have a role to play in supporting the Council in the discharge of its duties. We align ourselves with the views expressed in the concept note prepared for today’s meeting (S/2021/297, annex) that regional organizations have the comparative advantages of geographical proximity, experience and in-depth knowledge of local dynamics enabling them to detect situations that may lead to instability.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“South Africa believes that conflict prevention should be regarded as a central pillar of the Security Council’s work, in furtherance of its mandate under the Charter of the United Nations. In that regard, the Council should intensify efforts to promote and advance preventive diplomatic mechanisms in conflict and post-conflict situations on its agenda. Regional and subregional organizations can play a greater role to complement the Council’s efforts on this important mandate, particularly in matters involving political dialogue, confidence-building measures or State-building. The critical role and importance of regional and subregional organizations in conflict prevention and resolution is well established, as codified in Article 52 of Chapter VIII of the Charter.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“We thank the presidency of Viet Nam for convening this important meeting on enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, with a focus on enhancing confidence-building measures and dialogue in conflict prevention. We also thank Secretary-General Guterres and the other briefers for their insightful presentations. The objective to achieve a peaceful, stable, prosperous world is a vision to which we all aspire, and we should continue to work collectively towards that ideal in multilateral platforms such as the Security Council. We are pleased that we have been provided an opportunity to participate in today’s discussion on conflict prevention and resolution, an issue that resonates with South Africa’s key priorities in the pursuit of international peace and security.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“In that regard, we look forward to receiving the special report on the plight and rights of children born of conflict-related sexual violence and their mothers. We wish to conclude by reiterating our request for the annual report of the Secretary-General to also include information on sexual violence in situations of occupation such as in Western Sahara and Palestine. It is a glaring omission in the report that the situation of women in these situations, which are items on the agenda of the Security Council, are not reflected therein.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“In that context, we encourage the United Nations to improve its communication strategies to raise awareness about the availability and accessibility of the services it provides to survivors of conflict- related sexual violence. South Africa also believes that the perpetrators of sexual violence must be held accountable for their crimes and brought to justice. More attention should therefore be given to strengthening investigation and prosecution capacities in the countries affected for victims to receive justice. We underline the need for regional cooperation, including cross-border monitoring and response capabilities, to address cross-border and cross-regional conflict situations where women and girls are also targeted for acts of sexual violence. The issue of children born of sexual violence remains of concern.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“The primary objective is to build trust and confidence between the national authorities and institutions and the survivors as well as the population. That will help to address the needs of victims such as rehabilitation, justice and reintegration. South Africa believes that it should be mandatory for survivors in conflict and post-conflict situations to access comprehensive medical, psychosocial and legal services. Mobile service centres could be a possibility in order to ameliorate access and coverage challenges. We further believe that it is important to attend to the information gap that exists as raised in the report of the Secretary-General.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We urge the international community to find innovative ways to address persisting barriers to the fight against sexual violence that deter victims from reporting these crimes, such as victim-blaming, stigmatization, fear of reprisals, a culture of impunity and lack of provision of medical, legal and psychosocial services by national authorities and institutions, mostly affected by lack of finances to provide free access to these services, especially legal representation for women. We also wish to underline the importance of supporting inclusive national ownership of processes concerning justice, accountability and redress for those crimes consistent with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“In terms of prevention and protection, there is a need to improve threat analysis and early warning in order to inform responses to counter acts of sexual violence in situations of conflict. Since the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian service providers is contingent on the availability of financial resources, it is imperative to address the impact of COVID-19, particularly its diversion of resources from conflict-related sexual violence programmes and activities. Therefore, South Africa supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General for Member States to address chronic funding shortfalls for combating conflict-related sexual violence by providing predictable financial support to the conflict-related sexual violence multi-partner trust fund.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“South Africa also commends the progress that the Security Council is making on increasingly listing and designating for targeted sanctions perpetrators of the use of sexual violence in conflict, as evidenced by the recent listings of implicated parties in the Central African Republic and Yemen. South Africa notes that the joint field missions to affected countries by the United Nations and regional organizations convey a positive message of solidarity and support to the women and children affected by conflict. Over the past few years, the joint missions have been one of the effective initiatives of the United Nations and the African Union’s Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security. As a way forward to existing challenges, we propose the following.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“With respect to accountability, we commend the work of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict as outlined in the report of the Secretary-General for assisting national authorities in building institutional safeguards against impunity, as part of broader efforts to reinforce the rule of law, which is critical to addressing the needs of the survivors of sexual violence. We thus note the progress made in some of the countries affected, such as the successful prosecutions of the perpetrators of those heinous crimes through courts, mobile courts and mobile military courts. The latter are best practices that can be replicated in other situations where there is lack of capacity, access and coverage.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We also recognize the vital role of women’s protection advisers in United Nations peace operations, contributing primarily to developing and enhancing the monitoring and analysis of conflict-related sexual violence trends, as well as providing responses when required. Innovative ways such as one-stop centres to address structural challenges to providing services to victims and survivors, particularly during the pandemic, have proven useful for accessing services. While we recognize the use of virtual platforms to provide some services to survivors during the pandemic, a balanced approach is necessary, as some services must be provided in-person rather than virtually.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Women protection networks and women’s organizations, in collaboration with the national authorities and the international community, are positively contributing to providing necessary support to the survivors of sexual violence because of their outreach abilities, especially in local communities and in remote areas. In that context, the Security Council has increasingly been inviting those role players to its meetings to exchange views on matters concerning women, which is a positive development. Our ability to utilize virtual briefings for such engagements has also been a positive development.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Resolution 2493 (2019), which was unanimously adopted by the Security Council in October 2019, reinforces the need to fully implement all resolutions on women and peace and security, including conflict-related sexual violence. Through that normative framework, we acknowledge that notable progress has been made in improving the international response to conflict-related sexual violence, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, since the adoption of resolution 2467 (2019), a survivor-centred approach has been embraced to address the plight of victims of sexual violence. Civil society and women’s organizations are playing a greater role in advocating for the rights of victims and survivors of sexual violence.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We wish to focus our statement on the following two points: first, progress, achievements and best practices; and, secondly, challenges and the way forward. In terms of progress, achievements and best practices, South Africa believes that, over the past 20 years, the Security Council has developed a robust normative framework on women and peace and security that includes fighting the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence. It is commendable that most peace operations mandated by the Security Council include addressing sexual violence, in line with that normative framework. We recognize that the gap is not the lack of a normative framework, but rather one of implementation.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“That makes it more challenging for affected women to receive necessary services and support, especially access to sexual and reproductive health services. Such developments further illustrate the severity of the plight of women and girls in conflict situations. The continued existing and emerging challenges to women have led to the recently concluded sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women to focus on “women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. This theme resonates and aptly captures the spirit of our discussion today because the pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment is vital to addressing many challenges faced by women, including sexual violence.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“As noted in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/312), the prevailing COVID-19 situation has unfortunately revealed the existing gaps in our efforts to curb sexual violence in conflict and to attend to the needs of victims and survivors of such crimes. Women and girls in conflict situations, particularly refugees and those internally displaced, have become more vulnerable to sexual violence during the pandemic. We are concerned by the reported harmful coping mechanisms by some at internally displaced settings that have resulted in an increase in sexual exploitation and child marriages. Moreover, we are concerned that the pandemic has in some situations resulted in the closure of safety shelters and clinics being repurposed for the COVID-19 response.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We wish to thank Viet Nam for convening this annual debate on women and peace and security: conflict-related sexual violence, which provides the Security Council an opportunity to take stock of progress made in the implementation of decisions taken to address the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence. The advent of the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic threatened the progress made by the entire United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in addressing conflict-related sexual violence. We regret that acts of sexual violence against women and girls persist in both conflict and post-conflict situations and have also become a tactic in the strategic objectives and ideology of certain terrorist groups.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“In conclusion, through capacity-building and in other ways, South Africa continues to encourage the empowerment of women and their participation in the design and implementation of international peace and security mechanisms, including in disarmament and non-proliferation programmes, especially those relating to mine action.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In particular, South Africa concurs with the recommendations to mainstream mine action in appropriate country-specific conflict situations and to include mine action, if such action is required, in ceasefires and peace agreements. This is premised on the belief that such actions could enhance efforts to protect civilians and build trust and could serve as confidence-building measures among warring parties. We also believe that a comprehensive approach should include strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in efforts to clear landmines, as appropriate.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In that context, South Africa stresses the importance of the S/2021/346 continued implementation of the first-ever stand-alone Security Council resolution on mine action — resolution 2365 (2017). We commend the efforts of peacekeeping missions to mitigate such threats, and it is imperative that peacekeeping operations and peacekeepers be equipped, informed and trained to reduce the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices. Furthermore, South Africa welcomes the recommendations of the Secretary- General contained in his inaugural report entitled “Comprehensive approach to mine action” (S/2018/623), which are geared towards preventing and resolving conflicts.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“On the issue of international cooperation and assistance, South Africa wishes to emphasize that the full and effective implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons cannot be achieved without those States in a position to do so also fully meeting their international assistance undertakings and obligations. We remain deeply concerned about the growing threats of harm to civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian and law enforcement personnel. In that regard, all parties to conflict are encouraged to continue to take appropriate measures to effectively mitigate those threats.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“South Africa has consistently emphasized the challenges of victim assistance and socioeconomic reintegration as being the greatest ones in our implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. It is the latter aspect in particular, namely, the reintegration of landmine survivors into society and giving them the opportunity of leading normal, economically active lives, that appears to have been neglected. Caring for victims should not be limited to the health aspects of post-traumatic care but should involve a broad understanding of the fact that we are all required to undertake efforts to assist landmine survivors, who need care for the remainder of their lives.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In keeping with the Security Council’s central mandate of maintaining international peace and security, it is appropriate that we consider this item today, since its twin disarmament aspects of stockpile destruction and mine clearance are key to ensuring security and stability in mine-affected countries, not only in Africa but also around the world. That is also one of the building blocks in our quest for peace and security on our continent, which is a fundamental precondition for achieving our continental priorities as set out in Agenda 2063. Beyond its disarmament objectives, the Mine Ban Treaty has a strong humanitarian pillar. Anti-personnel mines continue to kill, maim and threaten innocent civilians and to hamper so many of the poor people of the world in their quest to lead normal lives, which is an enormous humanitarian challenge.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In that regard, South Africa continues support and advocate for the full implementation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and its annexed protocols, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Arms Trade Treaty. South Africa has a particular and historical commitment to those instruments, with its late Ambassador Jackie Selebi chairing the negotiations that led to the adoption of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, known as the Mine Ban Treaty, in September 1997.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this important debate. Indeed, the dramatic, tragic effects that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had on the world and the loss of countless lives for more than a year have also had a deep impact on the work of the United Nations, including on our work in the field of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. That should not, however, prevent us from continuing to promote the implementation and universalization of the commitments that we have undertaken with regard to the respective global and regional conventional arms-control instruments to which we adhere.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“I take this opportunity to express South Africa’s gratitude to the United Nations for the continued cooperation and support for the African Union’s commitment to ending hunger and food insecurity in Africa by 2025. That is one of the various examples of effective cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, and, in that regard, South Africa encourages such partnerships to be emulated in similar situations towards the goal of addressing hunger and food insecurity in conflict areas.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Moreover, sanctions should no longer be applied as blanket conditions for an entire country, especially when they relate to the provision of sustenance and/or health care. Ensuring sustainable and adequate resources for humanitarian assistance is a serious challenge. The common goal of providing urgent assistance is vital in order to alleviate the plight of civilians affected by hunger and acute malnutrition in conflict situations and should be met with adequate funding to achieve that goal. South Africa acknowledges the continued support of donor countries that have contributed generous funding to United Nations humanitarian work. I wish to conclude by highlighting the importance of cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations on this issue.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“In that regard, I wish to emphasize the importance of enhancing and providing adequate health services in conflict areas so as to deal with infectious diseases, which should be part of a strategy to eradicate hunger. Furthermore, in the context of the persistent coronavirus pandemic, civilians have faced higher prices for food items owing to failing economies and limited supplies of food. South Africa remains concerned at the fact that the blanket economic sanctions imposed on countries in conflict areas may inadvertently give rise to conflict-related hunger, as civilians may have less access to food and medicine. In order to alleviate the plight of civilians, sanctions should be targeted, balanced and include realistic benchmarks in order to achieve the goals envisioned.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Clearly this is a violation of both international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We therefore call on parties to conflict to put an end to that practice and to prioritize the interests of civilians and ensure their protection. We further call on parties to allow the impartial and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in urgent need of it. That should be done in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law. The coronavirus disease pandemic has exacerbated the existing socioeconomic conditions of civilians and has also contributed to worsening the living conditions of internally displaced persons, migrants and refugees. The pandemic has also S/2021/250 S/2021/250 burdened health systems, affecting the provision of the requisite medical assistance in conflict areas.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“I also wish to reiterate that holistic approaches to addressing conflict situations are paramount if optimal success is to be achieved in finding sustainable solutions and lasting peace. I would like to also stress the need for continued attention to promoting conflict-prevention mechanisms, dialogue and negotiated political settlements, as well as close cooperation between regional organizations and the Security Council in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. South Africa is also concerned that in some conflict situations hunger is used as a weapon of war. That tactic, used to intimidate and exacerbate the vulnerabilities of civilians in order to gain advantage over opponents, has had devastating consequences, especially for vulnerable groups, including children.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Regrettably, given the failure to heed the call for a cessation of hostilities, long- standing and protracted conflicts are continuing while new and emerging threats are on the rise, leading to an increase in the number of worsening humanitarian situations. Conflict and instability contribute significantly to increasing the high numbers of civilians affected by food insecurity, which has led to a deteriorating humanitarian crisis globally, with many experiencing famine-like conditions. In that context, I would like to underscore the importance of concerted efforts to end conflicts by the parties thereto, including commitments to earnestly address the root causes.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“Let me start by stating that South Africa regards the right to access food as a fundamental human right enshrined in its Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and I believe this falls squarely within the ambits of international human rights law, to which my country fully subscribes. South Africa remains deeply concerned about the rising number of civilians affected by hunger and malnutrition as a result of persisting conflicts. It is regrettable that most parties to conflicts have failed to heed the appeal for a global ceasefire made by the Secretary-General. This call presented an opportunity for a cessation of hostilities. Cessation of hostilities would have increased access for humanitarian actors, which would have significantly contributed to improving humanitarian situations in conflict areas.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and your Government, Madam President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council and for convening this meeting focusing on conflict and food security. I also wish to extend my best wishes to the presidency of the United States. I thank the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, for keeping the Council informed of developments pertaining to the impact of conflict on food security and acute malnutrition. I also thank Mr. David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, and Ms. Gabriela Bucher, Executive Director of Oxfam International, for their comprehensive and enlightening briefings.”
2021-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/250 (2021) · source