YouSaid · the spoken record

Maurer

lines on the record: 273
first: 1996-08-15
most recent: 2022-01-25
sittings or episodes: 35
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

“In that regard, I would like to recall and support the recommendations of the Secretary-General's report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2009/304), like other speakers have done before me, namely, first, to consider more proactively the potential contributions of the Commission, and second, to foster the complementarity between the Security Council and the Commission. Like troop-contributing countries, members of the Commission and its country-specific configurations should be involved as early as possible in the Council's deliberations on countries on the PBC agenda. Fifth, we have to share more systematically experiences and lessons learned.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“The other is to balance the inherent tensions of electoral competition with a basic understanding and willingness between the parties to cooperate in order to stabilize societies. In post-conflict situations particularly, elections should not become winner-take-all events. Rather, they are essential for democratizing the peace process and building national ownership for peace. It is thus important for all political parties to have access to the political space at hand, which is a key element in ensuring a sincere and sustained dialogue. The Peacebuilding Commission, along with the Council, have a role to play in getting this message across. Fourth, one of the tasks of the Peacebuilding Commission is to provide advice to the Council.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“That goes for the relationship between the country on the agenda and the international community, as well as for the national actors themselves. National ownership in peacebuilding is essential, but national ownership, in our understanding, cannot be the exclusive prerogative of the Government alone. Second, we see much merit in our close relationship with the actors on the ground. Our actions are guided by the principle of subsidiarity between the Commission and those actors. It is not in New York that our efforts will bear the best fruit. Peace is built on the ground. Third, in every peacebuilding process, elections are a crucial phase. Several elections are planned in the next months, including in Burundi. Elections raise two particular challenges. One is the challenge to support - and adequately fund - the electoral process.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the Council today. Like others, I would like to thank Ambassador Mufioz for his well-informed and well- crafted report, contained in document S/2009/444. Switzerland's experience in peacebuilding and our recent experience as Chair of the country-specific configuration on Burundi of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) leads me to make the following points. First, the principle of mutual accountability, as substantiated in the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Burundi and its biannual reviews and similar documents, has proven to be a most useful tool for responsible partnership. In our view, such a partnership implies not only mutual understanding on objectives, priorities and means to achieve them, but also a commitment to seek solutions through constructive cooperation.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“To conclude, I wish to stress the urgency and importance of creating a mechanism for humanitarian access and reconstruction in Gaza. We are counting on the support of the Security Council in this process and on the active participation of the Member States concerned and the relevant entities of the United Nations system.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The destruction in East Jerusalem of Palestinian houses situated near the old city and the planned eviction of Palestinian families must not happen. At the same time and in order to launch a genuine political process, it is essential to renounce violence. The halt to the rocket attacks against the Israeli civilian population must be maintained. Switzerland is convinced that the Israeli- Palestinian conflict cannot be resolved by military means. The Clinton parameters, the Taba discussions and the Geneva initiative clearly indicate the path towards a solution. The creation of a viable Palestinian State living side by side with the State of Israel, existing within secure and internationally recognized borders, is therefore the only path that can lead to a lasting settlement of the conflict.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“It will then be necessary to determine the appropriate follow-up to the report. We welcome the renewed commitment of the international community, in particular of the American administration, to actively promoting a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Peace Initiative of the Arab League and the determination of the State of Israel to achieve a lasting peace with its neighbours are encouraging signs. It is therefore essential that the international community be actively involved in helping put an end to that agonizing conflict. The parameters of a settlement are already well known. A total freeze on the expansion of all settlements is a decisive factor for guaranteeing the peace process.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Switzerland is willing to contribute to the establishment of such a body. In the follow-up to a conflict, fact-finding missions to investigate allegations of violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law are a necessity for the victims. We believe that such missions ultimately help to bring about a lasting settlement to the conflict in question and contribute to preventing future violations. To achieve these two objectives, they must operate on the basis of a balanced mandate that takes into account the concerns of all the parties to a conflict as well as all kinds of violation. That is the intention of the Goldstone mission, which was mandated by the Human Rights Council. We await with interest its report on the alleged 09-42592 violations committed by all parties to the conflict.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Such a mechanism - the development of which is called for in resolution 1860 (2009) - should be based on the framework for the provision of minimum humanitarian assistance to Gaza, proposed by the United Nations, and be coordinated by a technical committee providing for substantial and sustainable humanitarian access. Its frame of reference should be the four principles established by humanitarian practice and endorsed by the international community in the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Under the auspices of the United Nations, that neutral, independent and international body should ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and establish a mechanism to monitor the importation of goods.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The near impossibility of providing people with their basic needs, the lack of electricity, the limited supply of drinking water and the serious breakdown of the sewage treatment system are all causes for alarm. Switzerland recalls that, in conformity with the obligations of international humanitarian law, Israel, as the occupying Power, must ensure access for humanitarian organizations to the civilian population and the supply of basic necessities. Sixty years after the adoption of the Geneva Conventions, respect for international humanitarian law remains our best response to the needs of the victims. While respecting Israel's security imperatives, Switzerland believes that a concerted effort must be made to establish a mechanism to ensure humanitarian access and reconstruction.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Mr. Maurer (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to state my country's views on the situation in the Middle East. I will confine myself to a few aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I welcome and thank Mr. Fernandez-Taranco for his very relevant briefing this morning. Switzerland is deeply concerned about the current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The recent war and its severe consequences have made the living conditions in that tiny and densely populated territory increasingly precarious. Those consequences have confronted the international community with a real emergency situation.”
2009-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6171Resumption1 (2009) · source
“There are a number of financial mechanisms to support United Nations protection activities: the peacekeeping budget; the regular budget, including special political missions; the budgets of relevant United Nations agencies; and the Central Emergency Response Fund; and various other funds financed through voluntary contributions. This variety of mechanisms represents a challenge in terms of the effectiveness of planning and the strategic use of resources. The lack of a broad View of transparency or predictability in resources is an obstacle to the effectiveness of protection activities. It is the responsibility of all of us to find appropriate solutions to resolve this problem. A common framework would contribute to improving the current situation.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Accordingly, it is imperative that, through our work at Headquarters, we develop mandates, including the terms of engagement of United Nations missions, in order to facilitate protection activities, ensure that recommendations coming from thematic debates are reflected in work on specific countries, support as much as possible protection on the ground in terms of human and financial resources, build capacity and conduct leading to good management of key dilemmas, and ensure that all stakeholders on the ground work in close cooperation on the basis of a common framework.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Finally, the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict should receive more significant administrative support and should improve its methods of work. The question of children and armed conflict is only one facet of the protection agenda on which the Security Council, the Secretariat, the operational system of the United Nations and all Member States should focus. Still, it is vital to monitor the implementation of decisions on the ground, including their impact on the populations concerned.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Secondly, we support the idea that all parties listed in the annexes to the Secretary-General's reports should prepare and implement concrete action plans to halt the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. The Council should take measures against any party that does not comply with its obligations. Thirdly, the Working Group should be encouraged to report to the competent sanctions committees those parties to conflict committing repeated grave violations against children. Moreover, targeted measures should be taken against parties or individuals responsible for such violations. Fourthly, we encourage the Security Council to defer to the International Criminal Court when appropriate regarding violations committed against children that fall within its jurisdiction.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Generally, we call on the Security Council to use all its influence to ensure implementation of the provisions of resolution 1612 (2005), to include this question on the Council's agenda and to make better use of existing mechanisms and instruments, such as sanctions, peacekeeping missions, political missions and statements and resolutions. We fully endorse all the recommendations made by the Secretary-General in his report and stress the following points. First, we support the idea of expanding the criteria that trigger the inclusion of parties to armed conflict in the annexes of the reports of the Secretary-General. This could be carried out using an incremental approach, starting with the intentional killing and maiming of children and concluding with all six grave violations.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The situation is even more worrisome because humanitarian access to these children trapped in the war zones is still severely restricted. Additionally, it has been reported that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have intensified their use of child soldiers. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Working Group should use every available opportunity to engage the parties to the conflict so that they will improve the situation on the ground. This situation should not let us forget other serious situations, such as those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, the Sudan, Somalia and other hotbeds of tension and crisis.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Mr. Maurer (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Mr. President, we thank you for having organized this debate today. We welcome the report of the Secretary- General (S/2009/158) and thank Ms. Coomaraswamy and all other representatives of the Secretariat for their excellent work. My written text is the official text of my statement, but I would like to focus my abridged oral presentation on just a few points. We all know that in spite of the marked interest and action by the international community, violations of law and abuses continue. A very recent example is the desperate situation of thousands of children trapped in the conflict zone in north-eastern Sri Lanka. Credible reports indicate that several hundred children have been massacred and that a number of hospitals have been targeted for attacks during the fighting of the past few months.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In conclusion, let me stress how important it is for the Council to develop a collective vision of its role in international mediation efforts, taking into account the synergies and linkages among mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. It is also very important for the Council to continue the dialogue with non-members on this topic. We consider the report of the Secretary-General and today's meeting to be important first steps. With respect to the follow-up, it will be necessary to formulate more specifically the ideas contained in the report and further develop the general framework that the Secretary-General has proposed today.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“We therefore strongly support the commitment of the Secretary-General to increase the proportion of women included in mediation teams and in particular to strengthen the gender-related expertise of senior mediators and their teams. Thirdly, meaningful mediation has to involve all parties involved. This can lead to the dilemma of how to address both the imperatives of justice and those of peace. The standards and guidelines that have been formulated in this area are a good example of how mediation has been professionalized. However, there still is need for better cooperation among all actors involved if we want to be able to implement these standards.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The Secretary-General's report addresses many important issues that reflect in some ways our own national experience. Let me give three examples. First, to be successful, mediation has to address the root causes of a conflict and requires a thorough understanding of the local situation and its cultural, political and ethnic dimensions. In this regard, close cooperation with local mediators and civil society is important. Such cooperation also strengthens local ownership of the process. Secondly, implementation of the provisions of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) on women and peace and security remains a major challenge.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Swiss mediation specialists have been deployed to United Nations mediation processes, as in the case of the former head of the group of legal experts for the Cyprus peace process. In other cases, these mediators have worked closely with the United Nations. In Sudan for instance, we are cooperating with the joint African Union-United Nations mediation team for Darfur by providing assistance and training for various parties to the conflict. In Nepal, Swiss experts have been working in close cooperation with the United Nations in facilitating dialogue between the parties. Switzerland has also supported the Mediation Support Unit, financially and through training and conceptual knowledge on best practices, including guidance notes on federalism and mediation in peace processes and on dealing with the past and mediation in peace processes.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The report is a timely, adequate and useful contribution to further discussions in the Council. At the same time, it is true as well that mediation efforts need support beyond the Security Council. The Council bears an important responsibility of striking the proper balance between providing support and maintaining the autonomy of negotiators. It must also pool its own efforts with those of stakeholders outside the Council who are able and willing to make contributions. Finally, it must adapt outside contributions to the needs of local and regional actors. Rightly, the report touches upon some of these issues. Switzerland commends the Secretary-General's approach to mediation, as described in his report, and supports United Nations activities based on this concept in many ways. Let me mention two examples.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“It is best conducted by integrated teams of mediation experts of different levels and with diverse backgrounds. Experience shows that mediation is an effective instrument to resolve conflict. It increases the probability of reaching an agreement and of long-term reduction of tensions. Research suggests that since 2000, 17 conflicts were ended by the negotiation of a peace agreement, whereas four ended by the military success of one side. To be sure, the effectiveness of mediation depends on many different factors. Active Security Council engagement can play an important role in strengthening and supporting mediation activities. We therefore welcome the report of the Secretary-General on enhancing mediation and its support activities (S/2009/189), and we welcome today's debate.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Mr. Maurer (Switzerland) (spoke in French): At the outset, Mr. President, I would like to thank you for organizing this open debate and giving non-members of the Council the opportunity to state their views on today's important and timely topic. I am most grateful too to Under-Secretary-General Pascoe for his briefing, and in particular for the illustrative examples he provided. My statement will address three points: the concept and significance of mediation; examples of our cooperation with the United Nations; and some major challenges. The concept of mediation has changed significantly over the past 20 years. From being seen as an art mainly practiced by elder statesmen, mediation is now increasingly viewed as a profession demanding highly specialized personnel. In fact, mediation is a complex undertaking involving numerous actors.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“In this regard, following a meeting of experts held in July 2008, Switzerland is considering drafting a practical guide for humanitarian actors which would make explicit and clarify the relevant legal framework. The Council could give political support to this kind of expert work in implementing the recommendations of the aide-memoire.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Although our attention is currently turned towards the situation in Gaza, we should nevertheless 09-20856 not forget the other extremely worrying situations concerning the protection of civilians. We are thinking in particular of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including in terms of children in situations of armed conflict. We are also thinking of the situation of internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka. We also remain extremely concerned by the situation in Darfur, where humanitarian access remains a problem. Finally, we are well aware that the often complex realities of crisis situations demand considerable training, clarification of law when necessary, and the application of law in order to respond to realities on the ground.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“It is by insisting on the strict application of international humanitarian law in situations of armed conflict that the Council will be able to better protect civilians - a fact that the Council itself underlined in its presidential statement of 27 May 2008 (S/PRST/2008/l8). Furthermore, last week Switzerland called for an impartial inquiry into the allegations of violations of international law committed during these hostilities, including the attacks on two schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. In this context, it is essential that light be shed on all allegations of violations committed by all parties.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Switzerland also wishes to recall that all the parties to the conflict are under the obligation to protect medical personnel, hospitals and other health facilities. We welcome the call made by the Security Council in its resolution 1860 (2009) for an immediate ceasefire and for the unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. This call must be respected immediately by all parties to the conflict. However, we are disappointed that the resolution makes no mention of the importance of respect for international humanitarian law. It is to be deeply regretted that this body of law and therefore its references to the Geneva Conventions have become the object of political negotiation and discretion.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The main victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are civilians. Switzerland is deeply shocked by the high number of civilians who have been killed or wounded, in particular the high number of children. This situation underlines how important it is that the law not go unheeded and that it be truly implemented. It also reminds us that the protection of civilians cannot be ensured by purely humanitarian means but that political negotiations are the only path to achieving lasting solutions. Switzerland therefore reiterates its call for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of the humanitarian space and the strict respect for international law by all parties to the conflict. This includes in particular the obligation to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and the taking of precautions.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Resolutions should better reflect needs on the ground; this requires better articulation of protection mandates in the terms of engagement of peacekeeping operations, the enhancement of monitoring capacities, more systematic methods of information gathering and the integration of some of these activities into the budgets of peacekeeping operations. Moving forward in that way, efforts to ensure better coherence will also need to be stepped up. Good practices learned in one case should be applied in others. Representatives from throughout the United Nations system and experts should be invited more frequently to present their views, thus enabling the Council to reach decisions fully aware of the facts. Thirdly, the current situation in Gaza dramatically illustrates the importance of the issue we are discussing today.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Our strategic objective must be to strengthen the protection framework and to ensure that it is actually implemented in conflicts on the ground. Secondly, we appreciate the work undertaken by OCHA to update the aide-memoire. That very practical text illustrates the developments made in this area over the past few years. In terms of the work of the Council, we identify several major challenges. It must ensure that best practices are applied more systematically and that the language of protection is better integrated into country-specific resolutions. There must be further development of specific implementation mechanisms; hence the importance of the establishment of a group of experts on the protection of civilians.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Mr. Maurer (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank the delegation of France for having organized this debate and Under-Secretary-General John Holmes for his briefing this morning. My country is grateful to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and to other United Nations entities for their committed efforts in the area of civilian protection. I should like to focus my statement on the following several points. First, the protection of civilians in armed conflict is a permanent necessity and requires the concerted action of many actors. The Emergency Relief Coordinator has rightly mentioned a number of specific situations that show the importance of having a conceptual framework that is clear but that is applied in a flexible manner.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Fifthly, and finally, I would like to emphasize that my country endorses the basic idea in the concept paper, which stresses the importance of regional arms control and disarmament measures. However, Switzerland also believes that it is essential to bear in mind the specific nature of each region in exercises of this kind and to create a sense of ownership by the main actors.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In this respect, Burundi and Haiti, to take only two examples, illustrate the complex relations that exist between armed violence and economic development. The projects initiated in these two countries in the framework of the Geneva Declaration could also give impetus to United Nations action in the area of peacekeeping. Fourthly, Switzerland would also like to note that reduction and regulation of armaments are not the only way forward in this area. Security sector reform and the demobilization, demilitarization and reintegration of former combatants can also contribute to this effort and reduce tension. The links between the two themes, which have been discussed by the Security Council, and their practical implementation need to be looked at as a whole.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In the framework of the implementation of the Geneva Declaration, a number of voluntary pilot countries were identified with a view to drawing up and implementing policies and programmes to reduce armed violence. My country suggests that the Security Council should use a similar methodology. The innovative aspect of this approach is that it takes a comprehensive view of armed violence and thus considers violence generated in conflict and post-conflict situations, as well as in cases of terrorism and of crime. Indeed, if we examine the list of conflicts of which the Council is seized, we are often confronted with layers of different forms of violence that call for a determined and more systematic action by the Security Council.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“On the basis of these experiences, we believe it useful for the Security Council to present proposals to parties to conflicts and to make disarmament a key subject in peace negotiations. Thirdly, allow me to mention the linkage between socio-economic development and armed violence. Launched in 2006, the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development is based on the premise that armed violence is a serious obstacle to development and may impede the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Conversely, armed violence can be reduced by the effects of economic and social development. The importance of the Geneva Declaration was recognized in the report of the Secretary-General on small arms (S/2008/258), issued in April at the request of the Security Council.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Swiss positions on the main disarmament and non-proliferation issues relating to conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction are well known and I will not repeat them here. The Security Council, for its part, focuses its attention more on specific conflicts, intervening in the event of a crisis. It is therefore its duty to consider new security policy challenges and to make use of the lessons learned. Secondly, Switzerland believes that specific projects and concrete programmes, the supervision of illicit arms trafficking in the context of peacekeeping operations, the monitoring of regional agreements and fact-finding missions on the illicit trafficking of arms can be crucial tools in reinforcing the close link between disarmament, development and peace.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Mr. Maurer (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland welcomes your initiative, Mr. President, to organize this high-level meeting. I would like to thank you for the concept paper that was distributed in order to prepare for this thematic debate. We agree with the statement that the concrete situations with which the Security Council is today confronted in many crises underline the need for it to review its role and to reflect on the best way of implementing Article 26 of the Charter. I would like to briefly raise five points. First, my country considers it essential that the main organs of the United Nations respect their specific areas of competence. The legislative role that requires the greatest possible transparency is clearly that of the General Assembly.”
2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source
“However, I would like to be very clear by way of conclusion: if we do not see substantive changes with regard to the right to due process, political support for the activities I have mentioned will diminish and cooperation in the future will be put at risk.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“In the first six months, Swiss officers have conducted nearly 500 times more checks on the INTERPOL database than before and detected almost double the number of false documents than all the other 183 INTERPOL member countries combined. That success has led more than 30 countries around the world to place their officers in the field to carry out instant checks of travel documents on the INTERPOL database. The efforts of Switzerland and Liechtenstein are motivated by their desire to strengthen the sanctions regimes and to enhance the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Security Council. We are convinced that our firm commitment to see that all applicable human rights standards are respected serves that end.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“In order to further develop public- private partnerships in the fight against terrorism, Switzerland has also organized meetings with representatives of the private sector, in particular the banking sector, in order to enhance the prevention of terrorist financing and the fine-tuning of targeted sanctions. With regard to the travel ban, Switzerland has supported a pilot project of INTERPOL aimed at detecting lost or stolen travel documents. We now provide real-time access to INTERPOL's Stolen or Lost Travel Document Database not only to its National Central Bureau, but also to its 20,000 federal agents at border crossing points, customs and immigration offices, as well as embassies and consulates.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“The informal report of the seminar on counter-terrorism targeted sanctions and the rule of law, organized by Liechtenstein and the American University on 15 September 2008 in Washington, also provides useful conclusions on that issue. In addition, I would like to mention some concrete measures that Switzerland has supported to strengthen the sanctions regime in the area of counter- terrorism. With regard to better implementing the asset- freeze requirements, this year and last year Switzerland has provided financial support and experts to several activities of the Working Group on Tackling the Financing of Terrorism. More recently, Switzerland, like Liechtenstein, decided to give financial support to a study on terrorist financing indicators in response to a request by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“With no change and with more cases pending, the very legitimacy of United Nations sanctions could be put in jeopardy. Thus we urge the 1267 Committee and the Security Council to take duly into account the reasoning of the Court of Justice of the European Communities and the concerns expressed by our countries and several other States. Switzerland and Liechtenstein are ready to contribute constructively to the efforts of the Security Council and its Committees to strengthen the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions regimes by enhancing the transparency and fairness of listing procedures, in order to do away with concerns over the right to due process.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Therefore, we regret that resolution 1822 (2008) did not reflect any of the ideas put forward in that discussion paper. As is well known, the Court of Justice of the European Communities rendered an important judgment on that subject. The Court ruled that the Community Act was unlawful and infringed the fundamental rights of appellants under Community law. It gave three months to remedy the infringements found. We greatly regret that dilemma confronting a Member State that is obliged to both implement Security Council sanctions and comply with a conflicting court ruling. On several occasions we have drawn the attention of Council members to that possibility, which our proposal to create an advisory group on delisting issues aimed precisely at avoiding.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Those summaries must be as complete as possible. We also welcome the periodic review of all names on the consolidated list within the timelines clearly set out in the resolution, as that will render the list more effective. Unfortunately, we must voice our disappointment that no progress has been made on what we consider to be a serious shortcoming of the current system, namely, the lack of an independent review mechanism concerning delisting decisions. In that context, I would like to recall that Switzerland and Liechtenstein, together with Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, proposed the establishment of an expert group appointed by the Security Council to assist the sanctions committees in the consideration of delisting requests. In our view, that would address concerns regarding the right to an effective review mechanism.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“Mr. Maurer (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Today, I have the honour to speak on behalf of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Our two countries welcome the regular open briefings by the Chairmen of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee and the 1540 Committee. We would also like to convey our gratitude for the information that the three Chairmen gave us this morning and for their ongoing efforts. In this way, non-members of the Security Council have the opportunity to express their views and concerns. Today, I will focus on the 1267 Committee, as recent events call for us to pay it special attention. In resolution 1822 (2008), the Council introduced important measures aimed at improving listing procedures, such as publishing narrative summaries of the reasons for listing on the Committee's website.”
2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source
“That momentum contributed significantly to the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). It is high time that we looked to the future and set new ambitious aims for the medium term. In 2010, we will mark the resolution's tenth anniversary. Switzerland supports the idea of a high-level review conference that could mobilize decision makers and provide new impetus. We share the analysis of the Secretary-General that implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) has made progress, but we also agree that a considerable gap remains between reality and political intentions. We must, therefore, continue to make significant efforts and thus demonstrate that celebrating the resolution's tenth anniversary is genuinely merited.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Such crimes destroy the socio- economic fabric of communities and prevent women from becoming more involved in peace processes. Moreover, they are a major obstacle to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. That link is a key element of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development. We are all responsible for preventing such unacceptable crimes and for combating impunity. The international criminal tribunals, and in particular the International Criminal Court, play a key role in that struggle. They have the appropriate means to prosecute those acts of violence. In your capital, Beijing, Sir, in 1995, 189 countries made a commitment under United Nations auspices to the vision of a more egalitarian society by signing a Platform for Action in close cooperation with civil society.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It could more frequently take the opportunity to listen to experts of both genders, for example the High Commissioner for Human Rights, but also other people within the framework of Arria Formula meetings. Furthermore, we hope that deliberations on an effective mechanism for implementing resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) will be successful. The Secretary-General's report also reveals some shocking facts. In some conflicts, three out of four women are raped, and the perpetrators, with very few exceptions, are never convicted. Such crimes are the most serious assault on a person's physical integrity and can constitute genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. It is imperative that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source