YouSaid · the spoken record

Menan

lines on the record: 687
first: 2012-01-11
most recent: 2013-12-18
sittings or episodes: 97
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 positive actions by the United Nations complement the many national, subregional and regional initiatives on the African continent. Despite all these initiatives, the existence of uncontrolled weapons remains a multidimensional problem that is deeply interlinked with other, broader security issues and that has implications for development. The biggest problem is the coordination of the various national and subregional initiatives, given limited resources and legal systems and institutional and technical capacities that vary so greatly. All that is against the backdrop of porous borders and the risk of national efforts losing their relevance. It goes without saying that no State can fight alone against this phenomenon.”
2013-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7036 (2013) · source
“Given this situation, it is imperative that effective measures be taken against their proliferation and illegal use in order to prevent conflicts and ensure States' stability and the success of peacebuilding processes. We welcome the fact that the international community is now involved in the process of negotiating the limitation, control and reduction of weapons systems. The Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, which entered into force in 2005, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, is one of many examples of the United Nations response to this scourge. Even more important were the adoption and opening for signature by the General Assembly of the Arms Trade Treaty (see resolution 67/234 B).”
2013-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7036 (2013) · source
“These weapons are light in name only, because in countries in conflict and even those at peace, they are often the leading cause of violence, suffering, loss of human life, unspeakable misfortune and turmoil for families and societies. The disturbing ease with which such weapons can be acquired is a result of the illegal trade going on around the world. There is also a direct link between the illicit trade in small arms and the activities of armed groups, rebels and terrorists, as well as the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Africa, like other continents, has not been spared the uncontrolled circulation and use of small arms. Because of weaknesses of every kind and vulnerability of its States, Africa remains, unfortunately, the most profitable market for arms dealers and thus has the highest number of victims.”
2013-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7036 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): At the outset, I should like thank you, Madam, for the initiative of organizing this meeting on the issue ofthe consequences of the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons for international peace and security. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General and the Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for their presentations on the issue. The most widespread and easily accessible instruments of violence are small arms and light weapons. Their proliferation and accumulation pose a genuine threat to international peace and security and to the development of many countries.”
2013-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7036 (2013) · source
“In that context, the continued hospitality of Pakistan towards Afghan refugees should be commended. Furthermore, the number of people needing assistance is estimated at more than 135,000. I conclude by stressing that Afghanistan needs the support of the international community as a whole more than ever to meet the challenges facing it, especially in view of the withdrawal of international forces by the end of next year. In that regard, Togo would like to again thank the United Nations, UNAMA, the funds and programmes and Government partners for the assistance they continue to provide to ensure that Afghanistan can assume its place in the community of nations.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“With regard to the persistence of torture and other mistreatment, we urge the Government to continue to take the appropriate measures in order to control such violations, particularly against women and children. Togo also condemns the use by the insurgents of child soldiers and welcomes the progress made in the fight against that scourge through the Action Plan on Underage Recruitment. In that respect, the support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflicts and of UNICEF is welcome. The signing of agreements by Afghanistan with neighbouring countries portends a promising future in the relations between that and other States in the region and beyond, as Mr. Kubis and the Ambassador of Afghanistan have just affirmed.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“Acts of violence are increasing, and United Nations staff and their partners, as well as diplomatic missions are being targeted. The insecurity is fuelled by the problem of drugs, the cultivation of which continues to grow. We encourage the Afghan Government to pursue and intensify its fight against poppy cultivation in particular. The human rights situation is also of concern in Afghanistan. Irregularities in the procedure for appointing new members of the Independent Commission for Human Rights have been reported. We urge the Government to preserve the status of the Commission, as it has endeavoured to do. The protection of civilians is also weakened and civilian casualties are in the thousands because of the use of improvised explosive devices and stepped up ground fighting.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“This unfortunate situation calls the attention of the international community to the fact that Afghanistan will always need the help of all its partners to complete the process under way. With regard to the importance of the 2014 elections, while Afghan forces are increasingly assuming security- related responsibilities, it would be appropriate for the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the state of the preparations for the elections to allow the Council to consider the potential difficulties. The security environment in which the elections are being prepared is reflective of the wider situation. Security incidents have not abated, despite the continued recruitment by Afghan forces and efforts to strengthen the capacity of those forces.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“With regard to the 2014 presidential and provincial elections, the preparation process has given a new dynamic to political life in Afghanistan, with the valuable support of the United Nations Development Programme. The adoption of laws on the organization and functions of the Independent Election Commission and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission is part of that dynamic. Similarly, we welcome the consultations that led to the appointment of members of the Commission, while we also regret the lack of civil society organizations represented among them. The preparations for the 2014 elections are unfortunately taking place in an atmosphere of insecurity. Moreover, there are disagreements about the holding of the elections themselves. At the same time, negative campaigns are being organized to discourage voters.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“With regard to the peace process, the announcement of the opening, on June 18, ofa Taliban office in another country has dealt a blow to the process of inter-Afghan reconciliation. The Government's decision to suspend talks and opt for an Afghan-led dialogue is the result of the anxiety aroused by the opening of that office, whose attributes were interpreted in different ways. Faced with such a situation, we urge all Afghan parties to resume dialogue. In that regard, we commend the joint secretariat of the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme on its work in connection with former insurgents, to which UNAMA provides continued support.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by thanking Mr. Jan Kubis for presenting the report (S/2013/535) and for the work he is doing as the Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). I also thank Ambassador Tanin for his very informative statement. This is the Council's third debate this year on the situation in Afghanistan. We note that, in spite of the efforts made, there continues to be uncertainty on the political, security, humanitarian and human rights fronts. We also note that cooperation continues to grow between Afghanistan and the countries of the region. On the political front, the situation continues to be dominated by the peace process and the elections of 2014.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“The reconciliation work will require drawing on memories to research the disappeared and educating the population concerned in order to root out resentment and promote peaceful coexistence. It is therefore crucial that the international community as a whole, especially international organizations in the field, continue supporting the efforts of Serbian and Kosovo authorities so that the momentum of reforms undertaken so far does not falter. We welcome the efforts still being undertaken by the European Union, UNMIK, the NATO-led Kosovo Force, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which will play a particularly important role in the preparation of local elections in November, in which the local populations should take part without exclusion.”
2013-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7026 (2013) · source
“With regard to the situation in northern Kosovo, which has always been a Security Council concern, we note that the report indicates a decline in acts of violence and the overall improvement in security as political dialogue continues. We also welcome the reports that Serbs in northern Kosovo have finally made it known that they would not object to the implementation of the 19 April agreement, indicating that the parallel institutions of Serbia remain in place until the new elections. We call on both parties to pursue with determination the implementation of the 19 April agreement by adopting concrete measures conducive to a genuine reconciliation between the different communities living in Kosovo. After the signing of an agreement, the reconciliation work undertaken by Kosovo and Serbia will take time.”
2013-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7026 (2013) · source
“We also acknowledge the adoption by Kosovo of a law granting amnesty to certain Kosovo Serbs and modifying the budget so as to take into account the financing of the association or community of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo. Likewise, we acknowledge other measures for a smooth implementation of the 19 April agreement, such as the decision of the Kosovo authorities to organize the upcoming local elections on 3 November, particularly in northern Kosovo, after which the association or community will be created; as well as the exchange, on 17 June, between the two parties of liaison officers responsible for facilitating communication and monitoring the implementation of the agreements.”
2013-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7026 (2013) · source
“In that regard, Togo welcomes the adoption, on 22 May, of the implementation plan of the agreement of 19 April, which will, inter alia, make the necessary adjustments to the existing legal framework so that they can take into account the creation of the association or community of Serbian municipalities in Kosovo, aimed at carrying out the integration of the structures ofjustice and Serbian police within the new entity and initiating preparations for local elections. We also note the concrete steps taken by each party to make the implementation plan effective. Moreover, we acknowledge the decision of the Serbian Government to close the justice and police structures still under its authority in northern Kosovo.”
2013-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7026 (2013) · source
“Togo wishes to reiterate its congratulations to both parties for agreeing to make major concessions in order to reach that agreement. Like any agreement, it is not necessarily ideal for all segments ofthe populations concerned. Nevertheless, it does have the merit of proposing a solution that makes it possible to emerge from the crisis, which we hope will enable the progressive resolution of the existing differences between the two parties so that they can respond to the challenges linked to the development and well-being their populations.”
2013-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7026 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Representative, Mr. Farid Zarif, for the presentation of the quarterly report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) (S/2013/444). Togo is pleased with the important work that Mr. Zarifis doing together with the entire Mission team to support the Kosovo authorities in the normalization of relations with Serbia and, more generally, to ensure the safety, stability and development of that country. I would also like to thank the representatives of Serbia and Kosovo for their statements. On 19 April, Kosovo and Serbia finally reached an agreement to normalize relations, demonstrating that they are perfectly capable of finding peaceful solutions to their disputes.”
2013-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7026 (2013) · source
“We support MINUSTAH's announced restructuring and urge the Haitian authorities to continue to take on the process of restoring and developing their country so that the Mission's disengagement will not weaken the Haitian State.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“Togo believes that, despite the problems presented by political misunderstandings and the threats due to unstable weather and the cholera epidemic, Haiti's overall situation continues to improve, due to the joint efforts of the Haitian Government, MINUSTAH and other international organizations, which have helped to gradually establish encouraging conditions for security, stability and macro-economic performance. I would like to conclude by commending the major role that MINUSTAH continues to play in Haiti through its involvement in programmes of reconstruction, the maintenance of security and building the rule of law. One of the Mission's most remarkable efforts has been in protecting vulnerable groups, particularly through its fight against sexual and gender-based Violence and impunity for serious human-rights violations.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“The gradual withdrawal of humanitarian agencies is making living conditions in the camps - where a large number of internally displaced people are still housed - increasingly precarious. Togo is also concerned about the cases of famine and malnutrition, which have been exacerbated in part because of the vagaries of the climate. On top of that, the persisting cases of cholera in weather particularly conducive to its spread leads to fears of a resurgence of the epidemic if the appropriate measures are not taken to suppress it, particularly in the area of water treatment and sanitation. My country urges the international community to continue to stand by the Haitian authorities in order to help them eradicate that scourge once and for all.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“We also call on Haiti's partners to continue to support it in making up the deficit in financing the 2012-2016 development plan for the National Police and enabling it to achieve all the goals of the plan, particularly increasing the number of police officers over the next two years. Concerning the humanitarian situation, Togo notes that significant progress has been made, especially in resettling displaced persons and with regard to sanitation measures. As the Secretary-General's report indicates, thanks to financial contributions from the international community, more than 34,000 internally displaced persons have been resettled and 33 sites closed. Such significant efforts, however, are counterbalanced by the need for aid, which remains huge.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“As the report indicates, political acts of Violence have visibly decreased, as has the percentage of crimes such as murders, rapes and kidnappings. That continuing improvement in the security climate has been made possible by the continued efforts of Haitian leaders, in cooperation with MINUSTAH, to strengthen, train and equip Haitian National Police personnel. Regular police operations, alone or in cooperation with MINUSTAH units, have enabled them to break up many gangs, prevent their criminal activity and substantially reduce criminality and insecurity in the country. Togo urges the Haitian authorities to continue to expand the police force throughout the country and to strengthen its operational capacity.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the establishment of the joint Government- MINUSTAH-United Nations task force responsible for speeding up the preparation and organization of the elections. We hope that it will bring a speedy end to the delays in approving the electoral law, which is an crucial component of the electoral machine. In that regard, we note that, as Ms. Honore' said, President Martelly brought such an electoral law before Parliament yesterday. In the area of security, Togo is pleased with the general calm and stability in Haiti. There is no question that the security sector is the most concrete example not only of the country's progress with reconstruction and stabilization but in particular of the effectiveness that local populations have the right to expect from the cooperation between MINUSTAH and the Haitian authorities.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“The political situation remains worrying, due to the recurring difficulties encountered by the Haitian political class in finding solutions to institutional problems and in working steadfastly to improve their country's governance. Indeed, we are sorry to see that due to various differences, there have been delays in organizing the senatorial, municipal and local elections, despite the political agreement on 19 April that established the transitional Electoral Council and despite the willingness of all Haitian political stakeholders to see the elections held before the end of 2013. It is crucial that those elections, which have been delayed for two years, be held this year in order to ensure political stability, prevent any dysfunction of the country's institutions and put legitimately elected representatives in charge of the State.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to welcome you here and thank you for presiding over the Council this morning, Mr. President. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome to New York the new Ambassador of China and to wish him every success in carrying out his duties. I would first like to once again congratulate Ms. Sandra Honore on her appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti and to reiterate my country's full support for her in her new job. I would also like to thank her for her presentation of the semi-annual report (S/2013/493) on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). My statement will focus on the political, security and humanitarian aspects of the current situation in Haiti.”
2013-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7024 (2013) · source
“The transfer of Bosco Ntaganda to the International Criminal Court and the arrest warrants issued for Joseph Kony and his lieutenants from the Lord's Resistance Army show the determination of the international community and the Security Council to put an end to serious violations of human rights in armed conflict. We must pursue our efforts to achieve the goal of putting an end to impunity. Finally, Togo shares the view that the five core challenges to ensuring more effective protection of civilians, identified in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2012/376), have not lost any oftheir relevance and should therefore be reflected in the report that the Secretary-General will submit in November. My delegation also hopes that the Views expressed during today's debate will bring added value to that report.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“The introduction of robust mandates to protect civilians is a decisive step in a strategy to protect civilians, provided that peacekeeping missions are provided with adequate resources to implement those mandates. That is why it is important that Council members agree on the use of new technologies, such as drones, in the protection of civilians. Moreover, since the circulation of small arms and light weapons is a threat to the protection of civilians, we must work towards accession by all States to the Arms Trade Treaty, which was adopted in April. Effectively protecting civilians in armed conflict requires Vigorous efforts to combat impunity for perpetrators of violations against civilians, in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“That is why my country welcomes the recent initiatives taken by the Security Council to enhance the protection of civilians in conflict zones. An example of such efforts is the adoption of resolution 2112 (2013), which allowed the establishment, within the framework of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire, of a comprehensive strategy to protect civilians. In addition, the African Union Commission, in close collaboration with the African Union Mission in Somalia, has adopted an approach to the protection of civilians that should, in our opinion, allow both the Commission and the Council to provide visible protection that is based on the realities on the ground. The effective protection of civilians in armed conflict requires that the capacity of peacekeeping operations be strengthened.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“Despite the Council's efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict, we find that the cumbersome bureaucracy, restrictions, segregation and discrimination imposed by the parties to conflict continue to prevent humanitarian agencies from providing assistance to many civilian populations in need. The Syrian conflict, like many others in Africa and elsewhere, including the situation in Jonglei state in South Sudan and the conflict between the Buddhist and Muslim communities in the states of Rakin and Kachin in Myanmar, are indicative of that state of affairs. Similarly, the denial of humanitarian access to civilian populations in need is a serious violation of the human rights and human dignity of the victims, in particular women and children. The perpetrators of such behaviour should be prosecuted.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): I congratulate you, Madam President, on the initiative taken by your country to hold this debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, an issue of concern to the United Nations, in particular the Security Council. Serious violations against civilians in armed conflict persists, and hence the interest in this morning's debate, which is being held on World Humanitarian Day. I thank the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Director for International Law and Cooperation of the International Committee of the Red Cross for their statements.”
2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source
“However, Afghanistan will experience real stability only if the States of the region and the international community as a whole are willing to make sacrifices to help it in its quest for peace and the exercise of its full sovereignty. The support of UNAMA is vital in that respect, and it is therefore key to provide it with the appropriate resources. To conclude, I reiterate the gratitude of my country to the United Nations, to UNAMA and all of its staff, and to United Nations funds and programmes for their praiseworthy efforts to ensure a better future for Afghanistan.”
2013-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6983 (2013) · source
“As the Secretary-General notes in his report, the success of this political transition will depend on the legitimacy of those who will be taking the reins of power. Here it is important that all Afghan parties undertake to use compromise solutions and to reach an understanding on a consultative mechanism for the appointment of the members of the electoral bodies, in particular the Chair of the Independent Election Commission. We appreciate the continued support of the United Nations Development Programme, UNAMA, the media and civil society in that respect. On the question of national dialogue, we hope that the opening on June 18 last of a Taliban office in Doha will give impetus to the national dialogue and the peace process with a view to bringing about the stabilization of the country.”
2013-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6983 (2013) · source
“Regrettably, the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics and the United Nations have noted that there is a close relationship between insecurity, lack of support for agriculture and poppy cultivation. Nonetheless, we congratulate the Afghan Government on the initiatives it has taken to combat the scourge of narcotics in several provinces, which have made it possible to eradicate more than 5,000 hectares of poppies. It goes without saying that drug trafficking finances terrorism and fuels conflict. We therefore encourage the United Nations to continue its efforts to finalize, within the set time frame, a road map for the promotion of more effective action on money laundering. Afghanistan has started a political transition that will culminate in the general elections in 2014.”
2013-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6983 (2013) · source
“We commend the special country team for its support for the Afghan Government in the context of the implementation of the action plan for the prevention of underage recruitment. However, that plan cannot be implemented by just one party. It must also involve the Taliban and other groups affiliated with Al-Qaida. We also appreciate the efforts being made to strengthen the protection of women. Discussions in Parliament must be speeded up so that the amendments aimed at strengthening provisions on women's rights can be adopted. The role of UNESCO, which is working tirelessly for the education of women and girls, must be strengthened in that regard. The combat against drug trafficking remains a major challenge for the Afghan authorities inasmuch as there has been an increase in poppy cultivation for the third consecutive year.”
2013-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6983 (2013) · source
“The security situation remains of concern, as reflected in the increased number of attacks against national and international institutions in recent weeks; the latest, on 18 June, targeted a Shiite deputy during the course of an official ceremony marking the last phase of the transfer of responsibility for security in the country to Afghan forces. Such attacks have resulted in many casualties among the civilian population, including many children recruited primarily to carry out attacks. The attacks represent serious violations of the rights of children, which Togo has unremittingly condemned, as it did on 17 June during our debate on the plight of children caught up in armed conflict (see S/PV.6980).”
2013-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6983 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): I should like to start by thanking Mr. Jan Kubis for having presented the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in the country (S/2013/350). We thank also Ambassador Tanin for his statement. In this second review of the situation in Afghanistan for the current year, we note in the report of the Secretary-General that the country remains in the grip of violence and instability, notwithstanding the fact that some progress has been noted.”
2013-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6983 (2013) · source
“My country hopes, however, that today's debate will enable the drafting of new measures or the improvement of existing ones aimed at breaking the links between natural resources and conflict, so those resources will no longer serve as a curse, but will become a blessing for the countries so endowed, in particular the African countries.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“It is important to call for the greater involvement of civil society in the good management of natural resources and for deeper consideration of the risks associated with mining and oil extraction activities, particularly in terms of society and the environment. I would like to conclude by expressing my country's disappointment that, owing to certain inflexible positions, the Council has been unable to agree on a presidential statement that could have reflected the attention that it should pay to the link between natural resources and conflict.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“To that end, it is important to strengthen State capacities to establish efficient governance in the natural resources sector in order to optimize revenue, particularly through transparent procedures in the allocation of mining and trading licenses, as well as in controlling the sector. Such strengthened capacity should also complement the political and legal framework established by Africa Mining Vision - whose outcome document was adopted in 2009 by the African Union - with a view to establishing a strategic planning framework linking mining with development and transforming the same into a potential economic source of wealth in Africa to benefit peace.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“That is why my country encourages all of the national and international mechanisms aimed at greater transparency and accountability, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which Togo signed on 22 May. We also welcome the positive impact of the threat or imposition of sanctions in encouraging Governments or partners to carry out reforms in the area of natural resources. Natural resources need not become a cursed element of conflict in the countries so endowed. In the case of Togo, if measures are taken early enough to reduce domestic conflict by promoting good management and the improved redistribution of profits, then the exploitation of such resources should help to avoid economic marginalization, while ensuring development, security and peace.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“With respect to monitoring mechanisms and the exploitation of and trade in natural resources, Togo believes that the Kimberley Process, which has logged some successes, should be adapted to make it more effective in reducing the predatory mining of diamonds, which has often been used to finance certain crises in Africa. Togo also supports the idea to extend the principle of transparency and traceability to natural resources other than diamonds. We firmly believe that transparency in the exploitation and management of those resources is a key tool in ensuring the accountability ofboth Governments and multinational corporations that are active in the sector.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“Although there are judicial mechanisms in place to ensure that belligerents are held responsible for the crimes and violations of human rights they commit, private multinational companies and States involved enjoy complete impunity. In order to put an end to that situation of impunity for multinationals, Togo feels that international justice institutions and the States where the companies are based should have the duty to carry out transparent investigations on the role that they have played in the outbreak and the continuation of a conflict.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“The drive for natural resources that results from the economic and strategic stakes associated with the exploitation of natural resources, renewable or non-renewable, leads multinational companies, economic and political lobbies and foreign Powers to take advantage situations of underlying crises or to benefit from ongoing conflicts to gain control over those resources in order to obtain disproportionate concessions. That direct or indirect involvement by multinationals and foreign Powers in conflicts is often illustrated by the contracts that are signed, sometimes before the end of the conflict, between said companies and the future victors.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“In the majority of countries on the agenda of our Council, particularly in Africa, the conflicts that have broken out are, broadly speaking, fuelled by covetousness for the natural resources of the given country. During the conflicts, the illegal exploitation and trade in natural resources helps to finance the purchasing of weapons and ammunition and to pay combatants, which, in turn, fuels the conflicts. In certain cases, the conflicts simply serve to enrich the leaders of the militias and armed groups, who benefit from the economy and state of war. There are examples of many countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East that illustrate that during civil wars, diamonds and other precious minerals, timber and oil in particular, have been used to finance military action and have given rise to systematic violations of human rights.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“With regard to what is at stake with those resources in the context of the maintenance of international peace and security, this issue should not be seen exclusively from the perspective of development. The issue of natural resources should, rather, be of greater interest to the Council, not just with regard to conflict management, but it should also be increasingly considered from the point of view of prevention. We believe that the Security Council should not take a wait-and-see approach, nor wait to manage conflicts once they break out. On the contrary, we should try to anticipate conflicts by adopting appropriate measures in conformity with the norms and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“Mr. Menan (Togo) (spoke in French): I would like to thank the delegation of the United Kingdom for having organized this debate on the link between natural resources and conflicts, six years after this was initiated, in 2007, by Belgium. I would also like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Jan Eliasson; the Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, Mr. Kofi Annan; and the representatives of the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme for their briefings introducing the issue. Togo welcomes the increasingly established recognition of the link between the access, control, exploitation and management of natural resources, on the one hand, and, on the other, the emergence, escalation and prolongation of conflicts.”
2013-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6982 (2013) · source
“While continuing the process of reflection on the decisive action that it could take in the context of this combat through its peacekeeping operations, the United Nations should help countries to build the capacities of their national institutions and modernize their penal legislation so as to carry out investigations aimed at prosecuting perpetrators and bringing them to justice. Moreover, States must, in a regional and subregional framework, develop and strengthen cooperation and reciprocal judicial assistance, which could prove effective. My country supports the draft presidential statement to be adopted at the end of this debate and thanks once again the delegation of Luxembourg for its determined efforts to finalize it.”
2013-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6980 (2013) · source
“The various initiatives and the numerous efforts undertaken to put an end to violence against children will be ineffective if we do not resolutely tackle the issue of impunity. Indeed, impunity must remain a concern of the international community, given that almost all perpetrators of such violations remain at large, although there was a verdict in early 2012 in the case of Thomas Lubanga. Genuine and effective measures must be taken at the national, regional and international levels to put an end to impunity. The numerous meetings on the issue of children in armed conflict will not help to resolve this issue the perpetrators are not held to account, if national Governments hesitate to prosecute and try them or deliver them to the competent jurisdictions, and iflocal populations do not cooperate in the process of arresting them.”
2013-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6980 (2013) · source
“That is why Togo supports the recommendation contained in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/245) and urges the Council to play a greater role, alongside the Secretary-General, in efforts to, inter alia, bring those parties to conflict that have not yet done so to sign plans of action and to ensure that the necessary resources are earmarked for their implementation. In order to induce non-State armed groups, which generally do not consider themselves bound by the obligation to protect children, to sign such action plans, it would be advisable to engage in an open and frank dialogue with them. The experience of certain countries that have known conflict and have taken that path should inspire us to move forward along those lines.”
2013-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6980 (2013) · source
“There are several reasons that perhaps lie at the heart of the ongoing violations against children in armed conflict, first and foremost a lack of resources for the implementation of plans of action by those countries having signed them. It is also difficult to establish contact with non-State armed groups with a view to their signing action plans with the United Nations. Finally - and this is hardly an exhaustive list - there is the slow pace of the process of the prosecution of perpetrators, owing to weak national criminal jurisdictions and the inadequacy, or even absence, of a cooperation framework between national and international courts.”
2013-06-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6980 (2013) · source