YouSaid · the spoken record

Mills

lines on the record: 739
first: 2018-05-17
most recent: 2023-05-03
sittings or episodes: 121
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

“The United States welcomes the extension of OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias’s appointment to lead the Organization for another four-year term, as was approved last week by the most recent Conference of the States Parties. We believe that, under his able leadership, the OPCW has continued to carry out its impartial and independent work despite Syria’s intransigence and obstruction and Russia’s continued assault, frankly, on the OPCW in the Security Council. It is troubling that the Al-Assad regime’s allies, including Russia, actively sought to block all attempts at accountability.”
2021-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8921 (2021) · source
“The Conference of the States Parties therefore decided to suspend some of Syria’s rights and privileges under the Convention until, as we heard, the Director-General reports that the Al-Assad regime has completed certain measures, including declaring all its chemical-weapons facilities and any chemical weapons that it continues to possess. The decision was clear as to what the Syrian regime needs to do to retain its rights and its privileges. However, since then, Syria has made no effort to fulfil such measures, and the regime’s lack of cooperation has only worsened. We have seen the regime continue to deny, and delay, visas for OPCW personnel, resulting in unprecedented gaps in the OPCW Technical Secretariat’s presence in Damascus, as well as infinite delays in the work of the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team.”
2021-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8921 (2021) · source
“Both the Al-Assad regime and its enablers, notably Russia, which tried to shield Syria from scrutiny, should know that the United States will continue to use all available tools, including sanctions, to promote accountability for the use of chemical weapons. The United States estimates that the Al-Assad regime has used chemical weapons against the Syrian people at least 50 times since the conflict began. The use of those weapons is a serious threat not only to the people of Syria, but also to international security, However, as the April decision of the OPCW Conference of the States Parties reflects, and as High Representative Nakamitsu explained, Syria continues to flout its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013).”
2021-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8921 (2021) · source
“Chlorine attacks such as those, as I think everyone around this table knows, burn the skin of their victims and cause fluid to fill the lungs as though the victim is drowning in the open air. That forces us to consider for a moment the audacity of the Al-Assad regime — the repeated substantiated use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people, the retention of chemical weapons to conduct such attacks and the abject refusal to comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013), but all while steadfastly denying the clear truth and, instead, trying to portray itself as a victim. The United States sanctioned Tawfiq Muhammad Khadour, the commander of the 30th Brigade of the Syrian Air Force at Douma air base, for his role in those two attacks.”
2021-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8921 (2021) · source
“We have regretted Syria’s serious continuous and egregious disregard for calls from all of us and from the international community to cease the use of chemical weapons and fully disclose and verifiably eliminate its programme. However, I sometimes think that our message of condemnation and outrage, although it is consistent and clear, often gets lost in the details. What gets lost is highlighting the impact of the violations on human beings — those who are victimized by such weapons and the lives that are lost as a result. On 1 February 2018, the Al-Assad regime dropped chemical barrel bombs on its own people in the eastern Ghouta district of Damascus as part of a barbaric siege. On 7 April, that was followed by another attack, using at least two chlorine bombs, in which dozens of civilians were killed.”
2021-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8921 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her informative briefing, as always. Let me say up front that the United States appreciates her efforts and the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in dealing with this extremely important issue. Our Russian friend has thrown a lot of allegations and claims against the wall, many of which we have heard multiple times. I agree with our Russian friends that it is perhaps a good time to take stock. It has been eight years since the Security Council adopted resolution 2118 (2013), requiring the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme. In the years since that adoption, the Government of the United States and the majority of Council members have deeply regretted Syria’s failure to uphold its obligations.”
2021-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8921 (2021) · source
“In addition, it is important that all Member States rehabilitate and reintegrate, as appropriate, the associated family members of those who travelled to Iraq and Syria to join ISIS. As the Special Adviser can attest, UNITAD has provided valuable support to Member States, including the United States, to investigate and prosecute foreign terrorist fighters. In conclusion, through our strategic dialogue with Iraq, the United States has confirmed its commitment to supporting Iraq’s territorial integrity, stability and prosperity. Holding ISIS accountable for its atrocities and promoting justice for the victims of ISIS in Iraq is an important step in service of Iraq’s national reconciliation.”
2021-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8914 (2021) · source
“We encourage UNITAD to continue coordinating closely with the new Iraqi Government to build upon the good cooperation we saw in the past, as well to continue its engagement with Iraqi law enforcement and judicial entities, as well as civil society, including survivor groups, non-governmental organizations and religious authorities. The United States urges Iraq to adopt legislation that would provide a basis for the Iraqi Government to prosecute atrocity crimes, including those committed by ISIS. Such authority is essential to finalizing an arrangement for UNITAD to share evidence with competent Iraqi authorities in accordance with its terms of reference. The United States urges Member States — including Iraq — to repatriate and prosecute, as appropriate, their citizens who joined ISIS.”
2021-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8914 (2021) · source
“In addition, as we heard this morning, the investigation by UNITAD has produced evidence that, on the morning of 10 June 2014, ISIS forces attacked the Badush Central Prison near Mosul, which housed approximately 3,000 prisoners, and executed several hundred predominantly Shia prisoners. UNITAD’s investigation into that heinous crime is a critical step in the pursuit of justice for the families of the victims. UNITAD, we believe, is most effective when it works in lockstep with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government.”
2021-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8914 (2021) · source
“UNITAD is critical to that effort. We will continue to work with UNITAD to ensure that the evidence of the atrocities of ISIS is collected, processed and shared in order to investigate and prosecute those who are responsible for those atrocities, including foreign terrorist fighters, by national courts. To that end, we were encouraged to hear today from the Special Adviser of UNITAD’s success in supporting Iraqi authorities to convert documentary evidence into searchable digital files. With over 2 million documents already digitized, UNITAD is providing essential services to the people of Iraq and the international community in the pursuit of justice.”
2021-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8914 (2021) · source
“I welcome Special Adviser Ritscher to the Security Council. We are glad to have him here today in his new role as Special Adviser and Head of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD). His previous experience in his home country prosecuting alleged members of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) for genocide committed against the Yazidi community in Iraq is a very meaningful asset in our shared pursuit of justice for the thousands of victims of ISIS’s horrific campaign. I thank him for his briefing today. The United States determined in 2016 that ISIS was responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. The United States stands with victims in working to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
2021-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8914 (2021) · source
“United Nations reporting on the implementation of Council arms embargoes is another important tool to help identify areas in which the diversion of and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons fuel conflict. For that reason, the United States strongly supports the work of the expert panels of the Security Council’s panels of experts. Regular reporting by these panels is a critical component of the Security Council’s efforts to promote the implementation of United Nations arms embargoes. We encourage all Members to cooperate with these panels as they conduct their work.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“Resolution 2220 (2015) specifically addresses the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, including with respect to Council-mandated arms embargoes. The cross- cutting nature of this work is illustrated in resolution 2370 (2017), which addresses the need to prevent terrorist access to weapons. As is the case with the existing international instruments, the Council’s body of work is sufficient, in our view. The shortfall is in States’ national efforts to implement the terms of the relevant resolutions. Like many of these international instruments, arms embargoes are effective only when implemented by Member States. We encourage all Member States to ensure that they are fully implementing their obligations, pursuant to Security Council arms embargoes.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“At the seventh Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in July, numerous Member States and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs underscored the uneven implementation of these measures. That is discouraging, given the amount of time that has transpired since the Programme of Action was adopted in 2001 and the resources that the international community has devoted to this issue. Accordingly, the Security Council should continue to encourage Member States to implement these important tools to combat the diversion of and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“To help reduce the armed violence facilitated by illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons, all States should comprehensively implement the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and its International Tracing Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, as others today have mentioned. The United States remains committed to implementing these instruments and assisting others in doing so.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“In Ecuador in 2020 alone, United States assistance provided ammunition management training to Ecuador’s armed forces and supported the destruction of over 220,000 obsolete small weapons ammunition. Beyond our own efforts, the current framework of instruments at the global and regional levels offers a range of measures that, if fully and effectively implemented, would make significant contributions to international efforts to combat illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons. The challenge remains, however, improving this implementation.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“I would like to start by thanking our briefers. We appreciate Mexico’s efforts to call attention to the detrimental effects that the diversion of and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons can have on international peace and security. The United States remains deeply committed to the issue and believes that improving the management of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition stockpiles is a key tool in preventing diversion. The United States is the single largest provider of assistance to such efforts. For example, we have been working closely with the Niger since 2015. This partnership has constructed or rehabilitated 30 storage facilities, trained personnel in physical, security and stockpile management, and destroyed 15 metric tons of excess ordinance.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“We call on the transitional Government to publicize an election timetable to ensure inclusive and transparent processes in preparing for and holding free and fair elections, including the full, effective and meaningful participation of women and youth.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Democratic transitions will also allow many Governments to resume bilateral and regional support currently restricted because of military coups. In Mali, we support the leadership of ECOWAS on the political transition. We welcome the Security Council’s continued support for the decision by ECOWAS stating that the transitional Government in Mali is conditioned on holding presidential and legislative elections, as reaffirmed through the Security Council press statement agreed on 4 November (SC/14687). We also welcome the statement issued by the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on 7 November regarding the situations in Mali and Guinea. We are concerned that the transitional Government in Mali did not present a timetable to ECOWAS by the end of October, as it had committed to doing.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“MINUSMA’s principles, goals and exit strategy are not aligned with an offensive, counter- terrorism-mandated operation such as the Joint Force, nor should they be. The path to lasting stability also lies in pursuing justice and accountability for human rights violations and abuses through legitimate efforts to prevent and investigate such incidents. The G-5 Sahel Joint Force must fully implement its human rights and international humanitarian law compliance framework, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights needs the right resources to this end. Peaceful and timely transitions of power to democratically elected Governments in Mali and Chad are essential to long-term prosperity and stability in the region.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“The Joint Force is a coalition of security forces mandated to conduct counter-terrorism operations primarily within their own borders. It is not a multilateral force on foreign soil mandated as a peace operation. Our focus at the Security Council must remain squarely on political solutions and tying security responses to effective political strategies. Our collective efforts in the Sahel must go beyond a military response, as others have noted, and address problems with governance. We continue to support the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and its mission goals of supporting Malian authorities in holding elections on time, implementing the Algiers accord and protecting civilians.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“We ask partners to honour their pledges to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, as well as the individual militaries, and join us in finding ways to do more with key Sahelian partners. One of the main messages the Council took away from the trip to the region is that G-5 Sahel countries need increased international support. Specifically, the G-5 Sahel countries have requested help with education, health, addressing climate change and bilateral security assistance. We look forward to working with our fellow Council members to identify additional bilateral and non-United Nations multilateral options to fill the critical gaps. Let me be clear: the United States continues to believe that the United Nations — regardless of the mechanism — is not an appropriate vehicle to provide logistical support to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“The United States welcomes efforts aimed at supporting the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel), to advance stability and development in the region. We are committed to continuing our strong bilateral partnership with States members of the G-5 Sahel by providing equipment, training and advisory support for critical capability gaps. Reflecting this commitment, the United States has, since 2017, obligated more than $588 million to provide security assistance and other support for countering violent extremism to the five countries of the G-5 Sahel. We believe this assistance has helped to strengthen capacity and effectiveness while supporting efforts to address and protect human rights.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“On behalf of my delegation, I want to begin by thanking our fellow Council members — the Niger, Kenya and France — for organizing such a successful Security Council visit to Mali and the Niger. In Mali, most of us sent a strong message that elections must occur according to the time frame agreed upon by the transitional Government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with elections to be held on 27 February 2022, as previously announced. In the Niger, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the highest levels of leadership, including the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, and my delegation looks forward to meeting the President again under the Niger’s Security Council presidency next month.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Ambassador Baroud and Ms. Sinaré, for their briefings. It is especially important that the Security Council continues to hear from civil society representatives like Ms. Sinaré, so we thank her. Like other Council members, the United States is alarmed by rising violent extremism, intercommunal violence, the growing humanitarian needs and certain cases of democratic backsliding in the Sahel. The tragic attack in the Niger that killed 69 civilians only deepens that alarm. We join others in offering our condolences to the delegation of the Niger and to the families of those who lost loved ones in this horrific attack.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“With this renewal, the Council has ensured the continued support of MINUSCA for the Central African Republic through the protection of civilians, the strengthening of local institutions and the promotion of peace.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“We note that legally accurate humanitarian access clauses appear in our resolutions for the African Union Mission in Somalia, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and the United Nations Mission in Somalia, among other resolutions. We urge members to draw on those examples going forward. To be clear, the United States continues to strongly support humanitarian access in conflict areas, and we have backed language in numerous Council resolutions that demands that parties to a conflict provide safe, rapid and unhindered access to humanitarian aid. Allow me to conclude by underscoring that we strongly support the resolution.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“While we recognize that, in certain circumstances, States may have obligations related to humanitarian aid, there is no universal and unlimited international legal obligation on States or other parties to an armed conflict to allow and facilitate “safe, rapid and unhindered” humanitarian access. Therefore, the United States disagrees with the use of the phrase “in accordance with relevant provisions of international law”, contained in paragraph 52 of the resolution, where its placement suggests that safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access is required by international law, without exception.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“The United States is also disappointed that the resolution remains silent on the 1 November attack on a bus of unarmed, recently arrived Egyptian peacekeepers by members of the Presidential Guard. We urge the Central African Republic authorities to carry out a transparent and credible investigation to hold those responsible accountable and to counter disinformation regarding this incident. We emphasize that this incident highlights the urgent need to build trust and to improve operational and tactical coordination. Disinformation must stop. We must also clarify the United States position regarding humanitarian access.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“Numerous independent reports of the United Nations, the Panel of Experts of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali, investigative journalists and the Central African Republic Government itself have concluded that Russian-supported actors have committed crimes during combat operations. To that effect, we would like to call attention to the use of the phrase “all parties to the conflict” in the resolution, which in our view includes these Russian contractors. They must respect international humanitarian law and it is imperative that they respect the human rights of all Central Africans. We call on the Governments of both the Central African Republic and the Russian Federation to fully investigate abuses by Russian-supported actors and Central African soldiers and to hold those responsible accountable.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“This mandate reinforces the importance of respect for the status-of-forces agreement between the Central African Republic and MINUSCA and supports the crucial work of the Government’s special commission of inquiry to investigate human rights, abuses and violations. However, we must clarify the United States position regarding important issues on which the resolution is silent. I want to be clear — individuals supported by the Russian Federation and invited into the country by the Central African Republic Government stand accused of committing egregious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including those involving sexual violence, summary executions, torture and armed robbery.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“Let me begin by thanking France for its work is penholder. The United States voted in favour of resolution 2605 (2021) today because it reinforces the Council’s support for the critical work of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). It affirms the centrality of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic, recognizes the important contributions of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to the peace process in the Central African Republic, and endorses President Touadera’s 15 October unilateral ceasefire.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8902 (2021) · source
“We continue to have doubts that the United Nations, regardless of the mechanism, is an appropriate or effective vehicle through which to provide logistical support to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. We look forward to discussing the Secretary-General’s letter, requested pursuant to resolution 2584 (2021), on support options for the G-5 Joint Force, as well as to working with our fellow Council members to identify additional non-United Nations bilateral and multilateral options.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“We also emphasize the importance of domestic election observer groups as a critical tool for facilitating free and fair elections. The transitional Government must create conditions for stability and for addressing social grievances. That requires the full implementation of the Agreement. We welcome Algeria’s appointment of Boudjemaa Delmi as Chair of the Agreement Monitoring Committee. The United States also calls for the meaningful inclusion of women and women-led civil society organizations in the implementation of the Agreement. The United States welcomes efforts to support the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) to advance the peace, stability, development and security of the Sahel region.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“While we agree that governance and corruption issues lie at the heart of Mali’s insecurity, the reforms that the transitional Government initiates should either be completed within the agreed transition time frame or be turned over to an elected Government to continue. We also support the parameters outlined by ECOWAS and reflected in Mali’s Transition Charter that preclude the President and Prime Minister of the transitional Government from participating, under any circumstance, as candidates in the forthcoming presidential election. It is critical that the February 2022 elections be free and fair and administered transparently. We urge the transitional Government to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the elections, including ensuring that women are both on the ballot and registered to vote.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“As the Security Council, we continue to stand with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the Malian transitional Government to strictly adhere to the timetable for transitioning to a democratically elected Government and the holding of presidential elections on 27 February 2022. We also join ECOWAS in calling on the Mali transitional Government to release an election calendar, in line with the ECOWAS demands, and to make concrete progress towards organizing elections. That will help international partners to develop plans for supporting the elections.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“The United States is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Mali, as evidenced by the increasing audacity, frequency and severity of attacks against civilians, national security forces, international forces and MINUSMA. It is imperative that the protection of civilians remains a top priority for the transitional Government and for MINUSMA. Furthermore, the transitional Government must continue to take credible steps to combat impunity and to ensure that its citizens have a political channel through which to express their concerns.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“My delegation wants to join other Council members in thanking, Madam President, your Permanent Representative and the Permanent Representatives of France and other countries, as well as other United Nations colleagues, for organizing a successful visit to Mali and the Niger. I thank Special Representative Wane for his briefing today. I want to begin by praising his work and that of the brave peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in supporting the Malian transitional Government to implement the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, carry out elections and protect civilians.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“It is essential that MINURSO ground convoys, air assets and personnel enjoy guaranteed freedom of movement throughout the territory. In conclusion, the United States hopes that today marks a step forward towards a political solution that can deliver concrete results for the people of Western Sahara. Whether that proves to be the case is ultimately up to the parties themselves, but all Council members have an obligation to encourage active and constructive dialogue, as reflected in resolution 2602 (2021), adopted just now.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8890 (2021) · source
“In support of the Personal Envoy, the United States will continue to consult privately about how best to achieve a realistic, practicable, enduring and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict based on compromise. That political solution is vital to promote a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the region. We continue to view Morocco’s autonomy plan as serious, credible and realistic — and one potential approach to satisfy those aspirations. In renewing MINURSO’s mandate, the Council recognizes the daily work of peacekeepers to fulfil the Mission’s mandate in monitoring the situation, de-escalating tensions and conducting dangerous mine-clearance operations. We urge the parties to fully cooperate with Special Representative Ivanko and the entire MINURSO Mission.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8890 (2021) · source
“We call on the parties themselves to demonstrate their commitment to peace by engaging in the political process without preconditions and in good faith and by taking steps to de-escalate tensions and cease hostilities. The United States intends to do everything in its power to help Mr. De Mistura and the political process he now leads to succeed. We urge the parties, neighbouring States and international partners, including the entire Council, to engage constructively and in good faith with him. The appointment of a new Personal Envoy presents an overdue opportunity to revitalize the United Nations-led political process and for the parties to turn a corner on the path to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8890 (2021) · source
“The United States commends the Security Council for reaffirming its support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and warmly welcoming the Secretary-General’s recent appointment of Staffan de Mistura as his new Personal Envoy for Western Sahara with the adoption of resolution 2602 (2021). We regret that not all members of the Council could unite in support of renewing the mandate today. We believe that the Council is stronger when it is united and that such unity greatly enhances the efforts of the United Nations to achieve peace. We look forward to working with all members of the Council to support the parties in finding lasting peace.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8890 (2021) · source
“In surveys, refugees continue to emphasize that the conditions in Syria are not suitable for safe and dignified returns and that the Syrian regime’s policies — the arbitrary detentions, the torture, the forced disappearances, the mandatory conscriptions, the seizure and destruction of private property, the tolerance of militias — all of that constitutes major barriers to return. The United States urges all Member States to continue to protect Syrian refugees. We see all efforts to press their return at this point as being premature. We pledge to maintain our support to those Member States in meeting the needs of refugees and host communities.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“While many Syrian refugees hold out hope that they will return to their country, no one should pressure them to risk their lives or those of their loved ones to do so. That is precisely what is at stake. We are deeply disturbed by reports from Amnesty International and from Human Rights Watch documenting horrific abuses of individuals who have returned to Syria, including killings, torture, sexual violence and forced disappearances carried out by the Al-Assad regime and affiliated militias. Those reports are entirely consistent with information that the Council has received over the past years. It is therefore no surprise that voluntary returns of refugees to Syria are at their lowest level since at least 2016, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“The COVID-19 situation also underscores the vital importance of the cross-border humanitarian mechanism through which COVID-19 vaccines and other life-saving supplies, including bottled oxygen, are able to reach the people of Idlib. As Under-Secretary- General Griffiths has told us, the needs in Syria are rising, so we must seize every opportunity to help those affected. We support all modalities for aid delivery, and we encourage the Council to identify ways to expand aid access across the country. We also want to take this opportunity to reiterate the United States’ deep appreciation to all States that are hosting Syrian refugees, particularly Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“We, too, are alarmed by the latest wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Syria. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in the north-east, the north-west and in regime-held territories. Fuelling that problem is the fact that, as we heard, Syria’s vaccine coverage is among the lowest in the world, with less than 2 per cent of all Syrians being fully vaccinated. The United States has taken steps to help mitigate this latest COVID outbreak. On 25 September, United States Agency for International Development Administrator Power announced that the United States would be providing more than $108 million in health assistance for Syria.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“As Secretary of State Blinken said on 13 October, the United States Government will neither normalize relations with the Al-Assad regime nor we will support efforts to do so until we see irreversible progress towards a political solution. Let me address the issue of sanctions. United States sanctions are targeted at the Al-Assad regime and those who have perpetrated this conflict. The United States is committed to working with parties to ensure that sanctions do not impede humanitarian and early- recovery efforts. On 18 October United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the United States would continue to seek ways to tailor sanctions to mitigate unintended economic, humanitarian and political impacts on non-targeted populations abroad, including the civilian population of Syria.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“The recent increase in violence across Syria, including the attacks in Damascus and in Ariha on 20 October, which we heard mentioned, only underscored the imperative for a nationwide ceasefire. That remains an essential element of resolution 2254 (2015). We urge the Special Envoy to continue to push for progress on all aspects of the resolution. We very much welcome the attention and focus he has given to achieving the release of the tens of thousands of Syrians who are reportedly still arbitrarily detained inside Syria. Resolution 2254 (2015) remains the only internationally agreed path to a peaceful solution to the conflict.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General Griffiths and, especially, Ms. Albarouki for their input into our meeting today. The United States deeply appreciates the tireless efforts of Special Envoy Pedersen and those of his team to convene the sixth session of the Constitutional Committee. However, we also share his frustration and assessment that the results were disappointing. This most recent round, which started with such promise, ended as one more missed opportunity by the regime to show its sincere commitment to the Committee’s work. We will continue to urge all parties to participate in good faith in the Constitutional Committee process and to change their unproductive behaviour so that the Committee can open doors for other aspects of the political process.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8888 (2021) · source
“I also want to commend UNISFA for its work to improve living conditions in the communities that are gravely impacted by a lack of access to water, sanitation, basic public health, food and Government services. UNISFA’s efforts to facilitate conditions for several humanitarian organizations has helped to provide life-saving assistance to more than 100,000 vulnerable people. Meanwhile, women’s participation is gradually increasing in political spaces in Abyei thanks to UNISFA’s efforts. Let me end by saying that the United States remains committed to cooperating closely with the Governments and the people of the region, our fellow Council members and all stakeholders to deepen the prospects for peace, security and prosperity in the Sudan and South Sudan.”
2021-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8887 (2021) · source