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

“We cannot let the irresponsible and unrestrained actions of mercenaries imperil that progress. The United States will continue to support accountability for those who commit human rights abuses and violations. The people of the Central African Republic deserve justice. Let me conclude by saying that we congratulate the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Mr. Henri-Marie Dondra. The United States looks forward to further strengthening its bilateral partnership with the Central African Republic, and we hope that the new Government will bring renewed energy to fully implementing the 2019 peace agreement. It is essential that the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic be brought to an end in a peaceful manner, with the full implementation of the peace agreement and inclusive political dialogue.”
2021-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8802 (2021) · source
“We call on the Government of the Central African Republic to ensure that all security actors operating on its territory respect the SOFA and the authority of the mission. We reiterate the need for all security actors in the country to respect human rights and comply with international humanitarian law. It is critical that everyone focus on credible security sector reform, fully coordinated with MINUSCA and other security partners, rather than undermining those reform efforts and fuelling the conflict in the Central African Republic. The Council must speak with one voice against abuses and actions that destabilize the Central African Republic and risk the lives of civilians. MINUSCA has made tangible gains in supporting the Central African Republic on its path to peace and stability.”
2021-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8802 (2021) · source
“Such life-threatening actions interfere with MINUSCA’s ability to conduct its daily operations. They endanger peacekeepers and civilians and they prevent humanitarian actors from delivering assistance. Those types of abuses undermine stability and security in the Central African Republic, and they threaten to derail the fragile peace that Central Africans have been working to realize since 2013. We call on all Member States to support MINUSCA and the peacekeepers whom we have sent into harm’s way. The United States reminds the Government of the Central African Republic that it is responsible for the safety and security of United Nations personnel serving in the Central African Republic and for upholding the status-of-forces agreement (SOFA).”
2021-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8802 (2021) · source
“Furthermore, the Secretary-General’s report marked an alarmingly sharp increase in abuses committed by national and bilateral personnel. I think we need to be clear about these bilateral personnel. The individuals committing what many are now referring to as atrocities are not independent actors. They are operating as a direct extension of Russia’s Ministry of Defence. We remain deeply disturbed that a member of the Security Council has failed to take action to prevent its mercenaries from impeding MINUSCA’s freedom of movement on a daily basis. We condemn — as other speakers have — the appalling incident in which those bilateral Russian actors threatened the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and a United Nations delegation that was on a humanitarian mission to Bang on 28 May.”
2021-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8802 (2021) · source
“The United States condemns all attacks against peacekeepers in the strongest terms, and we again stress that those attacks may constitute war crimes under international law. As we have heard today, there are a growing number of reports of human rights violations and abuses, especially those appearing to target members of the Muslim community. The United States is deeply concerned by those reports. We are troubled as well by continued reports of the commission by the armed forces of the Central African Republic and Russian instructors of violations of international humanitarian law and the United Nations arms embargo. In his report (S/2021/571), the Secretary-General notes a 28 per cent increase in incidents of human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law over the past four months.”
2021-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8802 (2021) · source
“I thank all our briefers, whose reports today, I think, have painted a clear image of the current challenges in the Central African Republic. I also want to thank, on behalf of my delegation, President Lourenço for being at this meeting today and sharing his views and updates on the situation. And I thank especially Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ndiaye for the important contributions that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is making every day to save lives. I want to begin by expressing the deep appreciation of the United States to all the troop- and police-contributing countries and civilian staff, whose presence on the ground in the Central African Republic is so, so critical.”
2021-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8802 (2021) · source
“The adoption of this Conference of States Parties decision — which was overwhelmingly supported by nearly 90 nations around the world and opposed by only 15 — sends the clear and unequivocal message that the use of chemical weapons has consequences. As we made clear at the Council’s last meeting on this subject (S/2021/446), no amount of disinformation espoused by Syria and its very small number of supporters can negate or diminish the credibility of the evidence that has been presented to us by the OPCW. The Al-Assad regime must comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013).”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8785 (2021) · source
“Without accountability for the atrocities committed against the Syrian people, lasting peace in Syria will remain out of reach. The United States once again calls for justice and accountability as critical components to help move Syria towards a political resolution to the conflict. The United States welcomes the 21 April decision of the OPCW’s Conference of the States Parties, which condemned, as we heard, Syria’s use of chemical weapons and suspended its rights and its privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention. This decision — the first time that the Conference of States Parties has taken such action — is in direct response to the Al-Assad regime’s repeated use and possession of chemical weapons and its failure to complete the measures set out in the OPCW Executive Council’s July 2020 decision.”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8785 (2021) · source
“The Al-Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people is well documented. The IIT has now attributed four separate chemical weapons attacks in Syria to the Al-Assad regime. These incidents are in addition to the four chemical weapons attacks attributed to the Al-Assad regime by the former OPCW- United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism. The United States concurs with the OPCW’s conclusions cited in this most recent report (see S/2021/415). Despite the OPCW’s efforts to encourage and assist Syria to adhere to its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013), the Al-Assad regime — supported by Russia — continues to ignore calls from the international community to fully disclose and verifiably destroy its chemical weapons programme.”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8785 (2021) · source
“The United States, along with an overwhelming number of responsible nations, will continue to support the work of the OPCW in carrying out its critical mandate against the backdrop of the continued threat of chemical weapons use. Let us be clear — the Al-Assad regime is responsible for innumerable atrocities, some of which rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity. As the Security Council was briefed just this past April (see S/2021/337), the OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) released its second report. This report concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian Arab Air Force used a chemical weapon in Saraqib, Syria, in February 2018. This act imposed deliberate and unconscionable suffering on Syrian victims.”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8785 (2021) · source
“I thank the High Representative for her briefing today, and the United States welcomes the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, to today’s discussion. We thank him for his thorough presentation. And let me just say that the United States remains grateful for his commitment and leadership at the OPCW in upholding the norm against the use of chemical weapons. We also want to thank the courageous men and woman who carry out the impartial and independent work of the OPCW, often doing so — as the Director- General has indicated — in dangerous and difficult conditions. Their service and professionalism should never be taken for granted.”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8785 (2021) · source
“The United States understands that phrase to refer only to the six specific violations identified by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and armed conflict, and it accepted the language in resolution 2579 (2021) on that basis.”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8784 (2021) · source
“The United States welcomes the adoption of the renewed mandate for the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS). We are grateful for the tenacity of the United Kingdom in getting the Security Council to consensus, and to the Sudan for its support of the Council’s efforts. As we have previously indicated, the United States believes that UNITAMS is crucial to support the political transition and the peace process, assist in peacebuilding and provide critical assistance for security sector reform, police training, the rule of law and inclusive civilian governance. The United States would like to clarify one issue. The tenth preambular paragraph refers to “grave violations against children”.”
2021-06-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8784 (2021) · source
“Addressing the threat from Al-Shabaab is an urgent problem, not just for Somalia but for the entire subregion, and one that is predicated on a stable political situation. Last month, the United States announced $154 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the life-threatening challenges that result from chronic food insecurity, violence, desert locusts and the cycles of drought and flooding. We remain committed to the Somali people, to supporting their aspirations to a peaceful and prosperous future and to addressing their urgent humanitarian needs.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8779 (2021) · source
“We continue to call, however, on all the political parties participating in the talks, and all the parties, to set aside their narrow, personal political agendas, do what is right for Somalia and finalize an agreement that can be implemented as soon as possible. The United States remains prepared to take actions against individuals who we assess are obstructing agreement or otherwise threatening Somalia’s peace and security. Moving forward with elections and political dialogue is essential to focusing on the pressing needs of Somalia’s people and countering the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. As we heard, we are already seeing evidence that Al-Shabaab has taken advantage of the political turmoil in Mogadishu for its own ends and its own benefits.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8779 (2021) · source
“We commend Prime Minister Roble and his efforts to organize the discussions that are under way in Mogadishu, and we welcome President Farmajo’s announcement that the Prime Minister will oversee the implementation of election planning, including election security. Prime Minister Roble must be given the latitude and the authority to deliver on the elections without any interference. We therefore welcome the talks in Mogadishu, and we are encouraged by the reports we have heard just this morning on the status of those talks and the progress being made. What we have heard this morning is certainly the best international news I have heard over the last several days, so we hope it continues.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8779 (2021) · source
“As we have just heard from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Somalia’s stability was threatened and the country pushed to the verge of conflict because of clashes between Government forces and opposition-affiliated militia that resulted from the 12 April mandate extension bill, which was passed by the Lower House of the Somali Parliament and signed by President Farmajo. We, like many others represented here, therefore welcomed the decision of President Farmajo to rescind this deeply decisive action, which the Parliament joined in, and to resume negotiations with the federal member states on the basis of the September 2020 agreement.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8779 (2021) · source
“Let me join others in thanking our briefers this morning for their insightful reports. I also want to thank the Foreign Minister of Somalia for joining us this morning and sharing his update. As we have stated repeatedly before the Council, Somalia’s holding of a peaceful, transparent, inclusive and timely electoral process — agreed to on the basis of consensus — is vital if the country is going to resume progress on critical State-building reforms and stabilization efforts. In just the last few weeks, we have seen the risks associated with actions that are undertaken without broad consent among critical stakeholders in Somali.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8779 (2021) · source
“Although my delegation is still digesting the content, we welcome the focus on the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region and the high-level shuttle diplomacy by the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa to engage in the search for political solutions to resolve the conflict. We also encourage giving more attention to responsible and conflict-free mineral supply chains as part of a holistic approach to addressing and preventing violence.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“We also urge MONUSCO to begin transitioning programmatic tasks to the United Nations country team and the Congolese Government, which would allow the Mission to focus on the difficult tasks of stabilization, DDR and SSR that will pave the way to sustainable peace. Finally, given the important role the region has to play in reaching sustainable peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we welcome last week’s sharing of the United Nations strategy for the Great Lakes subregion.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“With that in mind, the United States welcomes the joint strategy between the United Nations and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its timeline for MONUSCO’s exit from the Kasais and Tanganyika. We are encouraged to see the integrated transition task force for the Kasais and the joint United Nations justice reform support programme. But at the same time, we were disappointed not to see more progress towards the objectives detailed in last year’s MONUSCO resolution, or more specific benchmarks in this year’s recommendations. We hope to see the future development of more specific and measurable indicators and timelines for lasting peace and security in the Kivus and Ituri.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“Thirty ADF attacks killed more than 170 civilians in the last three months alone. We urge the United Nations to move forward with a nearly year- long delay in implementing the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) enhancements that were mandated in last year’s MONUSCO resolution (resolution 2502 (2019)). Congolese civilians have suffered the most from these delays. We expect FIB enhancements to be implemented immediately, and we welcome the United Nations commitment to the United Nations Peacekeeping Capabilities Readiness System for strategic force generation, including the prioritization of units at the rapid-deployment levels of readiness. Progress on these two priorities, we believe, is essential to achieve lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as for MONUSCO’s responsible drawdown and transition.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“Those responsible for abuses and violations of human rights must be held accountable, including at the commander level. The consequences of these delays are felt, for example, in South Kivu, when stalled DDR efforts resulted in armed group leaders returning to fighting, and in Ituri, where the Force de résistance patriotique de l’Ituri poses an increasing risk. We also hope to see progress in the development of a national security sector reform strategy and a significant decrease in human rights violations committed by Congolese security services. This is especially important as the United Nations reports a worrisome deterioration of the security situation in North and South Kivu. The United Nations is deeply concerned by the recent increase in attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“Looking forward, the United States is focused on three key areas of the Council’s work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: first, the need for more progress on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR); secondly, the full implementation of reforms to improve peacekeeping performance; and, thirdly, strategic planning for MONUSCO’s responsible drawdown and transition. As we just heard from our Vietnamese counterpart, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector reform are essential for lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We support President Tshilombo Tshisekedi’s commitment to community reintegration for former combatants, but we have not yet seen a national DDR framework.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“I thank Special Representative Zerrougui for her briefing today. As the Security Council takes stock of the past year and prepares to renew the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United States is impressed by the progress that the Congolese Government has made, including the end of two Ebola outbreaks, the conviction of a former Nduma défense du Congo warlord and judicial reform, with the appointment of more women to senior positions in the Congolese judiciary.”
2020-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8778 (2020) · source
“We agree. This is a tremendous step forward for the Sudan and a recognition of the clear progress made on the ground. We hope that progress in the region continues and the parties come together to provide the people of Abyei the opportunity to live free from violence.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“In my delegation’s view, the mission’s indefinite continuation, especially while the Sudan and South Sudan place restrictions on its operations and staffing, is untenable. In the near term, the AU and the United Nations should strengthen their support in order to develop administrative and security arrangements for Abyei. They should also encourage the parties to support local communities to engage in meaningful dialogue. Regular meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism should inform that process. In conclusion, let me state that the United States will continue to support stability in the Sudan, South Sudan and the greater Horn of Africa. I was pleased to hear Special Envoy Onanga-Anyanga mention President Trump’s recently announced decision to remove the Sudan from the United States State Sponsors of Terrorism list.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“A transition from UNISFA will need to prioritize the safety and security of civilians and support communities to achieve a more peaceful coexistence. The concerns of women must be at the forefront of such efforts. South Sudan and the Sudan should look to build on UNISFA’s leadership in promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes, which, as many of us know, recently led to community leaders nominating women for positions in the local administration. Those are important steps if we are to build a durable peace in the region. UNISFA was created as an interim force. Almost 10 years later, the Council, the Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, the United Nations and the African Union (AU) should all re-evaluate how Abyei’s status can be resolved and how security can be provided.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“Denying access to Athony airstrip also poses a risk to peacekeeping, as it hinders medical- and casualty- evacuation capabilities. Those restrictions together are undermining stability in Abyei and endangering both civilians and peacekeepers. We look forward to working together with our fellow delegations to renew UNISFA’s mandate. While the mission’s presence should continue, given the warming relations between the Sudan and South Sudan, we believe that now is the time to consider a future in Abyei that does not require an international peacekeeping operation — either because there is a final resolution or because the parties themselves develop joint security and administrative mechanisms on their own.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“The United States calls for the Sudan and South Sudan to lift restrictions that negatively impact UNISFA’s ability to carry out its mandate. Denying visas for United Nations police and a civilian deputy for the mission, blocking UNISFA’s access to the Athony airstrip and refusing to provide national police to join Abyei’s joint police service is simply counterproductive. We very much regret the limited progress on those issues and expect additional steps to be undertaken by the parties in the coming weeks in that regard. The Under-Secretary-General just reported to us that, out of a total of 640 mandated United Nations police officers for UNISFA, only 35 officers are present, due to delays by the Sudan in granting visas. The lack of police is causing community policing sites to close.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“The United States commends South Sudan for its role in mediating the negotiations that led to the agreement. Now the Sudan and South Sudan should maintain that positive momentum and turn their attention to resolving the political status of Abyei and agreeing to security and administrative arrangements that can be implemented in the near future. Security in Abyei remains fragile. We have previously stated, in the Council, that the people of Abyei deserve better. That remains true today. We commend the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the most remote peacekeeping mission in the world, for supporting stability and security in Abyei and along the border between the Sudan and South Sudan. We also want to recognize Ethiopia’s leadership role in supporting UNISFA.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“I thank you, Madam President, for that warm welcome. I am pleased to be here with my colleagues today. As the new Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations, I am very pleased that my first appearance in the Council is on this very important topic — the situation along the Sudan/South Sudan border. Let me thank Under- Secretary-General Lacroix and Special Envoy Onanga- Anyanga for your briefings and for all your efforts to date. In recent years, we have seen a dramatic improvement in relations between South Sudan and the Sudan, as we have just heard. The signing of the Juba peace agreement, on 3 October, was a significant milestone, and we believe that, if implemented, it can help stabilize not only the Sudan but the entire region.”
2020-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8772 (2020) · source
“In conclusion, let me assure the Council of Jamaica's unswerving commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security, and to upholding international law in pursuit of that common objective.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“To that end, we would propose that the adoption of draft resolutions imposing new sanctions also continue to coincide with the organization of briefings of Member States, as well as the possible publication of more user-friendly information on the main features of the proposed sanctions regime. We believe that would increase the chances for better awareness among national stakeholders of the importance of compliance and their appreciation ofit. The prospects for assistance to Member States to support implementation should remain a viable option, and would necessitate the provision of the requisite resources for that to be undertaken in a sustained manner.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“We would therefore join those who argue, for example, for a greater use by the Council of the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice in the course of its deliberations. Creating more strategic partnerships with regional organizations could also prove useful. My delegation's argument for greater reliance on measures in Chapter VI of the Charter is not advocated in a vacuum or to the complete exclusion of those provided for under Chapter VII. We must, however, continue to find a way to ensure that sanctions achieve their intended objectives and, given their legally binding nature, are fully respected by Member States.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Although it is accepted that many disputes arise from bilateral disagreements, it should be incumbent on the parties involved to explore all available prospects for peaceful resolution, and for the United Nations to be able to play a part in facilitating that solution, particularly in the face of protracted disagreements for which all reasonable approaches have not been fully exploited. My delegation remains convinced that combined action at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels remains the best course of action for conflict resolution, and that the Council should be prepared to engage on all fronts before resorting to Chapter VII mechanisms or to individually undertaking unilateral action.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Such an approach is necessary in the face of traditional as well as new and emerging threats to international peace and security, which are being fuelled by a myriad social, economic and political factors that provide a breeding ground for discontent, conflict and strife. Thirdly, innovative and creative approaches are effective insofar as they are grounded in the legality of the action that they purport. We must, at a minimum, put a greater premium on reliance on the tools that we already have at our disposal, including those provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“As the main organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, it is critical that the Council be able to meaningfully, effectively and convincingly respond to threats to international peace and security. Consequently, clear and decisive action has to be taken in that regard. Security Council reform must be pursued as a matter of urgency if real progress is to be realized. Secondly, ensuring respect for international obligations has to be promoted as part of a larger agenda that takes account of action being undertaken at the national level. Efforts to promote peacebuilding and sustaining peace through a concentrated focus not only on conflict resolution but also on conflict prevention will be essential.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Jamaica would like to congratulate you, Madam President, and Poland on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. We welcome this opportunity to participate in this open debate, which is both timely and relevant. Our thanks also go to the Secretary-General, the former President of the International Court of Justice and the President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals for their remarks. The concept note prepared for this debate (S/2018/417/Rev.1, annex) provides very pointed questions to guide our collective reflection on how best to ensure that the tenets of international law are not only upheld but also fully respected by all Member States. My delegation believes, however, that reform of the Security Council must be at the core of our discourse.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source