YouSaid · the spoken record

Mlynár

lines on the record: 227
first: 2006-07-13
most recent: 2023-03-16
sittings or episodes: 34
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In addition to Member State support for the programme of action, Member States should also officially establish and resource the standing capacity on security sector reform and governance, from either the regular budget or the peacekeeping support account. The rest of our joint statement will be delivered by my colleague, Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa.”
2023-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9285 (2023) · source
“I encourage all Member States to consider making financial contributions to this important work of the Secretariat. With the adoption of resolution 2553 (2020), through which Member States strengthened their commitment to security sector reform and the priorities set out by the Secretary-General, the expectations and tasks for United Nations assistance have significantly expanded, but sufficient resources have not yet been made available. I echo Assistant Secretary-General Zouev’s remarks in that regard and reaffirm that mandates given without the funding for implementation undermine the credibility of the United Nations and undercut our support for the people we serve.”
2023-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9285 (2023) · source
“The programme of action carries those most critical initiatives that the United Nations, Member States and partners are required to undertake if they are to generate impact at the country level, including on emerging security challenges, such as climate change, peace agreements, public expenditure reviews, national security planning, gender and youth, and through the newly established standing capacity on security sector reform and governance, based in Brindisi. I find it particularly relevant that this briefing is taking place shortly after the recent Security Council mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as has been mentioned by many Council members. From a national perspective, I am happy to announce that Slovakia will be making its second financial contribution to the programme of action.”
2023-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9285 (2023) · source
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to engage with the Security Council and very much look forward to further cooperation with Council members, as well as with all other interested Member States. For the first time, the United Nations has developed a coherent implementation framework for the work of the Organization on security sector reform (SSR). We congratulate the inter-agency SSR task force for the programme of action for SSR, which plans concrete actions flowing from resolution 2553 (2020) and the 18 recommendations set out by the Secretary-General in his report.”
2023-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9285 (2023) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): I would first of all like to thank you, Mr. President, and your country for organizing this important briefing, which provides a great opportunity for various actors to share their views on the implementation of resolution 2553 (2020), as well as on the Secretary-General’s report (S/2022/280) on strengthening the United Nations approach to security sector reform. I would also like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Zouev for his efforts and for his informative briefing, as well as the Commissioner of the African Union. I am pleased to start with the first part of the joint statement by the co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform.”
2023-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9285 (2023) · source
“The so-called referendums in the occupied regions took place during an active armed conflict in areas under Russian occupation, and they cannot be called a true expression of the will of the people. Slovakia will never recognize those territories as anything but a part of Ukraine. Last week, the voice of the United Nations was crystal clear. We received many questions from our citizens, the media and young people, and the message needs to be made clear. We therefore urge the Russian Federation to fully implement the General Assembly resolution of 12 October (resolution ES-11/4) without further delay. That is the least that we can do for the people of Ukraine, for those suffering and for the future of our planet.”
2022-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9161 (2022) · source
“In that context, we of course fully support the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and safe passage for agricultural deliveries and shipping from Ukrainian ports, and we hope that that will be done. Unfortunately, no one can predict when this senseless war will end, and we want that to be as soon as possible. But those who believe that, by reaching a truce and silencing the guns, everything will be over are wrong. The perpetrators of heinous attacks, such as those in Bucha, Kramatorsk and, quite recently, Izyum, cannot remain unpunished and must, and will, be brought to justice. Slovakia recognizes Ukraine as an independent, sovereign State with unquestionable territorial integrity. All acts associated with the forcible acquisition of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation are null, void and illegitimate.”
2022-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9161 (2022) · source
“In recent days, we witnessed a slew of attacks by missiles and Iranian drones, targeting cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Vinnytsia and Ivano-Frankivsk in central Ukraine, Zaporizhzhya in the south and the Kharkiv and Sumy regions in the east, among others. We are particularly concerned about the attacks on energy infrastructure having an impact on people’s access to water and heat, which is particularly disturbing with regard to the coming winter. We are deeply concerned about the serious effects of the Russian invasion on global food security. As we know, millions of people around the world are being pushed into extreme poverty, hunger and lack of access to food.”
2022-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9161 (2022) · source
“We remain appalled by the huge number of killings of innocent civilians, the attacks on critical infrastructure and the huge scale of sexual and gender- based violence committed by Russian soldiers and occupiers. The thousands of people killed, the hundreds of schools destroyed or damaged, with negative impacts on children whose fundamental right to education has been undermined, as well as the attacks on medical facilities, are only a short list of the consequences of the madness caused by Putin’s senseless decision to begin the war. It is obvious that the Russian Federation does not understand the saying “enough is enough”, which the Secretary-General recently used in this context.”
2022-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9161 (2022) · source
“As a neighbouring country of Ukraine, Slovakia remains gravely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which is the focus of our discussion today, and rightly so. If there is one thing that should never escape our attention, it is the people who are suffering from this senseless war, who need to be heard and whose situation must be addressed. Unfortunately, as we have heard, the situation continues to deteriorate — and that should not go unnoticed. Older persons, persons with disabilities and others belonging to marginalized groups and minorities are also affected by the consequences of the war. They face major trauma and are even more likely to become victims of devastating violations of their rights.”
2022-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9161 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): Slovakia strongly condemns the ongoing unprovoked and unjustified Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which is a clear sign of a serious violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the rules-based international order. We thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s meeting. It is important to continue focusing on the situation in Ukraine. The fact that the Council has to date failed to take decisive action on the crisis and the war should not stop us from focusing on what is going on. In that context, I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Brown for their informative and important briefings.”
2022-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9161 (2022) · source
“In that regard and in conclusion, we are deeply concerned about the deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan, as is also pointed out in the Secretary- General’s report. The situation of Afghan women and girls is particularly alarming. Their right to education and work is now at stake. Overall, they are facing a highly uncertain future, which is a problem that deserves our continued and urgent attention.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The war has resulted in unprecedented suffering for women and girls, including due to their mass displacement, which means that they face risks of human trafficking and sexual and gender- based violence. And we have seen how real and horrific those risks are. Attacks on education, and using schools for military purposes, are serious impediments to the education of women and girls, and that ultimately limits their participation in social, political and economic life. We would like to take this opportunity to express our support for the Safe Schools Declaration and encourage all States to endorse it in order to create a clear link between the protection of schools from attacks and military use and women’s security and participation in all forms of decision-making processes.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Women now make up 13 per cent of deployed personnel in that mission, which is more than the target of 9 per cent set for 2022. Of course, we realize that this is not merely a statistical exercise. We are also looking at the structural issues related to the deployment of capable and experienced women. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his recent report (S/2022/740) and commend his commitment and leadership, and not just in relation to the women and peace and security agenda. While taking note of the conclusions and recommendations of the report, which should be duly reflected in our future action, we would expect a greater focus on the situation in Ukraine, owing to Russia’s ongoing unprovoked and unjustified war on that country.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Gender- sensitive security-sector reform is key to developing security-sector institutions that are non-discriminatory, representative of the population and capable of responding effectively to the specific security needs of diverse groups, thereby playing a crucial role in prevention. That is also a governance issue that should be highlighted in that particular context. Advocating for women leaders in conflict is crucial to adequately addressing the complexity and diversity of crises and the peace and security agenda in general. In that regard, Slovakia continues in its effort to increase the number of women deployed to missions such as the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, in which we have proudly served and played a key role for many years.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“It is also instrumental to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 5 and 16, which recognize gender equality, as well as peace, justice and strong institutions as global development priorities. As a co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform, Slovakia would like to point to resolution 2151 (2014), on security-sector reform, which underscores the importance of women’s equal, meaningful and effective participation and full involvement in the security sector in order to build inclusive, accountable and legitimate institutions that protect populations more efficiently and promote lasting peace and sustainable development.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General and the Executive Director of UN-Women for their insightful briefings earlier today. Slovakia reiterates its appreciation for resolution 2594 (2021) on United Nations peacekeeping mission transitions, which was unanimously adopted in September 2021, which underlines the need to include engagement with the local community and civil society, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities. Slovakia considers prevention to be the cornerstone of all United Nations efforts aimed at peacebuilding and sustaining peace. The women and peace and security agenda, together with the goals of inclusivity and gender equality, definitely fits into the broader prevention agenda promoted by the Secretary-General.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): Slovakia aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the representative of the European Union. I would like to start by thanking you, Madam President, for organizing today’s important debate on women and peace and security, with a focus on strengthening women’s resilience and leadership. We consider it important to increase our joint efforts to ensure gender equality as a path to sustainable peace, although current challenges indicate that we are unfortunately moving in the opposite direction. It is therefore crucial that the Security Council continue to address various aspects of conflicts within the framework of these thematic debates. Today’s debate also contributes to a systematic advancement of the women and peace and security agenda in the work and decision-making of the Security Council.”
2022-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9158Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Slovakia strongly supports the equal and full participation of women in all efforts to create and maintain international peace and security and calls for the full implementation of all the relevant Security Council resolutions addressing this issue.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We highly commend the Secretary-General’s leadership in this area, including the Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative, which has provided a road map for our collective efforts. We welcome the increased engagement of the Department of Peace Operations in countering disinformation, along with the commitment of the Secretary-General and the Department of Global Communications to countering factors that pose various especially worrisome challenges, such as the intentional targeting through information manipulation by malign actors. We also recognize the essential role that strategic communications play in promoting the protection of civilians and the advancement of the women and peace and security agenda.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Strategic communications help manage the expectations of relevant stakeholders, particularly local communities and host Governments, and address misinformation that undermines the credibility of such missions. Close coordination among local and international partners and enhanced strategic communications vis-à-vis the local population and international media are particularly essential to exposing and denouncing infringements of international norms by other actors. Strategic communications are also crucial to maintaining situational awareness, which requires an ability to feel the pulse of local communities and can have a significant impact on the whole peacekeeping process.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Slovakia is supportive of the robust and comprehensive approach of the United Nations in ensuring that complicated political processes are continued, stability is maintained and civilians are protected. In the past two decades the scope and intensity of conflicts have changed dramatically, peacekeeping operations have faced increasing challenges, and traditional and non-traditional security factors have posed serious threats to the safety and security of peacekeepers. One of the factors in this rapidly changing landscape is strategic communications, which are critical to securing the political and public support that United Nations peacekeeping missions need to effectively implement their mandates and create a safe operating environment for peacekeepers.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): Let me thank you, Mr. President, for convening a discussion on this subject. I would also like to thank the briefers for their insightful remarks. United Nations peacekeeping operations are a crucial factor in upholding a level of peace and stability in some of the world’s most difficult violent conflicts, often deployed in unwelcoming environments and tasked with a complex set of responsibilities. I would like to use this opportunity to pay tribute to every man and woman for their sacrifice in the service of peace. In difficult circumstances, the United Nations peacekeeping operations have a special role to play in support of local communities.”
2022-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9090Resumption1 (2022) · source
“And we joined other States in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court. Slovakia also supports other initiatives aimed at finding facts and investigating international crimes and human rights violations in Ukraine, as well as proper coordination among all of them. We have been steady in our firm stance against the culture of impunity for such crimes in Ukraine, as well as in other parts of the world, no matter by whom they are perpetrated, and we will remain firm in that regard. Last but not least, allow me to reiterate our calls for an immediate cessation of Russian military activities in Ukraine and the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian troops from the whole territory of Ukraine. The meeting rose at 12.45 p.m.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“As a neighbouring country that has accepted hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine, among whom are potential witnesses and victims of atrocities, Slovakia has therefore contributed actively and in the best possible spirit to efforts to properly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the crimes committed in Ukraine at the national, bilateral and regional levels, as well as at the international level. Just to provide a few brief examples, Slovak authorities have launched national investigations into the crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Ukraine. We sent our experts to assist Ukrainian investigation efforts. We became part of the joint investigative team set up with the support of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Needless to say, incitement to war crimes or crimes against humanity is equally punishable under customary international law. In the context of the alleged genocide committed by Ukraine advanced by Russia as a false pretext for its invasion, Slovakia recalls the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice of 16 March and strongly urges Russia to comply with the provisional measures ordered therein. The incitement to violence that I have just described has since 24 February evolved into the commission of atrocities in Ukraine on an almost daily basis. Justice for those crimes must be served.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Those false pretexts significantly resemble the patterns we have seen in the past, which also included so-called accusation in a mirror tactics and the framing of targeted groups as an existential threat in order to justify the atrocities and portray the war as defensive and inevitable. What we are witnessing now in Ukraine is similar rhetoric and, very sadly, similar conduct by Putin’s regime, amplified by its constant denial of Ukraine as a sovereign nation and an independent State. That is simply unacceptable and a blatant contradiction of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Russia’s obligations under article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article III of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, if genocidal intent is proven.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Even more sadly, the Russian State-orchestrated incitement led to numerous horrific crimes committed in Ukraine, with heinous pictures of mass killings, mass graves and other atrocity reports coming from various places across Ukraine. Moreover, awarding the soldiers who might be directly responsible for international crimes committed in Bucha and other Ukrainian villages is not only a mockery of the innocent victims but also a striking endorsement by Russia of the culture of impunity. Slovakia has been gravely concerned by the Russian war propaganda defending its unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine under the false pretexts of “de-Nazification” and the genocide or extermination of the civilian population in Russia- backed separatist regions allegedly committed by Ukraine.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, as well as the representatives of civil society for their valuable briefings. This is indeed a good opportunity for us to refocus our attention on the issue of atrocity crimes in particular. The Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes contains explicit references to the incitement to violence, discrimination, intolerance and hatred as a common risk factor of atrocity crimes, as well as a specific risk factor related to crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. Sadly, looking at the situation in Ukraine since 2014, and particularly in 2022, all those risks have been massively present in the rhetoric of Putin’s regime.”
2022-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9069 (2022) · source
“Eduard Heger, recently announced an additional financial contribution that includes, inter alia, €130,000 for the specific UNICEF programme and project. To conclude, Slovakia once again calls on the Russian Federation to immediately cease hostilities against Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine. That is the only way in which we will be able to stop our children’s suffering. The meeting rose at 12.30 p.m.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“She met with teachers and mothers on Mother’s Day to express her support and solidarity and compared notes on practical aspects of life. Refugee children involved in the educational process are also entitled to a food subsidy. Together with our partners from UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, we have agreed to develop a joint child-protection capacity-building plan for implementing partners and other stakeholders in child protection, inclusion and education. Slovakia continues to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. As a close friend and good neighbour, we will continue doing our utmost to help alleviate the people’s suffering. We appreciate the work of international organizations and institutions aiming to improve the humanitarian situation, and I am also pleased to add that the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Mr.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“Just briefly, I would like to add that Slovakia has already received more than 136,000 children, of whom more than 30,000 have been granted temporary protection so far. Children fleeing Ukraine are provided with as comprehensive care and support as possible, including psychosocial assistance, medical care and assistance in connecting or reuniting with their relatives and families. We have been able to enrol approximately 10,000 children aged 3 to 17 in Slovak schools, and we are working hard to increase that number in order to provide all the refugee children staying in Slovakia with a proper education. I am pleased that the First Lady of the United States was able to see those efforts recently herself a few days ago.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“Children in Ukraine have been stripped of their fundamental right to access to safe and quality education, which in many cases has prompted their mothers to undertake the main responsibility for home-schooling. That is a so-called special achievement of Russia’s so- called special military operation: a children’s crisis of unprecedented proportions. It is with a heavy heart that to be accurate I have to refer to it that way. It is one of the fastest large-scale displacements of children since the Second World War, caused by Russia’s unjustified, unprovoked and senseless aggression against Ukraine, constituting a blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“Approximately two thirds of Ukrainian children have been forced to flee their homes and all of them have been negatively affected. That will have a terrible and devastating impact on the future of this generation, which is also something we must bear in mind. Instead of enjoying their childhoods, millions of Ukraine’s children are witnessing the horrors of war even though they bear not even the tiniest fraction of guilt for what is happening. Children are being separated from their families and friends and are being directly exposed to blaring sirens, bomb explosions and physical and, unfortunately, even sexual violence, causing them physical harm and enormous psychological trauma. They will need months and years to cope with that — if they are ever able to.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“That attack, along with all other attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and must be thoroughly investigated. Justice must be served. We also concur with the Secretary-General that the attack is yet another reminder that, in a war, civilians — and children in particular — pay the highest price. We have also been following those developments very carefully in our current capacity as Vice-President of the Executive Board of UNICEF and as a neighbouring and directly affected country. According to the most recent reports, including updates from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, as of 11 May, more than 230 children have already lost their lives, and more than 340 children have been injured.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): I would like to start by thanking today’s briefers — Assistant Secretary- General Msuya and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Abdi — for their briefings, which once again shed light on the devastating impacts of the Russian war in Ukraine, this time specifically on the issue of children and their right to education. We have listened carefully to and appreciate the updates that they have shared with us, and we will certainly factor in all of that additional information in our work and activities going forward. As UNICEF’s Regional Child Protection Adviser for Europe and Central Asia said on 6 May in a press briefing, hospitals, nurseries and schools unfortunately continue to be affected by strikes. Slovakia categorically condemns those attacks, including the most recent one in Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region.”
2022-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9032 (2022) · source
“This was also mentioned during today’s high-level international donors conference for Ukraine in Warsaw, where the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Mr. Eduard Heger, announced an additional financial contribution of half a million euros for international organizations in order to bolster humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. I would like to add my wish that — at least for the rest of this month or for the upcoming period — that this will not have to be repeated again in a similar fashion, but, of course, if we have to gather again, we are ready to do so, and will continue working closely with the Council.”
2022-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9027 (2022) · source
“Almost 5.7 million refugees have fled the country. Since the beginning of the aggression of the Russian Federation, about 394,000 refugees have entered Slovakia so far. We have welcomed then and will continue doing so for as long as necessary. We will continue to stand in solidarity with them, as a close friend and a good neighbour in these most challenging times. Let me conclude by reiterating our ongoing support for Ukraine. In that regard, Slovakia is one of the largest donors per capita with regard to military, humanitarian and financial assistance. We would rather not be; we would rather focus our efforts on other issues, but it is extremely important for us to reach out in this time of need. As they say, a friend in need is a friend in deed.”
2022-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9027 (2022) · source
“I am mentioning those statistics to again remind the aggressor that we know the facts. They are all clear, and there will be no impunity for the crimes committed. But what is worse is the reason for the human suffering. We already condemned the Russian decision to start the senseless war under the pretext of the “special military operation” and the so- called need to de-Nazify and demilitarize Ukraine. But what we recently heard from Foreign Minister Lavrov, who claimed that Adolf Hitler was part Jewish, is particularly hideous and confirms our approach based on fiercely combating the disinformation of the Russian Federation concerning the war in Ukraine. As a neighbour, partner and directly affected country in the context of fleeing refugees, Slovakia is particularly alarmed by the crisis resulting from the Russian aggression.”
2022-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9027 (2022) · source
“I call on Russia to hear the countless calls, including from the Secretary-General, and unconditionally withdraw all troops from the whole territory of Ukraine. Today we once again heard a victim-based narrative from the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation. This is completely out of place in this context. I would also like to call on Russia to immediately stop this false narrative and distortion of facts. The facts are clear. It is clear to us who the aggressor is and who is suffering. The only thing that is not clear to us is why innocent civilians have to continue suffering as they have been for the past 71 days — and counting. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as of 4 May there have been 6,635 civilian casualties — 3,238 killed and 3,397 injured.”
2022-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9027 (2022) · source
“It is therefore regrettable that we have to continue counting the days, and we truly hope that the tragedy will stop as soon as possible. We thank the Secretary-General for his recent visits and his intervention. His work has been extremely important. That includes the locations outside of Kyiv that he visited on 28 April. After his visit there, he said: “there is something everybody should remember, everywhere in the world. Wherever there is a war, the highest price is paid by civilians.” I would like to bring that to the attention of the Russian Federation and call on Russia to immediate cease its hostilities against Ukraine, in particular its attacks against civilians and civilian objects.”
2022-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9027 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Madam President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We would like to express our full support for your work and initiatives for the remainder of the month. You can count on our continued support. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General and all other briefers for their sobering presentations that unfortunately confirmed our grave concerns about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, in addition to many other aspects of the ongoing war. High Commissioner Bachelet mentioned that today is the seventy-first day of the war. As we have remarked in previous meetings, even one more day of this terrible tragedy is one too many.”
2022-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9027 (2022) · source
“The acts of sexual violence perpetrated by the Russian forces, including gang rapes, rapes in front of children and other similar practices, are among the most hideous violations of international humanitarian law and laws of armed conflict. We call on the Russian authorities to take immediate and effective measures to stop such inhuman and brutal practices and bring the perpetrators to justice rather than continuously coming up with lies, cover-up stories and excuses. Let me say my last sentence in Russian, a language that I studied for many years and that I used to teach, so I speak it quite well. (spoke in Russian) Let me be very clear: such behaviour is unforgivable under any circumstances, and there should be no impunity for such crimes for anyone. That should be crystal-clear to everyone, in all situations in which we find ourselves.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Member States have to continue working closely with the United Nations in order to combat impunity for any and all such crimes. The Security Council should closely consider referrals to the International Criminal Court when gender-based violence and gender-based crimes are committed. The primary responsibility, though, for prosecuting such crimes lies with States, which should adopt sufficiently robust national criminal legislations as the best means of prevention. Last but not least, we deplore in the strongest terms the ongoing unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine, in a blatant violation of international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The images that the world has recently seen have plumbed the depths of a living hell following the Russian decision to start that senseless war.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The report likewise clearly states that rising inequality, increased militarization, reduced civic space and the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons also contributed, among other factors, to fuelling widespread and systematic conflict-related sexual violence, even in the midst of a global pandemic, which is particularly disturbing. Slovakia fully supports the approach of the Secretary-General, which is based on prioritizing the rights and dignity of survivors. An intrinsic part of such dignity lies in holding perpetrators accountable. That is absolutely crucial. Various Security Council resolutions recognize that sexual violence can itself constitute a war crime or a crime against humanity; unfortunately, most of the perpetrators of those acts continue to escape justice.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his recent report on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2022/272) and commend his commitment and leadership in connection not only with the women and peace and security agenda but also with his efforts in implementing a zero-tolerance policy with regard to sexual exploitation and abuse. On the other hand, we are deeply concerned by the observation made in the report that the year 2021 was marked by continuing recourse to military rather than diplomatic and political means, which led to displacement on a significant scale, exposing civilians to heightened levels of sexual violence.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Gender-sensitive security-sector reform is key to developing security-sector institutions that are non-discriminatory, representative of the population and capable of effectively responding to the specific security needs of diverse groups, thereby playing a crucial role in prevention. Reforming the security sector, as we have seen in many conflict contexts, must also include the reform of recruitment processes and an improvement in the delivery of security services to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“The women and peace and security agenda is also instrumental in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 5 and SDG 16, which recognize gender equality as well as peace, justice and strong institutions as global development priorities. As co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform, Slovakia wishes to recall resolution 2151 (2014), on security-sector reform, which underscores the importance of women’s equal, meaningful and effective participation and full involvement in the security sector in order to build inclusive, accountable and legitimate institutions that more effectively protect populations and promote lasting peace and sustainable development.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“It is crucial that the Security Council continue to address various aspects of conflict within the framework of thematic debates such as this one. Today’s debate also contributes to the systematic advancement of the women and peace and security agenda in the work and decision-making of the Council. Let me thank the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms. Nadia Murad and the other briefers for their insightful presentations. Slovakia considers prevention to be the cornerstone of United Nations efforts aimed at peacebuilding and sustaining peace. The women and peace and security agenda, together with the goals of inclusivity and gender equality, definitely fits into the broader prevention agenda of the Secretary-General.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Mr. Mlynár (Slovakia): First of all, let me express our special thanks to you, Madam President, for organizing this important meeting. We wish the United Kingdom presidency of the Security Council for this month every success. We are proud of your conduct of the presidency thus far, and we wish you the very best. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security (see S/PV.9016). This debate will focus on accountability, as prevention is crucial. We consider it important to increase our joint efforts to end the heinous practice of sexual violence in conflict also through empowerment, gender equality and access to justice.”
2022-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9016Resumption1 (2022) · source