YouSaid · the spoken record

Monsignor Grysa

lines on the record: 26
first: 2016-11-22
most recent: 2019-05-23
sittings or episodes: 4
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

“As we fail to spare too many from the scourge of war, we must focus our efforts on protecting the most vulnerable, particularly women, children, the elderly and the disabled, as well as on ensuring that all those engaged in armed conflict, State actors and non-State actors alike, must adhere to the principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and the provisions of the Council's resolutions. Today's open debate must serve as proof of the Council's commitment to translating resolutions into effective action to better protect civilians in conflict. We owe them that.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“They are ensnared in conflicts not oftheir choosing, forced to flee their homes and live in camps where they are vulnerable to diseases and exposed to abuses of all sorts. Even humanitarian workers and volunteers increasingly find themselves targets of direct, intentional attacks, often made possible by the illegal sale and proliferation of small arms and light weapons. How ironic it is that food and medical supplies are often impeded while guns and ammunition circulate freely. That widespread and growing culture of impunity impedes warring parties from respecting the rules of war. If more robust legal mechanisms and sanctions were put firmly in place, a shift of mentality and culture would be, at least, given a chance to grow and flourish.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Places where civilians should feel safe are instead targeted; schools come under fire; hospitals, medical staff and patients are attacked; places of worship, which should be havens of peace, become places of death and devastation; systematic attacks against cultural heritage turn into weapons of war; homes are destroyed and entire villages are burned to the ground; women and girls are raped; children are abducted and forced to join armed groups; and in far too many places, whole generations are deprived of education and other basic services, thereby increasing the danger of perpetuating that vicious cycle of Violence and underdevelopment. Protracted crises, the restricted movement of goods and the denial of humanitarian access all have devastating effects on civilian populations.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“As a response to that need, recent peacekeeping mandates have explicitly included the protection of civilians, the prevention of sexual violence in conflict and strict compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law. Moreover, increased attention to predeployment formation and context- specific training has improved the operational capacity and performance of the Blue Helmets. A major part of the problem, although not the entire problem, is that today's conflicts are more drawn out and fragmented. They increasingly also involve the engagement of non-State armed groups, which, more often than not, act either in total ignorance of or in absolute disrespect for humanitarian law and principles.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“While in the early 1900s civilian fatalities in armed conflict were around 5 per cent, in the 1990s non-combatant fatalities were over 90 per cent. Civilian populations clearly pay the highest price. The Secretary-General's report (S/2019/373) notes that since the adoption of resolution 1265 (1999) and the other protection-focused resolutions that have followed, the attention and action of the Security Council have strengthened the framework for the protection of civilians in armed conflict and saved countless lives. The same report, however, as well as other sources of information, show us that much remains to be done to ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian actors.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“Monsignor Grysa: I would like to thank Indonesia for convening today's open debate to consider the protection of civilians in armed conflict. As other speakers have already noted, this year marks the seventieth anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions, which together form the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, and the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1265 (1999), which was adopted in a context precisely where respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law was eroding. Two decades later, the strong condemnation of the deliberate targeting of civilians and the calls urging all involved in armed conflicts to comply strictly with international humanitarian law are more relevant and pressing than ever, considering that more and more victims in armed conflicts are innocent civilians.”
2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source
“I wish to conclude with a passage from the Easter message of Pope Francis for the Middle East: "May the light of Easter illumine all Government leaders and peoples in the Middle East, beginning with Israelis and Palestinians, and spur them to alleviate such great suffering and to pursue a future of peace and stability."”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“As mentioned by the representative of Morocco, in his recent visit to Morocco Pope Francis and His Majesty King Mohammed VI made a joint appeal on the importance of preserving the Holy City of Jerusalem as the common patrimony of humankind and especially the followers of the three monotheistic religions, as a place of encounter and as a symbol of peaceful coexistence, where mutual respect and dialogue can be cultivated. They expressed their hope that full freedom of access to the followers of the three monotheistic religions and their right to worship be guaranteed, so that in Jerusalem/Al-Quds Al Sharif they may raise their prayers to God, the Creator of all, for a future of peace and fraternity on Earth.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which is experiencing a growth in demand for its services, continues to play an essential role not only in providing basic services for Palestinian refugees, but also as a critical component of wider regional development and security. The Holy See commends those countries that have increased their donations to enable the Agency to carry out its work to ensure that the refugee population, in particular children in the refugee camps, can live with dignity. Moves to change the identity of Jerusalem and its status quo not only affect the already fragile populations who live there, but also have potentially detrimental effects on peace and stability in the region.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“Difficulty, however, does not mean impossibility. It is therefore incumbent on the parties themselves, on regional actors and on the rest of the international community to make every effort and use all their political and diplomatic persuasion to prevent this difficulty from becoming an impossibility. If the two-State solution is to become a reality, the cycle of violence needs to be broken and both parties must resolve to avoid unilateral actions that would undermine the two-State solution, as we so often hear repeated in this Chamber.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“The formation of a new Palestinian Government, however, offers a glimmer of hope amid the shadows of despair that have for far too long characterized the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Indeed, unity is essential to a politically stable and economically viable Palestine. In this regard, the Holy See commends the tireless efforts of neighbouring countries in forging talks with the various Palestinian factions and facilitating dialogue among them. These efforts remain important in terms of respecting the inalienable rights and achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, as well as attaining lasting peace and security for Israel. Real challenges, of course, remain. The increasingly fragmented Palestinian land will, with the passing of time, only make the two-State solution more difficult to realize.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“Monsignor Grysa: The Holy See wishes to thank the German presidency for convening today's open debate to consider the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. In his briefings to the Council, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, frequently paints a bleak picture of the situation, in which tensions fester and intercommunity violence has the potential to flare up at any moment. In Gaza, a disastrous humanitarian situation feeds despair among the Palestinian population, at times manipulated by extremist groups that resort to violence, while fear for Israeli security increases. Too many innocent civilians on both sides have paid the price of the indiscriminate use of violence and force.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“In a situation that shows no sign of being resolved quickly, a fully functional UNRWA remains the best means to prevent the situation in the region from worsening in a way that would bring both greater cost and likely greater expenditures to the international community. Like UNRWA, various charitable action groups and organizations of the Catholic Church provide education, health care and social services to Palestine refugees and to Palestinians in general. The Holy See hopes and prays that, sooner rather than later, a fair and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may be reached through the resumption of final-status negotiations aimed at reaching a two-State solution, with Israel and a Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders.”
2018-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8375Resumption1 (2018) · source
“Indeed, the Holy City of Jerusalem undoubtedly holds a very special place not only in the hearts of the inhabitants of the city, but also for the followers throughout the world of the three monotheistic religions. May it become truly what its name means: City of Peace. My delegation notes with great concern the dire humanitarian situation that the Palestine refugees and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are facing. The Agency provides a range of essential support for some 5.6 million registered Palestine refugees, supplying the most basic human needs from housing to education, health care and social services.”
2018-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8375Resumption1 (2018) · source
“The Holy See wishes to reaffirm the historic status quo of Jerusalem, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions, and rejects any unilateral measure aimed at changing it. At the same time, it calls upon the United Nations to carefully consider the status of Jerusalem as recommended by General Assembly resolution 181 (II) of 1947. My delegation believes that the Holy City should be a place of convergence and peace and that the followers of the three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam should be guaranteed free and unhindered access to its holy places. Accordingly, the initial proposal of an international status guaranteed by the United Nations remains of great importance in fulfilling the City's singular calling.”
2018-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8375Resumption1 (2018) · source
“The Holy See calls on both Israel and Palestine to demonstrate wisdom, responsibility and the political will needed to reach a historic peace agreement that would meet the legitimate aspirations of both peoples. Undertaking dialogue with perseverance and good will must replace inflammatory rhetoric, violence and conflict. Innocent civilians must never be the target of terror or inordinate military actions. The Israeli-Palestinian discord and the intra- Palestinian divisions have also been exacerbated by external forces and the geopolitical interests of other countries. The Holy See therefore wishes to exhort neighbours in the region and other concerned States from outside the region to facilitate and sustain the peace process, instead of obstructing or scuttling it for their own interests.”
2018-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8375Resumption1 (2018) · source
“The Holy See has supported the two-State solution from the very beginning, and my delegation reaffirms once again the Holy See's unwavering view that the two-State Solution as the only viable way of fulfilling the aspirations for peaceful coexistence among Israelis and Palestinians alike and the only feasible peace plan that would allow both nations to live side by side within secure and internationally recognized borders. The facts on the ground, as presented to the Security Council on a monthly basis by the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, are a source of persistent grave concern. Leaders on both sides bear the heaviest responsibility in guiding their people in the direction ofa mutually agreed resolution to the conflict, rather than leading them into deeper conflict.”
2018-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8375Resumption1 (2018) · source
“The Holy See thanks the Plurinational Republic of Bolivia and its presidency of the Security Council for convening today's open debate on a topic that brings us back to the early days of the United Nations, specifically when, by resolution 181 (II) of 1947, the mandated territory of Palestine was divided into two States, one Jewish, the other Arab. For some 70 years, the Palestinian question has been the topic of a great many reports, debates and resolutions in the Security Council Chamber and in other United Nations organs.”
2018-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8375Resumption1 (2018) · source
“It is important to cultivate among peoples and their leaders a conscientious awareness that considers access to water a universal right of all human beings, without distinction or discrimination. The water challenges that are provoking peace and security threats are technical, economical, political and social, but let us not forget that ultimately they are ethical and moral issues as well.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“My delegation wishes to encourage both the public and private sectors to support community-driven initiatives for water conservation and water allocation. Local communities often know their own water systems better and how best to conserve and harness them. While the water shortage concerns vast areas, local solutions are always key components in coming to grips with the water problem. Finally, education on the fundamental importance of water is crucial. Water continues to be wasted and polluted, not only in the developed world but also in developing countries that possess it in relative abundance. That shows that there is much to do in educating individuals and communities on issues such as water conservation, wise consumption and equitable use of this universal common good on the part of all.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Water-related challenges to peace and security, and indeed to life itself, must be considered not only as threats but also as opportunities for nations to collaborate more closely in efforts to come up with solutions, instead of engaging in ever-fiercer competition for a diminishing essential resource that could ultimately lead to wars and conflicts. New technologies continue to emerge that could enable us to avoid a sustainability crisis through, inter alia, better methods of food production that require less water and industrial manufacturing that minimizes pollution of our aquifers and water systems. Moreover, local and traditional solutions to water- related challenges must not be abandoned in spite of technological advances.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“While good water management implies expenditures, as well as fees for water use to encourage its wise consumption, it is even more important to remember that access to safe potable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. Pope Francis affirmed that our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“As Pope Francis underlined in the encyclical Laadato si', fresh drinking water is an issue of primary importance given its fundamental role in health and overall well-being. In that context, one particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor. Every day, dangerous water-borne diseases, such as dysentery and cholera, remain a leading cause of death, especially among infants and children. Moreover, a growing tendency to privatize water and turn it into a commodity dictated by market laws could seriously compromise access to safe water on the part of the poor, making it conceivable, as Pope Francis said, "that the control of water by large multinational businesses may become a major source of conflict in this century".”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Water poverty especially affects Africa, where large sectors of the population have no access to safe drinking water or experience droughts that impede agricultural production and provoke fierce competition. The migration of entire populations from regions that are experiencing drastic water scarcity is seen as a threat to populations in areas with water. In brief, the implications of water for national, regional and international peace and security can hardly be overstated. Indeed, water experts and advocates ominously predict that the Third World War will be over water. When he visited the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2014, Pope Francis said, "[w]ater is not free, as we so often think. It is a grave problem that can lead to war". Water scarcity also has huge implications forjustice and equity.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Environmental degradation makes water toxic, and climactic changes alter hydrologic cycles. Underground water sources in many places are threatened by the pollution produced in certain mining, farming and industrial activities, especially in countries that lack adequate regulations or controls. Industrial waste, detergents and chemical products continue to pour into our rivers, lakes and seas. Agricultural production, the greatest consumer of fresh water, and industries, the second-greatest consumer, demand more water than ever, depleting aquifers much faster than they can be replenished. In many places, the demand for water exceeds the sustainable supply, with dramatic consequences for the short and long term, including implications for national, regional and international peace and security.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Monsignor Grysa: The Holy See is pleased that the Senegalese presidency has chosen this important topic for an open debate in the Security Council, therefore increasing the attention paid to the issue by the international community. Water scarcity illustrates a paradox. While water covers two thirds of the Earth's surface and is not used up when consumed, it is clear that the availability of fresh water is diminishing. With expanding deserts, deforestation and increasing droughts, everyone should be concerned about a potential worldwide calamity caused by a diminished water supply. Water has always been scarce in some places, owing usually to geographical location. However, in other places it is scarce because of mismanagement and misallocation, which have caused waste and inequitable distribution.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source