YouSaid · the spoken record

Murmokaite

lines on the record: 1,184
first: 2012-11-19
most recent: 2016-11-07
sittings or episodes: 138
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

“Russia has caused and sponsored this war, and it remains in Russia's hands to put an end to it by fully and unconditionally abiding by the Minsk agreements, and using its influence on the illegal militants to do the same. Ukraine's political independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, and must be respected by all members of the international community without exception.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“We look forward to continued reporting, including the spot reports of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on human rights in Ukraine, including Crimea. The United Nations, the OSCE and their missions should be given full and unhindered access to all areas in Ukraine, including Crimea. The international community, United Nations agencies and humanitarian actors must step up their efforts to help Ukraine cope with the enormous challenges posed by this year-long foreign-sponsored conflict. The key to the stabilization of the situation in eastern Ukraine lies in the full implementation of the September 2014 Minsk agreements, as reaffirmed on 12 February. The people of Ukraine have heard enough talk from the international community. The time has come to walk the walk.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“It is also imperative to address the issue ofimpunity for serious crimes and human-rights violations, including in Crimea and the militant-held areas, which have seen pervasive lawlessness and a total breakdown of accountability. All perpetrators of the most serious crimes, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17, must be held to account. We call on the Ukrainian authorities to do their utmost in that regard. We also urge Ukraine to complete its accession to the Rome Statute. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that no amnesty should be granted for international crimes, including gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. My delegation would like to express its appreciation for the engagement in Ukraine of the United Nations and its agencies, and of the OSCE.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“In spite of Russia's allegations to the contrary and in spite of the extremely difficult circumstances, the Ukrainian authorities are continuing the necessary reform processes. We welcome the Ukrainian President's decree on setting up a constitutional commission, establishing a national council for reform, creating an anti-corruption agency and drafting a national human- rights strategy, which speaks to the Government's commitment to human rights for all. Those efforts must be wholeheartedly encouraged and supported. The Ukrainian people deserve to have reforms put in place expeditiously and effectively. The Maidan events were not about extremism, as some continue to allege. It was about the passionate desire of the Ukrainian people for reform and for a clear break with a past marked by abuses, corruption, cronyism and graft.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“Their leaders are evicted from the Mejlis, threatened, prosecuted and deported. Major figures, such as Mustafa J emilev and Refat Chubarov, have been barred from re-entering Crimea. The Deputy Chairman Ahtem Ciygoz is being detained along with a number of other activists. A number of activists are still missing after being abducted as early as May last year. The son the Crimean Tatar leader Jemilev remains in detention in the Russian Federation under trumped up charges. Media freedom is under siege in Crimea. The broadcasting of the Ukrainian television channels and Ukrainian Internet have been discontinued. Journalists have been threatened, assaulted and attacked. Investigations have been invoked against the Crimean Tatar newspapers.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“All those holding Ukrainian passports are facing restrictions in exercising their political and civil rights, limited access to social services, tight quotas for residence permits and loss of jobs and homes. Out of 600 schools that offered instruction fully in Ukrainian, not a single one remains. Only 20 schools on the peninsula have separate Ukrainian classes - violating the rights ofthe Ukrainian community in Crimea. Religious communities have also been affected. Priests, imams and representatives of other religious communities are being threatened with prosecution, detained and harassed, with their prayer houses and monuments desecrated. People are forced to adopt Russian citizenship or lose their property, rights and income. Crimean Tatars are in an especially serious condition, as they have no other home but Crimea.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“At least 60 cases of attacks against the media offices were recorded, and 78 journalists have been held by armed groups since March last year, according to the report. The whereabouts of some remain unknown. The latest human rights monitoring mission report speaks eloquently of the disturbing human rights situation in occupied Crimea. The Tatar community, those who opposed the sham referendum a year ago, religious communities and minorities are facing threats, harassment, intimidation, abductions and forced disappearances. Since the annexation by the Russian Federation, the public space in Crimea has been shrinking. The fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly have been severely curtailed.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“Reports of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly documented the catastrophic breakdown of the rule of law and ongoing massive human-rights violations in the militant-held areas, including abductions, arbitrary detentions, beatings, torture and summary executions. There are also numerous instances of serious violations of international humanitarian law, to which Assistant Secretary-General Simonovie just referred. The capture and parading of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the militants constitute a possible war crime. The capture of Donetsk airport revealed bodies of executed Ukrainian servicemen with their hands tied behind their backs, as documented in the latest reports. Attacks against journalists and media outlets continue.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“We welcome the efforts of OCHA, United Nations agencies and other international organizations aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people in eastern Ukraine. It is imperative that all humanitarian actors should be provided unfettered access to all affected areas for a prompt and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian assistance should be provided in line with international law and in full respect okaraine's sovereignty. Russia's so-called humanitarian convoys remain a cause of concern, as they are operating in violation of the accepted norms of humanitarian assistance and in breach of Ukraine's borders and sovereignty.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“While fighting imagined human rights violations, Russia and the illegal militants it supports have caused a real humanitarian crisis and real and dramatic human rights violations in the regions affected by the illegal actions. Normal life in those regions has been disrupted, leading to displacement, destruction and deaths. The numbers were given by John Ging of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). At least 1 million have resettled within the country, placing a heavy burden on the authorities as well as on local communities. Assistant Secretary-General Simonovie has spoken about that. The humanitarian crisis is most acute, aggravated by the cold winter. Russia and the illegal armed groups it supports bear full responsibility for the devastation that has befallen Ukraine.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“The OSCE Monitoring Mission should be provided full and unhindered access to all areas. It must be able to exercise its mandate independently, without obstruction or interference. We look forward to the early extension of the Mission's mandate for a 12-month period. Adequate financing and resourcing must be ensured for the Mission to carry out its mandate. Civilians have borne the brunt of this conflict, which started a year ago with the illegal annexation of Crimea in blatant breach of the Charter of the United Nations. The false pretext of defending the rights of Russian speakers was used to invade Crimea and promote separatism in eastern Ukraine.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“The situation is further aggravated by the fact that OSCE border-monitoring activities remain restricted to 40 metres out of some 400 kilometres. As we know, Russia has repeatedly blocked efforts to expand border monitoring. It is paramount that Russia stop destabilizing the situation in eastern Ukraine and stop supporting illegal armed groups operating there. Its soldiers must be withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine. It must put an end to the movement of mercenaries across its borders into Ukrainian territory and stop support to the illegal militants. Russia should also use its influence with the illegal armed groups to ensure that the ceasefire is fully and unconditionally respected and that the withdrawal of the heavy weapons can be duly monitored.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“Monitors of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continue to face severe restrictions. Russia-backed armed groups continue to deny access, including to Shyrokyne and Kruzhylivka; they also continue to harass and threaten the personnel of the Special Monitoring Mission. That is clearly unacceptable and a violation of the Minsk agreements and their implementation measures. The OSCE Mission has not been provided with the requested detailed information, including the inventory of weapons, withdrawal routes and concentrations points, as per the Minsk agreements. Valid questions therefore remain regarding whether the illegal militants are withdrawing their weaponry or merely regrouping under the guise of doing so.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“However, further steps are urgently needed. All illegally detained persons must be released, including the Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who spent more than 80 days on a hunger strike and whose health is close to a point of no return. Serious concerns remain regarding the verification of the withdrawal of heavy weaponry and continuing instances of ceasefire violations, including near Mariupol and Donetsk airport. We note the assessment by the Special Monitoring Mission that attacks on Government-controlled towns east of Mariupol may indicate an attempt to test the eastern defences of the city. We stress that any attempts by the Russia-backed militants to seek to gain control of additional territory will be a clear breach of the Minsk agreements and will seriously undermine all efforts to promote a sustainable political solution.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for having convened today's meeting. I would also like to thank the three briefers for their valuable and sobering contributions. It is hard to disagree with the statements made by Under-Secretary-General Feltman and Assistant Secretary-General Simonovie that the window of opportunity is very small and may be closing very fast. Following the diplomatic efforts in the Normandy format aimed at finding a solution to the Ukrainian conflict, a package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements of 5 and 19 September 2014 was agreed upon on 12 February. The Security Council put its weight behind thOse agreements by adopting resolution 2202 (2014), on 17 February. Since then, some positive developments have taken place, including the initial exchange of prisoners and a significant reduction in the death toll.”
2015-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7400 (2015) · source
“We have a tiny army and very small reserves of weapons. It is not exactly right to suggest that Lithuania is providing armaments to Ukraine. We have provided medical assistance; we have taken wounded Ukrainian soldiers into Lithuanian hospitals. That is true. However, it has nothing to do with all of the heavy weaponry that has been provided - we know from which side. So let us not compare forces, because Lithuanian forces - and we can revisit statistics next time - certainly have nothing to do with that. Even if we did provide some armaments, it would be a drop in the ocean. It would not make a difference.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“I wonder how many countries represented in this Chamber would be happy to capitulate their own city, surrounded by illegal militants, bandits and insurgents - whoever they are - far from any ceasefire zone, and to just give up part of their territory and leave, nobly? I think it is very cynical to talk ofthe noble potential of the Kyiv authorities to leave and withdraw their soldiers, and of Kyiv having missed that opportunity. It is their territory and they are defending their territory. That territory is excluded from any ceasefire agreement reached at either of the Minsk negotiations. It is their own territory, and I think that any country represented at this table would do exactly the same. Any country represented here would defend its own territory to the last, and Kyiv is no exception.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“Those things do not drop out of the sky, so somebody is supplying them. In looking at the geography, those things can come only from one direction, where the borders are completely porous and far from international eyes. We do believe, and in our national capacity we have been telling and will continue to tell Ukraine, that it has to continue with the reforms, that it has to combat corruption and that it has to do a lot of things in order to restore the trust that had been lost over the decades, prior to this Government. But it is very difficult to take care of a constitution when guns are pointed at your head. The other thing that struck me was basically a phrase about how Kyiv could have nobly capitulated and allowed the troops to leave.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“There is a pattern in this repeated taking of the floor, and usually there is one delegation that ends by taking the floor three or four times. We rarely do that, but this time I have a couple of comments. First, it is not easy for any country, be it Ukraine or any other country, to work on a constitution in conflict or at gunpoint, where there are so-called self-defenders, which is the way Russia has consistently referred to the illegal bands of militants and criminals who are better armed than many European armies. Lithuania has no tanks - not a single one. Estonia, Latvia and so many other countries in Europe have not a single tank. How is it, then, that there are hundreds of tanks in the hands of the militants? There are hundreds of Tornados, howitzers, or whatever they are. This does not make any sense.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“Russia's continued violations of the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act and numerous other agreements to which it is a signatory, as well as its attempts to redraw internationally recognized borders by force, threaten that peace. In Minsk, the Presidents of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany recommitted to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine - although some of those words somehow managed to slip out of today's resolution. We expect that commitment to be respected unconditionally by all, and by Russia in particular. We ask the United Nations to continue its active engagement in seeking a durable solution to this conflict through its good offices, mediation, monitoring of human rights and provision of humanitarian assistance.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“After the devastating horrors of the Second World War, Europe has shown remarkable will and ability to pursue the path of reconciliation and peace. What started with Franco-German reconciliation * the European Coal and Steel Community - became a unique model of reconciliation and integration that over time evolved into the European Union of today, a model for democracy, peace, prosperity and human rights whose appeal continues to draw European nations eager to join its ranks. It is reckless and profoundly dangerous to seek to turn the clock back on that spirit of reconciliation, solidarity and cooperation, which gave Europe and the world its longest-ever period of peace.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“Only this past weekend, photos were circulating of the self-proclaimed militant chief Zakharchenko with beaten prisoners of war, another reminder of the militants' many violations of international humanitarian law. We want to put on record our firm conviction thatjustice and accountability must be part and parcel of the path out of this devastating, unprovoked war against Ukraine. The perpetrators of the most serious crimes - and to find them we have only to look at the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which describe many of them - including those responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-l7, must be held to account. In that regard, we reiterate our call on Ukraine to complete its accession to the Rome Statute.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“All hostages and unlawfully detained persons - including Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, a former peacekeeper and the only Ukrainian female soldier who has served with peacekeeping troops in Iraq, now being illegally held in the Russian Federation - must be released, as per the package of measures agreed on 12 February in Minsk. Peace cannot be achieved without accountability. We have witnessed multiple times elsewhere how impunity breeds more impunity, eventually provoking new cycles of violence. The reports of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have repeatedly pointed to the extent of the serious crimes and abysmal state of lawlessness in the militant-held areas.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“The package of measures agreed on as of 12 February is not and cannot be interpreted as a replacement of, or substitute for, the September 2014 accords, only as a set of measures aimed at their implementation. We know well what needs to be done. Russian troops and armaments must be Withdrawn from Ukraine's territory. A viable mechanism monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) must be established to monitor the ceasefire, and militants must stop blocking the OSCE's access. Russia must stop supporting illegal militias operating in the eastern part of Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to re-establish control of its international border without any preconditions. Humanitarian access must be secured and respect for international human-rights and humanitarian law must be restored.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“Only the most naive could imagine that the militants could have waged an ever-expanding war without external help. Without Russia's direct support the so-called separatists would have fizzled out, dwindled into non-existence many months ago. Peace would have been restored and thousands of lives would have been saved. Instead, Russia has chosen to sponsor, arm and protect the militants. It is a direct party to the hostilities and bears the primary responsibility for the conflict that is tearing into Ukraine's flesh. The package that today's resolution endorses is undoubtedly flawed, but it is the only thing we have. For it to work, all the parties involved, including Russia, must honour their commitments, including the Minsk agreements of September 2014, in full and in their entirety. Those agreements cannot be swept under the carpet.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“Ukraine is holding on, trying to defend a piece of its own land, away from the ceasefire lines established in the Minsk agreements. Heavily armed criminals are continuing their onslaught against Debaltseve and are threatening to continue their deadly march up to Kharkiv and further. Yes, the Council must speak out in support of the ceasefire. But we know full well that previous ceasefires, whether declared unilaterally by the Ukrainian Government or established by the Minsk agreements in September, have been repeatedly violated. Even the most recent agreement is already being violated as we speak by Russian-sponsored militants. Russian tanks, armoured personnel carriers, howitzers and Grad and Tornado multiple-launch rocket systems in the hands of the militants are holding the eastern part of Ukraine captive.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“Since the announcement of the Minsk ceasefire in September 2014, the militants have grabbed at least 550 square kilometres of Ukraine's territory, and they keep on grabbing more. Their advances have been buttressed by an ongoing influx of Russian arms and sophisticated weaponry, including that brought in under the pretext of humanitarian convoys. In the past few weeks leading to the latest ceasefire, the militant attacks have expanded in the direction of the cities of Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Artemivsk, Shchastya and others. Even as the package of measures for implementing the Minsk agreements was being drafted, reports were coming in of Russian tanks rolling on Ukrainian soil and of more casualties, including among children. The Ukrainian city of Debaltseve is under siege even as we speak.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“It is with a heavy heart that we voted for today's resolution 2202 (2015), and with a clear understanding of the terrible toll that this uninvited war has imposed on Ukraine. More than 20,000 people have been internally displaced owing to the illegal annexation of Crimea; at least 5,665 people have been killed, some 2,000 of them since the announcement of the ceasefire in September; nearly 14,000 have been wounded and some 1.5 million have been forced to flee their homes. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that further escalation will prove catastrophic for the 5.2 million people living in the midst of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.”
2015-02-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7384 (2015) · source
“The core idea behind the involvement of the United Nations and the Council is Yemen was to present its people with a clear break from the past based on democracy, human rights, the rule of law and national reconciliation. That idea, enshrined in the Initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, should remain the key reference point for any future path. We thank the main sponsors and authors of the resolution - Jordan and the United Kingdom. As our United Kingdom colleague did, I would also like to stress the role of the GCC, which remains essential in Yemen moving forward.”
2015-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7382 (2015) · source
“Lithuania welcomes the adoption by consensus of resolution 2201 (2015), on Yemen, which we were happy to sponsor. In the past months, the Security Council has not always been at its best, and we have been too slow to act on several occasions. This particular signal that the Council is ready to rise to the challenge and do its part in supporting the transition in Yemen is therefore essential. Through this resolution, the Council is sending a powerful message that all parties, in particular the Houthis, must engage in a constructive and inclusive dialogue that leads to agreement on a draft constitution and on the holding of a constitutional referendum and elections within a clear time frame.”
2015-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7382 (2015) · source
“We appreciate its concern regarding the growing number of civilian casualties and women suffering in eastern Ukraine. However, as we know, the best protection for the women of eastern Ukraine is in Russia's hands. It is up to Russia to put an end to those horrors by cutting off all supplies - military, financial and personnel-related - to its proxies, the illegal militants, whose abysmal lawlessness has been amply documented by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reports presented here in the Council, and whose impunity has contributed in the most direct of ways to the suffering that women in eastern Ukraine are enduring.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“The greater involvement of the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict and children and armed conflict in the work of the sanctions committees and their interaction and exchanges of information with respective panels of experts would strengthen sanctions committees' focus on violence against women and allow for perpetrators to be pursued and sanctioned with greater determination. That in itself would strengthen the deterrence element vis-a-vis the perpetrators and support the protection work carried out on the ground. I did not intend to speak today on specific country situations. However, I would like to conclude my remarks by responding to the comments made by the Russian delegation.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Relevant work by national justice and prosecution mechanisms is essential, and the international community must invest in strengthening national judicial, prosecution and corrections capacities. Building such capacities in a country emerging from conflict, however, does take time. It is therefore important that the Security Council act, continue to support accountability and use the full range of means at its disposal to support that end, inter alia by making more systematic use of referrals to the International Criminal Court, mandating commissions ofinquiry, acting on the reports ofsuch commissions and reinforcing the application of gender parameters among the designation criteria in all of the sanctions regimes.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“To this end, all United Nations efforts and presence on the ground have to be synchronized to produce that enabling environment where women and girls will be safe and free to engage in the processes that affect their lives. Nothing enhances the protection of women better that their full involvement and participation in all decision-making processes at all stages of conflict resolution, national reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction. Let me stress in particular the importance of strengtheningtheruleoflawandpursuitofaccountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including gender-based violence and rape. Today's briefers have stressed that tackling impunity is paramount in such situations.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Ilwad Elman, has eloquently spoken on that topic. Protection also requires addressing the problem of widespread availability of illicit small arms and light weapons and the impact of the illicit trade in arms on the lives of women and girls in conflict zones, as our Nigerian colleague has described. The Arms Trade Treaty, which came into effect last December, requires transfers to be assessed against the risk of gender-based violence or serious acts of violence against women and, if duly implemented, would make a real difference to the protection of women agenda. While physical protection measures in the field are a vital and most immediate form of protection response, promoting an environment supportive of women's participation is key.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“The presence of and adequate support for women's protection advisers on the ground, personal commitment ofa mission's leadership to gender-sensitive protection, predeployment guidance and training of the military, police and civilian personnel not simply on the basics of civilian protection but on gender-sensitive protection of civilians, and the sharing among missions of effective gender-sensitive protection practices and lessons learned are also important. As others before me have said, more women peacekeepers and police officers in United Nations missions and more women in leadership positions in peacekeeping are equally important. The strict implementation of a zero-tolerance policy vis-a-vis sexual abuse among peacekeepers is yet another necessary element of the protection of women and girls in a conflict situation. Our briefer, Ms.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“To ensure adequate protection of women and girls, implementation of relevant mandates must take into account local specificities, conditions and prevailing customs and practices. For protection purposes, it does matter how far women have to go to get water or food or collect cooking wood, how they can take care of their basic sanitation needs, what kind of terrain they have to cross to safety, whether they can trust their own local officials and police to report their attackers, whether the patrolling patterns of peacekeepers support their movement patterns, and so many other things that women themselves can only best know. Therefore, in all respects, consulting women on the ground to make sure that protection mandates respond to their real protection needs is essential.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“The adoption of landmark resolution 1325 (2000) has contributed significantly to furthering the protection of women agenda. The primary responsibility to protect civilian populations, as we all know, rests with national Governments. The international community has to step in, however, when that responsibility is neglected, whether it be for lack of capacity or political will, or breakdown of the State. As discussed in previous debates on the protection of civilians, effective protection requires clear and well-designed protection mandates that are supported by adequate means, resources and training, among other things. Gender-disaggregated data is essential to informed decisions on the protection of civilians.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Mr. President, I thank you for organizing today's open debate. I would also like to thank our three briefers for their sobering contributions to our discussion today. My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be made on behalf of the European Union. As others before me have said, women and girls are usually the first victims of conflict. They are disproportionately affected by conflict-related displacement, rights deprivation, marginalization and abuse. They are also the prime targets of sexual violence and rape and of forced and child marriages. In 1999, the Security Council took a unanimous decision to systematically address the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Since then, a considerable normative base has been created and progress achieved.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Russian weaponry and mercenaries, without which the conflict would have expired long ago, continue to flow freely across the border. In the meantime, while the events in Mariupol were exploding, Russia concluded a comprehensive agreement on alliance and strategic partnership with Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region, which means a de facto annexation of that territory in all but name. We remain profoundly concerned by the pattern of expansionist behaviour of Russia vis-a-vis its neighbours. The Council's ability to respond to such situations is once again being tested, as is its credibility. Let me conclude by joining my colleagues in wishing the best success to the Chinese presidency during the month of February. They can count on our support and cooperation.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“We also hope that the sanctions committee will be able to take necessary action within the context of the recent report of the Panel of Experts. Finally, let me turn briefly to the issue of Ukraine. A few days ago, we held our thirtieth open briefing on the situation in that country (see S/PV.7368). If only open briefings translated into changes on the ground. While the Council has managed to maintain a focus on the continuous deterioration of the situation in eastern Ukraine and occupied Crimea, we have no real impact on the ground, alas. In spite of Ukraine's efforts to keep the ceasefire alive, the militants have unilaterally abandoned the ceasefire and continue their attacks, with a growing number of civilian casualties.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“Although some positive signals have been seen emanating from the Central African Republic in the past days, the situation remains extremely fragile, as seen from the recent kidnappings of ministers and continuous human rights violations. Our inaction at this stage would send a bad signal to all those who are still engaged in perpetrating abuse and fomenting violence, undercutting our ability to impact on the further developments of the situation in the country, and also raising doubts about how serious we are about tackling impunity. While we note ongoing discussions between the warring groups of the Central African Republic, we believe that general amnesty or Government posts should not be a reward for those committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and gross violations of human rights.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“Next month, the Council is to review the Yemen sanctions regime, which was created to help prevent exactly what has happened in that country - to stop spoilers from undermining the transition process. That is what we have failed to do. We believe that a serious discussion is in order about where we go from here in order not to lose the Council's credibility and impact on this very fragile and potentially explosive situation. This month, the Council extended the sanctions regime against the Central African Republic. I wish to commend the excellent work of the Panel of Experts, which has produced an impressive report and submitted 19 statements of cases.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“We need to push all political actors in Yemen to agree and, most importantly, to strictly comply with a new, clear timeframe for the implementation of key stages in the transition. Whatever road map is agreed, it must be backed by credible means to ensure implementation. Otherwise, the Council's pronouncements will continue to be perceived as no more than empty threats. Some of my colleagues have referred to the issue of credibility or relevance of the Council, as my colleague from New Zealand has said. We find it very unfortunate that, at this critical stage, the Council failed a few days ago to come up with a statement on the latest developments in Yemen, and was unable to muster unity when it was most needed.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“The country, viewed as a success story only a year ago, has suffered a significant setback, with both the President and the Prime Minister resigning from their offices and the country itself on the brink of fragmentation. The Council has been warned about the continuous spoiler activities of ex-president Saleh and the consequences of the further violent advances of the Houthis, including a growth in violent sectarianism, terrorists strengthening their foothold, and even the split of the State itself. The national dialogue outcomes were the result of a legitimate and inclusive process and cannot simply be brushed aside if we are ever to achieve sustainable peace and development in Yemen.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“In this respect, we welcome the Department of Political Affairs" continued use of informal briefings, "Any other business" briefings, or any other formats that may serve the purpose of drawing the Council's attention at an early stage to potential crises and conflicts before they erupt, in order to work out early preventive responses. Being discussed by the Council should not be seen by countries as some sort of stigma to be avoided at all costs until it is too late. On the contrary, it should be seen as a preventive and helpful remedy that significantly reduces the losses, particularly human losses, and provides gains in the longer term. In Yemen, things this month have taken a dramatic turn.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“Although start-of-the-month horizon-scanning seems to have fallen out of grace in the Council, yesterday's initiative of the Department of Political Affairs to brief the Council on the situation in Nepal was a useful reminder, in our view, of why that format is important. As the Council continues to cope with ever more numerous crises and wider conflict geography, in the face of the largest numbers of persons displaced and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance since the Second World War, a renewed focus on prevention is urgent. It is increasingly difficult to muster pledging funds and troops for peacekeeping operations, and if we do not improve the United Nations early warning and conflict-prevention capacities, the gap between the urgent needs and our ability to address those needs will continue to widen, with tragic consequences.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“Mr. President, I join my colleagues in expressing my delegation's appreciation to you personally and to your team for your efficient presidency of the Council during this month. A good part of the work of the Council in January was carried out in the form of open debates and open briefings, including an open briefing by the Chairs of the sanctions committees. We also appreciate your use of Arria formula and interactive dialogues during the presidency, and we appreciate the kind words of our Malaysian colleague with regard to the Arria formula meeting that was organized by my delegation.”
2015-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7373 (2015) · source
“The onus is on Russia to put an end to this senseless war by ending support to illegal armed groups, accepting international monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian border, withdrawing its troops and weaponry from eastern Ukraine, ensuring the release by the illegal militants of all illegally detained persons, including Nadiya Savchenko - who is being held illegally on Russian territory - ending the manipulation of humanitarian assistance and reaffirming its respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. International observers, including the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitoring missions, must be provided full and unconditional access to the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea. Their reporting is indispensable to get the facts straight.”
2015-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7368 (2015) · source
“Thanks to the Kremlin's decision to "protect" Russian speakers, they now have no homes, no jobs and no income and may have lost dear ones or may be dead themselves. Russia's war, Russia's proxies and the abysmal lawlessness they imposed have brought destruction, displacement and death to the region. In spite of all the ceasefire violations and military attacks, the Ukrainian leadership firmly maintains that the Minsk agreements are the only way forward towards peace. However, the Minsk agreements must be implemented by all the parties to the conflict - Russia included f in full and without arbitrary revisions or manipulation.”
2015-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7368 (2015) · source