YouSaid · the spoken record

Noureddine Erray

lines on the record: 42
first: 2020-05-27
most recent: 2020-07-08
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“Such a dialogue must occur within the framework of the Berlin tracks and be based on the Libyan Political Agreement and relevant international resolutions, the most recent of which is resolution 2510 (2020). In conclusion, Tunisia reaffirms its full readiness to continue its efforts — with the same commitment and determination — to contribute actively and constructively to alleviating the human suffering of the brotherly Libyan people and supporting all international efforts aimed at the resumption of dialogue among all parties to the Libyan crisis.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We underline that effectively tackling the internal disorder and achieving reconciliation will enable the Libyans to take their fate into their own hands through a political settlement supported by the United Nations, based on the Berlin Conference conclusions and in accordance with the relevant international resolutions. We also note that international and regional efforts and initiatives can never succeed in helping Libyans to move forward if differences, disputes and mistrust prevail and continue to divide them. Tunisia remains confident in the ability of the Libyan people to overcome the crisis. To that end, a peaceful and inclusive national dialogue is essential.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“The current situation following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has proved that such challenges cannot be faced and contained through individual efforts. In that connection, Tunisia renews its deep thanks and appreciation to all Member States for their valuable and constructive cooperation, which led to the adoption of resolution 2532 (2020) on 1 July, initiated by Tunisia and France. Tunisia calls upon all parties to the Libyan crisis to firmly commit to the important contents of that resolution, to immediately engage in a humanitarian truce and to resume constructive dialogue and political negotiations.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“In that regard, we call on all the parties to ensure the safety of civilians, especially women and children. The situation of migrants and refugees should also be given due attention. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought new challenges and exacerbated the suffering of the Libyan people, especially under the continuing and widespread military escalation, putting the security and stability of Libya and the whole region at serious risk. The President of the Republic, Mr. Kaïs Saïed, was among the first leaders who early on called for an immediate humanitarian truce, as well as the elaboration of a new vision based on the values of solidarity and cooperation, to enable a rapid and efficient response to crises, unprecedented pandemics and emerging threats to peace and security in the world.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We hope that the political path will soon be relaunched with the participation of all the Libyan parties. Tunisia commends the important role of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and renews its plea to expedite the nomination of a new United Nations representative in Libya. Such a nomination will give a new incentive to international parties and the Libyan brothers to rebuild trust in order to achieve reconciliation and a comprehensive settlement of the crisis. Realizing the grave fallouts of the crisis for the humanitarian and social situation of the Libyan people, Tunisia joins the working group for humanitarian action of the Berlin Conference and stresses the necessity of respecting international humanitarian law and human rights law in Libya.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“We have always been cautious to reiterate Tunisia’s principled position, which focuses on the necessity to adopt a Libyan political solution in accordance with international legality and on the basis of the dialogue mechanisms, as mentioned in the political agreement, and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Recalling Tunisia’s positive and impartial role from neighbouring relations and common history, we reiterate our openness to, and support of, any comprehensive inter-Libyan dialogue within the terms of reference of international legality and under United Nations auspices. In that context, Tunisia welcomes the progress in the implementation of the Berlin Conference outcomes and the stages reached in the negotiations within the 5+5 Joint Military Commission.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“I take this opportunity to reiterate Tunisia’s continued commitment to facilitating the conduct of the Mission’s operations. The continuing military escalation and the blocking of the political process in Libya represent a direct and serious threat to peace and security in the region and the world. It poses a major challenge that requires concerted and combined efforts and feasible and viable initiatives in order to achieve a lasting and comprehensive solution to the crisis in this brotherly country under the auspices of the United Nations and in accordance with the agreed regional and international frameworks. Tunisia has been proactive in warning against the unfolding of the crisis, the deterioration of the security situation and, in particular, the fuelling and prolonging of the conflict due to the external interference.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the German Foreign Minister, Mr. Heiko Maas, and, through him, the Federal Republic of Germany for the initiative to hold this meeting at the ministerial level, which, we hope, conveys a message of reassurance to the Libyan people about the firm commitment of the Security Council and the international community to encourage all the parties to overcome the actual crisis, put an end to the military conflict and achieve a comprehensive political settlement. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, and, through him, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, headed by Ms. Stephanie Williams, for their valuable and continuous efforts in support of the political solution of the crisis in Libya.”
2020-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/686 (2020) · source
“In conclusion, as we commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, it is important to recognize that humanity is today witnessing new types of threats to international peace and security, emanating not only from pandemics but also from climate change and cybercriminality. As the nature and scope of threats evolve, we need to rethink security, and adapt our approaches and tools. It is clear we cannot face such dangers using the same tools we inherited from a bygone age. A change of paradigm is greatly needed. Tunisia strongly believes that the Security Council needs to discuss these issues more in depth to be able to deliver on its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“This will translate into food insecurity, and could quickly escalate into political unrest, violence and conflict. Tensions are already flaring around the world, and not just in war zones. In conflict settings, the situation could be even worse. The uncertainty created by the pandemic encouraged some actors to promote further division and turmoil, leading to escalation of violence and disastrous consequences on civilians and vulnerable persons, especially internally displaced persons and refugees. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to all United Nations troops in peace operations, as well as to humanitarian actors and relief personnel providing support to contain the pandemic and to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those vulnerable populations, sometimes risking their lives in the context of the pandemic.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“Tunisia profoundly believes that we will not be able to defeat this pandemic in each of our countries without solidarity and unity at the international, regional and national levels: solidarity because none of us can face this huge challenge alone; unity because the virus will use all weaknesses in our local, national and international systems to spread and kill. We should never forget that no one is immune until everyone is immune. Beyond the heavy death toll of more than half a million persons and the immediate health consequences of the pandemic, the global economy is heading towards another great depression. As food supplies come under strain, prices are getting higher and unemployment is rising, especially in fragile societies or less developed countries.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“At the same time, we commend the leading role of the United Nations system in coordinating the global response to COVID-19, and we support, in this regard, the central contribution of the World Health Organization to these efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed our assumptions about the current world order. It is telling us that the hierarchy of global security threats is changing rapidly, that we are dealing with new global enemies, and that no country, no matter how developed, will be immune to its impact. Obviously, we can expect the impact to be even more devastating in less developed countries and on vulnerable populations.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“I take this opportunity to congratulate all Security Council members on the unanimous adoption of that important resolution, and thank them for their patience, support and constructive engagement. In this regard, Tunisia shares the Secretary-General’s assessment concerning the impact of the pandemic on peace and security, as outlined in his statement before the Security Council on 9 April. My country fully supports all the initiatives and measures he proposed to mitigate the potential impact of the pandemic, especially in conflict-affected areas, in particular his appeal for an immediate global ceasefire and the launching of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19 by the United Nations.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“Since the early weeks of the pandemic, at the initiative of Tunisia and France and with the support and help of the rest of 10 elected members of the Council, Council members started working on a draft resolution to address the impact of COVID-19 on issues under its mandate. As we all know, the process was long and difficult. We all tried hard to go beyond our divergent views and concerns, and just yesterday, 1 July, we finally managed to prioritize the interests of the international community. That resolution, even though adopted after a delay of three months, bears the important message that consensus is possible with political will and a message of hope and renewed faith in multilateralism.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“Let me first congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council in July, wish you the greatest of success and assure you of our full support. We thank Germany for convening this high-level open debate on pandemics and security. I welcome the Secretary-General, thank him for his briefing and commend his leadership in mobilizing the United Nations system and the international community in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. I also thank the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the civil society representative for their briefings. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has clearly embarked on a volatile and unstable new phase. For the first time in living memory, humanity is confronting a common threat that it must defeat collectively.”
2020-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/663 (2020) · source
“I renew my thanks to Secretary-General António Guterres, to the French presidency of the Security Council and to all the brotherly and friendly nations that have expressed their support for upholding international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the universal values of peace.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“Tunisia stresses, in the meantime, the importance of providing international protection to the Palestinian people, lifting the unjust blockade imposed on Gaza and ending all other forms of discrimination and collective punishment. We call upon the international community to continue to support the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to confront the growing economic, social and humanitarian challenges as a result of the continued occupation and the novel coronavirus pandemic threat. In closing, Tunisia reaffirms that stability and security cannot be restored in the region, and that peace and calm cannot be guaranteed to its populations, unless a just and comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict is reached.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“Our absolute rejection of the annexation plan and our call for concerted international efforts to oppose it and prevent its ultimate implementation are equally matched by our demand for an end to the Israeli occupation, which constitutes the root cause and the most prominent embodiment of the Palestinian tragedy that has been going on for more than 70 years, with all the aggressions and violations to which the brotherly Palestinian people are still subject, continuously and systematically. In this connection, we renew our call on the Security Council to compel Israel to end the occupation and withdraw from all Palestinian and Arab lands to the borders of 4 June 1967, according to a specific timetable. We also stress the importance of intensifying efforts to revive the peace process in accordance with the internationally agreed parameters.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“Based on the principles of its foreign policy, Tunisia reiterates its firm and principled support to the brotherly Palestinian people in their struggle to regain their legitimate rights, establish their independent and sovereign State within the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and resolve all final- status issues through a just, durable and comprehensive solution in accordance with the resolutions of international legality, the two-State vision and the Arab Peace Initiative. Tunisia also affirms that the Palestinian rights are not time-bound and that the Israeli measures are null and void and with no international legal effect.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“It constitutes a serious threat to any efforts to advance the regionally and internationally desired peace, and it would have extremely dangerous repercussions on the whole situation in the region.S/2020/596 In that regard, Tunisia renews its call upon the international community to assume its responsibilities at this decisive stage by opposing this plan and preventing its implementation as an urgent priority in order to uphold international law, preserve the prospects for peace and prevent the escalation to a new cycle of violence and chaos. Tunisia also stresses the need to send a strong and clear message to Israel that the international community rejects the annexation plan and stands against the continuing violation of international law, putting at risk the security, peace and stability of the region and the world.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“These include the decisions to annex East Jerusalem and impose Israeli sovereignty over it, changing its demographic composition and Judaizing the city, the decision to impose sovereignty on the occupied Syrian Golan, the so-called Jewish nation-State law, the never-ending projects to build thousands of settlement units and, recently, the plan to annex parts of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea. The intended Israeli annexation represents a grave violation of international law, including the relevant United Nations resolutions, and yet another aggression against the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“The front runners of these practices, which have never ended, are the confiscation of land, the demolition of homes, the settlement expansion, the violation of human rights, the desecration of holy sites, coupled with restrictions on movement and tightening the unfair siege on Gaza, the economic strangulation and all other forms of collective punishment. In the same vein, despite the international efforts, the multiple United Nations resolutions and the agreements concluded, successive Israeli Governments not only have ignored and violated those references, but rather have taken a series of unilateral decisions and measures, within a fait accompli policy, to change the legal and historical status of the Arab lands and implement the Israeli expansionist plans.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“Paradoxically, in return our meeting comes a few days ahead of another sequence in the course of Israel’s disdain for international legality, with the announcement by the country’s Prime Minister to start implementing a plan to annex parts of the Palestinian territories in flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions and in a blatant challenge to the international community, which has expressed, at different levels, its clear rejection of these aggressive policies. For more than seven decades, Israel, the occupying Power, has pursued and still pursues its aggressive practices against the brotherly Palestinian people.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for his exhaustive briefing, as well as for their efforts to promote peace. This important meeting is taking place alongside the United Nations preparations to celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary, with all the deep connotations and significance of this event, which represents a renewed opportunity to affirm our adherence to the Charter of our Organization and to emphasize the crucial and renewed importance of international law and covenants in regulating international relations and maintaining international peace and security.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Secretary-General António Guterres for his introductory remarks and the presentation of his fourteenth report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016). I take this opportunity to reiterate Tunisia’s commendation of his tireless efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East. I also thank the French presidency of the Security Council for its positive response to the request to hold this meeting at the ministerial level, and I would like to warmly welcome my counterparts, Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Vice-Ministers and all representatives of the brotherly and friendly countries. Our thanks also go to Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, for his extensive briefing and to Mr.”
2020-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/596 (2020) · source
“It should integrate development, poverty reduction and good governance, as well as secure the full implementation of the African Union vision on silencing the guns in Africa. Hence the need for the international community to support all bilateral and multilateral initiatives aiming at mobilizing political will and resources to address the challenges in the region, such as the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, which was endorsed by the Council in 2013 and crucially needs to be implemented. We believe that the region has the capacity to extract itself from the present crisis by working on such an integrated road map, with the support of the international community and the engagement and ownership of its youth and communities, to lay the foundation of a prosperous future.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“That would secure sustainable and predictable funding for the Force and, at the same time, would release MINUSMA from a heavy burden, thus allowing it to dedicate its efforts entirely to supporting the peace process in Mali. Peace and security in Mali and the Sahel are vital, not only to the region but also to the entire African continent and even beyond. The Pau summit, held in France in January, as well as other international and regional initiatives testify to an increasing awareness of the multiple challenges in the Sahel and the need for the international community to assist countries of the region in strengthening their stabilization efforts to deal with emerging threats and development challenges. Fighting terrorism and violent extremism is a global responsibility and requires a broader approach that goes beyond security.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“We also appreciate MINUSMA’s support to the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) in countering terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel region. The provision of life support consumables by MINUSMA is crucial for the operationalization of the Joint Force, and we thank the European Union for its funding. Nevertheless, as outlined in the reports of the Secretary-General, the current support model has its limits. Beyond options identified by the Secretariat to overcome transportation challenges, Tunisia believes that the G-5 Sahel Joint Force deserves a comprehensive support package funded through United Nations assessed contributions in order to fully and effectively operate across the region.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“While operating in a highly challenging security environment and trying to adapt to the evolving situation in Mali, MINUSMA has shown its ability to carry out its mandate and deal with multiple tasks, ranging from facilitating the implementation of the Agreement to protecting civilians and helping the Malian authorities exercise their full operational control over areas previously under the control of terrorist and extremist groups, especially in the north of the country. The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process and the redeployment of reconstituted units are crucial in that regard. Tunisia is proud to contribute to MINUSMA’s operations through an air transport unit, which has been instrumental in achieving recent progress on various fronts.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“Despite those challenges, the Malian authorities and people remain committed to implementing the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, signed in Algiers in 2015, which remains the only viable process conducive to stability, security, and State-building in Mali. In that regard, we welcome the recent progress in the transition process, as reflected in the conclusion of the inclusive national dialogue, as well as the successful second round of legislative elections that witnessed, to our great satisfaction, the candidacy and election of a significant number of women. We strongly believe that the more women, civil society and community leaders are involved in the implementation of the Agreement, the better the chances of achieving peace, stability and development in Mali.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“I also wish to take this opportunity to thank all MINUSMA personnel and commend them for their efforts and dedication in the fulfilment of the Mission’s mandate, despite the difficult and challenging conditions, and to present my condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers who died in service. The situation in the Sahel is still characterized by a deteriorating security environment owing to persistent terrorist attacks targeting security forces and civilians, which is exacerbated by intercommunal violence, the effects of climate change and, more recently, by the impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic. Meanwhile, the region remains crippled by cross-border trafficking and organized crime on a massive scale.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“Let me start by congratulating France on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June and reiterating our support to its efforts towards making this vital organ more effective and responsive to the numerous challenges we are facing. I would like to thank the Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the African Union High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, Pierre Buyoya, for their informative briefings on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and to assure them of Tunisia’s full support for their vision of a peaceful and prosperous Mali and, more generally, Sahel region.”
2020-06-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/541 (2020) · source
“It is our responsibility to prevent the outbreak of armed conflict and to address its root causes before hostilities take the lead over preventive diplomacy and before it is too late to save civilians. To conclude, let me say that ensuring the protection of civilians needs a united Security Council take up its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security more efficiently. It needs its members to prioritize the global common interests of the international community. It needs all of us to uphold our commitment to multilateralism and to the Charter of the United Nations. As an elected member, Tunisia will spare no effort during its mandate to contribute to these goals.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“We believe that the Security Council has a moral obligation to support this call, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic context, and we look forward to the unanimous adoption of the draft resolution presented by Tunisia and France in this regard. However, stopping hostilities is not enough. It is also our responsibility to find durable solutions to many protracted conflicts and disputes, which continue to inflict suffering upon civilians in the Palestinian territories, Libya, Yemen and many parts of Africa. It is our responsibility, too, to ensure full compliance with arms embargoes and prevent the flow of arms, which perpetuates hostilities and leads to more civilian casualties.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“We believe that it is urgent to initiate a debate around the growing acquisition and use of armed drones in order to address concerns not only over compliance with international humanitarian law and accountability, but also over their use by non-State actors in terrorist activities. Beyond calling for promoting respect for international humanitarian law and accountability, the protection of civilians requires that we strive to put an end to the hostilities and silence the guns everywhere. In this regard, we reiterate our full support for the call launched on 23 March by the Secretary-General for a global ceasefire.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Justice should be based on credible investigation and prosecution, and not be subject to politicization. A number of other factors have also contributed to the deterioration of the protection of civilians, including the growing intercommunal, ethnic and religious tensions and violence, the increasing involvement of armed groups and non- State actors in the conduct of hostilities, including foreign terrorist fighters and mercenaries, the widespread availability of weapons, mainly as a result of illicit trafficking in small arms and violations of arms embargoes, in addition to the use of armed remotely piloted aircraft or drones by an increasing number of States and some non-State armed groups to conduct indiscriminate attacks in places such as Libya, Somalia and Yemen.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Such suffering would be highly diminished if parties to conflicts respected international humanitarian law and international human rights law or if perpetrators of serious violations were held accountable. The lack of action against violations of international humanitarian law has unfortunately led to the perception of a free ride for parties to a conflict to commit atrocities. As a party to the Rome Statute, Tunisia is strongly committed to the fight against impunity and reiterates its full support to the International Criminal Court to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. Criminal justice is badly needed to prevent the recurrence of violations of international humanitarian law.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“The protection of civilians may even deteriorate under COVID-19, a context that might be seen by some parties to conflicts as an opportunity to strike while Governments and the international community are absorbed by the health crisis. Such a scenario could lead to increased violence and civilian suffering. We have to admit that more than 70 years after the adoption of the Geneva Conventions and more than 20 years after the Security Council added the protection of civilians to its agenda, the results are way below expectations. The truth is that the terrible suffering that continues to be inflicted upon civilians caught up in armed conflicts is due not to an inadequate legal framework, but to poor compliance by actors and an absence of accountability for serious violations.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“The Secretary-General’s report contains disturbing information about tens of thousands of civilians killed, physically injured or traumatized in 2019. It reveals that millions of people continue to be forced from their homes or displaced. It is regrettable to recognize also that conflict-related sexual violence persists in many armed conflicts, where women and girls, in particular, are still subject to appalling sexual violence. It is equally deplorable to acknowledge that conflicts continue to have a devastating impact on children, as tens of thousands of boys and girls are being forced to take part in hostilities, including on front lines, and are being exposed to a multitude of other violations, including killing, maiming and sexual violence.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“In situations that are not covered by these treaties, such as cases of internal violence, civilians remain legally protected by other instruments of international law, mainly human rights law, as well as by national laws compatible with international laws and by the principle of humanity. Unfortunately, despite this adequate and comprehensive legal framework, today’s reality shows that the civilian population continue to suffer most from the consequences of armed violence. In the various ongoing conflicts, whether in Africa, the Middle East or elsewhere, civilians are increasingly caught up in hostilities, including in urban populated areas. Even worse, in many instances, we witness military operations by armed groups deliberately targeting civilians as a retaliation for perceived support to their adversaries.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Peter Maurer for the long-standing commitment and action of the International Committee of the Red Cross related to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and other situations of violence for more than a century. I salute the participation in this meeting of the Nobel Peace Laureate Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a leading actor in the promotion of peace, justice and democratic rule. It is important on such occasions to recall that protection for the civilian population is a basic element of humanitarian law. Civilians not taking part in hostilities must, on no account, be attacked and should be spared and protected. The 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols contain specific rules to protect civilians.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this high-level open meeting on such a highly important topic as the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Estonia on a successful presidency of the Security Council this month, despite the difficult work conditions imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. I would like also to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, for his comprehensive briefing and report (S/2020/366) and commend his leadership and tireless efforts to uphold the protection of civilians, especially in this particularly difficult COVID-19 context, which severely impacts populations already afflicted by conflicts, including refugees and displaced people, as well as those living under occupation. My thanks and appreciation go also to Mr.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source