YouSaid · the spoken record

Oshima

lines on the record: 900
first: 2001-04-23
most recent: 2007-06-22
sittings or episodes: 95
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

“Repairs on the Kuito airstrip, located in one of the hardest-hit areas in the country, have been delayed for more than 22 months. Damaged bridges also severely limit the use of surface routes. The combination of widespread insecurity and damaged infrastructure forces the World Food Programme, which manages the logistics network in the country, to deliver up to 60 per cent of all humanitarian assistance by air. This is one of the reasons why the Angolan humanitarian operation is one of the most expensive in the world, after Afghanistan. In addition to urgently repairing infrastructure such as the Kuito airstrip, there are a number of steps that the Government must take to assume greater responsibility for helping to alleviate the suffering of its own people.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“It includes an innovative rights-based humanitarian strategy that is based on core principles in the Angolan Constitution. The Government has shown its commitment to this strategy by setting out 40 "point partnership targets" that it intends to meet this year. While these positive achievements by the Government should be acknowledged, it is clear that much more needs to be done, and quickly, for that matter. This must also be noted and emphasized. For example, one of the major constraints to delivering humanitarian aid is the appalling state of the country's infrastructure. Four of the airstrips used by humanitarian agencies are currently under repair, limiting the number of humanitarian flights, and in some cases putting humanitarian personnel at risk.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“These Guiding Principles became an important basis for establishing minimum standards for the resettlement of internally displaced persons, developed by the Government in cooperation with United Nations agencies. Another positive development in the Angola operation is the increasing cooperation between the Government of Angola and the humanitarian community. A protection strategy for internally displaced persons was recently developed and is being implemented in partnership with the Government. This has resulted in a number of important achievements, including joint monitoring of violations by the Government and the United Nations. In addition to this, the 2002 United Nations Consolidated Appeal for assistance was developed, for the first time, jointly by the Government and the humanitarian community.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“Amid all these problems and difficulties, it is heartening to note that the Government of Angola has taken several positive steps in recent years to increase its involvement in the provision of humanitarian assistance, and this must be noted. For example, the Government has allocated more than $50 million to the national emergency programme and has created a Fund for Peace and Reconciliation during the past two years. Working closely with the United Nations, Angolan authorities have helped close more than 35 transit centres where people were living in inhumane conditions. I am also pleased to note that Angola is the leading country in incorporating the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement developed by Mr. Francis Deng, the Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons, into its national legal framework.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“An even larger number receive health care and benefits from programmes in the areas of water and sanitation, nutritional support, education and mine action. Despite the magnitude of this assistance, only a fraction of the overall needs of the country are being met. As the map on the screen indicates, humanitarian agencies operate in about 60 per cent of the 272 locations where internally displaced persons are concentrated. Humanitarian coverage is limited by a number of factors, including insecurity, mine infestation, poor infrastructure, lack of capacity and lack of funding. The map now on the screen shows the areas where international agencies have unrestricted access. As members can clearly see, most of the country's interior is too insecure for agencies to launch operations.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“In some locations, agencies are overwhelmed by the emergency needs of the internally displaced persons, with neither the means nor the personnel to meet them. In Kuito and Camacupa, more than 62,000 displaced persons have poured into the area during the last five months. An additional 12,000 entered during the first two weeks of January alone. There is almost no space to accommodate these people, and resources have run out. Despite the difficult situation, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations have been striving to meet the humanitarian needs of displaced and other vulnerable people. The humanitarian operation in Angola is one of the largest in the world; it includes more than 400 national and international non-governmental organizations. Approximately 1 million Angolans receive food aid.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“The net result has been a rapid increase in displacement and human deprivation. The map now on the screen shows the areas of the country where displaced populations are concentrated. Insecurity and military action have forced populations to flee from rural areas into mainly provincial capitals. As the map indicates, all of Angola's 18 provinces have internally displaced persons. In a worrisome trend, the past six months have seen an increase in the number of security incidents affecting humanitarian personnel and assets. Since July, more than 40 separate incidents involving harassment by security forces or looting of humanitarian assets have occurred. Almost all humanitarian agencies in the country are working at full capacity.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“The Angolan war has also created one of the largest displaced populations in the world. Since 1999, the total number of displaced persons has doubled, from 2 million to over 4 million now. This means that almost one third of the country's entire population of 12 million is displaced. Despite being weakened by the sanctions imposed by the Council, UNITA continues to destabilize large parts of the countryside and to disrupt normal economic and social activities in all areas, except Luanda and certain coastal and western zones. Over the last two years, UNITA has shifted to guerrilla warfare, with random attacks on the civilian population and key infrastructure. The primary victims are civilians, who increasingly are finding themselves caught up in the middle of UNITA attacks and the Government's counter-insurgency strategy.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“Erick de Mul, is also present and is available to answer questions. First, let me begin with an update on the humanitarian conditions in Angola, which remain among the worst in the world. The statistics for the country are truly shocking. Angola ranks one hundred and forty-sixth in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) human development index, out of 162 countries. Life expectancy is 44 years, and 63 per cent of all households live below the poverty line. The status of children is catastrophic. Thirty per cent of all children die before reaching the age of 5. An estimated 100,000 children have been separated from their families, and evidence indicates that child soldiers are once again being forced to fight in the country's ruinous civil war. In addition, new cases of polio have been confirmed in eastern Angola.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I wish to thank the Security Council for providing me with this opportunity and in particular to thank you, Mr. President, for having taken the initiative to convene a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Angola. While the world's attention has been focused on the situation in Afghanistan, other emergencies, such as the protracted one in Angola, are badly in need of our attention. Under-Secretary-General Gambari, as the Council will recall, touched upon the disheartening humanitarian conditions in Angola in December, when he briefed the Council following his mission there. Sadly, not much has changed since then. Today I hope to give the Council a full account of the humanitarian situation, and I am also pleased to inform the Council that the Humanitarian Coordinator for Angola, Mr.”
2002-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4472 (2002) · source
“A specific issue was raised concerning the United Nations High-Readiness Brigade. That is a specific mechanism that was put in place in response to the Secretary-General's call for a rapid deployment force, as mentioned by the Ambassador of Mauritius. Currently, it comprises units from several countries - units trained to the standards for deployment in operations under Chapter VI of the Charter. Whether or not this so-called High-Readiness Brigade has, in fact, been deployed, I myself am not certain at this stage. But to my knowledge - I may be incorrect about this - the brigade as such has not been deployed with respect to any specific situations.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“As I said, we would like to make sure that invitations are extended to all parties in our future plans in this regard. As to whether a written report is available concerning the discussions which took place in the workshops that have so far been held, I would like to make sure that such a report is made available to all those who might be interested in it. Concerning the possibility of benchmarking to indicate progress made with respect to some of the recommendations, I think there is a possibility of including some form of benchmarking, either in the aide memoire, in the process or elsewhere. Of course, it all depends on the issues. Some issues lend themselves easily to some form of benchmarking; others do not. But we take note of this very interesting suggestion, and we will see what can be done with respect to this particular concern.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“As a matter of fact, as the members of the Council are aware, with regard to Afghanistan we have established within the Secretariat an Integrated Mission Task Force to address all issues that are of policy importance within that newly established framework so as to ensure a coherent response to the problems in Afghanistan. I do not see why a similar wide-ranging exercise should not be undertaken with respect to the issue under consideration. Regarding the involvement of other parties, we would, of course, be open to - indeed, we would welcome - the participation of as many interested parties as possible, including members of the Council, and possibly some regional organizations, in workshops and other similar exercises. We would welcome that very much.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“On the question of whether we would want to involve the Department of Political Affairs, together with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, of course we would be prepared to do so; nothing really prohibits us from doing that. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has no reservations whatsoever about engaging other departments of the Secretariat. I mentioned the interface between OCHA and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations because there was a specific reference to it in the letter from the President of the Council to the Secretary-General. That is the only reason we made specific reference to the interface between OCHA and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Mr. Oshima: A number of practical questions have been raised. First, I welcome the interest shown by many members of the Council in the possibility of our providing an interim report before the submission of the final report, which is expected in November next year. We would of course be prepared to submit at an appropriate time an interim report which would summerize all the progress that has been made so that the members of the Council could consider it and make any suggestions to the Secretariat that they might wish to make so that we could perhaps have a better, more complete and more satisfactory report in November next year. That is something that we would be prepared to consider favourably, and we of course also look to the President of the Council for guidance in this regard.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Those kinds of problems do indeed exist; in each and every case, what the humanitarian agencies try to do is to address each case on its own merits, case by case, and see what they can do: what kind of practical arrangements can be made to allow access. But again, this often involves very difficult and delicate negotiations. Sometimes agencies are successful, other times they are not. The only thing I would like to say about these problems is that they involve very difficult negotiations in each and every case. For further practical information, I think this issue should really be addressed to the agencies that are actually engaged on the ground. I hope I have answered most of the questions put to me.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“In Afghanistan we certainly see this happening at the moment, and we also see it in various situations in other complex emergency situations in Africa and elsewhere. For example, in Afghanistan at the moment we see some indications of the militarization of camps for internally displaced persons; this is reported in Mazar-e-Sharif and in Herat. Apparently, there is intimidation of Pashtun internally displaced persons by Northern Alliance factions, which leads to the introduction of military elements into such camps. Similar developments are reported also in some of the camps established in the border areas near Pakistan. The situation created there is so dangerous that access by humanitarian agencies to the camps to assist people in those facilities has been made risky and dangerous. At the moment, access is not assured.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Concerning a progress report on the matrix, as I mentioned in my remarks, that matter has been looked at by the Secretariat as a tool 7 as an implementation chart - to help members of the Council and other stakeholders to better address issues related to the protection of civilians in all its aspects. We will, of course, need some more time to complete that work, but in due course we would like to report to members of the Council on progress in an appropriate way. We very much look to the President of the Council for guidance in that regard. Let me turn briefly to the issue of the separation of combatants from the civilian population in camps for internally displaced persons and in refugee camps. This, of course, is a problem which we often witness in many situations.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Turning to the problem mentioned by the representative of Colombia, I do not believe that invitations were extended to all members of the Council to the three workshops that have taken place so far. We envisage further workshops in the months ahead, and I would like to assure the members of the Council that invitations will be extended to future workshops. In addition, as I indicated, I hope that some time early next year an interface will take place with all members of the Council to address the issues under discussion, such as the road map, the development of a manual and other relevant issues. I would also like to make sure that work plans for between now and November 2002 are developed and that all members of the Council are duly informed of them.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“On the practical level, in order to enhance the development of the road map, my Office has undertaken a review of relevant reports of the Secretary-General and Council resolutions relating to prevention, peacekeeping, sanctions, the issue of children, small arms issues and other matters. Identifying other implementation efforts will help fill any gaps and will enhance cooperation with other departments and agencies in order to facilitate implementation. But I do indeed recognize the need to try to establish some common threads that will need to be pulled together. We will try to make an effort to ensure that those common threads are developed and that they are adequately reflected in the report that we will submit in November 2002.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“We shall try to determine where there has been progress or regress in addressing the relevant issues raised in connection with the protection of civilians. Concerning possible overlap, there are issues connected with the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including small arms, conflict prevention, children in armed conflict, et cetera. There are a number of reports by the Secretary-General that separately raise the issue of civilian protection in connection to those sub-issues, ifI may call them that. There are certain overlapping elements, but I think these processes are more complementary to each other. Indeed, these processes demonstrate a convergence of opinions on the critical issues.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Those are some of the core issues that the manual will try to address, drawing on the best practices that agencies and their partners in non-governmental organizations have collected over the years. Of course, we would like to share the manual with the members of the Council in an appropriate forum. The Ambassador of Singapore raised the issue of quick implementation of the recommendations made in the report of the Secretary-General, and wondered whether we are able to provide some trend lines. This is of course not an easy task, but we will try as much as possible to reflect that in our report to be submitted next November, not only in terms of the information but also with regard to any general trend that we may be able to establish.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“The group is also preparing a policy paper on this issue. The endorsement of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee will be sought for the manual and the policy paper before they are submitted to the Council for its consideration. Contacts with armed groups should of course be based on core humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and humanity to stop the suffering of innocent civilians and to allow a sustained humanitarian dialogue. Contacts with armed groups should not affect their legitimacy or the legitimacy of their claims. The concern over legitimizing armed groups must be balanced with the often urgent need to negotiate with those groups on access and the safety of personnel in order to take life-saving assistance to people in need.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I would like, first of all, to express my appreciation for the great deal of interest in the progress that is being made in the work following the exchanges between the President of the Council and the Secretary-General as to how we proceed from now until November 2002, when we expect to submit a report to the Council on this important issue. First, with regard to the question raised by the Ambassador of Ukraine concerning the preparation of a manual, an inter-agency process was initiated to address this matter. Agencies have agreed to produce a manual for United Nations humanitarian field staff that should incorporate best practices collected from the field and contain guidance on practical steps as to when, how and on what basis one should engage or disengage with armed groups.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“This will require the commitment and cooperation of Member States, regional organizations, international and domestic non-governmental organizations, the media, the private sector and academia. My Office is committed to continuing in close consultation with the Council to develop an implementation road map and the aide-memoire. We will also seize the opportunity to establish a cross- cutting mechanism between OCHA and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. I look forward to coming back to the Council in a few months with additional information on the status of these initiatives.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“The Secretary-General welcomes the opportunity to develop a cross-cutting team composed of representatives from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and OCHA in order to facilitate due consideration of issues related to the protection of civilians in the design, planning and implementation of peacekeeping operations. To that end, my Office is developing a strategic paper, which will be brought to the attention of the members of the Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee for further development and action. While the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians rests with Governments, it is important that we reach beyond traditional lines and create synergies between a wide range of actors.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“This is meant to be a checklist to ensure that the issues of protection of civilians are systematically taken into consideration in establishing, changing or closing peacekeeping mandates. Working closely with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and humanitarian and human rights agencies, my Office has prepared a list of key issues to be considered by the Council. The list is currently being shared informally with interested Member States for comment. We would like to propose that a half-day, expert-level discussion with members of the Council be organized to review the aide- memoire sometime next year, perhaps in January or February. I would like to move on to the third initiative, which concerns steps to ensure closer coordination between my Office, OCHA, and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“As regards peacekeeping, the workshops noted that so far, in most instances, peacekeeping mandates do not include the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Many participants cited insufficient political will as one of the reasons. It was widely agreed that mission planning for peacekeeping operations would benefit from the perspectives of humanitarian workers, as they have often been on the ground for years and could contribute essential information and analysis regarding the protection of civilians. To change the realities on the ground, sometimes peacekeeping operations need robust mandates from the Security Council. These are some of the points highlighted in the course of the workshops. This leads me to my second point: the issue of the aide-memoire process.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“High priority was attached to establishing the International Criminal Court and moving away from ad hoc tribunals while bolstering national justice systems. Funding in this regard was identified as a major problem in post- conflict situations in which the national justice system has collapsed. More secure funding from assessed contributions was suggested as a solution. On the issue of internally displaced persons, the importance of operationalizing the guiding principles concerning internally displaced persons through training, mainstreaming and assistance programmes was stressed in the course of the discussion. The effective implementation of these programmes will, again, require increased donor support. The frequent lack of funds often results in lost opportunities and dangerous setbacks.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“In this connection, I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of Norway for providing the necessary financial support to hold these workshops. I would like to highlight some of the points raised during the discussions in the workshops. Concerning legal protection, for example, the participants called for greater specificity with regard to State obligations under international humanitarian, refugee and human rights laws. It was suggested that Member States could exchange information about their best practices to provide guidance for other States and to reinforce the success of initiatives. Participants called upon the United Nations to provide capacity- building assistance in States where implementation and enforcement capacity is inadequate.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“The matrix will list thematically the recommendations and relevant provisions contained in resolutions 1265 (1999) and 1296 (2000) while, of course, identifying the responsible institutions, including the Security Council, the General Assembly, Member States, the Secretariat and others, such as regional organizations, the private sector and civil society. We hope that this exercise will eventually contribute to enhancing the implementation of the recommendations at the legislative, executive and operational levels. To assist in the preparation of the road map, my Office has organized thus far three workshops, in which interested Member States, the Secretariat, agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, non-governmental organizations and various experts have participated.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“First, the aim in developing the road map is to reorganize the Secretary-General's recommendations into different themes, then identify responsible institutions for implementation and define the necessary steps, including the steps for cooperation and coordination. For this purpose, my Office, in consultation with interested Member States and various agencies, is in the process of creating a matrix, or implementation chart, to elaborate on needed action for the implementation of the recommendations. We intend to include the final outcome in a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Council in November 2002.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Secondly, the Secretariat was asked to draft an aide-memoire to facilitate consideration by the Council of issues pertaining to the protection of civilians in the design and planning of peacekeeping mandates. Thirdly, the Council encouraged the Secretary-General to further ensure closer cooperation between my Office - the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the protection of civilians. The Secretary-General welcomes the opportunity to develop this implementation plan. I am pleased to report this morning that all the suggestions mentioned are in various stages of development. Let me elaborate on the progress made so far on the three proposed initiatives.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“The Secretary-General's two reports on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, submitted to the Council in September 1999 and March 2001, contain 54 recommendations with respect to these and other, related problems. In a letter of June 2001, the President of the Council suggested to the Secretary- General several initiatives to move these recommendations into action. The initiatives suggested cover three main areas. The first involves a reorganization of those 54 recommendations by the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Security Council, into different groups, with the aim of clarifying responsibilities, enhancing cooperation and facilitating implementation; I would like to refer to this reorganization of work, for convenience's sake, as a road map.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“The situation in Afghanistan, for example, highlights many of the issues and challenges addressed in the Secretary- General's report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, such as the issue of humanitarian access to vulnerable populations; the special protection needs of women and children; safety, protection and security in camps for internally displaced persons; engagement with armed groups for access negotiations; civil and military relations in the delivery of humanitarian aid; separation of civilians and combatants in camps for internally displaced persons and refugees; and the security and safety of humanitarian personnel. These and other issues dealt with in the Secretary-General's report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict are, in fact, the daily problems faced in the situation of Afghanistan today.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I would like to thank you, Madam President, and the members of the Council for inviting me to brief the Council on the implementation plan for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Despite the growing attention paid, including in the media recently, to the fate of civilians caught in armed conflict, the reality faced by millions of civilians around the world is a grim one.”
2001-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4424 (2001) · source
“I wish to express appreciation and thanks to those delegations that have expressed support for the work done by United Nations humanitarian agencies, including my Office. Regarding the specific conflict situations mentioned by delegations, I am afraid the time limits will not allow for an extensive response on this occasion. I would, however, say that I listened carefully to their views and, pleas, and in my capacity as Emergency Relief Coordinator I will work to ensure, again, in close collaboration with all humanitarian agencies and organizations concerned, that the humanitarian needs of those distressed civilian populations will be addressed in the best way possible in our daily activities on the ground.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“I wish to assure the Council that my Office, in close consultation and partnership with members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, in particular the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross and others, looks forward to working with the Council for implementation of the recommendations, following appropriate practical mechanisms and procedures that I expect will be put in place in the light of today's discussions. It is my hope that the Secretary-General's next report will illuminate real progress in this regard.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I am pleased with the generally positive way in which the Secretary-General's report has been received by members of the Council and other Permanent Representatives. I am also pleased to note the clear desire on the part of many Council members to move forward with the implementation of the recommendations, as appropriate.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“The seriousness of today's debate so far has further contributed to drawing the necessary attention to the civilian victims and, furthermore, to the need to effect real progress in this very difficult area. Civilians in war need decisive and timely action by the Council in implementing the many pivotal recommendations contained in the Secretary- General's reports.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Such a follow-up report to the Council should focus primarily on progress made in implementing the recommendations. In this context, I would like to express my readiness to report, as has been suggested, within six months - by October 2001 for example - on progress made in elaborating the road map. The follow-up report could then be issued another 12 months later - for example in October 2002 - reflecting the action taken to implement the road map. In conclusion, I would like to express once again my deep appreciation for the importance the Council attaches to the issue of the protection of civilians. It has proved a significant opportunity to give a voice to the tens of millions of victims who are suffering in silence in many parts of the world.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“As a first step, however, I would like to encourage the Council to design a clear road map for implementation of the recommendations, as suggested by the Ambassador of Norway. In this respect, my Office, OCHA, stands ready to work closely with the Council in elaborating a road map with clear time-lines aimed at identifying the respective roles of Member States, the Secretariat and other parts of the United Nations system and at categorizing and prioritizing recommendations for implementation by each entity. In my capacity as Emergency Relief Coordinator, I also stand ready to update the Council regularly on the progress made in this regard. As for the next report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians, I was particularly struck by the intervention made by the Norwegian Ambassador.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Secondly, effective coordination can significantly enhance the protection of civilians, as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance. To draw lessons from recent field experiences with a View to strengthening value-added features of coordination arrangements, my Office has commissioned a study on humanitarian coordination. The preliminary draft points to the need for early on-the-ground coordination among agencies, donors and other relevant actors. I would also like to mention some other proposals that have been made concerning the practical implementation of the 54 recommendations of the report on this issue. I welcome the idea of an informal working group of the Council to facilitate a more interactive process between the Council and the Secretariat on the matter.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“In that connection, I would like to mention also that non- governmental organizations are daily engaged in the work of humanitarian assistance; non-governmental organizations are indispensable partners of United Nations agencies in providing humanitarian relief assistance to vulnerable people. While their national and international staff, like United Nations personnel, are increasingly made the target of attack, the current security framework does not adequately address staff safety. Therefore, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee has formed a working group to strengthen collaboration between the United Nations and non- governmental organizations on this issue at the field level. As part of my regular updates on the protection of civilians, I stand ready also to update the Council on results and progress on these matters, as appropriate.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“It will include benchmarks for the engagement and disengagement of aid agencies, demands for conditionality, clearance procedures, needs assessments, monitoring of the delivery of relief and assistance, and other principles. Drawing on past experience, my Office will take the lead in this matter, working closely with the members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. As a first step in that direction, a group of key agencies has already been formed; it will meet next month for an initial working-level session to be followed by the endorsement by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee of an appropriate mechanism for further efforts. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee has been working on the issue of strengthening the safety and security of humanitarian personnel in the field.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to respond briefly to some of the proposals of a practical nature made in this morning's debate, and to outline a number of practical steps that my Office and its humanitarian partners are undertaking or envisaging to improve the protection of civilians in practical terms. In that connection, I would like to call for the Council's active support for the implementation of those steps. First, in order to develop better coordinated and more creative approaches to access negotiations, to which many delegations referred, the Secretary- General has requested the Inter-Agency Standing Committee to develop a manual of best practices and guidance for access negotiations and strategies.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“International action can only be complementary and can never be a substitute for that responsibility. Armed groups have a direct responsibility under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and to refrain from attacks on them. Given the predominantly internal nature of today's armed conflicts, it is indispensable to engage in a structured humanitarian dialogue with armed groups, based on core humanitarian principles such as impartiality, and without legitimizing the claims of those groups. And finally, where conflicts develop a regional dimension due to massive cross- border movements of displaced populations, a regional approach to crisis is necessary. These, I note, are some of the main issues reflected in the Secretary-General's report (8/2001/331).”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“In its reporting and daily activities, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will seek to mainstream and give prominence to issues relating to the protection of civilians, and I will use the opportunity of my briefing on the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for that purpose. As many delegations have noted, the protection of civilians caught in armed conflicts lies at the core of the United Nations mandate and is the primary subject of the daily struggle of numerous humanitarian agencies and organizations in the field. Let me therefore briefly reiterate some of the most important points in that connection. The primary responsibility for the protection of civilians rests with States and their Governments.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“In the same context, I support the proposal made by the President of the Council and by other delegations on the establishment of a cross-cutting team of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to ensure that issues related to the protection of civilians are adequately addressed in mandates of peace operations. As the focal point within the Secretariat for the protection of civilians, my Office, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stands ready to assume a more active role in that respect. I urge the Council to support the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in fulfilling that important role.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source
“Mr. Oshima: I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to make some brief remarks at this juncture in the Council's debate. Let me first state that I am deeply impressed by the importance that the Council has attached to the issue, and by its commitment to identifying practical steps to move from expressions of intent to real implementation. In particular, I note the emphasis that Council members have put on the need to integrate better measures aimed at enhancing the protection of civilians on the ground by ensuring that these are considered in the design and planing of peace operations. The development of a checklist, as mentioned by several delegations, seems a very practical and useful measure in that respect.”
2001-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4312Resumption1 (2001) · source