YouSaid · the spoken record

Pecsteen De Buytswerve

lines on the record: 949
first: 2016-08-23
most recent: 2020-07-28
sittings or episodes: 176
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

“I shall make this statement on behalf of Germany and Belgium, the humanitarian co-penholders. Millions of Syrians continue to be in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. We all know the numbers — 11 million Syrians need humanitarian assistance. These are essential and critical needs: food, water, shelter, medical assistance and care. Since 2014, cross-border operations have offered a true lifeline to the Syrian people. The mechanism continues to allow the United Nations and its implementing partners to ensure life-saving assistance that reaches around 4 million Syrians. Since 14 November, the humanitarian co-penholders have done their utmost to find agreement on a draft resolution to renew the mechanism.”
2020-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8700 (2020) · source
“In particular, we cannot ignore the principle of the rule of law in our own procedures and working methods. To be consistent, the Security Council must guarantee individuals the right to due process and to fair and clear sanctions procedures. In conclusion, as a founding Member of the United Nations, Belgium remains committed to the Charter — to its letter but above all to its spirit — and our wish is to translate that commitment into concrete action.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“We have been slow to agree on how to interpret the warning signs of a crisis, such as massive human rights violations, and how to mount a collective response. The Charter also affirms the primacy of the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts. The International Court of Justice plays a crucial role in that regard, in particular through its advisory opinions. The Court will be fully effective, however, only if all States accept its compulsory jurisdiction. Finally, in Belgium’s opinion, reforms are needed to strengthen the legitimacy, representativeness and effectiveness of the Council. That is why we fully support the code of conduct drawn up by the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group and the initiative of France and Mexico to regulate the right of veto.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“In addition, new challenges are testing our resilience as an international community, such as the multiplication of non-State actors that threaten our security, the risk of an arms race, and climate change and its impact on security. To respond to those challenges, we need to make the system we have created more operational. There are a number of concrete initiatives aiming to achieve that. The fight against war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide is the primary responsibility of each State. However, the Security Council also has a responsibility to act in a timely manner, such as by referring to the International Criminal Court a situation in which one or more of those crimes appears to have been committed. Despite the tools and means at our disposal, we often react too slowly, sometimes too late.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“In recent decades, we have developed new means of implementing the Charter, including international criminal courts, stronger mandates for peacekeeping operations to protect civilians and the imposition of targeted sanctions. Let us also mention the efforts of the Secretary-General, who, through his good offices, facilitates the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Similarly, regional organizations play an indispensable role, which has, moreover, continued to grow, particularly in the areas of prevention and early warning. Yet we have not been able to protect all populations from the scourge of war. A glance at the world map is enough to see how fragile peace is.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“For Belgium, this week more than ever, multilateralism is not limited to fine words during the ministerial week of the General Assembly. Multilateralism must translate day in and day out into concrete actions, making use of the institutions created under the Charter. In my country’s view, the role of the Security Council is therefore paramount when there is a threat to international peace and security. In 1945, 51 of us signed the Charter and joined the new Organization. Our United Nations family has since almost quadrupled. Joining that family, however, means accepting obligations for the benefit of a higher purpose.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Viet Nam for organizing this debate. I also thank the Secretary-General and Mrs. Mary Robinson for their inspiring presentations. As many have recalled before me, 75 years ago our Organization rose from the ashes of two world wars. Carried by the shared memory of unspeakable horror, the framers of the Charter of the United Nations wanted to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Today we must reaffirm this objective, but also reflect on the major principles of international relations, the most important of which is multilateralism. It is an indispensable factor of international stability, democracy and prosperity and is at the heart of the Charter.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“That is crucial work, and I encourage the Special Representative to pursue such efforts. In conclusion, I would also like to stress the key role played by regional and subregional organizations. I commend their close coordination with UNOWAS and encourage them to maintain it in the future.”
2020-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8698 (2020) · source
“The political will to entrench good governance, democracy and human rights will be decisive in order to sustain the gains made and ensure sustainable development. In that regard, I wish to underscore the important role played by the Peacebuilding Commission in supporting those countries by maintaining dialogue among all interested parties. Likewise, the activities carried out by the Peacebuilding Fund remain essential to meeting specific needs. Belgium welcomes its approach focused on prevention. Those efforts must be based on the new structure of resident coordinators in an integrated approach common to the three pillars of United Nations action: peace and security, humanitarian development and human rights. UNOWAS also plays a leading role in studying the impact of climate change on security as part of a conflict prevention approach.”
2020-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8698 (2020) · source
“Otherwise, the successes of the security forces will be only ephemeral and jeopardize reconciliation and a lasting end to the crisis. Moreover, as the Secretary-General points out in his report (S/2019/1005), the response to the challenges in West Africa cannot be solely security-based. A holistic approach is needed to deal with violent extremism, with emphasis also on good governance, the fight against impunity and sustainable and inclusive development. The efforts of several countries of the region, such as the Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, deserve our support. National reconciliation, post-conflict reconstruction and security sector reform are major challenges for those States, the democratic institutions of which are in the process of consolidation.”
2020-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8698 (2020) · source
“In Burkina Faso, the spread and increase in number of attacks on the civilians and the State of Burkina Faso in the north, east and even south of the country is a particularly alarming development. Those terrorist attacks undermine development and threaten regional stability. We commend the Secretary- General’s efforts to adjust the United Nations presence in Burkina Faso in order to support the country in addressing the challenges that it faces. In Nigeria, the persistence of violent attacks by Boko Haram is also a disturbing phenomenon. Belgium commends the courage and sacrifices of security forces throughout the region in their fight against terrorists. It is crucial that this fight be carried out in accordance with human rights and international humanitarian law.”
2020-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8698 (2020) · source
“I am thinking in particular of the intensification of intercommunal violence in several countries of the region, such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as of terrorist attacks, which have unfortunately not diminished. That deterioration has a direct impact on the humanitarian situation, causing hundreds of thousands of innocent people to suffer. The persistence of conflicts between pastoralists and farmers deserves special attention, as those tensions are currently a major driver of insecurity in the subregion and even beyond. I commend the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) for substantially raising awareness of that issue. The task now is to implement the various good practices identified, in particular in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States.”
2020-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8698 (2020) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on both joining the Security Council and directly assuming its presidency, and to assure you of our full support. I would also like to thank the United States delegation for its presidency in December. I would further like to warmly thank Special Representative Chambas for his comprehensive briefing. Belgium commends the work that he carries out on a daily basis to promote prevention, mediation, sustainable peace and the rule of law in West Africa and the Sahel. The precarious security situation continues to be a source of concern for us.”
2020-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8698 (2020) · source
“We arrived at a compromise text that is balanced, clean and strictly humanitarian and reflects the various points of View expressed in the Council. Furthermore, the draft resolution on the renewal of cross-border assistance, as proposed by the co-penholders, accurately reflects the situation on the ground in Syria. It responds to a humanitarian situation that has not changed and remains devastating for millions of Syrians. No Syrian actor is at present in a position to provide humanitarian assistance to all the outlying regions in the country where the needs are greatest. Today is a sad day for the Council and for the Syrian people. As co-penholder, we shall continue to pursue a solution that allows for the continuation of this important mechanism. Millions of people depend on it, but we cannot compromise on the essentials.”
2019-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8697 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): We fully align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Germany on behalf of the three co-penholders before the vote. Allow me to provide a few additional remarks. I would like to begin by thanking those members that voted in favour of our draft resolution (S/2019/96l). If the quality of the Security Council's work is to be measured by the number of lives saved, then no other resolution is as important as the cross-border resolution. As we all know, it is thanks to that mandate that 4 million people receive humanitarian assistance, and that assistance accounts for 41 per cent of total assistance provided to Syria. As co-penholder of the Syrian humanitarian dossier, we conducted an inclusive and transparent drafting process for over a month.”
2019-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8697 (2019) · source
“We call on all the parties to establish a national ceasefire as soon as possible, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). The Government has a special responsibility to establish a safe, secure, stable and calm environment in Syria and to guarantee an absence of armed conflict. That also requires the protection of legal rights and ensuring that no one is pursued, repressed or forcibly conscripted into the army.”
2019-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8696 (2019) · source
“Reconciliation is not an isolated process but the culmination of a long and arduous path that the parties will have to walk together, in a process where trust must be established. Every month the Special Envoy has reminded us of the importance of establishing those confidence-building measures. Thousands of Syrians are still being arrested and arbitrarily detained. We once again call on Syria to take account of the crucial importance of this dossier as a symbol of good faith. Secondly, the reality of the situation on the ground is bleak. In the north-east, thousands who were displaced during the Turkish incursion are still displaced. In the north-west, we are receiving reports indicating the launch of a new offensive in Idlib this very morning, after having previously been informed of an escalation in the violence in early December.”
2019-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8696 (2019) · source
“We hope that the parties will seize the opportunity of the next session of the Constitutional Committee, to be held in Geneva soon. The degree of good faith of the Syrian authorities will be evaluated based on its results. The fact is that the Committee's work can be a first step in the political process only if the parties are fully committed to it. We call on States with influence on the Syrian authorities to bring it to bear. However, the political process is not limited to the Constitutional Committee. Belgium considers transitional justice extremely important. It is the job of the various stakeholders to arrive at a common understanding of the facts in a transparent manner and on an equal footing so as to ensure that reconciliation can take place.”
2019-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8696 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen for his briefing. We support his efforts and his commitment to arriving at a political settlement in Syria. I would also like to thank Ms. Rajaa Altalli. I would like to speak on two points, the first of which is the Constitutional Committee and confidence-building measures. There seemed to be new momentum on the Syrian political track after the establishment of the Constitutional Committee. There was hope that after nine years of conflict Syria would take a first step towards peace. We regret that the Committee in its second session was unable to reach an agreement on the agenda. The Syrian Government appears to have little interest in an inclusive process.”
2019-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8696 (2019) · source
“The action plan is based on the three main pillars of nuclear disarmament to which the international community subscribes, namely, non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“They deepen mistrust and contribute only to exacerbating tensions in the region. Regional concerns must be addressed through proactive dialogue and negotiations with all actors in the region. Furthermore, all relevant Security Council resolutions must be respected. Belgium calls on stakeholders to exercise restraint. Continuing to dismantle this successful nuclear agreement, which is working, will not put us in a better position to discuss regional issues or immediately resolve the threats that it is already addressing. As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, we believe that it would be wise, on the contrary, to support it.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“Like our European partners, we reject any less- for-less approach and call on Iran to return to full compliance with the action plan as soon as possible. We also call on Iran to comply with resolution 2231 (2015) in its entirety, including the restrictive measures in annex B. In that regard, I commend the professional and impartial work of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We have every confidence in the Agency's work and call on all parties to cooperate with it in full transparency in verifying compliance with obligations under the action plan. We share our European partners' concerns about Iranian ballistic activities and arms transfers in the region, particularly following the seizure of equipment in Aden in December 2018. We call on Iran to refrain from such activities, which are incompatible with resolution 2231 (2015).”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“Belgium also regrets the reimposition of unilateral sanctions by the United States, their repercussions and the recent lifting of related nuclear exemptions. Those measures prevent not only Iran, but other United Nations Member States as well, from implementing their commitments under resolution 2231 (2015), adopted unanimously by the members of the Council and supported by a large majority of the international community. Together with Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden, Belgium has just announced its accession to the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges, as my country attaches the utmost importance to the preservation and full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by all parties concerned. At the same time, Belgium regrets Iran's increasing failure to honour its commitments under the action plan.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I will now speak in my national capacity. Belgium aligns itself with its European partners in resolutely defending the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. It is one of the great successes of nuclear non-proliferation, dialogue and diplomacy. Since its entry into force, it has made it possible to guarantee the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme. Moreover, the action plan is more than a nuclear agreement. It is a confidence-building tool and the result of 12 years of intensive diplomatic efforts, based on dialogue and respect for the parties. Like the Secretary-General and the majority of the members of the Security Council, Belgium therefore regrets the withdrawal of the United States from the action plan.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“In reference to paragraph 2 of resolution 2231 (2015), I therefore call on all "Member States, regional organizations and international organizations to take such actions as may be appropriate to support the implementation of the JCPOA, including by refraining from actions that undermine the implementation of commitments under the J CPOA."”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“The procurement channel is definitely at the heart of the JCPOA and must be able to continue operating effectively and efficiently in order to fulfil its role. In conclusion, I join with the other bodies responsible for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015), the Secretary-General and the Joint Commission in deploring the deterioration of the current context, which affects compliance with resolution 2231 (2015) and the JCPOA. Matters of international peace and security require collective responses, which is the raison d'etre of the Council. The JCPOA and resolution 2231 (2015) constitute one ofthose responses and enjoy the support of the international community.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“The current context of compliance with the entire JCPOA obviously affects activities in the 2231 format. I note the concerns that have been expressed following the strengthening of the economic sanctions imposed by the United States since its withdrawal from the plan, and more recently the end of nuclear exemptions, which has had an impact on compliance with resolution 2231 (2015), originally adopted unanimously by the Council. Those concerns also extend to the successive disengagements announced and implemented by Iran and duly reported by the IAEA. Lastly, I note that no proposals were submitted through the procurement channel for the Security Council's approval during the reporting period.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“The communications are listed and summarized in detail in my report, including the responses from the Permanent Mission of Iran. The points of disagreement regarding the restrictive measures outlined in annex B to resolution 2231 (2015) are also indicated. First, concerning Iran's activities related to missiles and space launchers, I note the various letters sent by several Member States describing those activities as incompatible with annex B, on the one hand, and Iran's counter-arguments, which are based on a different reading of paragraph 3 of that annex, on the other. The differences in the interpretation of paragraph 3 are a recurring issue. Other letters focused on possible Iranian arms transfers in the region, which are another source of disagreement.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“Those reports cover the latest developments in the implementation by the Islamic Republic of Iran of its nuclear commitments, notably in the following areas: enriched uranium stockpile; enrichment activities; centrifuge research and development activities; activities related to the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant; and heavy water inventory. I cannot overestimate the central, impartial, factual and professional role played by the Agency in the implementation of the JCPOA as it continues to carry out its verification and monitoring activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran in line with resolution 2231 (2015). More generally, I have to conclude that the JCPOA is at a crossroads. The various letters circulated within the 2231 format reflect the state of the discussions among the parties.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“Informal consultations with the members of the Security Council concerned were also held with a view to reaching consensus on the text of my report. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Council for their flexibility in that regard. Thirdly, there are references in my report to the two regular quarterly reports issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the reporting period, in August (see S/2019/737) and November (see S/2019/901). The six additional reports issued by the Agency during the period are also listed (see S/2019/952/Rev.1, para. 12).”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“First, I would like to recall the two meetings of the Council held in the 2231 format during the reporting period. On 26 July, members of the Security Council discussed a proposal by the United States to maintain and update the individuals and entities on the list established pursuant to resolution 2231 (2015). That proposal led to disagreements relating to the procedures for updating the list. On 13 December, the members of the Security Council discussed the conclusions and recommendations contained in the eighth report of the Secretary-General on resolution 2231 (2015), prior to its public release. Secondly, in my role as Facilitator, I also held several bilateral consultations with Member States and their representatives, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss issues related to the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015).”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“The report has been approved by all the members of the Council, whom I would like to thank for their constructive contributions. The report of the Facilitator is essentially a factual account, the objective of which is to inform the Council, in parallel with the reports of the Secretary-General (S/2019/934) and of the Joint Commission (see S/2019/925), of the activities that took place in the 2231 format. The report covers the activities that took place between 16 June and 16 December 2019, some of which gave rise to disagreements within the Council and are presented as such. As the text is rather technical in nature, I will not review all its constituent elements. My report is at Council members' disposal for reference and information. Nevertheless, allow me to highlight the following three points.”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I speak in my capacity as Security Council Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015), which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). I would like to begin by thanking the Secretariat for its valuable support in the discharge of my duties. Throughout my mandate, my mission has been to support the implementation of the resolution on behalf of the Security Council, with a special focus on three particular areas, namely, dialogue, transparency and the maintenance of the procurement channel. Of course, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is currently faced by many challenges. I now turn to the eighth report of the Facilitator (see S/2019/952/Rev.1).”
2019-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8695 (2019) · source
“They are full of hope, and we cannot ignore the fact that justice will be an indispensable part of any lasting peace solution in Darfur, as in the rest of the Sudan.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8691 (2019) · source
“We should point out that in accordance with Council resolution 1593 (2005) and as confirmed by the Court's Appeals Chamber in May, the Sudan is still obliged to cooperate fully with the ICC and its Prosecutor. In our view, the situations in Darfur and in the rest of the Sudan are inextricably linked. We deplore the persistence of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, especially sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children. Given the current context, the Council's support for the Court, which still has jurisdiction over the most serious crimes committed in Darfur since 1 July 2002, is more essential than ever. The calls from the people and civil society of Darfur for justice for the victims of the crimes committed there have increased greatly since the transition began.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8691 (2019) · source
“They can decide either that they will prosecute the five suspects themselves or that they are unable to do so and must therefore take the necessary measures to arrest and transfer the individuals concerned to the Court. In the immediate term, we call on the transitional Government to respond positively to the request for cooperation from the Office of the Prosecutor. The aim is to initiate a dialogue to ensure that a judicial process can take place effectively, whether in The Hague or in the Sudan with the support of the ICC, if necessary. In addition, the Sudanese authorities should facilitate the access of the Office of the Prosecutor to their territory to enable it to contact key witnesses and collect additional evidence.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8691 (2019) · source
“In addition, several of the suspects subject to arrest warrants issued by the ICC have been arrested and are now under investigation, and the Sudan's former President, Omer Al-Bashir, has just been convicted of financial crimes. However, we note that there is no indication that the investigations concern the crimes for which the suspects in question are wanted by the ICC. Belgium continues to believe that the transitional Government has a unique opportunity to finally render justice for the victims. As the Prosecutor just noted, in accordance with the principle of complementarity enshrined in the Rome Statute, there are two options available to the Sudanese authorities in complying with their international obligations.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8691 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for her briefing. We have seen historic developments in the Sudan in the past few months. It was against that backdrop that in June, at the previous Council briefing (see S/PV.8554) on the situation in Darfur by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), my delegation called for opening a new chapter in the history of the relations between the ICC and the Sudan. We should welcome the latest encouraging developments. In his statement here in New York during the General Assembly's high-level week (see A/74/PV.10), Prime Minister Hamdok included among his priorities respect for human rights, the strengthening of the rule of law and the development of transitional justice processes.”
2019-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8691 (2019) · source
“Hunger is on the rise due to droughts and floods, but also political instability in the context of a long-term humanitarian crisis. Significant obstacles to humanitarian access persist, whether due to hostility or attacks on humanitarian personnel and goods. Experts believe that the prospects for food insecurity have never been worse. Those challenges represent only part of the daily suffering and pain that the people of South Sudan have been subjected to for years. Those belonging to the political elite hold the keys to the solution. The time has come for them to get to work.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“We have received reports of illegal detention of members of civil society and the media, including cases of torture and sexual abuse by members of that service. We call for the urgent and thorough investigation of those reports. In addition, political prisoners and prisoners of war must be released without delay. There is also a need to ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation of women, young people and civil society in the peace process. Fourthly, the population is suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis. As the Secretary-General's report (S/20l9/936)indicates, the extreme gravity of the humanitarian situation underscores the need to restore peace. The World Food Programme has said that it is engaged in a race against time to feed millions of people.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“We therefore urge the Government to put an end to the culture of impunity, thoroughly investigate all cases of abuse and bring to justice those responsible for the crimes. In that regard, we remind everyone of the Peace and Security Council ofthe African Union's call for the Republic of South Sudan to rapidly operationalize all transitional justice mechanisms, including the hybrid court for South Sudan. Thirdly, the people of South Sudan must be able to exercise their civil and political rights. Some have been prevented from freely participating in political discussions as part of the peace process. The civic and political space is under threat. In that regard, we are particularly concerned about the seemingly uncontrolled powers of the national security services.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“The July 2018 joint report by UNMISS and the Office ofthe United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on attacks against civilians in Unity state identified three individuals who were likely to exercise command over those who were committing the violations. One of those three individuals was the Commissioner of Gany county. Information gathered by the United Nations suggests that that individual ordered officers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army and youth groups to kill, rape and abduct civilians, recruit children, burn and loot houses and commit other atrocities, many of which could constitute war crimes. Initially, following the report, that Commissioner was dismissed. However, shortly thereafter, he was not only promoted militarily but, in November of this year, he was reinstated as Commissioner in the same place.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“However, we are concerned that fighting continues in parts of Equatoria and that inter-communal violence - which accounts for 85 per cent of civilian casualties - sexual violence and crime persist throughout the country. Those conditions confirm the need for civilian protection efforts by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It seems to us that conditions are not yet conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and well-informed return of displaced persons, nearly half of whom are children. Secondly, the people of South Sudan need justice. Let me give a concrete, and unfortunately demonstrative, example ofthat.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“The challenges of implementing the peace process are many, complex, well-known and have been recalled by the various speakers today. While we tend to focus on those difficulties from the point of view of political leaders, I would like to highlight some challenges today from the point of view of the people of South Sudan. First, civilians need all fighting to stop in order for them to rebuild their lives, homes and livelihoods. Perhaps the most important achievement of the current peace process is the ceasefire, which is broadly pursued. It is entirely up to the political leaders to ensure that their troops respect the ceasefire.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank Special Representative David Shearer for his briefing. I would also like to thank Ambassador Wronecka for her briefing and guidance on the work of the Sanctions Committee over the past two years. The South Sudan sanctions regime remains a useful tool, and the Security Council should not hesitate to use it when the situation requires such action. We will soon be halfway through the 100-day extension of the transition period, and we must note the little progress that has been made on the key issues of implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South. We take note, however, of the recent statements by President Kiir and Mr. Riek Machar and urge them to implement them.”
2019-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8689 (2019) · source
“This failure of the State requires us - the international community - to continue to strengthen our support for the security and defence forces in West Africa. However, I would stress that it is the primary responsibility of individual States to ensure the safety of their citizens. In the medium term, this involves winning - and sometimes winning back - hearts and minds, as security forces need to be accepted by the people. In order to achieve this end, not only is it obvious that the security forces have to be effective, but they also have to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“For Belgium, the answer to this sentiment of injustice and impunity lies in restoring and strengthening the rule of law by stimulating, where useful, synergies between formal and traditional justice so that they complement each other. It is a concrete way to combat the terrorist narrative, thereby tackling one of the deep roots of the violence. The partnership for security and stability in the Sahel initiative is consistent with idea of strengthening the legitimacy of the State and therefore deserves our support. The lack of security for the civilian population is another major vector of the spiralling violence in the region. Militias are being formed to defend their livelihoods, villages and families.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“A feeling of injustice is a major factor in instability. In West Africa, a very large proportion of what are known as formal court judgments concern land disputes. These judgments are regularly negatively influenced by personal interests or even corruption. The State is therefore not only perceived as biased but, above all, it loses its legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens. Accordingly, it is not insignificant to note that among the flagship measures put in place in northern Mali during the occupation of that country in 2012 by jihadist insurgents, a particularly violent and abject form ofjustice was applied. Nomadic communities also experience the same sense of injustice, for example, in the context of rising livestock theft.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“In particular, we must refrain from stigmatizing any one community. As many others before me have said, a security response alone will not suffice, even if it is obviously indispensable. The context in the region is well known - climate change, high population growth, social inequalities, insurgency, governance that is weak or even sometimes non-existent, challenges to the legitimacy of the State, increased competition for natural resources, illegal trafficking and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. These elements are well described in the 2018 study on conflicts between herders and farmers released by the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, whose 20 concrete recommendations address the short, medium and longer term. We know that the solutions exist, and now we must implement them.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I would first like to thank the United States and C6te d'Ivoire for the initiative they have taken in convening this meeting. I also thank Special Representative Chambas and Commissioner Chergui for their briefings. I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of all the victims of the recent violence in the Sahel, including the most recent violence in the Niger. I would like to begin by echoing the briefing of Mr. Chambas and stress that we must avoid any confusion between terrorism, extremism, intercommunal violence, inter-ethnic conflict, religious conflict and violence of an insurrectional nature. We must not fall into the trap of interpreting the realities that shake the area in a simplistic manner.”
2019-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8685 (2019) · source