YouSaid · the spoken record

Philippe Kridelka

lines on the record: 224
first: 2020-08-25
most recent: 2021-10-21
sittings or episodes: 33
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

“First, I would like to recall that the Council held a meeting in the 2231 format during the reporting period. On 14 December 2020, representatives of the Security Council responsible for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) considered the conclusions and recommendations contained in the tenth report of the Secretary- General before its public release. Secondly, 37 notes were circulated under the 2231 format during the reporting period. In addition, I sent 23 official communications to Member States and/or the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commission. I received 23 communications from Member States and the Coordinator.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“It was approved by all members of the Council, whom I thank for their pertinent contributions, their spirit of compromise and their flexibility. The report comprises a factual account that, in conjunction with the tenth report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/1177) on the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) and the report of the Joint Commission to the Security Council on the status of the Procurement Working Group’s decisions and on any implementation issues (see S/2020/1164), serves to inform the Security Council about activities under the auspices of the 2331 format. My tenth report covers activities that took place from 24 June to 17 December 2020. Members can refer to the text of my report for greater detail, but I would like to mention the following two points.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“I will be speaking in my capacity as Security Council Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015). As Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo just recalled (annex I), the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a major achievement in the domains of nuclear non-proliferation, dialogue and diplomacy. I was therefore honoured to serve the Council in that capacity during the few months of my mandate. Given that this will be my first and last briefing to the Security Council in that capacity, I would like to thank my predecessor, Ambassador Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, and my collaborator, Caroline Pailhe, for their work, as well as the Secretariat team for its unfailing support. I am very grateful to them for their dedication. Let me turn now to the tenth report of the Facilitator (see S/2020/1244).”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“Last Monday, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 75/129, which establishes a trust fund to make the Judicial Fellowship Programme of the International Court of Justice more accessible to talented young lawyers from the South. That is the result of President Yusuf’s efforts to encourage greater inclusiveness in the way in which the Court works and contributes to the development of international law. Belgium welcomes that initiative and will consider how it can contribute to that.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“A particular area in which the Security Council could also be more involved is on follow-up to provisional measures specified by the International Court of Justice to safeguard the respective rights of either party pending the final ruling. The Council could clearly benefit from confidential access to the information provided in the compliance reports that are increasingly requested by the Court. That could assist the Council in monitoring the implementation of the provisional measures notified to it by the Court and then, if it deems it necessary, make recommendations or decide on measures to be taken to enforce the Court’s decision. In conclusion, I would like to highlight the specific role that the Court can play in capacity-building.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“That can be done at the outset by recommending that disputes be submitted to the Court or by requesting an advisory opinion. It can also be done subsequently by making recommendations, or even taking measures to enforce a decision of the Court, without which the Court cannot be truly effective. In addition to those three specific functions, the Security Council could also innovate by, for example, as suggested in the concept note (S/2020/1194, annex) for this debate, inviting the President of the International Court of Justice to brief it when non-compliance with Court decisions could threaten international peace and security.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“The number of new cases submitted to the International Court of Justice, the geographical diversity of the States concerned and the range of issues on which it is called on to rule attest to its universal character and the fundamental role that it plays in the application and interpretation of international law. While 74 States accepted its compulsory jurisdiction, nevertheless it is regrettable that only five current members of the Council, including only one of its permanent members, have made a declaration to that effect. Despite the increased trust among States in the International Court of Justice, the Security Council has nevertheless largely refrained from using it in discharging its mandate. The Charter unambiguously grants it three powers for cooperation with the Court.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“First of all, it should be recalled that international law is the cornerstone of our multilateral system. Seventy-five years ago, at the end of the Second World War, 51 of us signed the Charter of the United Nations. We made the clear choice for an international order based on the rule of law as a key element of international stability, democracy and prosperity. The United Nations family has almost quadrupled since then. That illustrates the very essence of international cooperation, which, through the establishment of common rules and institutions, is an essential tool for the prevention and resolution of conflicts. In that regard, both the International Court of Justice and the Security Council play an important role by contributing to the development of international law and its implementation. That brings me to my second point.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank South Africa for organizing this open debate, and Mr. Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, President of the International Court of Justice, for his excellent and enlightening briefing to the Security Council. Belgium particularly appreciates the convening of this open debate, which makes it possible to include all States Members of the United Nations in a comprehensive discussion on cooperation between two of the principal organs of the United Nations whose mandates focus on respect for international law. I will address three points in particular: first, the central role of the International Court of Justice in an international order based on the rule of law; secondly, our desire to see the Security Council cooperate more with the Court; and, lastly, the need to ensure the inclusiveness of the international legal order.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“I wish my successors every success. We will ensure, through close cooperation, a smooth transition of our mandates and remain at their disposal during this phase and beyond. Finally, let me draw the Security Council’s attention to the best practices guide for Chairs and members of United Nations Sanctions Committees, prepared by Belgium and other Member States. We hope that this guide will be a useful tool for preparing future Chairs and their teams.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“Thirdly, and more specifically, Belgium has chaired on an interim basis another subsidiary body, the United Nations Compensation Committee (UNCC), which addresses the reparations owed by Iraq to Kuwait since the war between those two States. It is a subsidiary body of the Council that is unfortunately often somewhat neglected because it is located in Geneva and is a claims commission of an actuarial nature. However, I would like to mention it today, because it is likely that the next Chair will oversee the final payment of said reparations and, consequently, the termination of the UNCC, which will undoubtedly require an ad hoc resolution of the Security Council. In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude for the dedication and professionalism of the Secretariat colleagues, whose support has been crucial.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“First, throughout its mandate, Belgium has attached particular importance to respect for procedural guarantees — “due process” — in the context of the implementation of the various Security Council sanctions regimes. In that regard, we hope that the members of the Council can commit themselves to continuing to make United Nations sanctions more effective by examining ways to have fairer and more transparent procedures. Secondly, it is worth noting the heavy workload involved in chairing a subsidiary body, especially for missions with smaller teams. Belgium therefore advocates a more equitable distribution of the chairmanships of subsidiary bodies among elected and permanent members of the Council.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“As sensitive issues are sometimes addressed, I would like to commend the commitment shown by the Somali Federal Government in its dialogue with the Committee and the Panel on these issues. I would like to stress one final point. The term “sanctions regime” is unfortunate. It should be recalled that the Council does not sanction Somalia, but rather sanctions those who pose a threat to peace and security in Somalia — that is a crucial difference. Moreover, the sanctions regime is also evolving to adapt to current threats. In conclusion, it is a tool to support peace and security in Somalia.It can only be improved with the cooperation of all with a view to achieving its objectives more quickly. Lastly, I would like to make two more general remarks and one more specific one.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“The Committee met informally on 10 occasions under the Belgian presidency, including meetings by video-teleconference, and dealt with more than 50 notifications. The Committee held two dialogues with the Somali authorities, not to mention the working visit to Mogadishu organized by the presidency in January 2020. It should be noted that the Committee has become more interested in the financing capacities of Al-Shabaab, and ways to reduce them, because of the excellent investigative and analytical work of the Panel of Experts. The relationship between the Panel of Experts and the Somali Federal Government has been a focus of attention throughout our mandate. We have all contributed to strengthening this mutually beneficial working relationship. It is my hope that this cooperation will continue and grow even stronger.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“Together, they represent what I would call the United Nations and the Security Council at their best. I will disseminate a more detailed overview of lessons learned and recommendations later, through the President of the Council. Finally, over the past two years, we have seen the progress regarding sanctions on Somalia. For example, the partial lifting of the arms embargo on the Somali authorities has been extended. As for the terms of the embargo, they have been clarified and consolidated into the single resolution 2551 (2020). In addition, following the recommendations of the Panel of Experts, the Council also decided to place under embargo certain products used for the manufacture of explosives, for which an implementation assistance note has been drawn up and is available to all Member States on the Committee’s website.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“The mandate on children and armed conflict cannot be limited to the Working Group alone and the Council must continue to mainstream child protection throughout its work by ensuring a dedicated capacity in United Nations missions and by emphasizing child protection during meetings and country visits. I thank all members of the Council for their commitment to the work on children and armed conflict. I would like to express my particular gratitude to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, led with dedication and wisdom by Mrs. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter, as well as UNICEF, the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs for their valuable and close collaboration.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“We must continue to improve the impact of the Working Group. A closer follow-up of the resolutions, both in New York and in the countries concerned, at the initiative of our bilateral embassies for example, remains necessary. Similarly, the direct engagement of the Working Group with the country task forces and the authorities of the countries concerned should, in my view, be maintained and further developed. The same applies to regular country visits, such as the one we organized to Mali in December 2019, and to raising the awareness of civil society. We must also preserve the integrity and impartiality of the listing mechanism.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“The continued undermining of international humanitarian law is deeply worrisome, and children are the first victims. That is unacceptable, and we share the responsibility to address it urgently. The unity of the Security Council and its strong support for the mandate of the Working Group have been a constant encouragement. Over the past two years, we have adopted resolutions on almost all country situations, including those where the Council itself remains divided, such as Myanmar and Syria. With two presidential statements — S/PRST/2020/3, adopted in February in the presence of the King and Queen of Belgium, and S/PRST/2020/8, adopted in S/2020/1258 September under the Nigerien presidency of the Council, we have strengthened the focus on attacks on schools and the protection of children in mediation processes.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“I am convinced that maintaining the framework intact paves the way for diplomacy. As I leave this role, I am more convinced than ever that we need the Council’s common response to issues of international peace and security, and the Plan of Action is one such flagship response and one of the great success stories of nuclear non-proliferation, dialogue and diplomacy. It is a cornerstone of multilateralism, peace and international security. I can therefore only encourage all Member States and regional and international organizations to take appropriate action to support and strengthen its implementation. Belgium also chaired the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. I have built on the work of my predecessor, Sweden, to pursue a proactive and ambitious work plan.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“During my term, my aim was to support and improve the implementation of the resolution on behalf of the Security Council, in line with the three guidelines inherited from my Dutch predecessor: first, facilitating dialogue among the parties; secondly, transparency in our work; and, thirdly, promoting trade within the supply chain. We are all aware of the current difficult context of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and resolution 2231 (2015) — the United States withdrawal, Iran’s successive disengagements and the United States position on the former resolutions of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) with regard to Iran. In those circumstances, Belgium has done its best to play its role as an honest broker among the various parties.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“In recent months, I have had the honour to serve as Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992), on Somalia, and Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015), on Iran. Belgium has had the privilege to serve those three bodies for two years, and I thank the Council for giving me the opportunity to share my observations on that mandate as we prepare to welcome and hand over to new incoming members. It has been an honour to serve as Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015). In carrying out that task, I was able to draw, first, on the excellent work done by the Netherlands, which was followed by Belgium as Facilitator and, secondly, on the unwavering support of the Secretariat.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1258 (2020) · source
“It is our earnest wish that the Council will unite and fully assume its responsibility to act in the interest of peace and that it will redouble its efforts and work collectively to resolve the crisis. It is simply what the Syrian people deserve.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“Belgium, alongside the European Union, will not assist in reconstruction efforts until concrete steps are taken towards a political solution. For all the reasons I just listed, it is essential that monthly political briefings be maintained, along with monthly humanitarian briefings. Two parallel crises are at play. Although linked by the same intransigence demonstrated by the main political actors, they are separate. If a political solution to the conflict in Syria within the framework of resolution 2254 (2015) is not found, they should be addressed in the Council every month, as called for by the relevant resolutions. The trend in recent months to merge the political and humanitarian formats into a single meeting only makes the two individual crises less visible and the suffering of the Syrian people more trivial.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“Belgium supports all initiatives to that end, including through the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as by referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Sixthly, no return of refugees and displaced persons should take place if not conducted in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner. International criteria are clear. It is up to Damascus to create those conditions. Lastly, I reiterate my country’s position on the issue of reconstruction.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“Fourthly, free and fair elections supervised by the United Nations should be held, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015), in a secure and neutral environment, in which displaced persons, refugees and the diaspora should be able to participate. Any election not held under resolution 2254 (2015) would be a major step backwards and would undermine any prospects for peace. Fifthly, those who have committed the most serious violations of international law must be held accountable, without delay.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“However, the steps to be taken to achieve a political solution are relatively well known.First, a ceasefire on the whole Syrian territory, controlled by the United Nations, should be put in place. Secondly, all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, should engage fully, constructively and meaningfully with the Constitutional Committee. We therefore call on all parties with influence in Damascus to use it to that end. Thirdly, concrete steps should be taken to implement the various elements of resolution 2254 (2015), the political road map the Council unanimously adopted in 2015. Only the lack of political will prevents Damascus from taking confidence- building measures, such as releasing political prisoners.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“I would like to pay tribute to the humanitarian agencies and their partners that are on the front line every day. Lastly, I would like to thank Ambassador Heusgen and his team for their collegiality in managing this very important issue. While our shared experience was very frustrating, taking on such an immense responsibility with a close neighbour made it easier. My message today is also a call for peace. The conflict in Syria is in its tenth year. Over the past two years, like many of our partners in the international community, we had hoped that the establishment of the Constitutional Committee would open the door to a political solution. To date, those hopes have not been realized.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“Even if the lines of the conflict inside Syria have not shifted recently, the plight of the Syrian people remains very worrisome. Eleven million people are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Millions of people remain internally displaced. Civilians and infrastructure have been deliberately targeted. Violations of international humanitarian law continue to occur. That cannot be tolerated. The responsibility for that situation lies largely with Damascus and its allies. The vast majority of Member States around the table have shared our ongoing concerns and repeatedly supported our efforts. I would like to thank them for their consistency. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Lowcock and his team in New York, as well as representatives of civil society for their advice.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“As a co-penholder on the humanitarian situation in Syria for the past two years, Belgium has done its utmost to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Syria and in the region. Together with Germany, we have taken countless initiatives to that end. We have repeatedly called for the protection of civilians. We have reiterated the imperative for all parties to respect their obligations under international law, in particular international humanitarian law. We have endeavoured to ensure full, neutral and unconditional humanitarian access to all Syrian territory. Our actions have been guided solely by the interests of Syrian children, women and men. Indeed, as Belgium leaves the Security Council at the end of this month, the Syrian conflict continues to threaten regional and international peace and security.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“I align myself with the statement made by the representative of Germany (annex 8) on behalf of the co-penholders. I would now like to make a few remarks in my national capacity. I would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Lowcock, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Pedersen, for their valuable briefings. Approximately a year ago, on 20 December 2019, two Member States vetoed a draft resolution (S/2019/961) to renew cross-border access to Syria through the four crossing points that had been in place since 2014 (see S/PV.8697). Last summer, cross-border humanitarian access was further restricted, again after long and arduous negotiations.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“Those practices must stop. Moreover, care must be taken to preserve for future generations the truth about the most serious crimes committed so as to prevent their recurrence.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Belgium supports the Prosecutor’s call for South Africa to respond decisively and without delay to the requests for assistance addressed to it. We also call on the other States concerned to provide all assistance required so that the fugitives can be quickly arrested and transferred. In conclusion, I would like to refer to the situation in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Although we welcome the progress made, it remains inadequate and varies greatly from one country to another. Regional judicial cooperation has remained marginal for years. Moreover, the denial of genocide and war crimes and the glorification of war criminals persist, which are not only contrary to the values and principles of the United Nations and the European Union but also undermine the memory of the hundreds of thousands of victims of the Balkan wars.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Therefore, following the decision of the Appeals Chamber of 24 February in the Prosecutor v. Jovo Ostojić and Vjerica Radeta contempt case, Belgium calls on Serbia to make every effort to ensure that the two accused are arrested, placed in detention and transferred to the Mechanism without delay. Furthermore, it is unacceptable that requests for assistance from the Office of the Prosecutor concerning the six fugitives from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda remain unanswered. In that regard, I would like to recall paragraph 3 of resolution 2529 (2020), adopted in June, which continues to urge “all States, especially States where fugitives are suspected of being at large, to intensify their cooperation with and render all necessary assistance to the Mechanism”.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Through those efforts, the Mechanism meets its priority of completing ongoing judicial proceedings in a timely and efficient manner, while taking into account the procedural safeguards and fundamental rights of the persons under its care. My second point concerns the effective implementation of the Mechanism’s mandate, which relies on good cooperation with the States Members of the United Nations. It is in this spirit that Belgium recently agreed to take over the execution of the sentence imposed on a convicted person. While the cooperation provided by States to the Mechanism remains generally satisfactory, there are still exceptions. Such exceptions are unacceptable because they are not in compliance with international obligations, such as, first and foremost, the execution of arrest warrants.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“I therefore welcome the establishment of an investigative team within the Office of the Prosecutor to ensure that the procedural steps ahead of a trial can be swiftly taken. Established 10 years ago by the Security Council, the Mechanism continues to play a fundamental role in the process of reconciliation between communities, both in Rwanda and in the countries that emerged from the former Yugoslavia. In that context, my country welcomes the measures taken by the Mechanism, to the extent possible, to continue effective and efficient operations despite the constraints associated with the coronavirus disease pandemic. We welcome the fact that hearings in the various cases were able to resume in August thanks to the use of video-teleconferencing and properly equipped rooms.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“I thank Judge Carmel Agius and Prosecutor Serge Brammertz for their written reports and enlightening briefings. Today I would like to address three points — the efforts of the Mechanism to discharge its important mandate in the challenging environment caused by the health crisis; the essential cooperation between the States Members of the United Nations and the Mechanism; and the importance of our duty to remember future generations. First of all, I would like to underscore that Belgium remains very committed to the mandate of the Mechanism, whose work it continues to fully support. After his arrest in May, Félicien Kabuga’s initial appearance in The Hague in November gave hope to the survivors and relatives of the victims of the genocide in Rwanda, who continue to call for justice.”
2020-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1236 (2020) · source
“Belgium will continue to support a mechanism that is essential for bringing justice to the victims of the most serious crimes committed in Iraq.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“My country also welcomes the continued collaboration with the Iraqi authorities to define modalities for the sharing of evidence, while taking into account United Nations policies and best practices, UNITAD’s mandate and terms of reference and international law in general. That involves procedural safeguards, the protection of victims and witnesses and the non-application of the death penalty. Moreover, I also S/2020/1193 recall the importance that Belgium attaches to the prosecution of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes, regardless of their affiliation. In conclusion, I stress that, after ending its term on the Security Council, my country will remain fully committed to supporting UNITAD.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“In accordance with resolution 2379 (2017), which established the Investigation Team, the Iraqi authorities must remain the primary beneficiary of the evidence gathered by UNITAD. To that end, Mr. Khan and the Team have developed several cooperation activities with Iraq. Belgium particularly commends the support of the Investigation Team for the legislative work aimed at enabling the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as well as the assistance provided to Iraqi investigative judges so that they can build case files to make it possible to initiate such prosecutions.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“The fight against impunity for all the crimes committed there must indeed constitute an essential component of the process. The Iraqi authorities’ strengthened cooperation with the Investigation Team is in that regard a very encouraging sign, which Belgium welcomes. Secondly, my country notes with satisfaction that the Investigation Team has strengthened its support for the national authorities of third States in response to their requests for assistance. That support is essential for two reasons. On the one hand, many procedures are under way in those countries, particularly in Europe. On the other hand, the resulting cooperation between the Iraqi judicial authorities and those of third countries will most certainly contribute in the longer term to the opening of specific cases in Iraq. That brings me to my third and last point.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“Thanks in particular to the exchanges it has had with all segments of Iraqi society, the Investigation Team has broadened and diversified its avenues of investigation by ensuring an interest in the various communities that fell victim to Da’esh crimes — whether Christians, Sunnis, women or members of the burgeoning LGBTI community. Moreover, an increasing number of its investigative priorities have entered the phase of evidentiary consolidation and legal analysis. All of that, combined with its work to rigorously structure its investigative outputs to support prosecutions, will finally enable UNITAD to pave the way for numerous criminal proceedings to begin. In doing so, that transitional justice mechanism will contribute to the reconstruction and reconciliation among the various communities in Iraq.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Special Adviser Karim Khan for his report (see S/2020/1107) and, once again, enlightening briefing to the Security Council. I will address three points today: the need to bring justice to the victims of atrocious crimes during the reconstruction and reconciliation process in Iraq; the contribution of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD); and, lastly, the support for efforts to comply with United Nations policies and best practices and international law. First, Belgium commends Mr. Khan and the Team for the considerable progress made in the implementation of their mandate.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1193 (2020) · source
“As the focal point for the ICC in the Security Council, Belgium, together with the other States parties that are members of the Council, has ensured that the Court’s interests are defended and promoted, including by securing the Organization’s essential cooperation in the context of peacekeeping operations. We have also taken every opportunity to reiterate our unwavering support for the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution. My country therefore continues to deplore the application of sanctions against the Court and, more particularly, against its Prosecutor and the members of his Office. Those measures hinder the proper functioning of the ICC and are unacceptable. Belgium therefore once again calls on the United States to reconsider those measures.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1192 (2020) · source
“My country therefore encourages the Sudan to expeditiously conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Prosecutor and to respond to its requests for assistance. We also invite United Nations missions and agencies to facilitate the Office’s activities in the field to the best of their ability. In the context of continuing violence against civilians, including women and children, it is more crucial than ever that the Sudan and the international community as a whole — including the Security Council, which has referred the matter to the ICC — mobilize to ensure justice for the victims of the most serious crimes in Darfur and the rest of the Sudan. I would like to conclude by stressing the paramount importance of the support of the Security Council and its member States for the Court.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1192 (2020) · source
“Secondly, I would like to call on the Sudanese authorities to give concrete expression to their strong commitments by lending practical cooperation to the ICC, in accordance with their international obligations as defined in resolution 1593 (2005). In furtherance of the principle of complementarity enshrined in the Rome Statute, that means doing everything possible to ensure the effective implementation of the judicial process, whether in The Hague or in the Sudan, with the support of the ICC, if necessary. Belgium understands the particular situation in which the Sudan finds itself in this transitional period. Nevertheless, the ongoing proceedings concerning Mr. Abd-Al-Rahman require the Office to have access to Sudanese territory as soon as possible in order to contact key witnesses and collect additional evidence.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1192 (2020) · source
“Having repealed the legislative provisions that prevented any cooperation with the ICC, the Sudanese authorities have made concrete commitments on transitional justice in the framework of the Juba Peace Agreement. In addition to the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission and a special court for Darfur, the parties committed to provide full cooperation to the ICC in relation to suspects for whom arrest warrants have been issued. Since then, a formal dialogue has been initiated with the Office of the Prosecutor. The official delegation visit to Khartoum in October, led by the Prosecutor, provided an opportunity for talks at the highest level, where the Government of the Sudan expressed its firm commitment to work with the Office.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1192 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for her written report and her very enlightening briefing to the Security Council. Today I would like to touch upon three points: the very encouraging developments in recent months in the fight against impunity in the Sudan; the importance for the Sudanese authorities now cooperating concretely with the International Criminal Court (ICC); and the role that Belgium has played in support of the Court during its mandate on the Security Council. First of all, my country welcomes the concrete measures taken by the Sudan in favour of justice and accountability since the most recent Council meeting in June (see S/2020/538) with Prosecutor Bensouda.”
2020-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1192 (2020) · source
“Belgium fully supports all accountability initiatives, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011, and supports the referral of the conflict in Syria to the International Criminal Court.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“Syria is currently incapable of carrying out elections in a free, fair and transparent manner that would allow for the participation of the Syrian diaspora. Therefore, the Constitutional Committee needs to make progress — quickly. Finally, beyond the Constitutional Committee, tangible progress must be made on confidence-building measures, specifically the urgent release of political prisoners and missing persons. Access to detainees must be granted in accordance with international regulations. Their legitimate property rights and administrative rights must be restored, in particular those of women, who have borne the brunt of this war. Justice must be done for victims.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“No further delays are acceptable. No further obstruction by Damascus is acceptable. The Constitutional Committee must be able to convene at regular meetings that produce substantive outcomes. This simple demand is not the putting in place of artificial deadlines, as some Member States insist. On the contrary, it is calling out the artificial delays fabricated by the Syrian authorities. As my country has repeatedly underlined, the Committee is Syria-owned, Syria-led and facilitated by the United Nations. If we are to further regard the Committee as a genuine door-opener to the political process, it must deliver on its promises. The Council cannot tolerate Damascus’s representatives actively avoiding the real points of contention and instead treating the Committee as a fig leaf.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source