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

“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 its support for criminal proceedings in national and international courts. Finally, it is clear that the situation in Syria is far from stabilized. Quite to the contrary, to think that the current situation allows for a safe, dignified or voluntary return is blatantly to deny the reality on the ground in the country. It is up to the Syrian authorities to put in place the conditions that allow all Syrian people to live their lives in peace and dignity.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“Given the protracted state of the Constitutional Committee, tangible progress must urgently be made regarding the other elements of resolution 2254 (2015). If the Syrian authorities want to normalize the situation in Syria, at least confidence- building measures should be undertaken. Sadly, here, too, progress made regarding the release of political prisoners and missing persons has been far too limited. Access to detainees has been restricted. Women — who have been victims of violence, including sexual violence, and who have borne the brunt of this war — have been deprived of access to their properties. They have been unable to access necessary documents to prove their administrative status and their ownership. Victims are denied their quest for justice.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“However, this weekend in Idlib we witnessed the shattering of the relative calm that had existed in the north- west since the Russian-Turkish ceasefire arrangement of March, in one the most devastating attacks on record. This is of deep concern, as it may unravel quickly the relative calm and further stall the political process. In the south, a growing number of kidnappings and targeted killings leads to increasing volatility. We urge all parties to refrain from violence anywhere in the country, reduce tension and exercise maximum restraint. We also once again underline that any counter-terrorism action should respect human rights and international humanitarian law. The United Nations should play a central role in the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire, as well as in its monitoring.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“Although it is positive that the number of issues has been narrowed down following the Special Envoy’s recent mission to Damascus, tangible progress must now be made urgently. We therefore urge all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, to fully engage in the context of the Constitutional Committee, including in its upcoming meetings, and to regard this process as a major opportunity. We also call on all actors to exert their influence over the parties in order to engage closely and cooperatively in order to reinvigorate the wider political process. The current dynamics on the political level, until recently, took place against the backdrop of a relatively calm situation on the ground.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“I would like to start by thanking the Special Envoy for his briefing and his lasting engagement. I will make three points. One year ago, the Constitutional Committee was launched. Today, a mere three rounds have taken place. We appreciate the fact that these were the result of the Special Envoy’s engagement and hard work. And we appreciate the fact that the third round took place in an overall constructive climate, despite the many challenges, and precious time lost due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. Yet, we are also deeply concerned. The absence of much discernible progress on content and the obstructive attitude of the Syrian authorities, often down to the logistics of the date and agenda of the next round, instil but little confidence.”
2020-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1049 (2020) · source
“We reject any less-for-less approach. Still in the field of security, my country believes that putting an end to the conflict in Yemen, an important point also mentioned by the Secretary-General, could represent a building block in the gradual establishment of a future regional structure for dialogue and cooperation. We therefore call for a real political commitment by all parties to a joint declaration that would pave the way for peace and for greater cooperation and mutual trust in the region. In conclusion, I would like to mention two principles that should guide our action: dialogue and cooperation. Only through dialogue and cooperation can we develop a common political vision. These are certainly not easy principles, but they are indispensable for moving forward.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“Ultimately, disarmament and non-proliferation in the conventional and non-conventional fields must become a common objective. In this respect, Belgium supports the Iranian nuclear agreement. My country joins its European partners and the majority of the members of the Security Council in defending the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with conviction. The JCPOA is one of the great successes of nuclear non-proliferation, dialogue and diplomacy. Since its entry into force, the Plan of Action has made it possible to guarantee the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian programme, which is also why Belgium regrets the United States withdrawal of from it and the reimposition of unilateral sanctions, on the one hand, and the increasing non-compliance by Iran with its commitments, on the other hand.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“Indeed, Belgium believes that the EU, and other actors as well have a historical experience of regional integration and cooperation that can be a source of inspiration. The OSCE, too, in the wake of the Helsinki process, which the Secretary-General has mentioned several times, has built up a remarkable inventory of confidence- and security-building measures. Let us make use of these rich resources. Thirdly, the United Nations has an assistance role to play in this project, as the Secretary-General has just underlined. The United Nations can, through its institutional resources and the shared values of the Charter, support preventive diplomacy efforts and thereby help to bridge national divides. Another aspect that cannot be avoided is the overarmament of the region.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“I am talking in this regard about concrete steps in very circumscribed areas where the abstract notion of common interests could be translated into tangible benefits for all, including, for example, projects in water management, environmental preservation, energy transition and economic diversification, and joint initiatives in the field of health, quality tourism and cultural heritage preservation. Secondly, regional ownership of these initiatives is a key element. There is no point in trying to impose turnkey models, even if they are motivated by the best of intentions. This does not mean that countries outside the region have no role to play; on the contrary, outside countries can support confidence-building measures in a very concrete way and share their experiences.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“This idea is not new for the Gulf region or the wider Middle East, but it is now time to put it into practice. To that end, three guidelines seem to me important. First, the countries of the region suffer from a cruel lack of mutual trust, which thwarts any joint initiative to build a common future. Trust is not something that can be decreed at a major conference; rather, it is built up, step by step, with very concrete actions, admittedly modest at the beginning, but with the potential to create a virtuous circle. The first focus of any initiative should therefore be the development of concrete confidence-building measures between countries that want to move forward.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“Let me first thank the President of the Security Council for organizing today’s debate. I also thank the Secretary-General for his inspiring briefing. Today’s debate is indeed more than necessary as the Gulf is in the grip of growing tensions. It is the responsibility of the Security Council to address the issue with a view to preventing any escalation and conflict there that would be dramatic for the region and for international peace and security. We must also aim for lasting stability by contributing to building a regional security architecture. Belgium is a founding member of the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Accordingly, my country encourages all regional approaches based on dialogue, cooperation and, ultimately, integration, and on the defence of common interests and values.”
2020-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1037 (2020) · source
“We encourage the Haitian authorities to approve the establishment of a stand-alone office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country, which could assist it in addressing the various challenges that I have discussed today. Haiti cannot face its challenges alone. Together with our EU partners, we are providing financial, technical and political support, and we call on all international partners to do the same.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/979 (2020) · source
“We hope that, among other things, this will lead to a more humane approach to law enforcement, help to reduce prison overcrowding and better protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons community. Finally, Belgium fully supports the work of BINUH in facilitating political dialogue in Haiti. Given the high level of polarization, it is now more important than ever to address the trust deficit and promote a more conducive political environment. We welcome the close cooperation between BINUH and the United Nations country team in implementing the integrated strategic framework.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/979 (2020) · source
“Policing should remain a primary concern of BINUH and major donors, who have invested heavily, including in the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, to achieve a more professional and reliable Haitian National Police. The gains in that area cannot be lost, particularly in the run-up to politically sensitive deadlines for the country. The pandemic has highlighted protection challenges, especially for women and girls, who face increased risks of sexual and gender-based violence. The United Nations-European Union (EU) Spotlight Initiative on gender supports the national response in that regard. The new penal code brings Haiti’s legal framework further in line with international legal and human rights standards.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/979 (2020) · source
“For the legitimacy of the political system, it is urgent to agree a realistic timetable for the holding of the elections. Women must be involved at all stages of the electoral process. Secondly, with regard to human rights and combating impunity and insecurity, we strongly condemn the shocking assassination of Monferrier Dorval, a highly respected lawyer. The active participation of civil society is, for us, particularly crucial. It cannot be silenced. We urge the authorities to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice. We remain deeply concerned that the perpetrators of large-scale massacres are still at large and that there are ongoing allegations of collusion between gangs and State agents. In that regard, we welcome the steps to increase the operational capacity of the General Inspectorate of the National Police.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/979 (2020) · source
“I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Meagher La Lime for her briefing and her tireless efforts to create an atmosphere of trust and ownership in Haiti. I would like to address three aspects today: first, the importance of the elections, stability and political accountability; secondly, the need to promote human rights and to combat impunity and insecurity; and, thirdly, the role of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). First, the political climate remains highly polarized and a common political agenda is lacking. Uncertainty over the electoral calendar, the composition of the new Provisional Electoral Council and the necessary constitutional reform remain factors of instability. We are concerned about the increase in violent gangs and their impact on State institutions.”
2020-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/979 (2020) · source
“Finally, Belgium will not accept the groundless accusations that the current state of the Syrian economy is a consequence of European Union (EU) sanctions. EU sanctions have targeted those who ordered or carried out human rights attacks or built their personal fortune on the war economy. The sanctions should not have any adverse humanitarian effects or unintended consequences for persons who are not targeted. On the contrary, the EU and its member States have continuously supported the Syrian people and remain Syria’s most important humanitarian donor.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“In line with international regulations, access to detainees must be ensured. Women, the de facto heads of households, should be actively supported on an administrative level, wherever necessary. We encourage the sustained engagement of the Special Envoy in this regard.Victims must be fully acknowledged and receive the assistance they need in their quest for justice. This is an absolute necessity in order to break the cycle of violence. Belgium therefore 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 its support to criminal proceedings in national and international courts.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“We hope that this round can take place by the beginning of October. We encourage all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, to fully engage in upcoming meetings of the Committee. We also call upon all actors to exert their influence over the parties so that they fully engage on this track, which is crucial, and to engage closely and cooperatively in order to reinvigorate the wider political process. Urgent progress must also be made on other tracks, in line with resolution 2254 (2015). The time for positive actions and confidence-building measures is now. Tangible progress must urgently be made with respect to political prisoners and missing persons. The Syrian authorities must urgently move beyond one-for-one prisoner exchanges, release those arbitrarily detained and share information on all missing persons.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“We welcome the fact that a third round of talks could take place in a climate that was, overall, constructive, despite many challenges. We also welcome the continued engagement by the Special Envoy with the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board, especially in the context of the meetings of the Constitutional Committee. This is positive news indeed. Nevertheless, the way ahead is fraught with obstacles. We are very concerned about the seemingly slow dynamics of this process. The Committee was set up over a year ago, thanks to the Special Envoy’s personal commitment and efforts. However, by now, only three rounds have taken place and the Committee has yet to discuss the more difficult subjects related to constitutional principles. An urgent agreement on the agenda for the next round is crucial.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“In the south, the situation continues to be volatile, as a result of kidnappings and targeted killings. We ask that all parties anywhere in the country refrain from violence, reduce tension and exercise maximum restraint. The United Nations should play a central role in the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire, and in the monitoring thereof, and we support the call of the Secretary-General and of the Special Envoy to this end. Since the start of the Special Envoy’s mandate, the Syrian-owned, Syria- led and United Nations-facilitated Constitutional Committee has been one of his priorities and constitutes a door-opener to a wider political process. Recent developments, including the third round of negotiations that took place in Geneva last month, leave us both hopeful and worried.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“I would like to start by thanking the Special Envoy for his briefing and enduring commitment. I will make three points. We are relieved about the relative calm that has held in the north-west since the Russian-Turkish ceasefire arrangement in the beginning of March. This is important, especially as many internally displaced persons remain in the region, following the continuous military attacks at the end of last year. Renewed military action would further jeopardize the situation of those who are already vulnerable and who are preparing for a difficult and long winter ahead. We are therefore worried at the various reports of continued attacks, which illustrates the fragility of the situation. Any counter-terrorism activity should respect human rights and international humanitarian law.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“We fully support the conclusions of the Board of Inquiry and the work of 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 justice initiatives on national and international levels.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“This access should be urgently and unconditionally guaranteed so as to keep civilian infrastructure fully functioning, for example, the Allouk water station, which provides the essential water supply to over half a million people, including to the Al-Hol camp. Each of these points illustrates the immeasurable human suffering that Syrian children, women and men are undergoing on a daily basis. We, Germany and Belgium — the humanitarian penholders — therefore once again call for sustainable, durable and unconditional solutions. Finally, to change the situation for the Syrian people for the better, action will be needed, and we reiterate our call for the full implementation of resolution 2254 (2015) and for accountability.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“At the same time, access from Damascus to the north-east seems to have recently become further complicated, as Under-Secretary-General Lowcock mentioned, and gaps in medical access to this region are still far from being filled. What is also clear is that we cannot accept Damascus deciding who is to receive aid and who is not. Humanitarian action has to be neutral, independent and impartial. Thirdly, humanitarian access is not limited to the delivery of food or shelter. All parties should facilitate access to those who need protection, for instance, those in arbitrary detention. Access should also be guaranteed to those who are located in hard-to-reach locations, such as the Rukban camp.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“While the majority of the Security Council was in favour of supporting this request in the interest of the Syrian people, some members have chosen to deny it.They have blocked draft Security Council resolutions seeking adequate access to the north-east, via Al-Yarubiyah, and the north-west, via Bab Al-Salam. They claim that cross-line deliveries from Damascus and deliveries passing conflict lines from Bab Al-Hawa would compensate for the closure of cross-border posts. However, the sad reality is that the non-renewal of Bab Al-Salam has so far resulted in a more costly and riskier humanitarian operation in the north-west. So far, no crossline delivery has taken place, and we still have to see if the current planning transforms into reality.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“We know that, with limited access, that will not be an easy exercise. That brings me to my second point. Humanitarian access remains limited, which is intolerable and defies humanitarian logic. We, the penholders, call upon all parties to allow neutral and non-political access to all parts of the country, without limitations and fully in line with humanitarian principles. Administrative hurdles are not acceptable. Accordingly, Secretary-General Guterres and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock have consistently called for more cross-line and more cross-border access to all Syrians in need throughout this year.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“Treatment options are inadequate as this crisis is once again acutely showing the limitations of the Syrian health-care system. Health-care facilities that were deliberately bombed and destroyed during years of war are unable to cope with the current crisis. The shortage of health-care workers further prevents an adequate response. The coming of winter adds to the challenging humanitarian circumstances, especially for the 2.7 million internally displaced persons, including 1 million children, in the north-west. We remember the deeply dehumanizing circumstances last year under which many of them fled their areas of origin en masse and arrived in camps. We, Germany and Belgium, encourage the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Syria’s humanitarian partners to make every effort to prepare for winter.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“Eleven million Syrians remain in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Moreover, the economic crisis and COVID-19 have added an additional burden to an already dire situation, and winter is coming. The war, mismanagement, corruption and oppression have resulted in an economic crisis without precedent, sharply limiting the purchasing power of Syrians all over the country. That has led to food insecurity for an additional 1.4 million people over the past six months. COVID-19 is claiming victims across the country. The number of cases has grown exponentially. That is alarming. Statistics are unreliable. The identified cases are only the tip of the iceberg. Testing capacity remains far too low everywhere in the country, including in the north-east and the north-west. Prevention therefore falls short.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“I will make this statement on behalf of Germany and Belgium, the humanitarian co-penholders. We would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for his briefing. We would also like to thank the humanitarian workers in the country for their lasting engagement. They are at the forefront of every humanitarian disaster, and that is no different in the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. Their protection should be, and is, our constant concern. I will make three points. First, some claim that the situation in Syria has stabilized. Indeed, we are relieved to see that the situation in the north-west remains relatively calm, despite ongoing violence, and we — Germany and Belgium — call for the continued implementation of the Turkish-Russian ceasefire agreement. However, the humanitarian situation in Syria remains alarming.”
2020-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/936 (2020) · source
“A climate and security angle should be incorporated throughout the entire cycle of conflict, from prevention initiatives through mediation strategies to peacebuilding plans and peace talks. This includes engaging in negotiations on the sharing of natural resources, anticipating future climate risks and making the local population more resilient. For all of this to be successful, it is crucial that climate-risk assessments be made available, including to the Security Council, and incorporated in more general conflict and fragility assessments. I cannot but underscore the role of the Climate Security Mechanism and the wider academic world in this matter. Lastly, essential civilian infrastructure is regularly targeted during conflicts, which destroys the livelihoods of communities and increases their exposure to climate change.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“Experience teaches that aid efforts in fragile contexts need to be adaptable, flexible and innovative, and it must be executed in close coordination with local authorities and the academic world’s understanding of how climate change affects specific situations. After all, it does not really help to teach young men and women how to fish when there is no lake left to fish in or when access to the lake has been rendered impossible by security measures. Secondly, the Security Council needs to act. During our current term on the Council, one of Belgium’s priorities has been to mainstream climate-related security risks into relevant Council mandates. We are pleased with the progress made so far, and we vow to continue pressing on this issue whenever a mandate comes up for renewal.But let us also look at the broader picture.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“In addition, overall, a large part of official development assistance in fragile countries, as well as half of the aid to extremely fragile countries, is humanitarian in nature. As such, it acts as a sort of fire extinguisher, but it does not contribute to the prevention of conflict. It is extremely challenging to align aid to the multidimensional and long- term needs of fragile contexts, of which climate change is a part. Trying to address this challenge, the Belgium has launched a four-year humanitarian project aimed at youth resilience in the Lake Chad region. The programme is being executed by Plan International and our partners at Oxfam.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“Belgium therefore calls for a deeper analysis of the humanitarian challenges brought by the interaction between the environment and conflict as well as reflection on the ways humanitarian and other responses can strengthen resilience. We hope a virtual ministerial meeting organized jointly with the Niger, the European Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross and scheduled for 25 September can start the reflection on these overlapping vulnerabilities. Let me share with the Council some of our observations in advance of our meeting on 25 September. First, many conflict and post-conflict countries receive very little climate funding, whereas they might be the countries that need that funding the most.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“The Lake Chad region is a symbolic case — a terrible but convincing example — where the interaction of climate change and armed conflict is undermining sustainable development, creating a long-term humanitarian catastrophe and nurturing extremist movements that capitalize on weak governance. The links between climate and conflict are already today an appalling reality for these populations. Vulnerability to climate change is not always greatest where environmental degradation and climate change are having the most severe effects. This vulnerability to climate change is mostly defined by the capacity of communities to adapt and prevent climate risks. Where this capacity is low, as in situations of fragility, people are most vulnerable.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank the Niger for organizing this debate during its presidency of the Security Council, and I thank the briefers for their briefings. The massive ongoing flooding in the Niger is a dramatic demonstration that climate change is intensely affecting the Sahel. These floods have now caused more deaths in the country than the coronavirus disease. Some may think that the Security Council is not the best forum for a meeting on climate change, but Belgium believes it is appropriate that we meet to discuss the consequences of climate change on conflict and humanitarian needs.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“We fully support the conclusions of the Board of Inquiry, and the work of 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 Commission of Inquiry, as well as justice initiatives at the national and international levels.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“It should be urgently and unconditionally guaranteed in order to keep civilian infrastructure — such as the Allouk water station, which provides the essential water supply to over half a million people, including to the camp of Al-Hol — fully functioning. Each of these points illustrates the immeasurable human suffering that Syrian children, women and men are undergoing on a day to day basis. Therefore, we — Germany and Belgium, the humanitarian co-penholders — once again call for sustainable, durable and unconditional solutions. Finally, to change the situation for the Syrian people for the better, action will be needed, and we to reiterate our call for the full implementation of resolution 2254 (2015) and for accountability.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“At the same time, access from Damascus to the north-east seems to have become further complicated recently, as Under-Secretary- General Lowcock mentioned, and gaps in medical access to that region are still far from being filled. What else is clear is that we cannot accept Damascus deciding who is to receive aid and who is not. Humanitarian action has to be neutral, independent and impartial. Thirdly, humanitarian access is not limited to the delivery of food or shelter. Access should also be facilitated, by all parties, to those who need protection — for instance, those in arbitrary detention. It should be guaranteed to those located in hard-to reach locations, such as the camp of Rukban.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“While the majority of the Security Council was in favour of supporting this request in the interest of the Syrian people, some have chosen to deny it. They have blocked draft Security Council resolutions seeking adequate access to the north-east, via Al-Yarubiyah, and the north-west, via Bab Al-Salam. They claim that cross-line deliveries from Damascus and deliveries passing conflict lines from Bab Al-Hawa would compensate for the closure of cross-border posts. However, the sad reality is that the non-renewal of Bab Al-Salam has so far resulted in a more costly and more risky humanitarian operation in the north-west. So far, no cross-line deliveries have taken place and it remains to be seen whether the current planning becomes reality.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“We — Germany and Belgium — encourage the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and its humanitarian partners to undertake all efforts to prepare for winterization. We know that, with limited access, that will not be an easy exercise. That brings me to my second point. Humanitarian access remains limited, which is intolerable and defies humanitarian logic. We, the co-penholders, call upon all parties to allow neutral and non-political access to all parts of the country without limitations and fully in line with humanitarian principles. Administrative hurdles are not acceptable. Throughout this year, Secretary-General Guterres and Under- Secretary-General Lowcock have consistently called for that, with more cross-line and more cross-border access to all Syrians in need.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“Treatment options are inadequate, as this crisis is also, once again, so acutely showing the limitations of the Syrian health-care system. Health-care facilities that were deliberately bombed and destroyed during years of war are unable to cope with the current crisis. The shortage of health workers further endangers any appropriate response. Wintertime adds to the challenging humanitarian circumstances, and that will especially be the case for the 2.7 million internally displaced persons, among them 1 million children, in the north-west. We remember the deeply dehumanizing circumstances under which many of those people fled their areas of origin in large numbers and arrived in camps last year.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“Eleven million Syrians remain in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Moreover, the economic crisis and COVID-19 have added an additional burden to an already very dire situation, and the winter is right ahead of us. The war, mismanagement, corruption and oppression have resulted in an unprecedented economic crisis, sharply limiting the purchasing power of Syrians throughout the country. That has led to an additional 1.4 million people having become food insecure over the past six months. COVID-19 is claiming victims across the country. The number of cases has grown exponentially. That is alarming. Statistics are unreliable. The identified cases are only the tip of the iceberg. The testing capacity remains far too low everywhere in the country, including in the north-east and the north-west. Prevention therefore falls short.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“I will make this statement on behalf of Germany and Belgium, the humanitarian co-penholders. We would like to thank Under-Secretary General Lowcock for his briefing. We would also like to thank the humanitarian workers in the country for their lasting engagement. They are at the forefront of every humanitarian disaster and this is no different in the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. Their protection should be, and is, our constant concern. I will make three points. First, some claim that the situation in Syria has stabilized. Indeed, we are relieved to see that the situation in the north-west remains relatively calm despite the ongoing violence, and we — Germany and Belgium — call for the continued implementation of the Turkish-Russian ceasefire agreement. However, the humanitarian situation in Syria remains alarming.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“A calm and peaceful future must be based on justice, the recognition of victims and commemoration of past violations. We acknowledge the work carried out by the missions for almost 30 years in this regard and the support provided by the missions to national justice systems. We also acknowledge the variety of models for both transitional justice and mission support. With our partner, South Africa, we continue to work towards the adoption of a draft resolution on this important subject and thank the members of the Security Council for their support.”
2020-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/911 (2020) · source
“As we reinvent new ways of operating at the margins of this pandemic, missions must also reinvent themselves and find the tools to continue this engagement, with full respect for the health of mission staff and local populations. That brings me to my third point, namely, the importance of rule-of-law support functions in the mandates and functioning of operations designed to support national authorities. Post-conflict reconstruction must be based in particular on a democratic police force that respects human rights, a reliable justice system and S/2020/911 humane penitentiary institutions. The solidity of these institutions lays the necessary foundations for lasting peace. In this framework, the Security Council has mandated that some United Nations missions provide support for transitional justice measures.”
2020-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/911 (2020) · source
“This engagement also allows for effective identification of risks for the populations and the peacekeepers. Missions must be equipped with the tools of this engagement, and their personnel must have clear instructions, including for the protection of those with whom they come into contact. The recently distributed guidelines on information acquisition are one such tool. Finally, the protection of children in armed conflict must remain at the heart of the mandates for peace operations, and Belgium advocates the strengthening of the mission teams in charge of this protection. The COVID-19 crisis has had a negative impact on the possibilities of engagement. The social-distancing imperative makes these contacts more complex, but not impossible.”
2020-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/911 (2020) · source
“The recent resolution 2538 (2020), on women in peacekeeping operations, promotes the increased participation of women — both uniformed and civilian personnel — by advocating an approach that goes beyond stereotypes and proposes solutions to traditional obstacles to such participation. We must continue down this path. We also continue to promote the multilingualism of missions by translating staff training manuals into French. Let me now turn to protection, another of the pillars of A4P and of the mandates of the Security Council. Peacekeeping has moved closer to local populations in recent years, and we welcome this development. That is reflected in the mandates, on the one hand, and on the ground in Bunia, Mopti and Malakal, on the other hand.”
2020-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/911 (2020) · source
“We welcome the work done on the theme of performance and, in particular the development of two central tools for a culture of effectiveness based on data, namely, the comprehensive planning and performance assessment system and the integrated Performance and Accountability Framework. Together, we can undoubtedly go further in the common use of the lessons learned from these tools. It would indeed be useful for the Security Council, when preparing mandate renewals, to have access to the detailed analyses and recommendations resulting from these tools, on the instructions to be given to missions. It is important to remain committed to A4P with respect to all aspects of these mutual commitments.”
2020-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/911 (2020) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his briefing. I would like to begin by paying tribute to the women and men who serve under the United Nations flag and, in particular, those who have paid with their lives for the commitment to peace. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has added to this terrible human toll. None of us forgets the sacrifices made by mission personnel. Today, I will focus my remarks on three aspects: first, where we are in the reforms and what remains to be done; secondly, the protection role of the missions; and thirdly, the need for support for the rule of law in the missions. With regard to reforms, Belgium is a strong supporter of the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative. We continue to work to fully meet our commitments.”
2020-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/911 (2020) · source