YouSaid · the spoken record

Phipps

lines on the record: 47
first: 2022-12-05
most recent: 2023-12-30
sittings or episodes: 13
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

“The United Nations membership rejected that and repeatedly demanded that Russia end its invasion and withdraw. As we discussed yesterday, having failed to defeat Ukraine militarily, Russia has now turned to indiscriminate attacks on civilians. The death toll from this week’s attacks across Ukraine — the largest since the war started — continues to rise. Innocent children were among the casualties here too. In total, over 10,000 civilians, including more than 560 children, have been killed, and over 18,500 have been injured in Ukraine since 24 February 2022. Russia chose to start this war; Russia can choose to end this war. Ukraine did not start it and has the right to defend itself. That is why the United Kingdom reiterates that we stand resolute with Ukraine and will remain so.”
2023-12-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9524 (2023) · source
“The war in Ukraine is an invasion started by Russia, a fact that no amount of disinformation can obscure. First, Russia blamed Ukraine for these strikes. Then it tried to demand Czechia appear before the Council. Now the Russian Ambassador is blaming the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. If Russia wants someone to blame for the deaths of Russians in this war, it should start with President Putin. President Putin is responsible for sending many thousands of Russian servicemen and women to their needless deaths. In 2022, President Putin claimed his invasion was to stop a supposed genocide in Donbas. The International Court of Justice rejected that and ordered Russia immediately to end its invasion. Russia’s real objectives were revealed when it attempted the illegal annexation of further Ukrainian territory.”
2023-12-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9524 (2023) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing today. The United Kingdom deeply regrets any civilian deaths in conflict, wherever they happen and particularly where children are involved. We are committed to upholding international humanitarian law and remind all parties to conflict everywhere of their obligations. We are also committed to upholding the Charter of the United Nations and its principles of respect for sovereignty and the right to self-defence. Yesterday we discussed Russian airstrikes on civilians in Ukraine (see S/PV.9523); today Russia called this meeting to discuss Ukrainian strikes in Russia. Russia is attempting to draw equivalence. But let us be absolutely clear: there are hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers in Ukraine; there is not a single Ukrainian soldier in Russia.”
2023-12-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9524 (2023) · source
“In this last open briefing on the agenda for this month, let me join others in congratulating you, Mr. President, for the manner in which you and your team have conducted your presidency this month. I would also like to thank Director Ebo, as always, for his detailed briefing and to express gratitude to the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons”
2023-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9519 (2023) · source
“Finally, we need to continue to support the Special Envoy in his efforts to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Committee, as soon as possible, in the new year. On 18 December, eight years ago, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2254 (2015). As we have said many times, the implementation of this resolution remains the only way to end this conflict and provide sustainable peace and stability to the Syrian people.”
2023-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9517 (2023) · source
“We are particularly concerned by the continuing attacks against the Global Coalition against Da’esh, in north- east Syria, the increasing tensions along the Jordanian- Syrian border and the reported strikes in Israeli territory by the Al-Assad regime and Iranian-affiliated forces. Regional escalation serves nobody’s interest. Secondly, United Nations humanitarian access at Bab Al-Hawa remains vital. Over three-quarters of all United Nations aid transits via that crossing, and it remains a critical lifeline for 4.1 million Syrians. The Syrian regime’s current permissions expire on 13 January; we fully expect them to be renewed. Cross- line operations can complement, but not replace, the essential support that cross-border mechanisms provide.”
2023-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9517 (2023) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Director Doughten for their briefings. Today in our final meeting of the year on this item, we should reflect on the situation in Syria over the past 12 months, in which there has been no progress on the political process, no improvement in civil or political rights for Syrians or in arbitrary detentions and no improvement in the conditions to enable the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees. The humanitarian crisis has deepened, and the Captagon trade has only grown. As we enter the new year, we believe that there are three areas where the Council can meaningfully focus. First, the threat posed to the region from actors within Syria remains of grave concern.”
2023-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9517 (2023) · source
“It is our view that the independent assessment outlines the architecture and mechanisms that are needed to achieve that. For its part, the United Kingdom is fully committed to finding a constructive way forward. In the absence of a coherent international strategy to date, it is the responsibility of the Security Council to seize the momentum provided by that report. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with international partners and the full range of Afghan stakeholders in our shared endeavour towards improving the lives of all Afghans.”
2023-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9515 (2023) · source
“Since UNAMA’s previous briefing to the Security Council (see S/PV.9423), Herat was struck by successive devastating earthquakes. In response, the United Kingdom has provided approximately $4 million in emergency support to those affected, including an additional $13 million to support Afghans across the country during the winter months. We have also committed $23.5 million to the International Organization for Migration to support vulnerable undocumented Afghans returning to the country. It has been more than two years since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. As the independent assessment (S/2023/856, annex) concludes, our shared goal should be an Afghanistan that is at peace with its people, its neighbours and the international community.”
2023-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9515 (2023) · source
“Let me join others in thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Otunbayeva and the other briefers for their important remarks today. The United Kingdom remains gravely concerned about the continued curtailment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls. That, together with ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions, is in clear violation of the international commitments that all States must adhere to. We echo the recommendation of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) that the international community should maintain its multilateral advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality. The United Kingdom is of course a firm supporter of those values, and we will continue to raise them at every opportunity.”
2023-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9515 (2023) · source
“Too often, Russia has attempted to distract the Council with spurious meetings aimed at deflecting and distracting from its own crimes. Too often, Russia is not interested in solutions, but instead undermines the Council’s work. But perhaps most egregious of all, Russia, a permanent member of the Council, continues to inflict suffering on Ukraine and across the globe, when the solution is simple — Russia should withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory and end its war of aggression now.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“Just this week, the European Commission recommended that the European Council open accession negotiations with Ukraine. It is clear, therefore, that President Putin has catastrophically failed to achieve his objectives, and he will continue to do so. Russia’s claims about what may have happened in Donetsk yesterday have not been verified, and they will remain unverified unless the United Nations or other independent bodies are given access. Up to 5 million civilians in Russia-controlled areas of Ukraine need urgent aid, but Russia continues to block access, including to the United Nations. Complex human tragedies continue to unfold all over the world — in the Sudan, Myanmar, Israel and Gaza. The solutions are often equally complex.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“Russia’s explanation has therefore once again proved to be a lie. Russia has of course lied in the Council many times, both before and after it invaded Ukraine. Russia’s biggest lie of all, though, is that it conducted its full- scale invasion, its annexation of Crimea and its military invasion in Donbas in 2014 for the benefit of the people there. The people of Donbas faced no threat from a democratically elected Government in Kyiv. Russia faced no threat from Ukraine, and it faced no threat from NATO. The reality is that Russia’s President felt threatened by the aspirations of the Ukrainian people. Ten years ago this month, Ukraine’s pro-Russian President, Yanukovych, abandoned an Association Agreement with the European Union that triggered peaceful protests in Kyiv.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“It has shown complete disregard for human life, including by sending thousands of its own citizens to their needless deaths. Nine days ago, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published its initial report into the Hroza missile attack. Russia’s attack on Hroza killed 59 people, making it the single deadliest incident for civilians since the launch of Russia’s illegal invasion. The representative of the Russian delegation himself admitted before the Council that Russia deliberately struck the site in Hroza, but he claimed that it was to target military personnel (see S/PV.9431). The United Nations investigation concluded that there was no indication of military personnel or any other legitimate military target at, or adjacent to, the café at the time of Russia’s attack.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by joining others in thanking Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his comprehensive briefing today. As you are aware, Mr. President, Russia launched a full-scale war of aggression against its neighbour Ukraine in February last year. In conducting its war of aggression, Russia has repeatedly and deliberately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure. United Nations investigations have confirmed that Russia is responsible for gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which could amount to war crimes. Russia has caused suffering and hardship for millions of people around the world by weaponizing food. Just today, it struck a Liberian-flagged civilian vessel entering the port of Odesa, killing its pilot.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“Noting Iraq’s recent request, we will work closely with the Government of Iraq, the United Nations and the Council to improve evidence-sharing arrangements in accordance with UNITAD’s terms of reference, as well as options for the future of UNITAD’s work. Once again, I would like to conclude by renewing the United Kingdom’s commitment to the stability and security of Iraq and to the essential role that the Mission plays in support.”
2023-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9432 (2023) · source
“Regarding Khor Abdullah, we would like to wholeheartedly echo the point made by the Special Representative. We welcomed Prime Minister Al Sudani’s renewed commitment expressed during the high-level week to international law and to the resolutions of the Security Council, and like others we would particularly like to recall the importance of resolution 833 (1993). We look forward to seeing outstanding issues between Iraq and the Government of Kuwait resolved through dialogue. Finally, following the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD) last month, we are committed to ensuring that UNITAD’s legacy is preserved and that international efforts to deliver justice for Da’esh atrocities continue.”
2023-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9432 (2023) · source
“It is incumbent on all political parties to exercise unity, to compromise and to engage in constructive dialogue to ensure an electoral process that adheres to international standards and upholds the right of all citizens, including women and minorities, to participate in the democratic process. We also welcome Iraq’s commitment to tackling climate change, including through ending gas flaring by 2030. Iraq’s exposure to multiple climate hazards, including floods, droughts and sandstorms, climate-related epidemics and earthquakes, makes this an important shared priority. Progress here will bolster Iraq’s security, and we stand ready to support it. We welcome the update from the Special Representative today on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals as well as missing Kuwaiti property.”
2023-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9432 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the Government of Iraq and the implementation of its ambitious reform agenda. In particular, we welcomed the adoption of the budget in June — a crucial step in delivering the Government’s priorities, including on economic reform and energy diversification. We share the concerns of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General about the Kurdistan region, and we urge the Kurdistan Regional Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the planned elections take place on 25 February next year without further postponement.”
2023-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9432 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by extending the United Kingdom’s condolences to the families of all who were killed and injured in the tragic fire at Qaraqosh on 26 September. I would also like to express thanks to Special Representative Hennis- Plasschaert and Ms. Al-Jarahi for their briefings today, and in particular to Ms. Al-Jarahi for highlighting the vital issues of women’s rights and meaningful participation. And I want to thank all the staff at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) for their important work. The positive partnership between UNAMI and the Iraqi Government, the Iraqi people and civil society on issues from regional stability to women’s rights and participation is playing a vital role in its success.”
2023-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9432 (2023) · source
“We continue to support Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bathily and the work he is doing to reach an inclusive political agreement, as well as the wider efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to support peace and stability in Libya. Before concluding, let me also note that we hope the Russian delegation will give equal focus to language on human rights and international law when the Council discusses UNSMIL’s mandate next month.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“A more holistic approach is needed to tackle the drivers of migration across Africa and the Western Mediterranean route, and we are committed to working closely with Member States and the United Nations to achieve that. We take note of the recommendations by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration today. The United Kingdom also continues to urge the Libyan authorities to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and implement a functioning migration system that respects migrants’ and refugees’ human rights. Unfortunately, these challenges will sadly endure in Libya in the absence of a political solution, which is why driving forward the process is front and centre of our work.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Directors Menikdiwela and Liljert for their briefings today. The United Kingdom would also like to thank France and Malta for their efforts in drafting the renewal of United Nations resolution 2652 (2022), which we fully support. As we are all aware, Libya is a complex operating environment for tackling migration and human smuggling. All refugees and migrants, regardless of their migration status, should be treated with the humanity and dignity that they deserve. The United Kingdom continues to be deeply concerned about abuses of migrants and refugees in Libya. We continue to call on the Libyan authorities to take steps to end the exploitation and abuse of migrants and refugees, working towards the closure of all detention centres.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“I apologize for requesting to take the floor again, but I felt compelled to do so after the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic referred to the White Helmets as a terrorist organization. To be clear, the White Helmets are a life-saving, search-and-rescue organization that is estimated to have saved more than 115,000 lives and provided essential services to more than 4 million Syrians throughout the conflict. Allegations linking the White Helmets to terrorist groups are baseless and part of a concerted disinformation campaign by the Syrian regime and by Russia that seeks to undermine the White Helmets’ valuable work. One has only to look at the hundreds of videos of the White Helmets pulling people from the rubble of war to know that those accusations are complete nonsense.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“We owe that to the victims of the attack in Ghouta and of all chemical weapons attacks — including the attack carried out by Russia five years ago in Salisbury, United Kingdom, which resulted in the death of a British national, Dawn Sturgess. Syria’s chemical weapons will remain a threat to international peace and security until they have been fully and verifiably destroyed by the OPCW.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“It compelled Syria to cooperate fully with the OPCW and the United Nations, including by providing personnel designated by the OPCW with immediate and unfettered access to any and all sites that the OPCW had grounds to believe to be of importance for the purpose of its mandate. Ten years later, the provisions of resolution 2118 (2013) have still not been met. As others have said today, there have been nine further confirmed chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian regime. Next month will mark 10 years since Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is a moment for all of us around this table to reflect on our responsibility for the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013). We should discuss how we can move forward in support of the OPCW’s efforts to resolve the outstanding inconsistencies in Syria’s declaration.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“The Council expressed its outrage, condemned the killing of civilians and affirmed that any use of chemical weapons constitutes a serious violation of international law. Collectively, we called for accountability. Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) was subsequently adopted unanimously. That resolution condemned chemical weapons use in Syria and endorsed the implementation of the OPCW Executive Council’s decision, setting out steps for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme. It was clear that the Syrian Arab Republic should not use, develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Director-General Fernando Arias of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for his most recent monthly report (see S/2023/637) and the OPCW Declaration and Assessment Team for their tireless efforts to resolve the outstanding issues in Syria’s chemical weapons declaration. I would also like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today. As Mrs. Nakamitsu and others have said, 10 years ago, in the early hours of 21 August 2013, Bashar Al-Assad’s forces used sarin against the people of Ghouta. More than 1,000 people were killed, many of whom were women and children. The resulting United Nations mission report (S/2013/553) described the attack as the most significant confirmed use of chemical weapons against civilians since Saddam Hussein used them in Halabja, Iraq, in 1988.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“President Putin could end the suffering of the Ukrainian people and Russia’s own soldiers tomorrow by withdrawing all Russian forces from within Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. Until then we will continue to help Ukraine defend itself.”
2023-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9399 (2023) · source
“It is his choices that have diminished Russia’s standing in the world and destroyed the trust of Russia’s neighbours. It is President Putin who is hurting Russia. The Russian authorities estimate that as many as a million people left the country in 2022. Many have spoken of their concerns about the war and its impact. Others fled to avoid being conscripted to fight. Those who have stayed face dire consequences for speaking out. It is telling that our Russian colleagues can rely only on fringe journalists to defend their war in this Chamber. Let me be clear. An unstable Russia is in none of our interests, and we have the highest respect for the Russian people.”
2023-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9399 (2023) · source
“But President Putin has shown that he is not serious about any peace that respects international law. While last week Ukraine and international partners from all over the globe discussed the importance of a just and sustainable peace underpinned by the Charter, Russia continued to drop bombs on Ukrainian ports and grain silos, targeting the world’s food supply. Russia now claims that it is under assault from the West. But it was President Putin who chose to invade Ukraine in February of last year, despite calls from within the Security Council to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine’s borders. It was Putin who ordered hundreds of thousands of Russian troops to go their deaths on the soil of another country to which they should never have been sent.”
2023-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9399 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu for her briefing today. Last week Russian missiles targeted hotels in Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhya. As people rushed to rescue the wounded from the rubble, further missiles hit both locations — a double-tap strike, deliberately timed to kill first responders. On Sunday, a baby, just 22 days old, her 12-year-old brother and their parents were among seven people killed by Russian shells in Kherson. On Tuesday, a Russian missile ripped through a playground in Lviv. That is how Russia’s leaders conduct their war of choice, and it is why we are proud to support Ukraine as it defends itself in line with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The United Kingdom wants peace. Ukraine wants peace. Indeed, the whole world wants peace.”
2023-08-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9399 (2023) · source
“We therefore once again reiterate our calls on the Syrian regime to fulfil its obligations under the Convention and under resolution 2118 (2013) and to engage meaningfully with the OPCW. It must declare and destroy all aspects of its chemical weapons programme. It is our responsibility to uphold and defend the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the non-proliferation architecture and the global consensus that those weapons must never be used.”
2023-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9393 (2023) · source
“The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism and OPCW’s reports have provided undeniable and direct evidence of the Syrian State’s shocking track record of murdering its own civilians using chemical weapons. We collectively owe it to the thousands of victims to pursue justice and to hold those responsible for those crimes to account. Syria continues to fail to meet its obligations under resolution 2118 (2013) and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Despite concerted efforts by the OPCW to get to the truth, Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile declaration is still not accurate. Syria has failed to declare and destroy all of its chemical weapons, which continue to pose a serious threat to regional, as well as international, security.”
2023-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9393 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Deputy to the High Representative Mr. Ebo for his briefing and in particular Mr. Katoub not only for his briefing today but also for his work responding to the abhorrent chemical attack in Ghouta in 2013 and for his ongoing efforts to fight impunity on behalf of all of the victims of chemical weapons. Mr. Katoub’s briefing is a reminder of why it is imperative that we remain focused on this agenda. In the decades since Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention, internationally mandated organizations have confirmed that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against its people on at least nine occasions. As Mr. Katoub said, there have been many more attacks. The human impact of those attacks has been horrific.”
2023-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9393 (2023) · source
“We commend the OPCW team’s continued efforts and underscore that the fundamental obligations that Syria has as a State party to the Convention must be upheld. It must give up all its chemical weapons, stop banned activity and comply in full with the OPCW. Until Syria has made meaningful progress on those issues, its chemical weapons programme is an ongoing threat to international peace and security that the Council needs to address. We must collectively send a clear message about our shared commitment to the ban on chemical weapons, and we need to defend and uphold the international consensus that those weapons should never be used.”
2023-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9317 (2023) · source
“That failure is primarily due to the actions of one permanent member, which has itself used chemical weapons in recent years, including in my country in 2018. This is not a show, and this statement is not groundless. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has put exceptional amounts of resources into trying to help Syria resolve the outstanding issues regarding its initial declaration. Those issues are not academic and include the whereabouts of hundreds of tons of chemical weapons agents. As we heard again from Mrs. Nakamitsu, access for OPCW staff remains restricted, and despite worrisome findings by the Declaration Assessment Team, the denials of Syria and Russia continue.”
2023-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9317 (2023) · source
“As always, I would like to begin by thanking High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. As Mrs. Nakamitsu said, at next week’s fifth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, States parties will take stock of the Convention’s implementation and set future priorities. They will also reaffirm the importance of the Convention. The Convention and wider non-proliferation can hold only if its rules are upheld, and rule-breakers are held to account. The Al-Assad regime has repeatedly breached its obligations under the Convention and resolution 2118 (2013). There is undeniable and direct evidence of the Syrian State murdering its own civilians using chemical weapons on at least nine occasions. The Council has failed to hold the regime to account for the use of those abhorrent weapons.”
2023-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9317 (2023) · source
“That is why we have so frequently condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, schools and hospitals in the Council. However, we are not convinced that Russia’s initiative today, or its calls for the establishment of a United Nations commission of inquiry, amounts to anything more than a distraction from its continuing aggression in Ukraine.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“The basis for the new accusations is an article by an American journalist, which cites only a single secret source. It is no surprise that the Russian Ambassador chose not to dwell on the details, as such details have already been comprehensively debunked by other journalists, including on the basis of very straightforward, open-source fact-checking. It is therefore our view that the real reason for Russia’s urgency today is a desperate desire to distract attention one year on from the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the massive casualties suffered by the Russian military and the devastation that Russia’s war has wrought on the people of Ukraine, as well as its effects across the globe. The United Kingdom takes the issue of attacks on critical infrastructure very seriously.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. The United Kingdom condemns the acts of sabotage targeting the Nord Stream pipeline. However, it is not clear to us why, five months on, Russia is suddenly pursuing the issue here with such urgency. We welcome the letter from Denmark, Sweden and Germany informing States Members of the United Nations that investigations are ongoing. The United Kingdom fully supports those technical investigations, led by the competent national authorities, and awaits their findings. The only recent development regarding Nord Stream of which we are aware is a new round of lurid accusations by Russian State-controlled media and public figures. They are the same actors that originally chose to accuse the United Kingdom.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“In addition, as High Representative Nakamitsu said, we must not forget the victims of chemical-weapon attacks in Syria. The United Kingdom continues to stand in solidarity with them, and we will continue to pursue justice for them and their families.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“The OPCW has found Syria responsible for multiple chemical-weapon attacks and other serious failures to meet its obligations as a State party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. As my colleague from the United States mentioned, during last week’s Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, 57 countries joined a France-led statement unequivocally condemning Syria’s use of chemical weapons and refusal to live up to its obligations as a State party. The scale of support for that statement speaks to the overwhelming desire of the international community to uphold the collective progress that we have made in recent decades towards a world free of chemical weapons. It is our responsibility as of members of the Council to continue to support the OPCW as it seeks to resolve outstanding issues in Syria’s declaration.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“The OPCW- United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) attributed responsibility for the attack to the regime. As the OPCW reported in April 2020, the attack in Khan Shaykhun was preceded by two sarin attacks carried out by the Syrian Arab Air Force in Ltamenah in March 2017. Sarin, as I am sure we all know, is a nerve agent that suffocates people to death as their muscles spasm into paralysis. The chemical profile of the sarin used in all those attacks bears the unique signature of the sarin production process declared by Syria in its declaration. Those Syrian attacks are all a matter of record, established by detailed and thorough investigations by the OPCW and the JIM.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“Independent investigations have shown that the Syrian regime went on to use chemical weapons in further attacks against the Syrian people, even after having claimed it had given up all of its chemical weapons. Several of those attacks have involved the use of chlorine dropped onto civilian centres from helicopters, in particular by a division of the Syrian armed forces known as the Tiger Forces, under the control of Brigadier General Suhail Al-Hassan. The OPCW Investigation and Identification Team found that the Tiger Forces were responsible for a chlorine attack on Saraqib in February 2018. But the Al-Assad regime has not limited itself to chlorine attacks alone. On 4 April 2017, a Syrian SU-22 aircraft delivered an aerial bomb filled with sarin into the centre of Khan Shaykhun.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“As we are reminded every month, Syria’s initial chemical-weapons declaration, on which the destruction of its chemical weapons stocks depended, was and remains inaccurate and incomplete. When the evidence of Syria’s retention of chemical weapons has proved too compelling, the regime has changed its story. It has now amended its declaration 17 times. We know, by the regime’s own admission, that at least one chemical-weapons production facility, four laboratories, five previously undeclared chemical warfare agents, hundreds of tons of chemicals and thousands of munitions were omitted from its initial declaration. These issues are not academic.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“I would like to join others in thanking High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing and the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mr. Arias, for his latest monthly report (see S/2022/897). Let us remind ourselves why we continue to discuss this agenda item. In the early hours of 21 August 2013, the Syrian regime targeted its own citizens in three suburbs of Damascus with rockets containing the nerve agent sarin. As many as 1,500 people died. Following those attacks, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2118 (2013), which called on Syria to cooperate fully with the OPCW and eliminate its chemical weapons programme and stockpile.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source