YouSaid · the spoken record

Pierce

lines on the record: 1,742
first: 2006-06-20
most recent: 2020-03-12
sittings or episodes: 239
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

“At the outset, I would also like to say how grateful we are to the United States for giving the United Nations its home here in New York and for its contribution, without which many of the gains of the preceding almost 70 years could not be made. I would like to speak on three themes today: the collective challenges; the special role of the Security Council; and what, in our view, we now need to do to strengthen multilateralism. Public debate on foreign policy issues in my own country nearly always features a reference to the need for a solution to be pursued through the United Nations, no matter where on the political spectrum the comment is made from. Post-Brexit, members will find the United Kingdom an even more active participant in the affairs of the United Nations, and in global affairs more generally.”
2018-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8395 (2018) · source
“I would like to start by apologizing for my absence at the beginning of this open debate, since I left the Chamber to go to a remembrance service for the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. It is very good - and I thank China - that we are having this debate today so close to that anniversary, which started the march towards multilateralism in earnest even though some foundations had been laid in the previous century. Of course, the end of the Second World War saw the establishment of the United Nations and the Organization as the apex of a system that has, on the whole, kept us all safe and prosperous since 1945.”
2018-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8395 (2018) · source
“Srebrenica remains the worst massacre in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Nine thousand Muslim men and boys were taken from their homes and murdered. It is absolutely vital that reconciliation efforts be made in genuine earnest and accelerated.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“It is regrettable that many of those issues have remained unresolved over several election cycles, which is a significant amount of time. Any resolution to those issues needs to meet international standards and uphold the principle of equality for all citizens, including the ability to elect officials and be elected. Conversely, we welcome the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina on certain aspects of reform, for example in the adoption of agricultural and energy strategies and the eventual adoption of the criminal procedure code - although the delay in doing so was regrettable. We have also welcomed the continued cooperation on women and peace and security and encourage that to continue. Finally, I want to echo what the High Representative said about reconciliation.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“They are also important because they help to embed national and regional security and stability - an issue that, as I said at the beginning of my statement, has long occupied the Council. Those in positions of responsibility should act in the interests of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is especially concerning that the rhetoric and reluctance to compromise are indicative of the wider political environment. We will be watching developments closely. It is also important that the political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina urgently address all judgments regarding elections in order to ensure that all citizens have the ability to participate fully in the democratic process, as they all deserve.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“I want to echo what the High Representative said about waiting until those leaders have taken office before we properly hold them to account. I also want to make it clear that we will hold them to account. Political leaders need to show leadership and tolerance and they need to help modernize their country. At a crucial time following the elections, political leaders must work together in a cooperative manner to form Governments quickly so that progress can be made on key reforms, Euro-Atlantic integration and the 5+2 agenda. Those reforms are important because they will bring improvements to the day-to-day lives of all of Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“The divisive and nationalist political rhetoric, which was especially loud in the run-up to the elections, is dangerous and creates an environment where real long-term security and stability will be difficult to achieve. It is also backwards-looking, and what Bosnia needs most of all is to move forward. Other countries in the Balkan regions are moving forward and making progress on their EU accession arrangements. Where they wish to, they are making progress with getting closer to NATO. That benefits regional security and stability, and Bosnia and Herzegovina once again risks being left behind in that regional modernization and progress. In particular, those in positions of responsibility should act in the interests of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina rather than spreading divisive sentiment.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“We would much rather see Russia trying to do everything it can to consolidate Bosnia and Herzegovina as a State and to help it modernize and make progress towards the Euro-Atlantic institutions that since the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed have been the foundation of its existence as a modern State in its region, Europe. I think that would be the best service that we could all do for Bosnia. Turning to the subject of the elections, the United Kingdom welcomed the calm and orderly conduct of the elections, which were generally competitive, but we continue to be concerned about the level of the ethnic divisions in politics and the reports ofirregularities. The inability to resolve key issues of election reform prior to the elections was disappointing and is a clear and ongoing concern.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“But I also want to point out that the hard- won peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina are fragile and should not be taken for granted. While the current situation remains calm, threats to security remain, alongside new challenges such as increases in migration, as the High Representative mentioned. That is a very important issue for the EU and for Europe. It is our regional crisis, as it were, and something in which the EU has invested a huge amount of time, effort, money, coaching and patience. We will be hearing later from the EU Ambassador, who will be able to outline the EU's position more clearly. I wanted to briefly address what the Russian Ambassador said in his statement before the vote. Russia is a member of the Contact Group and of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board for Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“The consensus on the resolution demonstrates the commitment of the United Kingdom and the international community to security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Office ofthe High Representative and EUFOR Althea are crucial vehicles for enabling the international community to support the maintenance of Bosnia and Herzegovina's security, stability and territorial integrity, which are vital to the country's future as a modern democratic European State. As I said, there was once a time when the Council dealt with Bosnia every day of its existence. I have had the privilege of working on the Balkans file for more than 20 years, on and off. I am somewhat saddened by what the High Representative tells us of how some issues are still unresolved and how they repeat themselves.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“I thank the High Representative for his briefing today and for the work of his Office in maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina has long been a very important and almost totemic issue for the Council, if one goes back to the start of the conflict in the early 19905. The United Kingdom remains committed to the continuing role of the High Representative and his Office. The Office of the High Representative remains the final authority and theatre regarding the civilian implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace, and that includes our support for the use of Bonn powers if the situation requires. We welcome today's unanimous adoption of resolution 2443 (2018), which authorizes the European Union (EU)-led Operation Althea (EUFOR Althea) for a further 12 months.”
2018-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8392 (2018) · source
“Again, it beggars belief that we should have to take the floor to defend some of the bravest volunteers working in Syria. The Syrian civil defence have confirmed that none of their volunteers were involved, let alone killed, in the alleged incident referred to by the Syrian authorities in their recent correspondence, which is contrary to those authorities' fabrications. Repeated allegations that the United Kingdom and its allies are preparing a chemical-weapons attack are malicious, absurd and they are simply an attempt to distract and deflect attention from the real situation on the ground in Syria, But I want to end by echoing what the representative of France said, that we will respond appropriately if there is a chemical-weapons attack. And that attack will not come from us.”
2018-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8390 (2018) · source
“We look to all international partners to engage constructively in discussions on the future work of the organization in Syria and elsewhere. On the funding point, it is in all our countries' interests for the OPCW to receive the funding it needs to continue to uphold the global norms against chemical weapons. On other issues, Ijust want to endorse what others have said about the importance of the political settlement and of establishing the constitutional committee in line with the Istanbul summit declaration, which we very much welcomed at the time. And of course, on Idlib, we want that agreement to hold. It is the key to so much about the future of the people in Syria. I want to conclude by addressing the allegations about the White Helmets. We keep hearing those allegations.”
2018-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8390 (2018) · source
“As many speakers have said, the OPCW is doing good work. It is mandated to do that work. And the Conference of States Parties have decided to strengthen the work that it does. There was an alternative - to have a Security Council mechanism - but that came to a grinding halt with a Russian veto. Therefore, we must all support the OPCW Director-General and his work to implement the decision adopted at the special conference of the States Parties held in June. For our part, the United Kingdom looks forward to arrangements being swiftly put in place so that the OPCW can begin its work on attribution of chemical-weapons attacks in Syria. We call on all States that will be meeting in The Hague later this month to respect the decision, which was taken by an overwhelming majority in June.”
2018-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8390 (2018) · source
“I think that the interventions by Kuwait and France laid out very well the historical place that chemical weapons hold in global non-proliferation regimes. What part of "these are prohibited weapons" do Syria and Russia not understand? I think it is almost absurd that we should have to rehearse each month quite how terrible those weapons are. It really ought to be globally recognized and upheld that we work to strengthen the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Chemical Weapons Convention and to make sure those weapons are never used. That ought to be a universal good that everybody in the United Nations ought to be able to subscribe to. Future generations will judge us very harshly - but will judge two countries particularly harshly - for breaking that prohibition.”
2018-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8390 (2018) · source
“As this is the first time I take the floor during this month, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. I also thank Bolivia for its presidency of the Council last month. I would like to thank the High Representative for her briefing. I think that it is clear that not enough progress has been made. At one level that is not a surprise, given the track record of the Syrian authorities. But at another level it just beggars belief: chemical weapons are universally prohibited weapons under international law. Everybody on the Council, except one member, stresses that and stresses the supreme importance of upholding that prohibition.”
2018-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8390 (2018) · source
“We also urge donors to respond to the United Nations annual humanitarian response plan for Ukraine, which remains woefully underfunded. In conclusion, we urge all sides, particularly the Russian-backed separatists, to commit to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, beginning with a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry. That is the best way to achieve stability in Ukraine and end the suffering of the Ukrainian people. To be clear: it was Russian aggression in 2014 that gave rise to this conflict - in complete disregard for international law. Russia has a responsibility, particularly as a permanent member of the Council, to desist from destabilizing behaviour and to use its considerable influence on the separatists to ensure that the Minsk agreements are implemented and the conflict brought to an end.”
2018-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8386 (2018) · source
“Thirdly, we are concerned by Russia's ongoing cyberattacks on Ukraine, which attempt to interfere with Ukraine's financial, energy and Government sectors. I will now turn to humanitarian issues. As the Assistant Secretary-General indicated in her briefing, the conflict continues to have a devastating humanitarian impact on those who live on both sides of the contact line. What we heard about mines, injuries and millions being at dire humanitarian risk ought to shock us. The lack of access to humanitarian organizations in non-Government-controlled areas is greatly contributing to the escalation of the crisis. We strongly urge the Russia-backed separatists to grant safe and unhindered access so that essential humanitarian assistance can be delivered to the 1.8 million people in need within non-Government-controlled areas.”
2018-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8386 (2018) · source
“As other representatives have done today, I would now like to raise other recent actions that are deeply concerning. First, as recorded by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, the increasing militarization of Crimea is nothing short of alarming. We urge Russia to desist from destabilizing transfers of weapon systems and troops and to demonstrate its commitment to regional stability. Secondly, opening the Kerch Strait Bridge is yet another flagrant Violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. Russia's systematic harassment and detention of both Ukrainian and third-country-flagged vessels in the Sea of Azov since April is yet another attempt to destabilize Ukraine and its economy.”
2018-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8386 (2018) · source
“That is why the United Kingdom, with other members of the Council, called for this meeting today. The international community must stand together to condemn those illegal acts. Russia could demonstrate its commitment to the rules-based international system by using its considerable influence on the separatists to ensure that the so-called elections do not take place. To be clear: if the elections were free and fair and with proper security conditions, as stated in the Minsk agreements, that would be a different matter. But the conditions for free and fair elections will never exist as long as Russia continues to deny international access to eastern Ukraine. Support for illegitimate so-called elections is the latest attempt by Russia to destabilize Ukraine.”
2018-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8386 (2018) · source
“I thank the Under- Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General for briefing the Security Council today. The United Kingdom is committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We do not and will not recognize Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. The illegal seizure of Crimea by Russia in March 2014 directly contravenes the Charter of the United Nations. The action threatens international peace and security and has global consequences. IfI may, I will address the issue of the elections. Like my European and American colleagues, we see those so-called elections as illegitimate. They are the latest example in the Russian campaign to destabilize Ukraine. They are a clear breach of the Minsk agreements. And they are illegal under Ukrainian law. In plain speaking, they are a charade - and a grisly one at that.”
2018-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8386 (2018) · source
“I want to repeat something that I have said before in the Chamber. Criticizing the United Nations for doing its job should not be the task of anyone speaking in the Chamber. I know that we need to have free speech and I know that we need to be frank. But the United Nations, including the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has done an outstanding job in Syria. The meeting rose at 11.55 a.m.”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“Reconstruction money will be available from Western Governments only in the context of a credible, sustainable political process that redresses and addresses some of the underlying concerns in Syrian politics today.”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“I think that would be a very powerful signal of progress on the ground. I want to speak again about the importance of movement forward on the political process. Mark mentioned the need for more generosity from donors in terms of funding some of the United Nations plan. I would like to say that, in response to the crisis, the British Government has committed $3.47 billion to Syria since 2012, and that includes $1.25 billion actually spent inside Syria itself. Notwithstanding that, I would like to echo what the French Ambassador said about reconstruction. There is a difference between humanitarian assistance and reconstruction money.”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“As such, the Council needs to hear that assurance today. It also needs to hear that something will be done about security and that the United Nations convoys will be able to get through to those desperate people. I think we keep ducking at that issue in the Council. We keep raising the issue and have not yet received a satisfactory answer. It would be very good to get clarity on that today. I also wanted to note that, with regard to humanitarian access and refugee return, we need to include the issue of security, freedom from political persecution and from arbitrary arrest if communities are to feel safe and secure about returning to their homes. Finally, I want to endorse the five asks that the Under-Secretary-General set out today. I want to echo the call for unity on renewing resolution 2165 (2014).”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“Turning to the humanitarian side, which is the main purpose of the meeting today, I want to underscore what the Under-Secretary-General said about humanitarian principles and the aid needing to go to people in the most need. It is very worrying that we do not have full independent needs assessments. Proper refugee return really cannot happen without that. I would be grateful to know from the Syrian representative 7 but also from the Russians - what has been done to address the United Nations concerns on the independent needs assessment on Rukban. I take the point that there may be a security risk. I think it would be very good if the Council could have more detail on what that security risk is and how it might be overcome. I want to recall that United Nations States Members are obliged to ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access.”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“As we all noted last week (see S/PV.8373), we hope that that combination of commitments and meetings will see some real, concrete progress on both political and humanitarian tracks, but I think that, concerning the political side and Idlib, I would very much like to receive confirmation today that the Idlib agreement between Russia and Turkey will hold and that those 3 million civilians will be kept safe. I would like to receive confirmation today that the constitutional committee will indeed be set up by the end of the year. And I would like to know if that is something that both Syria and Russia agree should happen. I also agree with what my United States colleague about chemical weapons.”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“I thank Mark Lowcock once again for a clear and stark briefing, as well as his entire team on the ground. I would like to start by joining the representative of Kuwait in expressing our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Indonesia for the plane crash. I also want to say that I thought the joint statement delivered on behalf of Kuwait and Sweden earlier was very powerful. I should like to begin not immediately with the humanitarian situation, but with the Istanbul summit commitments as outlined by the French representative, and I thank him very much for his briefing. I completely agree with what the French Ambassador said about the political process. The small group on Syria is meeting now in London.”
2018-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8384 (2018) · source
“I will be very brief. We have heard a great deal of support for the Special Envoy in the Chamber. Let us look to that to hold between now and 19 November. I have a question about Idlib. The Syrian Ambassador referred to the Syrian authorities retaking - I repeat, retaking - Idlib. That would cut across the agreement that the Russians and the Turks have made with regard to Idlib. I would like to know if the Russian and Turkish agreement on Idlib still holds and how long it is likely to hold.”
2018-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8383 (2018) · source
“The Council needs to come together to support the political process. Without the political process, this dreadful conflict will never truly end, whatever happens militarily on the ground. We look forward to further reports following the international meetings in the coming days, but I believe that we must hear today from all Council members that they will support the United Nations as it tries its very best to move the political process forward.”
2018-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8383 (2018) · source
“We need clarity that Russia, as one of the five permanent members of the Council, an Astana guarantor and the convener of the Sochi agreement, will work constructively and tirelessly with the United Nations, along with Syria and Iran. All United Nations Members have a responsibility to support Mr. De Mistura as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. We need to hear today that that promise of constructive, tireless and dedicated engagement is there to bring this conflict to an end. We need the agreement on Idlib to hold. We need for that opportunity that others have mentioned to be seized. We need the constitutional committee to be convened, and I share the views of my American and French colleagues on that. We need humanitarian access to be improved, and we need resolution 2254 (2015) to be upheld.”
2018-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8383 (2018) · source
“That military campaign has been brought to a halt only by the international outrage at the threat to 2 to 3 million civilians in Idlib, before the Turks bravely stepped in and brokered an agreement that was designed to protect those civilians. I therefore think that we need five things, in support of what my French and American colleagues have said. We need clarity on the status ofthe Sochi agreement and the new proposals of the Syrian authorities. What do they mean? What do Russia and Iran think about them? We need clarity on what steps need to be taken by all the players before 19 November, when Mr. De Mistura has offered to come back and brief the Council, and before the end of November when he steps down.”
2018-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8383 (2018) · source
“I think that we actually face a grave challenge in the way that Members of the United Nations have been cooperating with the Organization, and as my American and French colleagues have said, we face a grave challenge in terms of the situation on the ground. Additionally, there is now enormous doubt over what the Sochi agreement was and what it now represents. Either Russia has given the United Nations and the Council assurances that it has proven too weak to deliver on, or it was all a cynical smokescreen designed to divert attention and energy While Russia, Syria and Iran prosecuted the military campaign.”
2018-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8383 (2018) · source
“We thank Mr. Staffan de Mistura and his team for briefing us today. I find it incredible that we should have to rehearse, for the benefit of the Syrian authorities, why the United Nations needs to be involved in Syria. It is not a matter of national sovereignty that there are over 1 million refugees. It is not a matter of national sovereignty that there are 400,000 dead in Syria. What we have there is a threat to international peace and security, and it is right that the United Nations is involved. The United Nations has been involved on the humanitarian aspect, the refugee aspect and the health aspect. It is absolutely front-and-centre correct that it should be involved in the political process. I will therefore go further than Mr. De Mistura, who talked about a serious challenge.”
2018-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8383 (2018) · source
“I hope that we will be able to continue to address such issues in the Security Council. I would like to conclude by referring to Minister Wallstrom's quote from the women whom she met about wanting bigger boats, bigger nets and not to get raped. There is a wealth of meaning and description in that very simple sentence. If we do nothing else, we ought to be able to provide them with better equipment, better safety and the personal security that they require.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“We believe that that represents an important step forward. We have also talked about sexual and gender-based violence. By definition, that prevents women from being active participants at school, in the workforce and in other political and economic areas. I want to endorse what the Minister of the Netherlands said in particular about speaking out against violence against women leaders because they are the people who at the moment will drive that forward, and we support her in that. Finally, as we collectively look towards 2020, the ambition for all of us should only continue to grow. I want to clearly echo what the Ministers and other representatives said about the need to translate our plans into concrete implementation. I think that that is very important.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“That means educating women, men, boys and girls if we want to change attitudes and behaviours. We have a Leave No Girl Behind campaign. It has the goal of empowering women and girls through quality education, including education in emergencies. I would like to stress the word "quality". A great deal of excellent work has been done around the world in getting girls into school. I previously had the honour to be the British Ambassador to Afghanistan. I saw the girls there going to school and the difference that it made to their lives. The next challenge is to make that a genuine quality education so that they obtain the skills and the tools necessary to be able to play a full role in the political and economic life of their country as they grow up. Also, as part of that campaign, we endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“As an example of that, the United Kingdom has opened all military roles to women and we are close to meeting our target of women making up 15 per cent of our armed forces. That is not enough but we believe that it is a good start. Representatives may not know that today there is a British aircraft carrier lying just off Staten Island. It is on a friendly visit to New York. I want to stress the word "friendly". However, what I also want to stress is that 13 per cent of that ship's company are women. Eighty-three of the 650 personnel on board are women. It is the highest number within our Royal Navy fleet. As I said, that is not enough but it is a good start, and we hope very much to build on that. I would like to talk a little about education, which is key to achieving our ambition.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“It also requires addressing systemic challenges and structural issues and getting to the core of the barriers to women's full and equal participation and exercise ofbasic rights. In line with that, the United Kingdom has a cross-Government national action plan committed to increasing women's participation in decision-making and to scaling up initiatives to prevent and to respond to gender-based violence. I commend such plans to all those countries that do not have them. We also commend signing up to the United Nations voluntary compact on preventing and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse, which the Secretary-General also mentioned today. We often hear about the importance of mainstreaming gender equality in all policies.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“In that regard, we as the United Kingdom were pleased to bring members of the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth network to New York this week to exchange experiences with other regional networks of women mediators and to explore ways to collectively drive the agenda forward. I think such mediation networks, whatever their affiliation and wherever they originate, are an important resource for us all. The Executive Director was able to describe some of the very important work on the ground. I am sure that they would be delighted to work even more closely with the United Nations. Sustainable Development Goal 5 makes clear that empowering women is not only about community- based actions.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“We welcome his leadership and that of the Secretariat and we look forward to working more with them. When women meaningfully participate in peace processes, the resulting agreement is 35 per cent more likely to last at least 15 years. It would be more inclusive and therefore better serve the community that it represents. I would like to echo what the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden said about the importance of participation being a right and not a bonus. As conflicts around the world become more complex and formal peace processes risk stalling, women's efforts to tackle conflict have never been more needed or more vital.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“It is not just a moral issue, the issue of women's political and economic empowerment. Fundamentally, it is an economic issue. Countries that enable equal opportunities for all of their people, equal access to the law and services and equal participation in the economic life of the country are much more likely to thrive and prosper than countries that do not. Fundamentally, enabling half of a country's population to participate fully is much more likely to improve inclusive growth and sustainability. I think that is a very important economic point that we all need to bear in mind. Successive Council resolutions have, of course, argued that the greater political and economic empowerment of women is a key element of conflict prevention. And I think that is all part of the Secretary- General's core agenda. He spoke very powerfully today.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“I would like to digress briefly, ifI may, to repeat what I said on 17 October about the content of briefings to the Council (see S/PV.8373), but we do believe that civil society's contribution is essential. I want to add our voice to those congratulating the Nobel Peace Prize winners. I think that in this year it is a very important signal of the criticality of their work, not just for the communities that benefit from it and are protected by it, but what it says overall about the international community's priorities when it comes to putting the issue of women and girls, and women and peace and security, at the centre of policymaking. Two years ahead of the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), we are very pleased to have this important moment to reflect on progress and consider what more can be done.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“We thank you, Mr. President, and your delegation for choosing this important topic for an open debate today. We also thank the two Ministers for joining us. I found their briefings very powerful and it is excellent that they have given up time to be with us today. Minister Wallstrom is a very frequent visitor to the Security Council, which is extremely welcome, and I think that all I can say is that I wholly endorse what both of those Ministers have said in the Council today. We thank them very much for that. This is a very important opportunity. We thank the Secretary-General, the Executive Director of UN- Women and Ms. Randa Siniora Atallah.”
2018-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8382 (2018) · source
“It acted too late to prevent them, which is to our lasting shame, but it did act to ensure that accountability was brought to bear on those responsible. As the Chairperson said, national sovereignty is not a license to commit crimes against humanity. It is not a license to wreak such havoc on the livelihoods and lives of one's own people. The United Kingdom now plans to work with our partners to press for progress in creating the conditions so that the refugees can return, but also so that we can have accountability that genuinely ends the Burmese military's impunity. In the face of the acts we heard described today, we believe that this is a responsibility that the Security Council owes not just to the Rohingya or the peoples of Burma, but to people everywhere around the world.”
2018-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8381 (2018) · source
“We have repeatedly asked the Burmese Government to work closely with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the findings of the commission of inquiry should lead to an independent judicial process, where all, including the military, are equal before the law. Otherwise, if there is not going to be domestic accountability in Burma, then the United Kingdom believes that we must consider all options, including a referral to the International Criminal Court or an ad hoc tribunal. I never thought. in my diplomatic career, that I would hear a briefing to the Security Council as compelling, but detailing such awful treatment of a people, as we have heard today. The crimes that we have heard echo those committed in Rwanda and Srebrenica approximately 20 years ago. The Security Council acted in those two situations.”
2018-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8381 (2018) · source
“The Government has repeatedly denied the crimes described to us today, and it has locked up journalists who have exposed Government wrongdoing, most notably the two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soc 00. I repeat the United Kingdom's call for their immediate release. If there is to be any faith in this commission of inquiry - this latest commission of inquiry - it should be independent, report transparently on its progress, operate according to international standards, as the fact-finding mission itself did, and cooperate with other bodies gathering evidence, such as the fact-finding mission and the ongoing independent mechanism that the Human Rights Council voted earlier this month to establish.”
2018-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8381 (2018) · source
“It is vital that the Council act to uphold the Charter of the United Nations, and I take very seriously what the Chairperson said about the need to send a signal from the Council to other countries around the world, the Governments of which may be tempted to take a leaf out of the Burmese military's horrific playbook and execute such crimes on their own people. Myanmar/Burma has established a domestic commission of inquiry. We note the Fact-Finding Mission's conclusion that that commission cannot provide a real avenue for accountability. We note also the six generals, whom the report mentions, with command responsibility, starting with the Senior General. We note, too, that previous commissions of inquiries have been whitewashed and they have preserved the military's long-standing impunity.”
2018-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8381 (2018) · source
“The report makes clear that the Burmese military is conducting human rights violations across the country against other ethnic communities, most notably in Kachin and Shan states. Accountability is vital to get justice for the Rohingya and others who have suffered. It is necessary to give the Rohingya confidence that they can return to Myanmar/Burma. But, fundamentally, it is necessary in order to prevent the Burmese military from committing those same crimes again and again against the people of Myanmar.”
2018-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8381 (2018) · source
“Any calls for immediate repatriation in the current circumstances are deeply irresponsible. We first need to see the Burmese Government cooperate fully with the United Nations and make genuine progress to change the situation, in line with the Annan Commission recommendations. In the meantime, the United Kingdom commends the Government and the people of Bangladesh for continuing to show great generosity, host the refugee population and cooperate in good faith with the Burmese Government. The needs of the refugees continue to be great, including protection, legal status and assistance, and we call on the international community to intensify its support for the United Nations joint response plan. Secondly, Rakhine is the most egregious example of the conduct of the Burmese military, but it is not the only one.”
2018-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8381 (2018) · source