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

“We need an end to attacks on Saudi Arabia and its neighbours. We need funding disbursements to be done in full, as pledged. We need human rights to be respected. I hope we can follow up on these areas in private consultations.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“Griffiths said about the reports - some of which have come from Amnesty International - that the Houthi Specialized Criminal Court has handed down 30 death sentences for political prisoners. We belong to those States that condemn the death penalty in all circumstances, but, in this particular case, given what that might risk doing on the ground, I want to take this opportunity to condemn Houthis - who are not a legitimate Government - and urge them to revoke those sentences immediately. There are a number of actions that remain to be taken - on the implementation the political process, on unhindered food and humanitarian access, and on tanker access, as mentioned by Mr. Lowcock. All States Members of the United Nations with influence need to use it, whether they are on or outside the Council.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“I would therefore like to urge other donors to rapidly disburse their funds to the United Nations-led appeal. If I may, I would also like to talk about the economy. We heard a little bit about that, and what the representative of the WFP said about the link between food supplies and the stabilization of the currency is obviously important, but I think that we want both parties to be able to build on the revenue-sharing and the salary-payment talks that have been started in Amman. Neither side can be allowed to undermine the economic elements of the Al-Hudaydah agreement. It is key that this topic is not an add-on. From what we heard today, it is obvious that it is a fundamental part of being able to stabilize the situation. We therefore look to progress to be made on those issues. Finally, with regard to human rights, to echo what Mr.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“Lowcock said, there is a risk of the situation escalating and that we are taking three steps back for every two steps forward. I do not think that we can take our eye off any of those aspects because, as I said, they risk creating the perfect storm, if we cannot start making more and faster progress. The risk of cholera returning is horrific, and we need to do everything that we can to stop that from happening. Obviously, we want all the parties to comply with resolution 2451 (2018) and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access. My third point involves funding disbursements - a situation that I think is really shocking for what is the worst humanitarian crisis that the United Nations has dealt with in recent years. Funding of 43 per cent or 60 per cent is simply not enough.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“Such actions obviously undermine trust, and they risk threatening undermining the political process. I also wanted to note the reports of the Emirati starting their withdrawal from Al-Hudaydah and say how welcome it is to see efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Yemen. I wanted to turn to the humanitarian access and the situation relating to the WFP. I was going to be quite critical, but I think that Mr. Beasley's point about the agreement having been reached on Sana'a - even if it has not been signed - is obviously very welcome. We do not want to do anything that might impede the signature of that agreement, and I wish him good luck on that over the coming days. I remain concerned, however, that the underlying fundamentals are not changing. As Mr.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“I think the first thing that we need is for the parties, following the meeting of the Redeployment Coordination Committee, to engage constructively with General Lollesgaard and the Special Envoy in order to finally get the outstanding negotiations completed so that we can implement the first and second phases of the Hudaydah Agreement. For the United Kingdom's part, we are happy to play whatever role we can in bringing that about. There are five main issues that I want to raise today. I think that we risk a perfect storm on the ground of various of these strands not coming together. The first thing I would like to say relates to the military dimension. I want to condemn the persistent attacks by the Houthis on airports and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. It is vital that all parties avoid provocative actions that could lead to escalation.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“Martin Griffiths that the war can end this year and Mark Lowcock said that there were 30 different front lines. So, having something that is potentially within reach, yet is so difficult to achieve on the ground, I think that in its private session the Council should try and think of ways that we can turn what is needed into concrete actions. I must say that I do not think that the answer lies solely with the Council. I believe that all those Member States in the wider United Nations with influence, particularly on the Houthis, need to bring that influence to bear. It is so extremely frustrating to hear the accounts from the World Food Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of what could be achieved but is held up. So I hope that we can spend some time in private session looking at action.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank our United Nations colleagues for their briefings and once again to ask them to pass on our gratitude to their teams on the ground, who are working tirelessly to try and help the people of Yemen. I wanted to start, ifI may, by once again expressing our full support for Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, to welcome his recent meeting with President Hadi Mansour and to reiterate that Mr. Griffiths has the Council's backing as he tries to advance the broader Yemen political process. I am sure that all the other members of the Council will wish to express their support as well. Something that Mr. Griffiths but also that Under-Secretary-General Lowcock said put together, juxtaposed, very aptly illustrates the dilemma of Yemen.”
2019-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8578 (2019) · source
“We will continue to remember those who lost their lives in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia and stand with their families and communities in their efforts to attain justice.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“Just as the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda were pioneers in international criminal law, the Mechanism is a trailblazer now, showing how knowledge and skills can be transferred to national jurisdictions. We also commend the Mechanism's work to build capacity in national judiciaries in Africa and in the former Yugoslavia in order to build new generations of attorneys able to prosecute atrocity crimes in their own systems. As the Prosecutor reported, the Mechanism has received an unprecedented number of requests for assistance. This demonstrates its immense and ongoing value in national systems. The United States would like to emphasize its continued commitment to accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“We continue to offer up to $5 million for any information leading to the arrests of these eight individuals. Let this and the Karadzic' case be a message to them. We will not stop looking. If there is anything all States need to stand behind, it is justice for Victims of genocide. We welcome South Africa's stated commitment to cooperating fully with the Mechanism, but we were disappointed to hear that it had not yet taken action on the Mechanism's requests. We urge the Government to coordinate closely with the Mechanism in the search for fugitives. Finally, this is a transition phase for the Mechanism as its role ensuring accountability winds down. The responsibility increasingly lies with national authorities to finish the task of prosecuting remaining cases.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“We applaud the Mechanism's continued search for the eight Rwandans still wanted for their roles in the 1994 genocide, twenty-five years ago. These individuals are accused of being responsible for some of the most appalling acts of our time: Felicien Kabuga, who allegedly financed the genocide; Protais Mpiranya, who led the Presidential Guard battalion and is accused of being responsible for the killing of many moderate politicians and United Nations peacekeepers; and Augustin Bizimana, who led the Ministry of Defence. These men and five others remain at large and it is all of our responsibility to bring them to justice. Since 1998, the United States has offered financial rewards for information leading to the arrests of Rwandan indictees and fugitives from the former Yugoslavia.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“It is because we continue to live in the shadow ofthat crime that we are deeply alarmed when we see convicted war criminals being glorified and unscrupulous leaders rewriting historical events. Those who deny the truth, manufacture distrust in the institutions of justice, deny the common humanity of their neighbours and exploit the pain of victims for their own purposes must be condemned. We do a grave injustice to those who lost their lives when we are silent in the face of the politics of division and hatred. Although Karadzie hid for over a decade, the fact that he was found and prosecuted is a powerful testament to the courage of the victims who testified and their devotion to justice. But the burden is not on victims to bring justice to those who perpetrated crimes against them, but rather on States.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“Twenty-four years ago, after 30,000 Bosnian Muslim women, children and elderly men were forcibly removed from Srebrenica, more than 8,000 men and boys were murdered. The Appeals Chamber upheld the Trial Chamber's determination that these murders - the largest mass killing in Europe since the Second World War - were the direct result of the decision made by Karadzie and his accomplices to destroy the Bosnian Muslims of Srebrenica. To accomplish these evil ends, Karadzie and others first engaged in a propaganda campaign to depict Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats as enemies of the Serbs, exploiting distrust and suspicion to create the kind of climate in which genocide became possible.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“We are also encouraged by the announcement of a new approach to early releases, which will allow for consultation with stakeholders to increase transparency and allow for the consideration of the full impact of a decision on early releases. The ongoing work of the mechanism includes very important cases, including the appellate proceedings in the Mladie case, the ongoing Stanisie and Simatovic' trial, and pre-trial proceedings for Turinabo et al. We should also take a moment to highlight the ruling of the Appeals Chamber regarding Radovan Karadzic' in March, upholding his convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, because we are just one week past the anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“We thank President Agius and Prosecutor Brammertz for their briefings. We appreciate the work of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and the tireless dedication of its judges, attorneys and staff. We also thank President Agius for his leadership over the last six months. His stated priorities of ensuring timely and efficient proceedings, while ensuring fair trials for defendants, harmonizing operations at the Arusha and The Hague branches and fostering a positive work environment are very welcome. We particularly commend President Agius' commitment to taking action on allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at the Mechanism.”
2019-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8576 (2019) · source
“It also affects and impacts on conditions for the return of refugees and fails to create the conditions required for a stable economy so that Syria eventually can become a normal country once again. It fails to give people the chance to engage in the decisions that govern their lives, and it fails to give them the right to live those lives free of violence and fear. Once again, let me conclude by appealing to the Syrian authorities to come to the table and engage more speedily and positively with the Special Envoy.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“It means stopping arbitrary detention, conscription and discrimination. We understand that, only last week, the Syrian authorities issued death certificates for more than 700 Syrians who died in detention in Hamah, and, according to reports from Syrians for Truth and Justice, families have not received the bodies of their loved ones, nor have they received information about the circumstances of their deaths or the location of their burials. That is therefore a serious hindrance for the people of Syria to being able to have confidence in their own future. In addition, there is a real sense that the Syrian authorities are holding their own people to ransom.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“If progress cannot be made, then I really do agree with the United States representative and would encourage the Special Envoy - who alluded to this himself - to try other routes leading towards achieving the political solution set out in resolution 2254 (2015). For good reason, we have all become very focused on the constitutional committee, but the bigger prize is resolution 2254 (2015), which includes preparing for nationwide elections observed by the United Nations, securing the release of detainees and establishing the nationwide ceasefire. I note that, unless there is progress on the ground that is meaningful to ordinary citizens, a political process will not prosper. That means the Syrian Government stopping the repression throughout the country - in former opposition areas that it now controls.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“We welcome the holding of the meeting in Geneva. It is necessary but not sufficient. As he said, we also need progress on the ground. I hope that the Group of 20 will be able to discuss it and find a way forward. None of that is to detract from the fact that we support the political process being Syrian-owned and Syrian-led, with United Nations facilitation. The Special Envoy is absolutely right to say that progress cannot be made without that sort of facilitation. I believe that there is still is a very big question about the Syrian Government's commitment to the political process, as, month after month, we see the prevarications with regard to the constitutional committee continue.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“Their jobs are dangerous enough, and they do those jobs because recognized institutional services or a country's own services are unable or unwilling to help. Therefore, as I said in the previous meeting, they deserve our protection, as well as our thanks. Turning to the political process, I hope that the Special Envoy knows that he has the United Kingdom's full support. We are very interested in the contact group being able to meet. I think that it is a necessary first step towards trying to make faster progress on resolution 2254 (2015). I therefore hope that all the people whom the Special Envoy is trying to bring together would approach that in the spirit of constructiveness and good faith. We support his efforts in the United Nations-led Geneva process. It is the only the legitimate forum.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“However, at this particular moment, I want echo what the Special Envoy said in his appeal for all parties to stabilize the situation and implement resolution 2254 (2015), including the nationwide ceasefire. We need to keep that goal right at the forefront of our minds. I also take this opportunity to echo the United States representative with regard to what we heard from the Syrian representative in the meeting on Idlib (see S/PV.8553). We have discussed the length of statements and the working methods here in the Council. This is therefore not the time to rehearse that. I think, however, that it does mean that we need another discussion about it. I want to pick up on the point about attacking humanitarian workers.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“I thank the Special Envoy and his team. What they do remains absolutely vital, however hard pounding it is on the ground. I will start, ifI may, with Idlib, where the Special Envoy started. We had a big debate about this earlier in the week (see S/PV.8561), so I will not rehearse all those points. But I think the fact that the indiscriminate use of force continues ought to worry everybody on the Security Council. There are violations of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law going on. I asked a number of questions. Those questions remain unanswered. I looked at the Russian general's statement. The questions are still unanswered, so I will return to them at the next humanitarian briefing.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to play its full part alongside international partners to find diplomatic solutions to reduce the current tensions and to uphold the landmark JCPOA nuclear agreement. I urge Iran to join us and do the same.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“There can be no justification for attacks on maritime traffic that contravene international rules on freedom of navigation and maritime transport and that further threaten peace and security in the region. The current tensions and instability serve no one. As the Secretary-General has made clear, the world cannot afford a conflict in this region. Therefore, I want once again to call for de-escalation, for dialogue and for full respect for international rules. The final objective I set out in December was the hope that Iran could normalize its economic and diplomatic relations with the region and beyond and assume its rightful role as a prosperous, responsible Power constructively engaged. We still believe that this is possible.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“There is firm international consensus that such proliferation of missile technology to non-State actors is destabilizing for the region and escalates already high tensions. We call for these activities to stop. The actions are part of a pattern of Iranian behaviour that poses a serious danger to peace and stability in the region. On Monday, I told the Council in closed consultations that following our own assessment of a range of evidence, the United Kingdom had concluded that it was almost certain that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out attacks on two tankers on 13 June. We are also confident that Iran bore responsibility for the 12 May attack on four oil tankers near the port of Fujairah.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“Iran has also transferred missiles to a number of armed groups, in Violation of several Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2231 (2015), 2216 (2015) and 1540 (2004). The latest report of the Secretary-General contains concerning information regarding the firing of a surface-to-surface missile in January from the area of Damascus towards the Golan Heights and the transfer of technical know-how for unmanned aerial vehicle production to Iraq, in Violation of arms-transfer restrictions. It also mentions the attack on Abha airport on 12 June, although the type of projectile used in the attack has yet to be determined. The United Kingdom considers the transfer of such weapons to be in contravention of Security Council resolutions 2231 (2015) and 2216 (2015).”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“The technical specifications under MTCR Category 1 constitute the only widely internationally accepted definition of nuclear deliverability. In addition to the 35 States participating in the MTCR, these criteria have also been widely adopted among non-MTCR Governments with respect to implementing obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). These are therefore the most objective criteria available to assess consistency with resolution 2231 (2015). Just to quote from the criteria: in the context of resolution 2231, and consistent with the MTCR criteria, "designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear weapon" means capable of carrying a payload of 500 kilograms or more over a range of 300 kilometres or more.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“As we also heard this morning, Iran continues to conduct ballistic-missile activity that is inconsistent with resolution 2231 (2015). Iran has denied that these activities are inconsistent with the resolution because it claims it does not intend to put a nuclear weapon on those missiles. As the Secretary-General's report notes, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have set out clearly in letters to the Council how these missiles are designed to be capable of delivering a nuclear payload. To be clear, "designed to be capable" means having the capabilities by virtue of technical design. The stated intent is irrelevant. As our letters set out, we use Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Category 1 to make our assessment of nuclear deliverability.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“If Iran does go over these limits, the non-proliferation benefits of the deal will be eroded. I therefore urge Iran not to undertake activity that will go beyond the limits specified in the JCPOA and to continue to implement its commitments in full. The second United Kingdom objective, as I shared with the Council in December, was the necessity to constrain Iran's actions, which threaten the stability of the region. I made clear that while resolution 2231 (2015) was an endorsement of the JCPOA, it was understood by all in the Council at the time of adoption that it was designed not just to address nuclear issues, but to continue to impose binding restrictions to curb Iran's ballistic-missile and proliferation activity, which, as I said earlier, threaten the region and beyond.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“We have also participated in core projects within the deal, including taking on a co-chairing role on the Arak modernization project. As long as Iran remains in full compliance, the United Kingdom will do everything it can to support the deal. We are working extremely hard on INSTEX with our E3 partners, France and Germany. We welcome the latest International Atomic Energy Agency reports of February (see S/2019/2l2) and May (see S/2019/496) and the Secretary-General's report (S/2019/492), which confirm that Iran continues to uphold its commitments under the JCPOA, as we heard from our briefers this morning. But we are deeply concerned that this meeting is taking place just as Iran is threatening to cease performing its commitments under the JCPOA by exceeding its low-enriched uranium stockpile limit.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom participated in negotiations on, and we remain committed to, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). We believe that is the best way to prevent the emergence of a nuclear-armed Iran. The JCPOA is an essential part of the global non-proliferation architecture. It is critical for our national security and for the shared security of our partners and allies. We therefore once again express our regret at the United States decision to leave the JCPOA, reimpose sanctions on Iran and not fully renew waivers for nuclear non-proliferation projects in the framework of the Plan. Those actions are contrary to the goals set out in the Plan and in resolution 2231 (2015). We continue to work hard to operationalize the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) to ensure that legitimate business with Iran can continue.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“I thank our briefers this morning. The United Kingdom welcomes the Secretary- General's seventh report on the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) (S/20l9/492). We extend our thanks to the Secretariat staff for their continued professionalism and the support they provide to the Secretary-General in producing a thorough and well- evidenced report. When I last addressed the Security Council in this format in December (see S/PV.8418), I explained that the policy of the United Kingdom towards Iran was motivated by three objectives. The first, and most critical, of those objectives was to uphold the global non-proliferation regime and prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear capability that would threaten the Middle East and Europe beyond it.”
2019-06-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8564 (2019) · source
“That was a very moving conclusion from Mr. Lillie. Ijust wanted to say that I would like the record to show that I did not get answers to my questions from someone who ought to have been able to answer them and that, for as long as we do not have answers to those questions, the types of suffering, complications and dilemmas that David Lillie has outlined will continue. We therefore need to continue our efforts to try and get to the bottom of the situation. I will spare Council colleagues reflections on the irony that the issue of freedom of speech has been raised with regard to what we heard at the beginning and the fact that my questions have not been answered. However, I would like to stress that we will need to come back to the issue. It is so important.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“It is dangerous to humanitarian workers on the ground to allege a connection with the Al-Nusra Front when none exists. I want to put that on the record because that could really put lives at risk.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“Pedersen will brief us later this month. What was said by the representative of France, including his statement on the use of chemical weapons, represents the United Kingdom's View. I hope that I will be able to get some answers.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“What is happening to investigate and hold accountable the people responsible for the attacks on hospitals? Finally, may we have the names and designations of the Russian and Syrian units involved in the attacks on the hospitals? I also have points to make on Rukban. In that respect, I share the concern of my colleagues about the deteriorating situation and humanitarian access. We, too, support the need for a third aid convoy to be allowed in as a matter of urgency. We support unfettered access for aid across Syria. With respect to Al-Hol, we continue to support the United Nations efforts to scale up its response and to provide aid to humanitarian organizations operating at camps for internally displaced persons, including Al-Hol. A number of speakers have raised the political situation and, as some have noted, Mr.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“To us they do not seem proportionate and they do not appear to be preserving the principles of international humanitarian law. If the General believes that the hospitals are legitimate military targets, we would like to see some of the information that underpins that belief. In particular, we would like to know where are the warnings that, under the Geneva Conventions, need to be given before a hospital can be treated as a military target. I would also like to know how the General or how Russia sees the deconfliction mechanism working for the reasons the Under-Secretary-General set out. I have three more questions, ifI may. The first is about the ceasefire. Why is it so difficult to obtain a ceasefire when both we and the General support the Turkish efforts in Idlib? What needs to change on the ground in order to achieve a ceasefire?”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“I also really want to try to get to the bottom of this. I said last time (see S/PV.8535) that I will keep asking questions until I get answers. I hope that the General will be able to help the Council get answers to the questions it has concerning the attacks on the hospitals, because these are very serious matters on which we just do not seem to be able to make any progress. IfI may, I would therefore like to ask him some questions. First, I would like to know why 30 hospitals have been attacked? Also, why was an ambulance a direct target? Given what we have heard from David Lillie and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and what we know of international humanitarian law, why, in the General's View, do the attacks on the terrorists eclipse the needs of civilians?”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“We believe that truth is indeed the first casualty ofwar. That is a very good saying. I do not like being told that we cannot trust information from the United Nations or that we cannot trust the assessment of the Security Council, but that instead we are to trust Russian uniformed personnel even though Russia is a party to the conflict. It is obvious that there is also a conflict ofinterest. I wanted to explain all that before I go on to the substance of my remarks. Our agreement to hear briefers from one side of a conflict, in particular military briefers in a humanitarian context, should not be taken for granted in future for the reasons I have set out. However, today I would like to focus in particular on the hospitals, on the issues that Mr. Mark Lowcock raised and on deconfliction.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“At the outset I should like to thank the briefers. I think Mr. David Lillie was right to challenge us. Humanitarian workers deserve our praise, thanks, admiration and, above all, Security Council efforts to protect them. I am sorry that those efforts have been found wanting. I will come back to that in a minute. I support what was said by the representatives of France and Germany before the debate began. We believe that it is important for the Council to hear from all sides of a conflict, so we did not on this occasion object to the invitation issued under rule 39 to the Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and Refugee Migration Monitoring in the Syrian Arab Republic and to General Bakin. We are very strong supporters of freedom of speech, but we prefer it to be truthful speech.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“We welcome UNRWA's efforts to broaden its donor base. I would like to encourage others to step up with more funding and more predictable disbursements. In that context, we look forward to a successful pledging conference here in New York next week.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“We continue to believe that the only way to achieve that is through substantive peace talks leading to a two-State solution. There will be a meeting in Bahrain next week about the economic situation and proposals. That is welcome. More needs to be done to enable the Palestinians to trade freely with the rest of the world. In turn, that requires greater movement of goods and people and the easing of Israeli restrictions. Ultimately, in order for the Palestinian economy to flourish, a political solution to the conflict needs to be found. Lastly, others have mentioned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and I would like to reiterate that the United Kingdom also remains a committed supporter ofUNRWA and ofPalestinian refugees across the Middle East.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“It is our understanding, and it seems that the understanding is shared by most Council members, that a sustainable peace requires a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State based on 1967 borders with the agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both States and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. There need to be security arrangements that, for Israelis, prevent the resurgence of terrorism and, for Palestinians, respect their sovereignty, ensure freedom of movement and demonstrate that the occupation is over. To that end, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage our United States colleagues to bring forward detailed proposals for a viable Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement that addresses the legitimate concerns of both parties.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“I wish now to turn to the altercations on Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount on 2 June. Given the religious importance and political sensitivity of the holy sites, we look to all parties to maintain the status quo and engage in dialogue to ensure calm, especially during religious Observances such as the holy month of Ramadan. Turning to a solution to the conflict, along with other Member States, the United Kingdom continues to promote a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“It is very hard to comprehend the killing of those delivering medical services. We would therefore like to take this opportunity once more to urge all parties concerned to take action to reduce the risk of violence and make renewed progress towards a long-term agreement. It is only through a long-term political solution that brings the Palestinian Authority back to Gaza that communities in Israel and Gaza can be free from the threat of violence. In response to the fragile humanitarian situation, on 29 May the United Kingdom announced the $2 million package of support for the World Health Organization to help address the gap in trauma and emergency care in Gaza, and will help establish a new-limb reconstruction unit. We hope that package of support will help relieve the pressure on Gaza's hard-pressed health services.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“As others have pointed out, the continued escalation of settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is contrary to international law as reaffirmed by resolution 2334 (2016). An annexation of any part of the West Bank would also be contrary to international law, not to mention destructive to peace efforts. Ijust wanted to set that out clearly. Turning to Gaza, the United Kingdom condemns the rocket attack by Palestinian militants against southern Israel on 13 June. We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and call on Hamas and other terrorist groups to put a permanent end to their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. We were saddened by reports of a Palestinian medic who succumbed to wounds received last month when he was hit in the face by a rubber-coated bullet at the Gaza periphery.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“Before I start on the Middle East, I would just like to say how sorry we were to hear about the terrorist attack on 16 June in Nigeria, near Maiduguri, which killed at least 30 people. The press statement on that attack (SC/13852) that the Security Counciljust issued is welcome, but our sympathies and condolences go out to those affected and to Nigeria. Turning to the Middle East, I thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing. I think some common themes are emerging. For the United Kingdom, we share the Secretary-General's views on the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It was disappointing that, on 30 May, the Israeli authorities published tenders for the construction of over 500 settlement units in East Jerusalem. That is a decision that we condemn.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to support the Afghan security forces in improving their capacity to provide security for the population and to implement the national policy on civilian casualty mitigation. In conclusion, I would just like to reaffirm the United Kingdom's commitment to supporting the Government and people of Afghanistan in order to achieve a peaceful and prosperous future.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“I would also like to take this opportunity to urge the Independent Election Commission to continue its work to deliver timely and credible elections on 28 September. As the Special Representative highlighted, the timeline is tight, meaning we need a sustained effort by everyone. We welcome the commitment to securing elections that Afghanistan Ambassador was able to set out today, and we urge the Afghan security forces to do their utmost to provide the conditions to allow the Afghan people to exercise their right to vote in safety. A number of speakers have mentioned civilian casualties. We share the concern at the high level of civilian casualties, which underlines the human cost of the conflict. All parties need to take immediate measures to avoid the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source