YouSaid · the spoken record

Portas

lines on the record: 97
first: 2011-11-21
most recent: 2012-12-12
sittings or episodes: 8
sources: un-security-council

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“We need that discussion, based on the important lessons learned from recent experiences, in order to explore the opportunities and challenges that this concept brings to the implementation of United Nations missions' mandates and, beyond them, to make our world more peaceful and secure. It has been an honour to serve with the Council for the past two years. Sooner rather than later, I think, we will be back.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“Naturally, such inter-mission cooperation can proceed only if troop- and police-contributing countries fully share in and agree to such developments. Portugal believes that this type of cooperation could also be usefully expanded to other areas, such as peacebuilding, through a comprehensive approach that would benefit from regional synergies. In conclusion, inter-mission cooperation is a concept that deserves our increased attention. It should be strengthened and expanded. Obviously, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and each mission is an individual case. But as we have seen, there are important opportunities and reasons to enhance cooperation and coordination among them, maximizing the available resources.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“For instance, the fight against the scourge of the Lord's Resistance Army is inconceivable without a regional strategy involving the missions in the area of the Great Lakes, the Sudan and South Sudan, in close collaboration with all the Governments concerned. Such cooperation between missions has also been decisive in launching new operations, as happened recently with the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic, which benefited from the contributions of other missions in the region. Indeed, closer cooperation between missions in terms of fulfilling surge needs, dealing with capacity gaps and helping in fast mission start-ups is a concept that deserves further development, with a view to applying it more often.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“We know from experience the particularly perverse role that international criminal organizations play in effectively undermining legitimate Governments, disrupting democratic electoral processes and promoting to power their protected clients through violent means, as has been the case in Guinea-Bissau, unhappily. In order to prevent such phenomena from becoming widespread, close inter-mission cooperation can be particularly useful in detecting signs of such threats at an early stage and allowing the Security Council to act preventively. But the case for close cooperation and sharing experiences and best practices can also be made in other areas, since many problems' root causes are very similar in neighbouring countries and often have a cross-border impact.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“Indeed, the complex crisis in Mali, and its dangerous impact on the Whole region, calls for a concerted effort on the part of the international community, with the United Nations in a leading role. That is obviously also the case where drug trafficking, terrorism and other forms of international crime are concerned. In order to fight them effectively, it is critical to share intelligence, pool resources and closely coordinate action among missions. Similarly, due to the growing capacities of international criminal organizations, we must be particularly careful to ensure that success in fighting international crime in one country does not amount to transferring that threat to its next-door neighbour. A regional approach is therefore paramount.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“Like others, we believe that the growing complexity and diversity of mandated tasks demand an increasingly integrated and coordinated approach to peacekeeping operations. On the other hand, many of the problems that missions must face have an increasingly regional dimension that demands regional approaches and regional answers if our collective action is to have any chance of success. That is the case, for example, in the West Africa region, where inter-mission cooperation has already proved its usefulness, as was the case with the cooperation between the Missions in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. Inter-mission cooperation will certainly be particularly relevant when we discuss an integrated strategy for the Sahel.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“We currently have 16 peacekeeping operations and a number of special political missions. That amounts to more than 100,000 women and men - military, police and civilian personnel - carrying out the tasks mandated by the Council. They serve our common objectives, often in harsh and dangerous conditions. Very often, they represent the only hope for people who are suffering and threatened with violence. All those who serve the United Nations in the field deserve to be commended, constantly supported, respected and protected. Everyone knows how deeply Portugal is committed to peacekeeping. Over the past decades, 23,000 Portuguese peacekeepers have participated in several United Nations missions, as well as in European Union and NATO operations. They have been rightly commended for their professionalism and their outreach to local populations.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“In the light of the tasks ahead and of the old and new challenges facing the world, it is essential for the Council to fully uphold its role as the main international body entrusted with preserving the peace and to act in a prompt, efficient and credible way in meeting those challenges. Our debate today concerns exactly those new challenges and ways to improve our efficiency and capacity to address them. It has to do with how the United Nations can better use the instruments available to it to act in a more expeditious and efficient way and to more effectively address some of the new challenges that confront us. Peacekeeping is today a flagship activity of the United Nations and has to a large extent become the most visible symbol of the United Nations presence in different regions.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“The Council's active support to South Sudan also contributed to the State-building efforts of its people and its ultimate accession to the United Nations. Finally, in the Far East, Timor-Leste became a success story for its people and for the United Nations with respect to active peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Portugal is particularly proud to have participated actively in that endeavour. Allow me to offer a sincere word of thanks and appreciation to all our colleagues in the Council, with whom we have worked closely during these past two years, and our sincere congratulations and best wishes to all those that will be joining the Council.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“Unfortunately, concerning Syria, we mustrecognize that the Council has been unable to make an effective contribution to the cessation of violence in that country or to help meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. Likewise, a comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine based on the two-State solution continues to be stalled. We hope that the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer State of the United Nations will help to relaunch credible negotiations between the parties in order that a comprehensive agreement may be reached between them. In Africa, although we have had to face a renewed crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and new challenges in Mali and the Sahel, the Council played an important role in stabilizing the situation in Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“Pursuing those values and reaching those objectives were and are our only aim and agenda as members of the Council. Now, as our mandate draws to its end, I trust that we have lived up to the confidence placed in us two years ago. We have done our utmost in the Council to help settle disputes, promote democracy and human rights; uphold the protection of civilians, especially women and children; contribute to collective peacekeeping; actively engage in peacebuilding efforts; promote dialogue, reconciliation and religious and cultural tolerance; and defend freedom, equality and justice for all. The past two years have been particularly intense, and many of the decisions taken here have been far-reaching indeed. Let me mention the Council's decisive contribution to the establishment of democratic transitions in Libya and Yemen.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening this timely debate. I also wish to thank Under- Secretaries- General Herve Ladsous and Ameerah Haq for their comprehensive statements. Allow me also to congratulate you and your country, Sir, on your very efficient stewardship of the Council during this month. Morocco and Portugal share not only centuries of history and strong and confident neighbourly relations, but also an identical commitment to making our world a more peaceful, secure and prosperous one. It was in that aim that Portugal presented its candidacy to a non-permanent seat on the Council, and it was our sincere commitment to the values of the United Nations and to the fulfilment of the objectives of its Charter that won the confidence of a significant number ofits member States.”
2012-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6886 (2012) · source
“The solution for this crisis is based, unconditionally, on the release of all the officials illegally detained, the re-establishment of constitutional order and the conclusion of the electoral process, which was internationally recognized as free and transparent. Those who persist in unconstitutional actions and those who actively support them will be subject to restrictive measures and should be held accountable. They should think twice about their actions. The international community, and Portugal in particular, stands side by side with the people of Guinea-Bissau and their legitimate Government in pursuit of a resolution to this crisis to allow Guinea- Bissau to finally follow the path to peace, justice and development. As we say in Bissau, we are together. (spoke in English) As we say in the United Nations, let us act together.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“We call on the Council to consider similar targeted measures. We also believe that the Council should assume its responsibility and seriously consider the call of the legitimate Government of Guinea-Bissau for a United Nations-mandated multilateral stabilization mission, including contingents from members of ECOWAS, the CPLP and the African Union - a comprehensive and combined effort to tackle the root problems in Guinea- Bissau. Allow me to conclude my remarks in Portuguese, as I would like my words to be clearly understood in Bissau. (spoke in Portuguese; interpretation provided by the delegation) The international community is united on the situation in Guinea-Bissau and speaks with one voice in vehemently condemningly the coup perpetrated by some military personnel.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“There are no transitional authorities, there are democratic and legitimate authorities. Among the tools that the United Nations Charter and practice offer us, we should consider two, namely, restrictive measures and the establishment of a United Nations-mandated stabilization mission. An illegal seizure of power must not go unpunished. Therefore, those responsible for the coup and those who politically support it should be targeted with restrictive measures, namely, visa bans and the freezing of assets. That notwithstanding, we will distinguish between those who persist in wrongdoing and those who repent. The European Union, beyond suspending its cooperation with Guinea-Bissau, will be ready to move forward with sanctions on individuals who continue to obstruct peace, security and the normal functioning of constitutional institutions.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“The people of Guinea-Bissau, as any other around the world, aspire to overcome injustice and poverty, to live in peace, dignity and prosperity and to be ruled by a legitimate and democratic Government. It is up to the international community to seize this crucial moment in the history of Guinea-Bissau as an opportunity to put an end to the spiral of violence and disruption of constitutional order and to move effectively forward with the reform of the security sector. We cannot miss this opportunity. Conceding or compromising in this context, allowing for anything less than the full restoration of the constitutional order and of the legitimate authorities - obviously including the interim President and the Prime Minister - as well as the completion of the electoral process would send a terrible signal and set a dangerous precedent.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“The people of Guinea-Bissau, who voted just four weeks ago, are not responsible for this vicious cycle of instability, trafficking and violence. I recall that since 1998 we have had one war, four military coups and the murder of one President and four joint chiefs of staff of the armed forces, in addition to the assassination of several other senior officials. That is enough. We cannot tolerate murder and military coups as political means for solving problems. The responsibility for those acts belongs to certain elements of the armed forces and a few politicians who keep fuelling instability to achieve, by illegal means, the political power they could not win at the polls, as well as the economic profits that arise from illegal trafficking, in particular of drugs.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“This crisis has wider and very relevant implications related to the serious increase in the instability of the situation in Western Africa. The threats, which are connected, include increased proliferation and trafficking in arms and drugs; the growing threat of the Maghrebi version of Al-Qaida; and indications of serious internal problems in other countries in the region. Clearly, regional peace and stability are at stake. This is not only an internal issue for Guinea-Bissau, this is a regional challenge to stability. If we do not take action, this will become a problem for international security. What is at stake in Guinea-Bissau is a choice between a State based on constitutional rule or a failed State based on the power of drug trafficking.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“A few hours after the military coup, the Council clearly set out three conditions that are non-negotiable, namely, the immediate release of the interim President, the Prime Minister and all senior officials detained illegally; the full and immediate restoration of constitutional rule and of the legitimate Government; and the completion of the electoral process. It cannot be business as usual in Guinea-Bissau. The time has come to draw the line. The time has come to say no - no to the prominence of arms over votes. The zero-tolerance principle regarding access to power through unconstitutional means declared by the African Union and ECOWAS and supported by the CPLP must be fully upheld. Otherwise, what message would we be conveying to the people of Guinea-Bissau and to the region?”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“Had it nor been for the clear and united message of the international community, the interim President, the Prime Minister and other senior officials would probably be dead by now and there would be no hope of restoring basic freedoms. The international community has spoken with one voice. The Secretary-General, the Council, the African Union, ECOWAS, the CPLP, the International Organization of la Francophonie, the European Union and many others have unreservedly condemned the illegal seizure of power in Guinea-Bissau by some elements of its armed forces.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“(spoke in English) Let us be clear. One month ago, Guinea-Bissau was on the path to complete a full democratic legislature for the first time in decades. In the first round of the presidential elections, which were internationally recognized as regular, transparent and free, Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior received 49 per cent of the vote; the second round had been scheduled. Today he is illegally detained, as is the interim President. The electoral process was violently cancelled; the Government was forcefully seized. Ministers are in hiding and their families are under threat. The house of our colleague Mr. Djalo was pillaged. Journalists have been detained and beaten. Looting by some military personnel is ongoing.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“Thank you very much, Mr. President, for expeditiously convening this important meeting. (spoke in Portuguese; interpretation provided by the delegation) We deeply appreciate the presence of Minister Pires in the Council as the representative of the legitimate and democratically elected Government of Guinea-Bissau. I also welcome the relevant statements by Minister Chikoti, in his capacity as Chair of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP); by Ambassador Viotti of Brazil, in her capacity as Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission; by the Permanent Representative of C6te d'Ivoire, on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Guinea-Bissau, who is playing an important role in that country.”
2012-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6754 (2012) · source
“The work ahead is immense but I believe that, collectively, we will prevail in on path to freedom, justice and democracy.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“Rampant settlement activity, demolitions of Palestinian homes and displacement of innocent people continue. They are illegal. They undermine the Palestinian institutions and leaders. They increase frustration and create an explosive mix. We appeal to Israel to stop those activities, as they fatally threaten the viability of any mutually agreed political solution. Israel has legitimate security concerns, but they can only be fully addressed in an efficient way through a negotiated settlement. Portugal is committed to working together with our Arab neighbours and friends, to whom we are linked by centuries of mutual acquaintance, shared history and common purpose. We will do it bilaterally and within the framework of the United Nations and the European Union.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“Fulfilling the legitimate ambitions of both sides can only be attained through serious and credible negotiations between the two parties that take into account the rightful concerns of each side. We all know that the solution lies in the framework of the parameters; what is lacking is political will. We need concrete and tangible actions that bring Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiation table to engage in the substance and to accept a precise calendar, as proposed by the Quartet on the Middle East and the Arab Peace Initiative. Europeans have a particular responsibility in this context, and we must play an active role to break the present deadlock. Tensions are mounting and time is quickly running out. If a new surge in violence is to be avoided, both parties and the international community must act promptly.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“I therefore urge the Council and appeal to all its members to unite in public and full support of Mr. Annan and the objectives he has outlined, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution (resolution 66/253) for an end to all violence, full access to humanitarian aid and the launching of a Syrian-led inclusive political process. The profound changes taking place around the Arab world render the solution of the Israeli- Palestinian question even more urgent. Palestinians have the right to their independent State, living in peace and security alongside Israel. Palestinians have prepared themselves to fully and efficiently run their own State, and that has been acknowledged by the international community at large.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“We regret that the Security Council has not yet been able to take a forceful, unified position to end the violence and make way for a Syrian-led political process reflecting the Arab League proposals. How many more thousands of dead will it take for the Council to meet its responsibilities? How long will we sit silent while the Syrian regime pushes the country into bloody sectarian conflict and civil war? The unprecedented appointment of Mr. Kofi Annan, a former Secretary-General and a Nobel laureate, as Joint Special Envoy of the Secretary- General of the United Nations and of the Secretary- General of the League of Arab States represents the will of the international community to put an end to the suffering of the Syrian people. His mission represents the last opportunity to prevent Syria from spiralling into civil war.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“Nevertheless, as we speak, the ruthless campaign of repression against the civilian population of Syria is continuing. For a year now, women, men and children have been massively and indiscriminately killed by their own State security forces. Human rights, including the basic right to humanitarian assistance, are being systematically violated on a large scale. The international community has clearly voiced its strong condemnation of those actions through the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the Group of Friends of Syria, which enjoys large and widespread participation. Al-Assad's regime remains deaf to all those calls. Reforms were promised; none was credibly implemented.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“We must distinguish faith from fanaticism. Sixthly, building a democratic society takes time and patience. It is a path paved with tensions and often with contradictions. We Portuguese learned that through our own experience some decades ago. Finally, the broad institutional, cultural, ethnic and spiritual diversity of several of the societies currently experiencing such historical and profound change may give rise to specific tensions and security concerns. Therefore, the social cohesion and territorial integrity of those countries must be constantly at the forefront of our concerns. Regrettably and flagrantly, one country has become a tragedy: Syria. As in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya or Yemen, the Syrian people peacefully demanded the legitimate fulfilment of their basic rights.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“We must recognize existing differences. There is no one-size- fits-all model. Thirdly, we must resist the temptation to try to export political models. Human rights are universal; political models are specific. It is up to voters in each country to choose their own future, and we must accept without reservation the results of credible, fair and transparent electoral processes. Fourthly, we must recognize the participation of Islamic parties in Governments as natural to the political process. In democratic societies, parties will be judged by the people according to their performance and capacity to deliver on the expectations of their citizens. Fifthly, religious freedom is essential to human dignity. We must not judge others on the basis of our own religious, social or cultural beliefs, and we expect the same from others.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“The international community must also seize this opportunity to advance the principles of the United Nations that we all share, and thus to strengthen the conditions for a more peaceful, prosperous and stable international order. In order to do so, we must be clear in our aims and principles, while striving to avoid old mistakes. Let me mention some of the principles that frame Portugal's perspective. First, continued ownership of the process by the peoples concerned is essential. We are witnessing home-grown, popular-led processes that are the result of the courage and the will for change of those societies. We should be humbled by their example and we should listen, understand and offer our help where and when support is required from us. Secondly, each country is an individual case and must respond to different challenges.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“The upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt shook the foundations of that paradigm, and the notorious massacre in Benghazi stirred the international community into action in defence of the values and objectives of the United Nations. Those were popular- led processes. Corning 10 years after 9/11, they were not instigated from the outside, or by Al-Qaida, which is politically very significant. What is happening across the Arab world offers a unique opportunity both for the countries of the region and for the world at large. Those countries have the chance to elect democratic Governments, foster the rule of law, protect and promote human rights, value the role of women, respect minorities and achieve widespread economic and social progress.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“Thank you, Sir, for organizing this very important, appropriate and timely debate. I also thank the Secretary-General for his important statement. The popular uprisings that led to the so-called Arab Spring represent the most powerful transformation in world politics since the fall of the Berlin wall. Although unpredicted, those changes prove an old rule of politics - failure to reform leads to revolution. Political leaderships that lose the sense of history are bound to be on the wrong side of history. For too long, the world condoned autocratic regimes, looked away from the repression of their own citizens, and turned a deaf ear to the calls for freedom and for the respect of basic human rights.”
2012-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6734 (2012) · source
“It is our duty to help the Syrian people to free themselves from the fear inflicted daily upon them. To put a stop to the killings and allow for a peaceful solution, we must act and we must act now. As Dostoyevsky said, "to live without hope is to cease to live". It is up to us to give hope to and protect the lives of the Syrian people.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“If we do not act, not only will we be condemning the Syrian people to yet more violence and repression; we will be increasing the threats to the peace and security of the whole region. There is no more time to lose. A year ago, the people of Tunisia set in motion a wave that quickly changed the face of the Arab world. After decades of silence and dread, ordinary people broke away from the shackles of fear. They found their voice, bravely took to the streets and made themselves heard. They strove for freedom, for equality and for their rights to build a democratic State and to citizenship. They refused to cower in submission. Those are also the aspirations of the Syrian people, who also refuse to submit to disproportionate brutal force. President Roosevelt included among his four famous freedoms the freedom from fear.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“We must tell the Syrian authorities, unequivocally, that the killing must stop and that a political solution must be sought, based on the proposals of the Arab League. It is for those reasons that Portugal commends Morocco for submitting a draft resolution with those objectives in view. We will continue to engage in good faith with all Council members in order to expeditiously adopt the draft resolution. The situation in Syria has already brought serious disruption to its neighbours. I wish, in that context, to express my country's deep appreciation for the assistance that countries of the region - Turkey in particular - have been providing to those fleeing violence, persecution and repression. But let us be clear.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“What is at stake in Syria is an Arab initiative for a problem that is, first and foremost, an Arab one. It is a crisis that the world and the United Nations cannot ignore. All members of the Council should feel comfortable with the initiative of the Arab League because no member of the Council is comfortable with the daily massacres in Syria. Inaction is not only unacceptable but also irresponsible. It is high time to live up to our responsibilities and to address the legitimate demands of the Syrian people and the expectations of the countries of the region. We must unite behind a strong and clear message to the Syrian authorities. It is also the credibility of the Security Council that is at stake.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“We have staunchly supported the League's decision of 22 January and the political road map therein as the only viable path towards establishing a credible political dialogue among all Syrians, leading to a peaceful political transition. We urge all Syrian parties, factions and stakeholders to respond positively to that proposal. Portugal fully subscribes to the need for the formation of a national unity Government and strongly appeals to President Al-Assad to delegate full authority to his deputy in order to carry out a peaceful political transition in accordance with what has been underlined by the Prime Minister of Qatar. To cut a long story short, Portugal appeals to all members of the Council not to look at Syria with the eyes of the past, in the light of old divisions.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“In situations of that nature, the old principle that it is enough to change only a few things so that everything stays the same is inapplicable. Quite to the contrary, the lesson of history is the following: Where there is no reform, there will be revolution. Portugal remains committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria. The longer the crisis persists, the deeper the scars on Syrian society will be. My country values highly the role of regional organizations and their contributions to peace and security. We believe that the League of Arab States is best suited to lead the efforts aimed at solving a crisis that entails direct risks and threats to many of its member States. As I said, we fully support the efforts of the League of Arab States. We supported without hesitation the request for this meeting.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“By persistently ignoring numerous appeals to put an end to its bloody crackdown, the Syrian authorities have fuelled escalation and Violence. Yet, even under the repression they are subject to, we trust that the Syrian opposition movement will maintain the peaceful nature of its legitimate objectives. I cannot adequately stress the urgency of an immediate end to all violence. Equally pressing is the undertaking of a serious political process leading to a democratic, plural political system where all citizens, regardless of affiliation, ethnicity or belief, are treated equally and can fulfil their legitimate aspirations. Some months ago, President Al-Assad announced reforms. Yet, he did not fulfil either those promises or his commitments to the Arab League.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“We have commended the deployment of the Arab observer mission and the decision to extend its mandate. Notwithstanding the deployment of the mission, the regime continues with its violent oppression against peaceful voices of dissent and its widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights, as documented by the commission of inquiry of the Human Rights Council. The Commission's accounts are horrifying, and all those responsible for these brutal violations and abuses must be held accountable. We were appalled by the killing last week of an official of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. We must reiterate, firmly, that the deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel is simply a form of barbarism.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“And yet, the Security Council has not been able to fully meet its responsibilities regarding Syria and the Syrian people, or to play its role as the primary body entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security. Allow me to be clear. The argument voiced during these 10 months that the choice in Syria was between inaction or civil war does not hold, given what we see, hear and read every day. The country is descending into civil war. The real option now is between an escalation of the conflict or a controlled and negotiated political solution. Portugal fully supports the efforts of the League of Arab States to find a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis that both promotes the end of violence and the implementation of a serious political process that will establish a free and democratic Syria.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“They have shown their contempt for basic human rights and their unwillingness to protect their population. According to UNICEF, nearly 400 children have lost their lives in Syria. This is indeed a measure of the atrocities committed. The only aspiration of the Syrian people, inspired by their brethren in other Arab countries, was simply to voice their protest and to pave the way for a democratic society. They did so peacefully and unarmed, only to be met by bullets, beatings and arrests. These victims and their families merit our full solidarity. As deadly violence goes on unabated, the situation in Syria continues to spiral dangerously towards civil war, with serious risks for peace and security in the region.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“I decided to participate in this meeting of the Security Council for the simple reason that what is happening in Syria is of such seriousness; that the inaction of the international community is so shocking; that an Arab solution is so urgent; and that a decision of the United Nations is so essential that I felt compelled to participate in this debate and to do whatever I can to transform deadlock into solution, hesitation into will. The situation in Syria is both unacceptable and untenable. For 10 months now, we have witnessed the most brutal repression of civilians and the most flagrant and systematic violation of their fundamental human rights. The brutality of the Syrian authorities has left in its wake thousands of dead and many more thousands maimed, imprisoned and tortured.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for having organized this important meeting. I wish to welcome His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, and Mr. Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, to the Council. I would also like to thank them for their comprehensive and very useful briefings, and commend them both for their tireless efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria.”
2012-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6710 (2012) · source
“I thank Ms. Chan for her comments. There are no more names inscribed on my list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.15p.m. 11-60560”
2011-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6668 (2011) · source
“We will continue working with members of the Security Council to that end, and with a View to reaching a consensus on the steps required to set up such a mechanism. New challenges to international peace and security can lead to increased instability and insecurity. It is our duty to deepen our knowledge of those phenomena so as to ensure that they will not turn into conflicts. As the main body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, this Council must shoulder its responsibilities and lead that process. I now resume my function as President of the Council. I give the floor to Mr. Fedotov.”
2011-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6668 (2011) · source
“Indeed, the topics under discussion here today have been brought to the attention of the Council with increasing frequency, highlighting their relevance. The Council, however, still lacks a clear strategy on the best way to monitor those challenges on a regular basis and to identify their similarities. We believe that the creation of a mechanism by which the Council could monitor those issues would be a step forward and provide added value. An informal working group of Council members could be set up to review new information, including from the relevant reports of the Secretary-General and of other United Nations organs and agencies. That information could serve as the foundation for better concerted, articulated, informed and effective action of the international community.”
2011-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6668 (2011) · source
“That is the only way in which the relevant organs of the United Nations will be able to concerted action. As is so often the case, the most vulnerable to challenges are the least developed and the poorest. In a spirit of solidarity and international unity, we call for an effort to define our collective response. In contemplating those new issues, we must recall the words of a memorable figure of the Christian humanist tradition, who said that if the rich do not deal with the lives of the poor, the poor will eventually deal with the lives of the rich. Those are not issues that the Security Council can or should deal with alone. The Council can and should, in our opinion, develop a systematic and comprehensive approach to new challenges to international peace and security.”
2011-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6668 (2011) · source
“Some of the regions of the world with the highest rates of infection are also conflict or post-conflict regions. It is therefore not surprising that the Council's first-ever debate on a health-related issue within its purview of maintaining peace and security was on HIV and AIDS. Integrating the fight against pandemics into the peacebuilding strategies of post-conflict countries having recently emerged from conflict is an essential measure to avoid jeopardizing the gains made in the consolidation of peace. In that regard, it is important to strengthen international support to programmes led by United Nations agencies to fight pandemics, in particular the initiatives coordinated by the World Health Organization. It is equally important for United Nations peacekeeping missions to assist the relevant agencies in implementing such programmes.”
2011-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6668 (2011) · source