YouSaid · the spoken record

Quinlan

lines on the record: 1,257
first: 2009-06-26
most recent: 2014-12-30
sittings or episodes: 160
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

“He has sent Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and the Acting Defence Minister to Crimea to de-escalate the crisis. It is crucial that that direct dialogue take place. The Secretary-General's travel to Moscow and Kyiv over the next few days is clearly welcome, and we urge all parties to engage in constructive dialogue with him. In pursuing its current course of action, Russia has chosen a path towards isolation. In doing so, it undermines its own standing, credibility and relations with other States and increasingly poses a threat to security and stability in the region. Inevitably, there are consequences for its unlawful action.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“Those remain the international community's touchstone, and the international community will not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea. Russia has further strengthened its military control of Crimea in recent days, dramatically escalating tensions. Incidents involving the use of armed force, the occupation of military bases and the killing of a Ukrainian soldier and the wounding of another significantly increase the stakes and make a descent into conflict more likely. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk has sought an immediate meeting of Ministers of Defence of the parties to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which provided security guarantees to Ukraine, in order to prevent further escalation of the crisis, and we urge Russia to respond positively to that request.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“It has moved to annex Crimea on the basis ofa referendum that was manifestly unlawful and illegitimate, not least because it was carried out while Russian forces exercised effective control over Crimea. President Putin's signature of a decree recognizing Crimean independence and of a purported treaty with Crimean leaders and the presidential approval of a draft bill on the annexation of Crimea do not validate the referendum, nor do they provide any legitimate basis for Russia's acquisition of part of the territory of Ukraine. Indeed, Russia's actions are a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law, which were contained in the draft resolution it vetoed on Saturday: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the illegality of the acquisition of territory by the threat or use of force.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“I thank the Deputy Secretary-General for his briefing and Assistant Secretary-General Simonovie for his statement. I also thank Ukraine Ambassador Sergeyev. As we know, five days ago, the Council sought to adopt a draft resolution on Ukraine reaffirming fundamental principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. The draft resolution was opposed by only one State: Russia. The message of Council members to Russia, reflecting the views of the broader international community, nevertheless, remains clear. It must comply with international law, take active steps to de-escalate the crisis and engage in dialogue towards a peaceful resolution of it. But the fact is that Russia has steadfastly ignored that message.”
2014-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7144 (2014) · source
“In conclusion, Australia, along with the United Nations and international community, will continue to support Afghanistan at the national level. But reform and progress are naturally the responsibility of the Afghan Government and people. Leadership by the Afghan Government will be critical in meeting the security, political and economic challenges in 2014 and beyond transition.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) has demonstrated its capability in fighting the insurgency and providing security for the Afghan people, but it must continue to expand security across Afghanistan. Australia will continue to support the ANSF, through our sustainment commitment, agreed in Chicago in 2012, and through the continued presence of Australian military personnel in training and advisory roles. We continue to encourage Afghanistan to sign the bilateral security agreement with the United States and to conclude NATO status-of-forces agreement negotiations as soon as possible to provide the legal basis for the post-2014 mission and to enable planning for a post-2014 military presence to proceed.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“We remain concerned about the increasing number of civilians killed and wounded in conflict, as outlined in the Secretary-General's report (S/2014/163). That includes development and humanitarian workers. We support further sustained efforts by Afghanistan to track civilian casualties. We also encourage the Afghan authorities to provide full support to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission so that it can fulfil its necessary role as an effective and independent institution. The Afghan Government must send a strong message to the international community about its commitment to security over the long term. Security challenges limit the international community's ability to provide effective support.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Of particular importance will be progress by the Afghan Government to improve governance and the rule of law, including transitional justice, budget execution, combating corruption and improving accountability. On human rights, Afghanistan needs to be vigilant in building on the gains of the past decade, particularly in relation to the rights of women and girls. Today's resolution reaffirms that message. We continue to urge the full implementation of the law on elimination of Violence against women and to encourage the Afghan Government to finalize and implement a national action plan on women and peace and security so as to support the active participation of women in the peace and reconciliation process.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“It is also essential that the Independent Election Commission and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission be enabled to fulfil their critical roles. Beyond the elections, we look to a new Afghan Government to address key political, governance and security challenges, with the support of the United Nations. The leadership and considered decisions of the new Government will be the key determinant of the international community's support for Afghanistan post-2014. The 2012 Tokyo Conference saw an unprecedented level of resources pledged to Afghanistan. Progress against Afghanistan's commitments by a new Afghan Government, as well as by the international community, is necessary to support sustainable economic and social development in Afghanistan.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“The international community will be closely watching the presidential and provincial council elections early next month. They constitute a historic moment for Afghanistan's transition. An inclusive, transparent and credible presidential election process is necessary. Australia welcomes the United Nations role in supporting the elections and encourages the Afghan Government to continue to work with the United Nations in order to strengthen the sustainability, integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process. We encourage continued efforts to ensure that women are able to safely exercise their right to vote and to participate in the process. Their participation will be a decisive measure of the representativeness and success of the elections.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“Resolution 2145 (2014), which we havejust adopted, is a firm statement of the international community's continuing commitment to Afghanistan and its people. The resolution provides the right mandate to ensure that the United Nations can continue to support Afghanistan during the completion of security transition. This 12-month renewal preserves UNAMA's core mandate, ensuring continuity in UNAMA's support for Afghan- 1ed efforts to strengthen governance and build capacity. As we know, 2014 is a pivotal year for Afghanistan, with the Government assuming full responsibility for security as well as the management of political transition, which is as critical to Afghanistan's transformation as the continuing security, stabilization and reconstruction efforts.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“I thank Special Representative Jan Kubis for his briefing this morning and for his leadership of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). I also thank Ambassador Tanin for his statement and his close engagement in the Council's work on Afghanistan. I also want to recognize the dedication and efforts of all United Nations personnel in Afghanistan. The death of four United Nations staff, as well as Afghan and international civilians, in the attack of 17 January on the Taverna restaurant in Kabul was a reminder of the risks faced by civilians in Afghanistan, including United Nations and other international staff. The Council condemned that attack in the strongest terms, and I reiterate our condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those involved.”
2014-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7139 (2014) · source
“With or without a resolution, the message from Council members and the wider international community has been overwhelming. The de-escalation of the current crisis is imperative. Russia must pull back its forces to their bases and decrease their numbers to agreed levels. It must allow international observers access to Crimea. It must demonstrate its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including by desisting from any recognition of or action on the basis of the results of the Crimean referendum. It must engage in direct dialogue with Ukraine, as Ukraine has repeatedly requested, either bilaterally or through a diplomatic mechanism such as a contact group. Russia can be under no misapprehension about the action the international community is demanding it take.”
2014-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7138 (2014) · source
“As the body mandated under the United Nations Charter with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has a primordial responsibility to uphold those obligations. As Council members, we do so on behalf of all Member States. The draft resolution directly and carefully reflects those fundamental norms. There is nothing in it that any State Member of the United Nations could reasonably oppose. Russia's decision to veto the resolution is therefore profoundly unsettling. The referendum to be held tomorrow in Crimea is dangerous and destabilizing. It is unauthorized and invalid. The international community will not recognize the result nor any action taking on the basis of it.”
2014-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7138 (2014) · source
“Australia is seriously disturbed that the draft resolution contained in document S/2014/189 before us was vetoed. Its purpose was to reaffirm the fundamental principles and norms governing relations between States in the post-1945 world - obligations that form the core of the Charter of the United Nations - respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, the illegality of the acquisition of territory through the threat or use of force and the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means.”
2014-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7138 (2014) · source
“It must also demonstrate its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including by desisting from any support for the referendum proposed this Sunday. And it must engage in direct dialogue with Ukraine, as Ukraine has repeatedly requested, either bilaterally or through diplomatic mechanisms, such as the contact group that has been proposed. The international community has offered its assistance and dialogue. It is now imperative that Russia work with international partners to ensure that the crisis is resolved peacefully.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“The international community has shown its willingness to support efforts to resolve the crisis, the continuation of which will not only have terrible consequences for the people of Ukraine but will also reverberate far beyond that. The Ukrainian Parliament has asked the United Nations for its support and we should remain ready to assist. International principles that are at the core of international relations not only in Europe but globally, and that matter fundamentally to each and every sovereign State, are at stake. For diplomacy to have a chance, Russia needs to actively de-escalate the situation. It must pull back its forces to their bases and decrease their numbers to agreed levels. It must also allow international observers access to Crimea to verify the situation on the ground and accept the proposed OSCE monitoring mission.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“The Ukrainian Parliament also demanded on 11 March that the referendum be cancelled. The Crimean Parliament itself has no standing on that issue. We also note that the referendum will be conducted at a time when Russian forces are in control of Crimea. For all those reasons, the results of the proposed referendum will be inherently illegitimate and will not be accepted by the international community. We welcome the United States proposal that the Council adopt a draft resolution that would make this clear. We would support adopting such a draft resolution before the Sunday referendum. However, it is not too late to resolve the crisis peacefully, but the window for that is rapidly closing.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“The Crimean Parliament's announcement of a referendum, to be held on Sunday to decide whether Crimea should secede from Ukraine, was a dangerous further escalation of tensions and deeply destabilizing; so, too, were statements by Russian parliamentarians that Russia would formally accept the results of that referendum. Any such referendum would contravene article 73 of the Ukrainian Constitution, which provides that any alteration of the sovereign territorial boundaries of Ukraine can be decided only through an all-Ukraine national referendum. It would be inconsistent with chapter X of the Constitution, which sets out the constitutional role of Crimea within Ukraine. That has been underlined by both Ukraine's Acting President Turchynov and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“Thors found no evidence of violations or threats to the rights of Russian speakers in Crimea during her visit. Media freedom has also been severely suppressed in a clear attempt to prevent coverage of what is occurring. Attacks on journalists have intensified. Despite the repeated calls for independent verification of the situation on the ground, unarmed OSCE monitors have also been denied access to Crimea three times now. United Nations representatives have been similarly unable to conduct visits. The Secretary- General's Special Envoy for Ukraine, Robert Serry, was threatened by armed men and Assistant Secretary- General for Human Rights Simonovic' has been denied entry to Crimea. Reports of intimidation of Crimean Tatars make it all the more crucial that human rights assessment missions proceed as planned.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“Russia and Ukraine must engage with each other in direct dialogue at senior levels. However, we have seen no sign of change in Russian actions. Instead, we have seen further Russian efforts to consolidate its control of Ukrainian territory in Crimea. It has extended its control of air, sea and land access to the peninsula. The closure of Crimea's airspace to non-Russian commercial air traffic has now further severed connections between Crimea and the rest of Ukraine. Russian forces have seized Ukrainian military and Government facilities and laid seige to others, including the naval headquarters. They have reportedly laid mines in a number of locations. Such actions cannot be justified by a perceived threat to Russian assets or nationals. OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ms.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“We support yesterday's statement by the Group of Seven, which spoke with one voice in urging Russia to join them and work together through diplomatic processes to resolve the crisis. We also commend the efforts of the United States to find a solution through engagement with both Russia and Ukraine. Russia must similarly show itself ready to engage seriously and constructively with the Ukrainian leaders to resolve the crisis. In our numerous meetings over the past two weeks, the messages from Council members have been stark. Ukraine's territorial integrity must be respected. Russia must take immediate, deliberate and definitive steps to de-escalate the situation, including, critically, ordering Russian troops to return to their bases, and must allow independent monitors access to Crimea to verify the situation on the ground.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“Ithank you, Mr. President, for your presence in presiding over this open debate at such a critical time. I thank Under-Secretary-General Feltman for his briefing and welcome Prime Minister Yatsenyuk of Ukraine at this very difficult and decisive time for him and his country. It is important that the Council has heard directly from him today. We should commend him and the Ukrainian authorities for their restraint and courage in the face of continued provocation and for their efforts to design a new and inclusive future for Ukraine. We welcome all international efforts to find solutions to the crisis. We commend the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for their efforts.”
2014-03-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7134 (2014) · source
“As Ambassador Gasana has just reminded us, they are often the first victims. Their protection must remain central to our efforts in the Council to protect civilians - the primordial core of the Council's work. We cannot do enough to achieve that. As Leila Zerrougui has said this morning, hundreds of thousands of children have their eyes on us.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“We must work decisively on that. It should be axiomatic, as Alhadji has reminded us today, that those responsible for serious international crimes committed against children during conflict be held to account. Where national authorities are unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute such crimes, the International Criminal Court can play a key instrumental role. The International Criminal Court's unanimous conviction of Thomas Lubanga for the war crime of enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15 years and using them to participate actively in hostilities was a landmark decision. Only by ensuring accountability can we deter future crimes. In conclusion, we must never just accept the risk to children during armed conflict. We know they are the most vulnerable and least able to withstand its ravages.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“In many conflict situations around the world, schools are attacked or used for military purposes. In Syria, almost a quarter of all schools have been damaged, occupied or destroyed. It is essential that all parties implement resolution 2139 (2014) on humanitarian access in Syria, which was adopted by the Council two weeks ago and which demanded that all parties to conflict in Syria demilitarize schools. It was a unanimous and powerful demand by the entire Council. In so many conflict situations, schools have been used as military barracks, detention facilities, interrogation centres and weapons storage facilities. Using schools for military purposes gravely endangers the lives of children and is contrary to international law. We cannot deny generations of children an education through the destruction or misuse of school premises.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“While we welcome efforts to end recruitment by Government forces, we must not lose our focus on violations against children committed by non-State armed groups. In fact, the majority of groups listed in the Secretary-General's report as having recruited or used children - 46 groups out of 55 - are non-State actors. Many of those non-State armed groups have recruited children persistently for more than five years. It is crucial that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General continue her efforts to conclude action plans with non-State armed groups, difficult though that is to achieve. However, in order for her to do so, Governments must allow United Nations access to those groups to address child protection concerns. The Council must keep a very close eye on progress with that.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“As Special Representative of the Secretary-General Zerrougui has noted, eight Government armed forces are listed in the Secretary-General's most recent report (see S/2013/245) as having recruited or used children. Six of those Governments have committed, through the signing of action plans, to ending that practice. The aim of ending child recruitment by Government forces therefore appears achievable, and we strongly support the "Children, not soldiers" campaign, launched yesterday, to reach that goal by 2016. We welcome the restatement of commitment to that aim made by the eight States affected yesterday. In our own region, we are pleased to be supporting UNICEF's efforts to help the Myanmar Government implement its action plan to end the recruitment and use of children by the armed forces.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Thousands of children are killed in deliberate attacks on civilian areas or caught in the crossfire. Over 10,000 have already lost their lives in the Syrian conflict. Many children are abducted and subjected to sexual violence. Attacks on schools and hospitals continue to deny children an education and desperately needed health care. The denial of humanitarian assistance is depriving children of food and basic necessities. That is a terrible stain on our efforts for peace and security. I would like to touch on three areas where greater efforts are needed to protect children during armed conflict: ending recruitment by Government forces and non-State armed groups, addressing the military use of schools, and ensuring accountability.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“I would like to thank Luxembourg and you personally, Madam President, for your decisive leadership on the compelling challenge of children in armed conflict. Ithank the Secretary-General and Executive Director Lake for their statements, and Special Representative Zerrougui for her tireless exemplary efforts. I would particularly like to thank Alhadji Babah Sawaneh for his personal account. We so often talk in the abstract in this Chamber. We need to hear from individuals like Alhadji - powerful beacons of a better future - much more often. We know that armed conflict continues to have a horrific impact on children, so many of whom are recruited or used by armed forces and armed groups. There are reportedly some 6,000 child soldiers in the Central African Republic.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Russia should stand down and withdraw its forces from Ukraine in accordance with its obligations, and the people of Ukraine ought to be able to determine their future themselves.”
2014-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7125 (2014) · source
“That would be the best way to address Russia's stated concerns about minority rights, and we urge Russia to consider it. We welcome the news that the OSCE will begin deploying some initial monitors tonight. We also welcome the engagement of the Secretary- General and the visit of Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson to Ukraine. We urge all parties to cooperate with the Deputy Secretary-General as he seeks to promote dialogue and cooperation and see for himself the facts on the ground. It is imperative that he be given access to all parts of Ukraine. To conclude, the situation should obviously be resolved by peaceful means. There is no other option. As Australian Prime Minister Abbott said in the Australian Parliament yesterday, unprovoked aggression should have no place in our world.”
2014-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7125 (2014) · source
“We support the efforts of the new Government of Ukraine to deal with the crisis and stabilize the situation in its country. The international political engagement we have seen to date on this issue has been essential and of course must continue and increase. It is indicative of the level of concern regarding Russia's actions and the extent of the determination on the part of the international community to de-escalate the crisis. The international community and the Council must support all efforts towards de-escalation. That means exploring and promoting all opportunities for mediation and dialogue. Australia would also strongly support the deployment of a full monitoring mission to Ukraine, and we are grateful to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for looking carefully at that possibility.”
2014-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7125 (2014) · source
“The Australian Government, together with the broader international community, which is speaking loudly and with one voice, has urged Russia to stand down, withdraw its armed forces, abide by its international legal commitments and immediately take steps to reduce tensions. Russia must engage in direct dialogue with Ukraine in accordance with article 7 of its own Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership with Ukraine. In the Council, Australia has already called for Russia to respect Ukraine's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we reiterate that call here today. We also reiterate our earlier call to not just avoid provocation, but to take proactive steps to de-escalate the crisis. We commend the continued restraint shown by Ukraine itself in the face of continued and very serious provocation.”
2014-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7125 (2014) · source
“Those actions, along with the decision by the Russian Parliament to authorize the use of force in Ukraine, are wholly unacceptable. Russia's actions are undermining the right of the Ukrainian people to choose their own future, and are also contrary to international law. They contravene the Charter of the United Nations. They also contravene agreements to which Russia itself is a party: the 1994 Budapest Memorandum; the 1975 Helsinki Final Act; and the 1997 bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Under those agreements, there is a specific commitment to respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as to non-intervention and to refraining from the use or threat of use of force.”
2014-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7125 (2014) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Fernandez-Taranco for his briefing this afternoon, and we welcome Ambassador Sergeyev's participation in this meeting. The situation in Ukraine clearly continues to escalate. Tensions continue to rise, and the potential for military confrontation is obvious. Since the Council met on Saturday (see S/PV.7124), Russian military activity in Crimea has seriously intensified, and there are reports of more Russian troop deployments on Ukraine's eastern and southern borders, violations of Ukraine's airspace by Russian fighter planes, and Russian naval vessels blocking the exits of Sevastopol Bay in Crimea. We are seriously concerned about the escalation of Russian military activity.”
2014-03-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7125 (2014) · source
“How the Council approaches the humanitarian situation should therefore not depend upon politics. We reaffirm that this resolution should not negatively affect the political aspect but should strengthen and reaffirm that element, as reaffirmed in paragraph 15 and the eleventh preambular paragraph of the resolution. We underscore the importance of the parties to the conflict in Syria now immediately and fully implementing all the provisions of the resolution. All parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, must allow humanitarian relief operations through borders and through lines of fire. The parties must immediately begin to dismantle the blockades imposed on certain towns and regions and must put an end to all attacks against civilians, in particular in residential areas, including aerial bombardments and the use of barrel bombs.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“That has affected all aspects of economic and social life in, and the security of, those neighbouring countries. The number of refugees who have been forced to leave Syria has reached 2.9 million people, with 2.4 million having found refuge in neighbouring countries. In Jordan, we have welcomed 1,300,000 refugees from Syria - 600,000 since the beginning of the crisis, almost three years ago. The cost of hosting those refugees amounted to $1.7 billion in 2013. That is expected to rise to $2.8 billion in 2014. Such negative consequences for the neighbouring countries will have a long-term impact, which will require an effective approach by the Council and the international community towards the Syrian refugee crisis. The continuing humanitarian situation of such a dimension threatens the security and stability of the Middle East.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“It does not only entail attacks against civilians by all kinds ofprohibited and non-prohibited weapons, but it went even further by imposing a suffocating blockade on many regions of the country, which has led to starvation and widespread violations of international humanitarian law throughout Syria, some of which amounted to crimes against humanity. According to the statistics, nearly 9.3 million Syrians need humanitarian assistance, of whom 6.5 million are internally displaced persons. In additon, 250,000 Syrians are trapped in besieged areas and almost 2 million Syrians require humanitarian aid in regions that are difficult to reach. The negative consequences of this internal humanitarian tragedy has gone beyond Syria's borders into neighbouring countries, thereby creating an international problem of humanitarian refugees.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“We negotiated the text of the resolution with the other members of the Security Council and made every effort to achieve the broadest possible consensus. In that respect, we would like to thank all members of the Council, both permanent and non-permanent, for the good faith they showed during the consultations. We commend the Council's unified position. The resolution just adopted deals with the various dimensions of the humanitarian tragedy in Syria, which is now untenable at the internal level.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“The primary responsibility, as I have said, lies with the Syrian authorities. Others on the ground, including opposition groups, must also comply. The resolution is also binding on all of us. Council members and the wider United Nations membership must themselves do what they can to pressure the Syrian authorities and the opposition groups to implement it. The resolution has made very clear the Council's expectations that its demands will be met and that there will be consequences for non-compliance. We will remain determined in this. Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein (Jordan) (spoke in Arabic): Jordan welcomes the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2139 (2014). Jordan is proud to have been one of its authors, along with Australia and Luxembourg, in implementation of an Arab Ministerial mandate.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“The Council has said plainly that Al-Qaida and associated groups have no place in Syria and that all foreign fighters should leave the country. We have acknowledged again that the only sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict is a political transition. The challenges are self-evident, but we must continue efforts to achieve this. And, as the Council has recognized in this resolution, there must be no impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights. Australia also reiterates its call for the Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. The Council's unanimity today has been necessary, but it is not enough. The resolution can benefit the Syrian people only if it is implemented in full.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“The Syrian military must cease its systematic and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. The devastating aerial bombing campaign in Aleppo, which has seen a further 500,000 people displaced, must end. The use of barrel bombs - a weapon designed to create civilian terror and cause maximum injury to civilians - must cease immediately. Aid must be allowed to reach all those who need it by the most direct means possible, including across battle lines and across borders. It must be allowed to those people living under siege, and people in such areas who want to leave must be allowed to do so. Armed opposition groups must also comply with the calls made in the resolution to end abuses of human rights, abide by international humanitarian law and facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance in the areas they control.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“At least a quarter ofa million people scratch to survive in besieged cities and towns with no food or medical relief for over a year. Dag Hammarskjold famously said that the United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven but to save it from hell. But by any measure, the Syrian people long ago descended into hell. It should not have taken the Council so long to take today's action, indeed, as the Secretary-General has just said, it should not have been necessary. The Council has demanded that this resolution be implemented in full. Ifit is, it will make a difference to the lives of millions of Syrians. The Council's core demand is that the Syrian parties to the conflict, and, above all, the Syrian authorities, reverse course now and start to put the interests of their own citizens first.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“In adopting resolution 2139 (2014) this morning unanimously, all members of the Security Council have recognized that the humanitarian situation in Syria is desperate. The country has disintegrated, and neighbouring countries are threatened by the effects. Almost half of Syria's population needs urgent assistance. A third of the housing has been destroyed and over 60 per cent of the hospitals destroyed or damaged. Almost a third of the people are internally displaced. Three million have fled; two and a half million are refugees; 2.3 million are now out of school; and one in five schools are either occupied or destroyed. Medical workers and hospitals have been directly targeted, and a majority of Syria's health workers have fled.”
2014-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7116 (2014) · source
“Successfully strengthening the rule of law within a country requires long-term engagement. It is important, therefore, that from the very outset of planning the rule-of-law component of a United Nations mission, there also needs to be consideration of the transition of rule-of-law functions from the United Nations peace operation to the national authorities. Robust institutions must stand on their own foundations - that will be the true measure of our success.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Given the breadth and complexity of policing roles, there is further scope for the Council to provide greater strategic direction in mandates to effectively guide police components and mission management. At an operational level, predeployment training on cultural issues enables deployed police to better relate to their host-nation counterparts. The United Nations Police Division is doing important work on mission-specific induction training. The recent pilot effort in the United Nations Mission in Liberia sets a strong example. I should say, as I approach the end of my statement, that we hope that we will be able to successfully finalize our negotiations to adopt a presidential text on the rule of law. We have done so before, and we must do so again.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“The Council should consider whether similar mandates should be given to other peacekeeping operations. Such an approach could be part of the broader support from the Council to the International Criminal Court. The Court is an essential partner for the Council on rule-of-law matters, and the Council needs to do more to support its work. Finally, I shall make some comment on policing. The police components ofUnited Nations peacekeeping operations need closer attention. United Nations police strengthen the rule of law in conflict and post-conflict situations, both where they provide interim policing and through assistance to reform and rebuild national police and other law enforcement agencies.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“A recent positive development was the authorization of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to use all the necessary means to support the efforts of the transitional authorities in Mali to bring to justice those responsible for serious international crimes, taking into account the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Council similarly encouraged the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to use its existing authority to assist the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to hold accountable those responsible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country, including through its ongoing cooperation with the ICC.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Ensuring that justice permeates society at every level and that Governments are accountable, it underpins stability and effective State protection and ensures human rights are protected. Supporting the development of police, corrections, prosecutorial and judicial capacities that enable the investigation and prosecution of crimes - and here I am referring to national law and translating that into international practice and prosecuted - is a core mandate for many United Nations missions.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source