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

“The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (resolution 67/234 B) two weeks ago was a historic step towards controlling the proliferation of such weapons and their ammunition, but we must work to ensure its robust implementation by our own Governments and by other States with our assistance. Secondly, climate change is affecting Africa disproportionately, increasing competition for scarce resources such as food and water. We need to utilize all the tools at our disposal to minimize threats. That means bolstering our disaster risk-reduction efforts, improving early-warning and response capacities, and strengthening resource management and building resilience. I must highlight the responsibility to protect, 19 years on from the Rwandan genocide.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source
“Thirdly, with regard to natural-resource management, natural resources can be a source of conflict, as we know, but can also present decisive opportunities for growth. Australia is sharing its own experience and expertise to support African countries in their efforts to maximize economic benefits from their extractive sectors in a regulated and sustainable manner that returns revenue to the State. Joint development across borders can often be effective. In addition to addressing root causes, we must also work to minimize the impact of global challenges that exacerbate conflict. I will mention just two. First, let me turn to small arms and light weapons - the weapons of mass destruction in Africa.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source
“Yet, just two years after that, the country was able to withstand the shock of dual assassination attempts on the lives of the President and the Prime Minister, without further deterioration in the security situation. Over the two intervening years, Timor-Leste was able to develop stronger institutions and to offer alternative tools to violence and handle the shock. The Parliament, the security services under civilian oversight, and justice institutions all played their roles. Secondly, with regard to economic opportunities, the nexus between security and development is obvious. We simply must work to create - and narrow the gap in access to - economic opportunities, in particular for young people, women and other marginalized groups.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source
“The World Development Report 201] tells us that, on average, a civil war can cost the equivalent of 30 years of lost gross domestic product growth. No society in conflict has achieved a single Millennium Development Goal. Regional spillovers are inevitable. There are 42 million people displaced today as a result of conflict, violence and human rights abuses. Today, we are focusing on the root causes ofconflict in Africa. I will mention three issues. First, let me turn to institution-building. The links between strong and trusted institutions, development and conflict-prevention are well known and well understood. In Timor-Leste in 2006, four years after independence, violence erupted between the military and the police, causing further deaths and massive internal displacement.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source
“We particularly welcome the initiative of Rwanda and your presence here today, Madam President, as we mark the terrible experience of the Rwandan genocide. Rwanda painfully knows the cost of the failure of us all to prevent conflict. In its opening lines, the Charter of the United Nations defines the purpose of the Organization as being to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The prevention of conflict was the primordial reason that we created the United Nations. Yet, typically, we spend our time responding to situations in which populations are already caught up in the misery of conflict. There has never been any question that prevention is better than cure. Prevention can save countless lives and untold trauma and grief.”
2013-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6946 (2013) · source
“For our part, we believe that the Security Council and the international community generally stand ready to assist the parties on their path to reconciliation, security and stability.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“To conclude, a broad and substantial political settlement to the question ofKosovo is now within reach, and Australia joins the Secretary-General and other Council members in encouraging both Prime Ministers to continue their dialogue with a determination to bring about lasting stability, not only in Kosovo and between Serbia and Kosovo, but in the broader Balkan region. We look forward to progress on remaining sensitive issues, such as the governing institutions in northern Kosovo, at the next round of EU-mediated dialogue in April. Following that, it will be important that both parties leverage the confidence and trust that they have so painstakingly created to achieve actual implementation of the agreements reached at a political level.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“Australia would also like to express its appreciation to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Farid Zarif and the United Nations Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) for their efforts to ensure a consistent approach by the international presence in Kosovo. We have to be frank about this. UNMIK's job, as mandated by the Council, is a difficult one, but its work has complemented strongly the efforts by the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), KFOR and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and helped to provide the stability to support direct political dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. We support the ongoing investigation by EULEX into the allegations of organ trafficking, and we support the calls for any persons implicated in war crimes to be held accountable.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“We condemn acts of vandalism against significant cultural and religious heritage sites. The prompt reaction by local authorities, the condemnation of violence by all political parties and the swift action of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) have helped to prevent further incidents, and we commend those actions. We encourage all sides to take steps to protect Kosovo's rich and diverse heritage, including that of the Serbian Orthodox and Muslim communities, on the basis of ethnic and religious tolerance. We also encourage the unimpeded resettlement of minority returnees and internally displaced persons in Kosovo. That is vital.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“We commend those ongoing endeavours, which have achieved genuine results, including the commencement of the integrated agreement on the management of crossing points and customs, and the exchange ofliaison officers based in the EU delegations in Belgrade and Pristina. Both countries have a European future. We welcome the strong endorsement of the process provided by both the National Assembly of Serbia and the authorities of the Republic of Kosovo, which has sent powerful messages to their own communities on the fundamental importance to the futures of both countries ofa successful outcome to the negotiations. The security situation in northern Kosovo, particularly around northern Mitrovica, remains fragile. Both sides need to do more and to work harder to improve the situation in the north.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“Of course, it is not an easy process, but we are very encouraged by their personal and constructive contribution to seven rounds of trilateral negotiations, including in Brussels this week. The discussions between the Prime Ministers builds on other recent positive developments, including the meeting between Presidents Nikolie and Jahjaga in early February, which was a powerful symbol of the commitment of both parties to continuing their dialogue so as to find a long-term solution. Trust-building and reconciliation among communities in Kosovo is, obviously, a vital complement to the political process. The role of the European Union (EU) and High Representative Ashton has been decisive in advancing the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative Zarif for his presentation this morning and for the participation in today's debate by Prime Ministers Daeic' and Thaci and for their remarks. We warmly welcome them both. Given that this is the first time that Australia has spoken in a debate on Kosovo in the Council, I would like to state Australia's support for an independent and sovereign Kosovo. While we recognize that there is not a unanimity of views within the Council on this question, Australia wishes to note that it was one of the first few countries to recognize Kosovo's independence, in February 2008. We commend the leadership displayed by both Prime Ministers in elevating the European Union-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to the highest political level. That has been essential.”
2013-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6939 (2013) · source
“I would also like to express my appreciation for the very professional support of the Secretariat. We need, and we see, an organic working relationship among the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), the Panel and the Secretariat. The Committee is just finalizing a programme of work for the next little while, which covers its obligations on compliance, investigations, outreach, dialogue, assistance and cooperation. I think that we have made a good start. I would like to thank Committee members for that. The Committee next meets on 15 March. Finally, some Council members have raised the issue of the transparency of the Committee's work and, like my predecessor, Ambassador Osorio, I would like to provide forums where the Committee and Panel members can engage with the broader United Nations membership.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“I will be very brief, knowing how busy the programme is. I would just like to thank Council members for their contributions this morning and for the warm welcome they have given to the Australian chairmanship. At this stage, I would also like to thank my predecessor and acknowledge his contribution, Ambassador Nestor Osorio, who is now President of the Economic and Social Council. Since this is my first report to the Council, I would like to emphasize that we are very conscious of the responsibilities we have as Chair and the need to work impartially and objectively to secure evidence and to ensure that we are very professional about that. In that regard, I would like to recognize the contribution of the Panel of Experts. They are clearly an indispensable professional platform for our work.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“The Committee also received four notifications: three from a Member State with reference to paragraph 5 (c) of resolution 1737 (2006), concerning the delivery of items for use in the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran; and one from another Member State submitted pursuant to paragraph 15 of resolution 1737 (2006) and paragraph 4 of resolution 1747 (2007), in connection with the unfreezing of funds to make a payment due under a contract entered into prior to the listing of an entity. Finally, I am very happy to note that during the reporting period the Committee received a report from Saudi Arabia on the implementation of resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1929 (2010).”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“Committee members exchanged views as to the possible ways to respond to such queries during the informal consultations I mentioned earlier. In addition, the Committee received a communication dated 20 February from a State requesting an exemption from the travel ban on a designated Iranian national who had been invited to attend the high-level International Atomic Energy Agency conference on nuclear power in the twenty-first century in Saint Petersburg from 27 to 29 June 2013. The request is currently under consideration by the Committee.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“In a letter dated 10 December 2012, a State sought information from the Committee on the return of the funds concerning an advance payment made by the Ministry of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran to a company located in that State. As the contract was signed before 2007, when the relevant measures were imposed, the Committee advised the State that there were no obstacles to the return of funds. The Committee also received communications from two Member States, one dated 10 December 2012 and the other 4 January 2013, requesting information as to whether certain specified entities were included in the consolidated list of individuals and entities subject to the travel ban and assets freeze pursuant to the relevant Council resolutions.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“The Committee decided, on 4 March, to update the lists ofnuclear-related and ballistic missile-related items referred to in paragraph 13 of resolution 1929 (2010). The updated lists are available on the Committee's website. During the reporting period, the Committee received a number of written inquiries concerning the application of the sanctions. In two letters dated 16 January 2013, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) requested confirmation that two proposals for technical assistance to Iran by UNIDO did not contravene the applicable Security Council sanctions regime. On 1 February, the Committee informed UNIDO that the projects were not prohibited by the relevant resolutions.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“On a related matter, the Committee sent, on 23 January 2013, another note verbale to all States requesting them to provide, on a voluntary basis, additional identifying information regarding the individuals on the Committee's consolidated list. I take this opportunity to renew that request for information. The Committee continues its efforts to assist States implement the relevant Security Council measures. I am pleased to report that the Committee adopted, on 26 December 2012, an implementation assistance notice (IAN) on conventional arms and related materiel and, on 27 February of this year, an IAN on financial and business measures. Both were posted on the Committee's website.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“All those cases are currently being investigated by the Panel. The Committee is pleased that States are responding to its requests for information on reported incidents of non-compliance. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all States to cooperate with the Committee and its Panel of Experts in reporting and investigating possible sanctions violations. Following up on the Panel's findings in other cases of non-compliance, the Committee agreed, on 20 December 2012, to designate two entities, namely, Yas Air and SAD Import Export Company. A note verbale was sent on 8 January 2013 to all Member States informing them of the designations.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“In the second, dated 17 January 2013, a State informed the Committee of an alleged breach of the embargo on Iran by a company located in that State. In the third, on 24 January 2013, a State provided details relating to the inspection and seizure, on 15 March 2011, of three shipping containers of arms and related materiel onboard the ship M/V Victoria. In the fourth, on 1 February 2013, a State reported to the Committee the arrest of a businessman suspected of violating the national law implementing the relevant United Nations sanctions measures. Lastly, the fifth State transmitted, on 14 February, a report on the shipments confiscated by its respective authorities during the second quarter of 2012, and on measures taken to prevent transit of shipments to Iran that are suspected to contain prohibited items.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“In line with its mandate, the Committee stands ready to examine alleged violations in an impartial and objective manner and, based on solid evidence, to take appropriate action regarding them. Furthermore, during the informal consultations, the Panel briefed the Committee on its investigative and outreach activities. During the reporting period, the Committee received communications from five Member States relating to action they had taken in implementation of the relevant Security Council measures. One of those was the letter I mentioned earlier concerning a possible violation of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007), which was discussed by the Committee at its informal consultations on 13 February.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“The compilation was transmitted by the Panel to the Committee on 14 December 2012, and was considered at the informal consultations I mentioned earlier. During the discussion, several members expressed the view that it would be appropriate to send a letter to Iran inquiring as to the veracity of the statements reflected in the compilation. While not questioning the possibility of sending such a letter to Iran in the future, other members believed that the Committee should be prudent and that further efforts should be made first in order to obtain material evidence of the alleged arms transfers mentioned in the statements. The Committee believes strongly that any transfer of arms or related materiel in violation of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007) is a matter of grave concern.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“Several Committee members expressed great concern that Iran's launches represented a clear violation of resolution 1929 (2010), condemned the launches and suggested that the Committee consider appropriate actions in response. The Committee is currently exploring those options. In the meantime, the Committee emphasizes the importance of all Member States redoubling their efforts to implement all measures required in resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010). As my predecessor informed the Council in December (see S/PV.6888), the Panel had been tasked by the Committee with compiling publicly available statements made by Iranian officials and alleged recipients of Iranian military assistance regarding potential violations of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007).”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“Given the serious allegations contained in the report, the Committee encouraged the Panel of Experts to expedite its investigation of the incident and report to the Committee on its findings. The Committee stands ready to examine in an impartial and objective manner and, based on solid evidence, take appropriate action upon receipt of that report from the Panel. The Committee also discussed the incident report by the Panel dated 11 January 2013 on the missile launches by Iran during the Great Prophet VII exercise, conducted from 2 to 4 July 2012. Members of the Committee took note of the Panel's conclusion that Iran's launches of Shahab-l and Shahab-3 missiles during the exercises constituted a violation of paragraph 9 of resolution 1929 (2010).”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“I have the honour to present the 90-day report of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), in accordance with paragraph 18 (h) of the same resolution. The report covers the period from 5 December 2012 to 4 March 2013, during which time the Committee held one meeting and conducted additional work using the non-objection procedure envisioned by paragraph 15 of the guidelines for the conduct of its work. At the informal consultations on 13 February, the Committee exchanged preliminary views on a case reported by a Member State in a note verbale dated 6 February 2013, according to which the authorities of that State had intercepted, on 23 January, a vessel that it suspected was carrying illicit weapons from Iran to be delivered to that State.”
2013-03-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6930 (2013) · source
“We value the EU as a continuing partner in the fight against terrorism and support its efforts to ensure that counter-terrorism remains a key priority for us. We welcome the EU activities on preventing terrorism by addressing terrorist radicalization and recruitment. To conclude, close engagement between the Council and regional organizations is self-evidently an essential component to securing international peace and security. We encourage the Council to continue to look for opportunities to work closely with the EU in particular in that primordial objective.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“That contribution enables the EU to act as an essential multiplier of our collective efforts on peacekeeping, peacebuilding and conflict prevention. The EU's efforts to promote democracy and the rule of law are important. Its expertise helps build capacity and promote reform in law enforcement, the judiciary and border security. Through its election observation missions in particular, the EU has helped to deepen public trust in electoral processes and to deter voter fraud, intimidation and violence. Its actions to tackle piracy deserve particular recognition. We commend the EU Naval Force for its work off the Horn of Africa, which has contributed to reducing Somali piracy to its lowest level since 2008.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“Australia and the EU are very close partners in global security. We work together in Afghanistan. We cooperate closely on aid delivery through joint projects in the Pacific and Indonesia, and this will soon extend to delegated cooperation arrangements elsewhere, including South Sudan and Fiji. We work closely in international sanctions regimes. We acutely recognize that the EU and its member States play a very substantial role as partners to the United Nations. Together they form the single largest financial contributor to the United Nations system, providing a sizeable proportion of the United Nations regular budget, at almost 40 per cent, and to the United Nations peacekeeping budget, at over 40 per cent. Of course, its support is absolutely indispensable to United Nations funds and programmes.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“Regional tensions in the Middle East will only increase, as we know, unless Iran engages with the five plus one process and cooperates fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Australia appreciates the EU's critical role in pursuing dialogue with Iran to find a diplomatic solution to the international community's strong concerns about its nuclear programmes. We commend the High Representative for her personal engagement on the Middle East peace process and the Iran nuclear issue. We also commend her role in relation to Kosovo, an issue the Council will consider next week. By mediating high-level dialogue, the EU has certainly helped to open a new constructive phase in negotiations, which has been achieving progress towards agreed solutions to outstanding differences between Belgrade and Pristina.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“We will continue to work together with the EU in support of Joint Special Representative Brahimi, and agree that the Council needs to provide clearer support soon to his complex mission. We will also continue to work closely with the EU to advance one particular aspect of our collective humanitarian effort - the protection of medical workers and facilities in Syria. This is a decisive year for the Middle East peace process. The prospect ofa two-State solution is quickly disappearing. We agree with the High Representative that it is time for new effort to resuscitate the peace process. The continued support of the EU to the Palestinian Authority and its active participation in the Quartet remains essential. EU activism in support of renewed negotiations will be influential.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“Alongside that security effort, the EU's very significant humanitarian and development assistance is an important contribution to restoring stability in that country. On the Syrian Arab Republic, we share the EU view that the international community must do everything it can to promote a credible Syrian-led political transition to realize the legitimate aspirations ofthe Syrian people. We also support the EU's view that those responsible for serious crimes in Syria should be held accountable. We appreciate the very significant contribution the EU is making to provide humanitarian assistance, and we encourage the EU in its efforts to ensure that its aid is delivered as effectively as possible.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“We will certainly be working closely with all Council members, including members of the EU, to achieve that quickly. We welcome the role the EU plays in Africa in support of the African Union. The EU's assistance to the African Union Mission in Somalia has been central to the Mission's role in achieving security gains, which in turn have helped bring Somalia to a point where it can embrace the best chance it has had in a generation to build sustainable peace and stability. We acknowledge and appreciate the EU's efforts to address the crisis in Mali through the EU training mission and support to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) through the Africa Peace Facility. Making AFISMA operational as soon as possible remains vital whatever the final peacekeeping configuration in Mali may be.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“As a long-standing, integrated regional organization that has learned many lessons of its own over the years in developing and improving normative frameworks for dealing with conflict and post-conflict situations, the EU is strongly placed to make a strong contribution in that regard. I would like to thank High Representative Ashton for her hopeful analysis on some of the contemporary issues on the Council's agenda. The EU's engagement on those issues is an indication of its own strong contribution to international peace and security. We endorse her condemnation of North Korea's latest, third nuclear test. The Council itself is united in that condemnation. There have been threats ofa second and even a third nuclear test to follow the one earlier this week. We must now develop a strong draft resolution with tough new sanctions.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“I would like to thank High Representative Ashton for her briefing and welcome her to the Council for the third time in this capacity. Since she last briefed the Council, the European Union (EU) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award recognizes the EU's powerful and historic contribution over six decades in advancing peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights. The EU is, of course, is a unique experiment among nation States, born out of the most violent century in human history. All of us have a keen interest in its success. As the Council now more acutely knows, close cooperation between it and regional organizations, including the EU, can be a decisive component in our collective efforts to maintain international peace and security. Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations recognizes that.”
2013-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6919 (2013) · source
“They are the front line of protection, and they are all too often inadequately resourced for the challenges they face. The Council must not fail them. We should do all we can to better enable them to perform their essential roles.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“All our leaders have pledged to support the responsibility to protect, and we welcome the Council's acknowledgement of this commitment in the draft presidential statement to be adopted today. Fifthly and finally, we believe that we should reform the Council's working methods on the protection of civilians. The time has come to work together on a more regular and formalized mechanism of input to the Council that brings together analysis and trends across the whole protection of civilians agenda. We also believe that an annual report of the Secretary-General is needed. In conclusion, I should like to commend the personnel involved in peacekeeping and political missions, as well as other humanitarian actors and civil society groups, for their enormous service.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“The development of mission-specific training is therefore a further crucial step, and we must maintain our focus on operationalizing effective guidance and training materials. Fourthly, we should foster accountability. Accountability is first and foremost a national responsibility, but the Council has a critical role to play in ensuring accountability. It must exercise its authority, for instance, through referrals to the International Criminal Court and necessary follow-up, and through other mechanisms, including commissions of inquiry and fact-fording missions. And it should, where it needs to, mandate peacekeeping missions to help implement its decisions on accountability. While the responsibility to protect is a different principle from broader efforts to protect civilians, Australia firmly supports the Council's efforts to uphold it.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“We have seen such mechanisms in place in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, through the work of provincial senior management groups on protection, which plan the deployment of joint protection teams and provide an essential link with local communities, who, we know, are often best placed to anticipate and communicate protection risks. We must continue to encourage improvements in and sharing of best practices. Peacekeepers in vastly different peacekeeping operations confront very different obstacles. The threat of conflict-related sexual violence in the Kivus requires a very different response from the response to gang activities in Port-au-Prince or to cattle raiding in Jonglei.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“Parties to conflict must abide by international law, and we support the Secretary-General's recommendation and further action on those issues. Similarly, some 2,000 people, mostly civilians, many women and children, are killed every day as a result of the illicit and irresponsible trade in weapons. We can fix that. We have a historical opportunity with the negotiations in March to achieve a legally binding arms trade treaty. We must not fail in that opportunity. Thirdly, we should enforce the protection of civilians mandates within peacekeeping missions. The Council must lead the way in ensuring that peacekeepers are able to protect civilians. We should be pressing for mission-wide protection strategies, including strategies on early warning and prevention.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“We strongly support the call by the Secretary-General and today's draft presidential statement for the immediate cessation of attacks against medical personnel and facilities. Their deliberate targeting is not only morally abhorrent, it is an unquestioned Violation of international humanitarian law, and my country will continue to work with others to improve the protection of medical personnel and facilities and access to them in Syria. Equally, our draft presidential statement necessarily highlights the imperatives to protect schools, teachers and journalists. Secondly, we should confront the challenge of unregulated small arms and the indiscriminate use of weapons. All too often, as we know, we see explosive weapons being used in densely populated areas. Again, Syria is a particularly egregious example.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“We are already judged by our failure in Syria, and we are failing in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. So what should we do? I will mention five areas. First, we should bring humanitarian access to the fore and do all we can to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. Around the world, tens of millions of civilians continue to suffer every day. Although international humanitarian law requires parties to conflict to respect and protect humanitarian personnel whose work is vital to help those victims, we know that those obligations are not being implemented. We have to do better. Australia is particularly concerned about ongoing attacks against medical workers and facilities, notably today in Syria. More than half of all hospitals there have been damaged or destroyed, and a third of the medical services are not operating.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“My country supports the report's analysis and recommendations, and we will work assiduously with others on the Council, Member States generally, troop- and police-contributing countries and humanitarian actors to take forward those recommendations as a priority. In shouldering the responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Council must do all it can to prevent and respond to threats of violence against civilians, particularly the most vulnerable, namely, women and children. Protection is not just at the core of the Council's responsibility, it should also be, it must be, the Council's moral compass. More than any other issue, we will be judged by our actions and by our failures to act in response to protection challenges.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“As a member of the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians, Australia associates itself with the statement to be delivered later today by the representative of Switzerland on behalf of the Group. As the Secretary-General has said, the situation with regard to the protection of civilians is, and I use his word, "abysmal". The situation of the most vulnerable - women and children - violates our humanity. There is what should be seen as an irresistible case for the Council and the United Nations system to focus sharply on strengthening efforts to meet the five core challenges that the Secretary-General has identified in his latest report (S/2012/376).”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“Ithank you, Mr. President, for the Republic of Korea's leadership in convening this debate today and for Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan's presence with us today as well. I also welcome the participation ofthe Foreign Ministers of Azerbaij an and Rwanda, as well as the Foreign Minister of Brazil and the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. I also thank the Secretary-General, of course, for his consistent leadership on protection in all its dimensions and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay, and the Director for International Law and Cooperation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Philip Spoerri, for their indefatigable and irreplaceable efforts.”
2013-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6917 (2013) · source
“To conclude, as we approach the third year of the Syrian conflict, our collective efforts obviously must be directed towards an immediate end to the Violence, the realization of a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of all of Syria's citizens, ensuring accountability for the crimes that are being committed and planning for post-conflict stabilization assistance to help rebuild Syria. The Council must play a decisive role in all of that.”
2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906 (2013) · source
“As we know all too starkly, the humanitarian dimension of the conflict continues to worsen, increasing the need for international support, including through the current United Nations appeals. The meeting in Kuwait at the end of this month will be an essential opportunity to galvanize further support. Like many others, Australia is particularly concerned about securing adherence to international humanitarian law and ensuring the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel. We have advanced a humanitarian initiative for protecting medical facilities and workers in Syria, which is a major priority for us. We will continue to work with other countries to secure a commitment from all sides in the conflict not to target medical personnel, not to block access to doctors and hospitals, and not to attack medical facilities.”
2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906 (2013) · source
“President Al-Assad has had many opportunities to end the brutality against his own people. We have seen nothing that would suggest that he is willing to engage in meaningful negotiations. His speech on 6 January was not a step on the road to peace; it led down a cul-de-sac. He must step down now. Australia joined more than 100 countries at the December Friends of Syria meeting in Marrakesh in acknowledging the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. We are working with partners to ensure that the National Coalition is a responsible representative of the Syrian people. It is imperative that it abide by the norms of international humanitarian law.”
2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906 (2013) · source
“We also call on both sides to refrain from further actions that undermine confidence and damage the prospects for negotiations to resume. The worsening conflict in Syria will soon enter its third year. The assessment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that the death toll has reached at least 60,000 should shock us. As a member of the Security Council, Australia will work to encourage a strong and unified response to bring about a process of political transition. We support the work of Joint Special Representative Brahimi, including his call for strong backing from the Council to enhance the prospects for transition. The Council needs to take a fresh look at how it can best support Mr. Brahimi's efforts. Continued inaction will only condemn Syrians to further bloodshed and the region to greater instability.”
2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906 (2013) · source
“We call on those countries in a position to do so to provide further financial support to the Authority. Australia has made a five-year commitment. It is also vital that tax transfers to the Authority be resumed. Like all of us, Australia wants to see a secure Israel living in peace alongside a viable Palestinian State. Lasting security for Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian State cannot be achieved by unilateral actions. They can be achieved only through negotiation of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 boundaries, with agreed land swaps. Australia calls on Israel and the Palestinians to return to direct negotiations in good faith and prepared to make the compromises required by both sides to achieve a settlement.”
2013-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6906 (2013) · source