YouSaid · the spoken record

Rabab Fatima

lines on the record: 247
first: 2020-04-23
most recent: 2021-10-21
sittings or episodes: 32
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

“As a clear manifestation of our unwavering support for the people of Palestine, we fully endorse the calls to ensure the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the rights of self-determination, and the achievement of a two-State solution based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The international community must turn the culture of inaction around and stop allowing impunity. It must prevail upon Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territory. Bangladesh reiterates that the lack of accountability for Israel’s ongoing violations has only encouraged such impunity, which is undermining any potential S/2020/1055 to achieve a just and peaceful solution in accordance with the relevant resolutions and other peace initiatives.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“They directly contravene all relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2334 (2016). Israel must cease demolitions and seizures of Palestinian property and should allow Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to develop their communities, in line with this resolution. Our own struggle for independence and the painful experience of enduring the worst form of genocide in 1971 has inspired us to always advocate in favour of the oppressed people of the world. This has been the very premise of Bangladesh’s unwavering support for the cause of Palestine.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“Deplorable humanitarian and socioeconomic conditions in Gaza resulting from Israel’s 13-year blockade, which has inflicted severe deprivation and hunger on Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants, have been worsened by hyperunemployment and dismal basic services, particularly in the context of the pandemic. Added to this misery, there have been increased incidents of demolition of Palestinian structures, settlement expansion and settler violence in West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. These will further exacerbate the economic and humanitarian impact of the spread of COVID-19 in Gaza and the West Bank. All the foregoing actions by Israel constitute egregious violations of international law, including the United Nations Charter and the Fourth Geneva Convention.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“Israel continues to exploit the pandemic, aggressively advancing its settlement colonization and annexation schemes, entrenching its 53-year military occupation of the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. Just a few days ago, on 14 and 15 October, the Israeli Government approved the construction of another 5,000 settlement units in the occupied territory, primarily in areas deep inside the West Bank. We remain deeply troubled by the continuation of such illegal practices by Israel, which are tantamount to grave violations of human rights of the Palestinian people. We call upon the international community to impress upon Israel the necessity of halting its systematic violation of international humanitarian law and human rights principles.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“I would like to commend the Russian Federation presidency of the Security Council for its successful stewardship of the work of the Council in October. I would also like to thank the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, for his comprehensive briefing on, and continued commitment, to peace in the Middle East, including Palestine. My delegation aligns itself with the statement submitted by the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (annex 48). While the entire world is overburdened with the challenges of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the people of Palestine under occupation face not only the challenge of the virus but an even bigger crisis due to the ongoing and escalating illegal policies and practices of Israel, the occupying Power.”
2020-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1055 (2020) · source
“Yet sectors that flourished during the pandemic — such as e-commerce, telemedicine, online education, as well as building the digital backbone — are areas where such partnerships could potentially be envisaged. The Security Council can play a convening role in such contexts to facilitate a system-wide push towards the sustaining peace agenda. In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm Bangladesh’s commitment to peacebuilding and sustaining peace and our willingness to remain engaged in further strengthening the United Nations peacebuilding architecture at a time when peacebuilding and conflict prevention have become more challenging.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Finally, the Peacebuilding Commission could play a more concrete role in mobilizing funding to respond to increased peacebuilding challenges linked to the COVID-19 crisis in the most fragile countries and vulnerable sectors of societies, including women and girls, by deepening partnerships with international and regional financial institutions, as well as with non-traditional actors such as private corporations and philanthropic organizations. Attracting private-sector funding for peacebuilding may not be easy when the global economy as a whole is contracting, let alone when it comes to the economies of countries emerging from conflict.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Current movement restrictions provide an opportunity to think about how to be more inclusive, since we have been able to work from home but still connect to each other. New actors can be included in the conversation as we create more robust virtual platforms. It can also change dynamics within societies. For example, since the disease affects young people to a lesser extent, it gives them an opportunity to be more active and meaningful contributors to building peace in their societies.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Fifthly, as recommended in the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2020/773) on the comprehensive review of the peacebuilding architecture, the Peacebuilding Commission should enhance its partnership with regional and subregional organizations, including the African Union Peace and Security Council. That has become more relevant in the context of the pandemic. Greater engagement between the Council and such regional and subregional peace and security organizations could be the way forward. That would help customize peacebuilding activities to regional and subregional realities, and hence make them more effective. Sixthly, specific initiatives could be piloted in countries on the agenda.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Thirdly, in the changed situations on the ground brought about by the pandemic, peacebuilding efforts can draw upon the adjustments already being exercised by peacekeeping in certain common areas. Reorientation in community outreach, the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, addressing infodemics, and the protection of civilians could be some such areas to consider. Fourthly, the Secretary-General’s global ceasefire appeal and resolution 2532 (2020) could be used as the leveraging tools for rallying national Governments and warring parties to peacebuilding efforts. In that regard, the Security Council’s explicit support for the work of the PBC will be crucial.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“The United Nations system, national Governments and international partners should avoid focusing only on emergency response; rather, all should collaborate to work across the three pillars. Given that the risk factors for violence may be increasing during this crisis, building back better is also an opportunity to promote peaceful societies. Secondly, the activities of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in supporting conflict-affected countries must factor in the need for investing more in State institutions, including those dealing with health, law enforcement, disaster management, food security and education. Peacebuilding Fund projects should take this duly into consideration.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“National Governments in conflict-affected countries are doing their best to save lives and mitigate the worst socioeconomic impacts. However, efforts by national Governments alone will not be enough to tackle the crisis; they need to be complemented through responsible and collaborative approaches from the international community. Let me share my thoughts for addressing the many impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on peacebuilding and sustaining peace. First, a system-wide implementation of the sustaining peace approach is critical to ensure that the United Nations response contributes to decreasing risks of violent conflict in the longer term, including efforts to build back better. In this context, the value of the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus in particular gains more relevance.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“It is therefore important that countries’ immediate response and longer-term investments address these realities in order to avoid exacerbating existing sources of fragility and instead help build resilience, to both this crisis and future shocks. To achieve this, a major reorientation of peacebuilding approaches to respond to this multidimensional threat is required. Such approaches need to be conflict-sensitive and risk-informed, and should incorporate provisions for the most vulnerable and marginalized in society. If not addressed appropriately, our apprehensions are that efforts undertaken may undermine the peacebuilding gains made to date, and complicate future efforts to build more peaceful and inclusive societies.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“Tackling COVID-19 is doubly hard in countries where social and economic conditions were already unstable because of weak governance and State institutions, and unequal access to services for vulnerable populations. Many among them also face compounding challenges, including climate change shocks, forced displacement and food insecurity. In some contexts, Government responses to the unfolding crisis have exposed the existing structural inequalities. We have seen a noticeable increase in gender-based violence and a decline in access to basic services, alongside justice and health care, which disproportionately affects women and girls.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“I thank the Indonesian presidency for organizing today’s high-level debate on this important topic. Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to Her Excellency Mrs. Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, for presiding over this meeting. I thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and Ms. Sarah Cliffe for their insightful briefings. The spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the multidimensional disruptions caused by it is proving to have profound and long-lasting implications for societies, including, in some contexts, inflaming existing grievances and threats facing communities. In particular, this has intensified the challenges of peacebuilding and sustaining peace in countries which are already affected by fragility, conflict and violence.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“We expect the Security Council to continue its lead in that regard and to complement and collaborate with other relevant bodies.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“For that, we need to take a whole-of-society approach, involving key agents, such as the business community, civil society, non-governmental organizations, religious and community leaders and young people. Seventh, the deployment of resources is usually skewed towards anti-terrorism efforts vis-à-vis anti-organized crime efforts. The uneven progress limits overall accomplishment, whereas a balanced resource allocation may better serve to break the linkage between terrorism and organized crimes. Finally, during pandemics or other health emergencies, we need to stop, to the extent possible, the diversion of resources and attention from anti-terrorism and anti-organized crimes efforts. There is no doubt that it is a tall order but it can be achieved through concerted efforts and with international cooperation.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“Digital surveillance and the use of information and communications technology should therefore be strengthened, which would require the capacity enhancement of national Governments. Fifth, women and girls are disproportionately affected by organized crimes, including trafficking. On the other hand, they are capable of making a distinct contribution to prevention efforts. We must therefore redouble our efforts to integrate the gender dimension in national and international campaigns against terrorism and organized crimes. Sixth, terrorist networks and organized criminal networks both recruit from the same social catchment, the prevention of which would serve to disrupt the nexus between the two.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“We must strengthen cooperation on the investigation, prosecution and execution of sentences through the transfer/ extradition of criminals under trial and those who have been convicted. Third, vigorous efforts are needed to ensure the universal acceptance and application of international conventions and related protocols on transnational organized crimes and terrorism. Fourth, organized crime networks and terrorist networks are increasingly abusing digital platforms and specific features of globalization, such as the liberalization of financial markets and electronic and off-shore banking, to expand their unscrupulous activities. Countering extremist propaganda requires digital means.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“The capacity-building of national stakeholders is critical to addressing the menace of terrorism and organized crimes. In close coordination with the United Nations country team, the respective United Nations agencies have been providing such support to Bangladesh. Terrorism is a threat to global peace and the risks of terrorism are compounded by the global network of organized crime. To break that unholy alliance, we must take a holistic approach. In that regard, we wish to make a few points. First, vulnerability, deprivation, repression and desperation lead people to fall prey to terrorist and organized crime networks. National Governments should address such root causes. Second, effective and real time intelligence and information-sharing platforms among Member States need to be established.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“Our Department of Narcotics Control is empowered to investigate possible illicit financial transactions by drug- related accused, dealers or peddlers. To facilitate international cooperation, we have enacted legislation on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the extradition of criminals. We have joined a number of regional initiatives with regard to terrorism and organized crimes within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. That is also a manifestation of the importance that our region attaches to the linkage. We have concluded bilateral agreements with others, including our neighbours, in the areas of international terrorism, organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“Our anti-terrorism law automatically transposes United Nations designations into domestic obligations to prohibit any kind of funding to Security Council-listed persons and entities, freezing their assets, et cetera. Furthermore, we were the first among South Asian nations to enact an anti-money laundering law, which defines terrorist financing as one of the 27 predicate offences. To address human trafficking, people smuggling and related criminal activities, Bangladesh has adopted laws and rules in strict compliance with international standards, including the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crimes and the Palermo Protocol. We are a State party to both. The implementation of a national action plan to combat human trafficking is under way, involving all key stakeholders, including the CSOs.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“These new challenges require due understanding, recognition and new dispensations. The Council’s attention to this issue at this trying time is therefore reassuring. Bangladesh maintains a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and organized crimes. We have been investing heavily in these areas through various preventive measures, which include awareness-raising, community engagement and resilience, the empowerment of women, creating opportunities for young people through the digital Bangladesh campaign, et cetera. We have developed a strong legal and regulatory framework to address terrorism, which also takes into account the potent linkage between terrorism and organized crimes. Let me share some of our national efforts.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“I thank the Indonesian presidency for organizing this virtual high-level open debate. I also express my sincere appreciation to Under-Secretary-General Voronkov and Executive Director Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly for their insightful briefing. The coronavirus disease pandemic has brought about new dimensions in the growing linkages between terrorism and organized crimes. As the State security apparatus remains seized with the pandemic, organized criminal networks are getting increasing leeway. Movement restrictions have increased the use of irregular transaction channels, creating favourable conditions for criminals and terrorists alike. The closure of educational institutions has led young people to immerse themselves more in the cyberworld, making them susceptible to online criminal activities, including violent extremism.”
2020-08-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/791 (2020) · source
“The threat of annexation has made the international community’s greater resolve and renewed action to carry forward the political process more imperative than ever before. We expect the Security Council to redouble its efforts to stop Israel’s illegal and unilateral annexation plan of the Palestinian territory, in fulfilment of its Charter obligations, through the implementation of its relevant resolutions, particularly resolution 2334 (2016). As for us, we will continue to firmly stand by the cause of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination until the establishment of the State of Palestine on the basis of the two-State solution and the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“Therefore, the United Nations COVID-19 revised response plan for the occupied Palestinian territory, the UNRWA COVID-19 response flash appeal and the Agency’s core programme budget require immediate support. We call upon the international community to come up with generous and predictable funding and technical assistance to enable UNRWA to continue its work, which is a lifeline for Palestinians. A multilateral effort is the only way to bring about lasting peace in the Middle East and resolve the Palestinian crisis. Bangladesh believes that the timely implementation of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Quartet road map and the Arab Peace Initiative is of singular importance in that regard.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“The unabated construction of settlements, the land confiscation, the demolition of Palestinian homes and properties and the blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel also need to be halted. The sanctity of Islamic and Christian holy places, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque, must be maintained at all costs. We remain deeply concerned by the continued socioeconomic downturn and deteriorating humanitarian condition of the Palestinian people, which has been further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The international community must ensure that Israel allows unfettered access for humanitarian and medical assistance for the Palestinians to confront the pandemic. The pandemic has put a greater demand on the perennially outstretched capacity of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“The annexation plan, if implemented, will have acutely adverse economic, political, humanitarian and human rights ramifications in the occupied Palestinian territory. It will have grave consequences for peace in the Middle East. Above all, it will pose a serious impediment to the efforts of the international community and the United Nations to advance the international peace and security agenda. We therefore join the international community’s show of global solidarity in urging Israel, the occupying Power, to stop the implementation of its illegal and unilateral annexation plan. Furthermore, these efforts have to be sustained and followed up in the long run. We call upon Israel to bring an end to all violations, provocations and aggressions against the Palestinians, in response to the Secretary- General’s global ceasefire appeal.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“The overall situation in the occupied Palestinian territory unfortunately continues to be characterized by tensions and conflicts, violating the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination. The situation has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid this dual jeopardy, Israel’s illegal and unilateral plan to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and the land on which it established its settlements and the wall, could not be more worrisome. The annexation threat of Israel is a clear and grave violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Fourth Geneva Convention, and contrary to the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and Security Council.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“I would like to begin by congratulating the presidency of Germany on its successful steering of the work of the Security Council for the month of July amid this unprecedented challenging time of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We also thank the German presidency for organizing this important debate. I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for his comprehensive briefing this morning (annex 1). My delegation aligns itself with the statement submitted by the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (annex 47).”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“Commitments relating to conflict-related sexual violence need to be internalized by the entire United Nations system, including at the field level by Resident Coordinators and other United Nations agencies in country teams. This would address the capacity gaps in the security sector, justice system and overall political processes for increasing women’s participation at all levels of peace processes.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“When sexual violence continuously goes unaccounted for, it becomes persistent and often normalized. Such an environment of impunity obstructs peacebuilding and recovery efforts. Hence, accountability and justice need to be prioritized in addressing sexual violence by prioritizing the strengthening of justice mechanisms in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Stronger implementation mechanisms for the Security Council’s women and peace and security agenda are needed at the national, regional and global levels. Only 44 per cent of Member States — 84 — have to date developed national action plans under resolution 1325 (2000). One practical method could be to pursue universalizing national action plans more vigorously. National action plans could serve as an important yardstick to measure progress.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“In addition, there is a need for greater synergies between mandated United Nations entities and the Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women towards ensuring compliance with the General recommendation No. 30 of the Committee, on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations, which obliges the 189 States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to report on the resolutions related to conflict-related sexual violence. We believe the issue of sexual violence cannot be addressed sustainably if the root causes of conflict are not addressed. Discrimination, persecution and subjugation weaken vulnerable and marginalized communities and reduce their ability to prevent incidents of sexual violence at the hands of the parties in conflict.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“The compliance framework suggested by Council resolutions, including resolution 2467 (2019), needs to be fully utilized, especially by regular monitoring at the field level and engagement by the Office of the Special Representative through United Nations country teams to adopt prevention commitments. We see merit in the recommendation of the Secretary-General to strengthen targeted measures against those who do not implement existing obligations and commit, command or condone sexual violence. Coherence between conflict-related sexual violence and targeted measures would indeed send a clear signal underlining the gravity of these violations.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“The international community, including the Council, needs to persuade Myanmar to cooperate with the relevant United Nations entities, including the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Myanmar and other international judicial mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. In the past 20 years, we have made significant progress in developing norms relating to conflict-related sexual violence and its intricate connection with international peace and security. Decisive actions have to be taken to put those norms into practice. To ensure the implementation of Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security, we would like to suggest following actions.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“As presented in the report of the Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Myanmar, sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls was used by Tatmadaw operations as a tactic of war in Rakhine during 2016 and 2017. Even now, the increased fighting between the Myanmar armed forces and various armed groups continues to put the remaining Rohingyas in Myanmar at constant risk of conflict-related sexual violence. The listing of Tatmadaw in the Secretary-General’s report is a step in the right direction. However, unless and until perpetrators are held accountable, the risks will only exacerbate.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Rohingya women have also been made part of the response as agents against security threats, including violent extremism and human trafficking. The list attached to the 2020 report of the Secretary General on conflict- related sexual violence (S/2020/487) names 54 parties who are credibly suspected to committing or being responsible for matters of rape and other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict. Unfortunately, many of those names belong to State machineries. It is appalling to know that over 70 per cent of listed State and non-State parties are persistent perpetrators and have appeared on the list for more than five years.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“The women peacekeepers of Bangladesh provide life-saving services as well as psychosocial support to the victims of conflict-related sexual violence in various war-ravaged zones. To meet the growing demand for women peacekeepers, the action plan also includes specific activities aimed at increasing the recruitment of women into the armed forces and police. The national action plan also addresses the need for capacity-building for local humanitarian actors on gender-responsive and victim-centred humanitarian actions. This has been given particular focus in the light of the Rohingya context. The humanitarian assistance programmes for the Rohingya people led by the Government of Bangladesh along with United Nations and other stakeholders take into account the specific needs of women and girls, including the victims of sexual violence.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“To realize its commitment to combating conflict-related sexual violence in the context of the women and peace and security agenda, Bangladesh recently adopted a national action plan on women and peace and security. Taking into account Bangladesh’s contributions to United Nations peace operations, the action plan includes specific activities to increase the number of women peacekeepers and strengthen knowledge of, and compliance with, obligations relating to conflict- related sexual violence. The action plan includes specific activities to update and localize modules and training materials on mandate aspects relating to conflict- related sexual violence. We are conducting trainings for troops and police personnel on those materials.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Today’s debate, on turning commitments into compliance, taking place on the twentieth anniversary of the women and peace and security agenda, could not be more relevant and timely. Bangladesh itself went through the painful experience of conflict-related sexual violence during its war of liberation in 1971. Over 200,000 women bore its brunt. We took measures for their rehabilitation in 1972. The perpetrators were brought to justice through a trial process, and the contribution of victims was recognized officially. We are having a repeat of that traumatic experience hosting over 1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazaar. More than half of them are women, who suffered the worst forms of sexual violence in Myanmar.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“I thank you and the German presidency for organizing this virtual high-level open debate. I also express my sincere appreciation to Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Nadia Carine Therese Fornel-Poutou, Executive President, Association des Femmes Juristes de Centrafrique, and the representative of civil society for their insightful remarks. As evident in the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/487), sexual violence in conflicts remains a growing concern. Conflict related sexual violence continues unabated, and justice and redress remain elusive. Despite numerous commitments, compliance remains unsatisfactory — in terms of prevention and enforcement alike.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“For example, removing Myanmar’s Tatmadaw from the category “violation of recruitment and use” in the latest report of Secretary- General on children in armed conflict (S/2020/525), despite a threefold increase in violence against children there, sends the wrong message. With such contradictions, it will not be easy to integrate human rights in peace operations. The coronavirus disease pandemic has exacerbated many conflicts and the human rights situations in those countries. It has further reduced the already fragile capacity of conflict-ridden States to promote and protect human rights. This is making peace operations more challenging. In that context, the implementation of the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and the Security Council’s recent resolution 2532 (2020) hold the key to successful peace operations.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“It has to use its authority to urge the host country to find a sustainable political solution and foster institution-building. It also needs to address the ongoing cases of human rights violations in an objective and non-selective manner as part of its responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations. Only then can the State itself gradually take over from peace operations the responsibility of protecting its nationals’ human rights. The Council has to prevent or address ongoing atrocity crimes and end the culture of impunity which, otherwise, will only embolden perpetrators and make peace operations more difficult.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“The civilian component of peace operations needs to be strengthened to ensure greater United Nations engagement with the host Government, local authorities and, wherever applicable, civil society organizations. Such collaboration can help immensely with national capacity-building in the areas of prevention, protection and prosecution of human rights violations, as well as with building trust. Adequate emphasis should be placed on the issues of safety and security of peacekeepers and on accountability for crimes committed against the United Nations personnel, including peacekeepers. Peacekeepers alone cannot fulfil their human rights mandate in situations where the political process for conflict resolution and sustaining peace has not taken root. The Security Council has the responsibility to constantly support peace operations.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“Furthermore, the host Government and local authorities have to be adequately sensitized about their human rights obligations, as well as their responsibility to protect. Otherwise, there is the potential to create mistrust between the peacekeepers and the host authorities, eventually adding to the existing challenges for peacekeepers. To address gross violations of human rights or curb imminent atrocity crimes, peacekeepers need to have access to credible threat assessments conducted in real time by various United Nations mechanisms, such as mission-specific human rights monitoring mechanisms, United Nations monitoring and reporting mechanisms on grave violations of children’s rights and monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“Likewise, the human rights mandate should be met with adequate and appropriate resources based on the specific needs of the mission. For instance, more female peacekeepers need to be deployed in situations where there is higher risk of conflict-related sexual violence against women and children. In order to improve the human rights readiness of peace operations, there should be adequate emphasis on the training and capacity-building of peacekeepers in the United Nations human rights regime. Given that the quality of predeployment training may vary from one country to another and that some of the training may also prove non-operational in the specific mission environment, arrangements should be made for in-mission training based on needs on the ground.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“The experience of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in interacting with victims of human rights violations in conflict settings proved to be of great use in providing critical, life-saving services to the traumatized Rohingyas who had fled persecution in Myanmar. We recognize that the protection of human rights is a key component of the protection of civilian mandate for peacekeepers. Yet we are worried that peacekeepers often lack the wherewithal to deal with such complex and politically sensitive domestic issues. In that regard, we would like to share some of our observations. Peacekeepers are already overstretched with their ever-expanding mandates and limited resources. Therefore, any new mandate should be accompanied by corresponding resource allocations.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“They are providing a variety of health and social services, with their own funding, including free basic medical and veterinary treatment, the distribution of textbooks to schools and the training of women in various income- generating skills. The formed police unit of Bangladesh deployed in Darfur has received special recognition for its work, which includes providing security to the camps, capacity-building for Sudan police, free medical camps and the distribution of schoolbooks. Bangladeshi peacekeepers also protect people from various forms of conflict- related sexual violence and violence against children. Our women peacekeepers have been playing a critical role in providing courage and comfort to the victims of sexual violence.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“Bangladeshi peacekeepers have a proven track record of upholding human rights in their areas of operation. We have made human rights a mandatory component of our peacekeepers’ professional training. In addition, the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations and Training has developed extensive curricula on the protection of civilians mandate as part of predeployment training courses. And the impact is quite visible. In South Sudan, for instance, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been providing security for people living at protection of civilian sites and protecting humanitarian convoys while on route and during distribution of humanitarian services.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“I thank the German presidency for organizing this virtual high-level open debate. I also express my sincere appreciation to Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Mr. David Shearer and the representative of civil society for their insightful remarks. The protection and promotion of human rights are an essential prerequisite for achieving sustained peace. It is particularly important in the context of conflict and post-conflict situations, where nascent local and national institutions lack the resources and capacity to address gross human rights violations and where societies often run the persistent risk of relapsing into violence. As a State party to all major international human rights instruments, including the two Covenants and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Bangladesh is deeply committed to the cause of human rights.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source