YouSaid · the spoken record

Ramirez Carrefio

lines on the record: 1,445
first: 2015-01-19
most recent: 2017-10-31
sittings or episodes: 151
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

“In conclusion, this open debate provides an opportune moment to recall the legacy of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who, in 2004, pointed out that at the time there was greater fatigue concerning problems on the African content than there were 5 or 10 years before then. The former Secretary-General also asserted that the situation had been much worse. Today, more than 12 years later, his remarks remain fully valid. We therefore encourage the international community to support in a decisive and continuous manner the efforts to promote peace, stability and economic and social development of Africa.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“That is the course of action that would be most beneficial in addressing shared challenges, such as addressing the structural causes of conflicts that threaten peace and security on the African continent, including poverty, foreign interference, the exclusion of their people, as well as addressing the great challenges facing the continent, such as the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and the migrant crisis, transnational organized crime, particularly in the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa, and the resolution of latent conflicts, such as the conflict of Western Sahara.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“For Venezuela it is vital to prioritize the role that can be played by regional and subregional organizations in the peaceful and political resolution of conflicts and in preventing them, and in the formulation of coordinated maintenance and consolidation strategies for peacekeeping and peacebuilding, since it is clear to us that the Security Council on its own is not sufficient to meet the peace and security challenges ofthe African continent, and that the African Union has a recognized authority and political legitimacy in the region. Hence, the relationship between our distinct bodies should be one of complementarity. That is why Venezuela considers it imperative to continue to strengthen the cooperation and strategic partnership between the two bodies.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Hence, we hope for the timely conclusion of a joint United Nations-African Union framework for an enhanced partnership on peace and security, the platform of which will guide the commitment of both organizations before, during and after conflicts. Moreover, we would like to highlight that during our presidency of the Council in February we held an open debate on peacebuilding (see S/Pv.7621), the result of which was a confirmation of the synergies that should exist between the two institutions in order to promote peace and the development of countries emerging from conflict and to prevent them from lapsing back into such situations.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“As such, the relationship between the Security Council and the United Nations and the African Union Peace and Security Council must improve and be strengthened. That was one of the main elements considered in the context of the comprehensive review of the question of peacekeeping operations in 2015. We believe it necessary to continue making progress in the consolidation and strengthening of those operations and in the development of common and integrated strategies to address emerging challenges in Africa, based on mutual responsibilities and comparative advantages between them, with a View to achieving better coordination and synergy between the two bodies.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Western Sahara provides another example of the lack of inclusion and the policy of double standards used by the Security Council on all African issues. The Council has been unable to react to the operational weakening of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, and to the refusal of some members to allow the representative of the African Union for Western Sahara to address the Security Council. In that regard, it should be recalled that resolution 690 (1991) gives the African Union an important role in support of the United Nations as a facilitator of the organization and supervision of a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, the last existing colony in Africa.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Similarly, it is paradoxical that, despite the African Union's position as a vital United Nations partner in matters of peace and security, the assessments and observations of our African brothers on certain issues, including on the question of Western Sahara and the migrant crisis, are not taken into account. It is worth recalling that Venezuela abstained in the voting on resolution 2240 (2015), concerning the migrant crisis, adopted by the Security Council. We believe that the resolution did not address the concerns of African countries, which were the ones most affected by the migrant crisis. The Observer for the African Union was not even allowed to participate in the debate, and Chapter VII of the Charter was cited to address a problem that is multidimensional and from which the African people continue to suffer.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Another example of that situation was the hasty application of coercive measures under the prerogatives of Chapter VII of the Charter in Libya in 2011. African Union mediation efforts already in progress were dismissed by the decision of the Council. Five years later, we continue to suffer the serious consequences of that unfortunate decision and the actions of the international community in Libya - foreign intervention - led to the institutional collapse of the Libyan State, the destabilization of North Africa and, among other things, contributed to the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons in the subregion, phenomena that fuel many of today's conflicts and result in bloodshed for African peoples.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Unfortunately, we have noted with concern the Council's tendency to apply measures under in Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations - instead of giving priority to Chapters VI and VIII, which confer a significant role to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to regional arrangements - neglecting the need to include the African Union in those processes. Constant interference in the internal affairs of African countries remains a critical factor of destabilization and conflict on the continent. Unfortunately, the national interests of some members of the Council in relation to the countries and conflicts in Africa has turned this organ into an element of interference and pressure, as evidenced by the fact that about 70 per cent of Council sanctions regimes are applied to African countries.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“In that regard, my country recognizes the fundamental mediation role that the African Union has been playing in the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa within the framework of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the 2016-2020 road map for the African Peace and Security Architecture. Likewise, we highlight the initiative entitled "Silencing the Guns: Prerequisites for Realizing a Conflict-Free Africa by the Year 2020". It is crucial that the Security Council allow the African Union to play a more active role when it comes time to take action on issues concerning that region.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Despite the trauma of colonialism, Africa has built its own institutions and established its own structures in the framework of the African Union, the best setting in which to confront challenges in the areas of peace, security and development facing the African continent. The legitimacy of the African Union has allowed it to become a point of reference in the resolution of its own problems and challenges. Given that the agenda of the Security Council largely remains focused on addressing issues that threaten peace and security on the African continent, it is even more necessary to consolidate and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two multilateral forums at the operational, political and tactical levels, and on the basis of mutual respect.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“The efforts of the United Nations in Africa should take place in a context that takes into account the root causes of many of the conflicts that are currently affecting that region, which date back to the colonialism that affected the continent until the middle of the twentieth century and which have led to territorial, ethnic and religious divisions motivated by imperialist interests. Despite those obstacles, the peoples and the countries of Africa managed to achieve independence following years ofbloody wars ofliberation, exemplified by men such as Gamel Abdel Nasser, Ahmed Ben Bella, Patrice Lumumba and Nelson Mandela, who played decisive roles in those movements aimed at achieving independence, justice, democracy and human rights.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Haile Menkerios; Ambassador Tete Antonio, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations; and the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Macharia Kamau. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela highly values the role of regional entities in the peaceful settlement and mediation of conflicts, given the successful experience of Latin America and the Caribbean through bodies such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Union of South American Nations. Our country also values the close relationship it has with African countries, as evidenced by the conclusion of the second Summit of Heads of State and Government of South America and Africa held on Margarita Island in 2009.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carreflo (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation would like to thank Egypt, in its capacity as President of the Security Council, for having convened this important open debate to discuss cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union in the areas of peace and security, especially as it refers to the future of the African Peace and Security Architecture in the framework of the implementation of the provisions set out in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, on regional arrangements. Similarly, we appreciate the briefings made by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Herve' Ladsous; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union, Mr.”
2016-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7694 (2016) · source
“In that regard, we believe that the adoption of a future convention against terrorism would serve as a complement to the host of existing international legal instruments by arriving at a definition that makes it possible to strengthen consensus in this domain.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Those prolonged crises further exacerbate conflicts and serve as a breeding ground for violent extremism and terrorism, transnational crime, the flow of financial resources for the recruitment and training of foreign terrorist fighters, thereby improving the capacity of terrorist groups to act. Lastly, we believe that the international community must continue to develop, implement and strengthen strategies adapted to each individual case and national circumstances with a view to eliminate the ability of terrorist groups to act, all the while with strict respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Addressing the root causes of this odious phenomenon and developing effective and innovative strategies to counter the extremist narratives of terrorists and stimulate critical thinking in society with a View to preventing radicalization, recruitment and the mobilization of resources, including inappropriate use of information and communication technologies - that is a battle that we must wage honestly, for it is one that involves all countries in the United Nations. Likewise, we believe that a long-term solution to the threats we face also requires finding political and peaceful solutions to the conflicts in countries such as Syria, Libya and Yemen and to the Palestinian question.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Such actions are deliberate attacks on international peace and security, in addition to being flagrant violations of international law. In that context, we once again underscore the importance of prevention in this exceedingly important fight. It is important to adopt measures aimed at undermining the clear strategy and ideologies of extremist groups, which have assigned themselves the task of fomenting violence and intolerance.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“An ideology of intolerance and violence, with little regard for life or the most fundamental values human coexistence, is a hallmark of these terrorist movements, and we must fight it in a unified manner. When it comes to this issue there must be no double standards in the Security Council. There is no such thing as good and bad terrorists. It is a matter of concern that somehow, as part of geopolitical goals on the part of some Powers on the Security Council, there is tolerance for the raising of the banners of death and terrorism and imposing a culture of death. Venezuela reiterates its categorical rejection of acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whatever the motivations and wherever by whomever such acts are committed.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“What never ceases to surprise is how terrorism and extremism deploy enormous technological and communications capability to broadcast their extremist messages and ideologies with political aims and for destabilizing purposes. In that regard, it is up to technology and media companies to make efforts to prevent those platforms for being used as echo chambers for terrorism and extremism. Statements have been made that this technology is being used for espionage and political intervention. As such, the States and actors involved must assume their responsibilities so that such heinous practices are not repeated or be made available for terrorism. The last aspect of the phenomenon of terrorism has to do with the nature of its ideology.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“This encourages many young people outside those countries to feel that joining the Governments undermined by this narrative is a form of so-called just war in which they must participate. Another key element that must be borne in mind is technology, which allows for the rapid and widespread dissemination of the messages of extremists and terrorists. We are stupefied to see how skillfully terrorists and extremists use the same political tools and information and communications technology that some countries use to attack others. They use such tools in what some theorists have called fourth-generation warfare - strategies which, I regret to say, have been applied to many countries in the world.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“How have more than 30,000 foreign fighters entered Syria and Iraq to join the umbrella terrorist groups operating there? Why do those foreigners, many of them from Europe or the Middle East, embrace the cause of terror? What goes on in the minds of such young people in their home countries that would bring them to make such a decision? In that regard, we point to the discrimination and segregation suffered by many young people of the Muslim minority who have grown up in European societies. Alongside all ofthat, we must also take into account the narrative of some Governments of the West or of the Middle East that promote propaganda and systematic attacks against countries that they wish to destabilize or in which they seek to intervene militarily.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Unfortunately, the overlap among militias, other non-State armed groups and terrorist and extremist groups in the region is becoming increasingly obtuse and confused within the dynamic of war and death. We cannot ignore that crucial factor because as long as there is no explanation as to why such groups dedicate themselves to terrorism yet enjoy extraordinary logistical and financial support, in some cases surpassing the capacities of States. Moreover, there is a huge quantity of arms that are euphemistically called "small" and "light" but often include large-bore weapons that have been hijacked or distributed by terrorist groups and flow throughout the Middle East and North Africa, sewing death among civilians. All of the factors we have just mentioned do not explain another key aspect of the terrorism narrative.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Today, we see many of those violent non-State actors spreading throughout the region and joined the terrorist groups that are shedding blood across the Middle East and North Africa. The lack of Governments and society's loss of capacity to come together under institutional control in the region has resulted in a scenario conducive to the proliferation of militias and other violent non-State actors, as well as those who protect, arm and finance them from abroad. The evidence is clear on that and we have all seen it. Those violent groups that enjoy access to a huge arsenal of weapons, financing and political and ideological backing are transformed into the terrorist groups.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“That is an entirely false connection and we roundly reject it. In the West, such erroneous ideas have given rise to the fact that the Islamic faith is misunderstood and misinterpreted, which has led to discrimination and persecution in certain societies. I also note and denounce, as a basic driver of the resurgence of terrorism, the linking of terrorism to the destabilization ofa given region. I refer to the strategies of various nations that promote and support the establishment of violent non-State actors, who through their actions weaken and contribute to the downfall of Governments that do not please the countries that back and in many cases finance such actors.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“That has given rise to societies in those countries that have been traumatized by violence and become breeding grounds for young people who join non-State armed groups, militias or terrorist groups. Against that backdrop, the lack of opportunity generated by the destruction of the economy due to the ravages of interventionist wars and civil conflicts must be taken into account, as it has a major impact on young people, who see themselves trapped by poverty, frustration and despair. Another factor that must be considered is religion. Venezuela believes that terrorism cannot and should not be ascribed with any race, religion or people. Nonetheless, we are struck by the fact that in various instances, for political and ideological ends, some elements have attempted to paint Islam as the religious and ethical source of terrorism.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“The destruction of the State's institutional fabric and the resulting vacuum has allowed religious sectarianism to displace the political groups that previously supported the Governments of of the Middle Eastern and North African countries that suffered foreign military interventionism, particularly Iraq and Libya, leaving the civilian population at the mercy of the influence and actions of the terrorist groups. In some cases, as we are already well aware, foreign intervention has led to the breakdown of States, including their de facto and de jure disappearance. Another aspect to take into account in addressing the phenomenon of terrorism is the sociological outcome of the fact that those countries now have a generation of young people - entire societies - that, in the past 15 years, have known no other way of life than war and conflict.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“That has happened not only as a result of the brutal nature of war, but rather, in many cases, as the direct objective of the invading and occupying forces. The State, as the body responsible for all education, health care, cultural and law enforcement institutions and the armed forces, is the only entity capable of containing the spread of terrorism. Its weakening in those countries prevents it from effectively fulfilling that containment function.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“We must therefore ask ourselves why this is happening precisely now and precisely in those regions. If we do not take the time to engage in a multidimensional analysis of the root causes of the phenomenon, we risk overlooking certain key elements as part of a discussion capable of combating the extremist and terrorism narrative. Terrorism, as the most acute expression of Violent extremism, is the result of accumulated factors that have impacted the Middle East and North Africa in recent years. The key factor, in our perspective, is the violent foreign intervention that took place in Iraq and Libya and is currently under way in Syria. As a result of such egregious interventionism, the institutional framework of those States has collapsed throughout most of their territory.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Steven Crown, Vice-President and Deputy General Council of Microsoft for their briefings. Ijoin others in conveying my country's condolences to those Ministers here present in the light of the recent terrorist attacks suffered by their people, and express our unwavering rejection of such actions. The phenomenon of terrorism is nothing new. It has appeared throughout history as the most violent political expression. That said, the subject joining us together today, as expressed in the concept note (S/2016/4l6, annex), is the concern that in recent years we have seen in the Middle East and North Africa the spread of terrorism and its transformation into a global phenomenon by way of the terrible attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, the Al-Nusra Front and Boko Haram, inter alia.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carrefio (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): We should like at the outset to thank the delegation of Egypt for having convened today's open debate on a matter of such great importance. This meeting has elicited great interest within the international community, as evidenced by the fact that some 70 participants have asked to speak. It is also taking place concurrently with the General Assembly's review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy - a most timely juncture. We also convey our respects to His Excellency Mr. Sameh Shokry Selim, Minister for Foreign Affairs ofthe Arab Republic of Egypt, a country that is a friend to Venezuela. We also thank Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson; Mr. Mohi El-Din Afifi, Secretary- General of Al Azhar Islamic Research Academy; and Mr.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Our country, Venezuela, with the contributions that it may be able to make from the political, ethical and moral perspectives, will do everything possible to ensure and help efforts to stop the horrors of war that we are seeing. It is most important that we achieve peace and enable the medical personnel to continue to carry out their extraordinary humanitarian work in favour of life and humankind.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“As the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres said earlier, it is difficult for them to carry out their humanitarian work. We believe that we must all assist so as to ensure that that situation is resolved and that the Security Council takes action. Finally, I recall that all States Members of the United Nations are duty-bound to protect their civilians and abide by the resolutions linked to international humanitarian law. We also believe that the proposal to have the Secretary-General report on the implementation of this resolution on a country-specific basis and brief the Security Council once a year on its implementation is very important.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“We believe that attacking humanitarian targets and hospital facilities has become a deliberate act as a way of discouraging the civilian population - as we saw in the previous Israeli campaign against the Palestinian people - in full knowledge of what they were bombing. Yet they still bombed those facilities. As far as we are concerned, such violations of international humanitarian law are war crimes. Ignoring the law is not a excuse for anyone. We believe that the situations that have occurred must be investigated impartially, and the perpetrators cannot serve as judge and jury in that type of situation. We believe that such violations not only jeopardize the well-being, security and lives of millions of civilians and deepen the crisis, but also represent an extraordinary challenge for medical and humanitarian personnel.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“There are no deaths or victims of one category or another. They are all victims of barbarism, wherever it takes place and for whatever reason or motive. It is difficult for us to understand how it is possible, at a time when we are using weapons with such technological precision capable of killing remotely or via satellite link-up at whatever distance, that there could be errors and hospitals could be bombed, despite the fact that they are public facilities whose locations are well known. Their location is public knowledge to all parties to the conflict, and indeed there may even be warning protocols in place in situations to avoid the bombing of such facilities. We do not understand how that can take place, neither do we understand how they can be cited as errors.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“We are witnessing a descent into barbarism in absolute violation of international law, and we must ensure that it is stopped and avoided once and for all, starting here, the Security Council. We should be worried that, instead of leading to concrete action on the ground, the resolution become just another political rhetorical step serving countries' specific interests, thus making the resolution merely an instrument of propaganda favouring one side or another. We believe that humanitarian and medical personnel do not deserve that this discussion becomes an issue of propaganda and confrontation among the very countries that are confronting one another in the field of battle. We believe that such violations of international humanitarian law must be dealt with transparently and on an equal footing.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“The resolution that we have just adopted cannot be allowed to be simply diplomatic rhetoric. To begin, I wish to state that members of the Security Council that participate in coalitions, wars or invasions are the very ones who must begin by recognizing their actions in contravention of international humanitarian. They must prevent their allies or armies from participating in those types of crimes. We believe that the first concrete step that must be taken by the Security Council is to ensure that its members who participate in such conflicts, coalitions or wars denounce and punish their allies or armies that flagrantly flout the laws that we are discussing today.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“It cannot be tolerated that hospitals are bombed, that doctors and the wounded and sick are murdered in hospitals themselves, or even burned alive, as the Secretary- General mentioned. It seems that for many, life no longer has any value. We are witnessing conflicts that dragging humankind back to times of fascism and lethal wars that are not regulated in any way. Venezuela has never participated in a war or armed conflict since our War of Independence freed us 200 years ago. We have never participated or nor will we participate in a confrontation as part of any coalition of war or destruction, and we will never invade another country. For that reason, we clearly understand the indignation and frustration of the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“We would like to highlight the particular degree of transparency with which the negotiations were held, which is an excellent example of the way in which we should work. We are grateful for the initiative of Uruguay, Spain, New Zealand, Japan and Egypt in moving forward the resolution. We think this resolution is an appropriate political response to the grave, systematic violations of international humanitarian law, especially of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, as well as the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, that take place daily in today's bloody armed conflicts in important regions of the world, in particular the Middle East and Africa. We find it unacceptable that health workers and medical personnel have become targets in war zones.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“I should not like to pass up this opportunity to thank the thousands of humanitarian workers, doctors and other health staff, many of them working unrecognized and in a selfless manner, who daily willingly risk their lives in the noble task of saving lives and alleviating human suffering in such cruel conflict situations as the ones we are seeing today. What they do sets an outstanding example of humanity and hope for peoples being pummelled by violence and horror. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomes the adoption ofresolution 2286 (2016), on the protection of wounded and sick people and health personnel, facilities and means of transport in the context of armed conflicts. We are proud to have been among its sponsors.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carreflo (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): As this is the first time we take the floor in a public meeting this month, I would like to reiterate our congratulations to the delegation of Egypt on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We once again express to you, Sir, our support in ensuring that your leadership of this organ achieves full success. We would also like to thank the Chinese delegation for its work last month. We thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his excellent, forthright views. And we thank Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as Ms. Joanne Liu, President of Medecins Sans Frontieres, for their briefings today. We think it was very useful to hear their perspectives as part of this Council meeting.”
2016-05-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7685 (2016) · source
“With it, we have lost an opportunity to send a strong message to the parties demanding the restoration of MINURSO's civilian personnel, whose work we support and appreciate as the only means ensuring the maintenance of the ceasefire over the past 25 years and more. We also demand that negotiations be resumed with a view to holding a referendum on self-determination. Lastly, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regrets the fact that we have lost an opportunity to reassert the Security Council's responsibility to work for a just solution when the people of Western Sahara have been waiting for more than 40 years to be able to overcome their situation, that of the last remaining colony on our brotherly continent of Africa.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“MINURSO should continue to cooperate and to immediately re-establish its operational and political capacities in order to ensure that it can fulfil its mandate, so as to deal with the difficult situation facing displaced and separated Sahrawi families and enable them to live in dignity on the land that belongs to them, in their own country. The Security Council's lack of action on such an urgent and serious issue is unacceptable. We have said that to other Council members in our closed meetings, and we continue to condemn it and to refuse to validate it. The situation regarding Morocco's treatment of MINURSO and its mandate is completely irregular and has been validated in a weak Security Council resolution, which we reject.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela recognizes and supports MINURSO's important role in overseeing the ceasefire, reducing the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance and promoting confidence-building measures between the parties with the aim of holding the referendum, which represents its principal mandate. Our vote against today's resolution in no way means that we deny the significant efforts being made by the civilian and other personnel of MINURSO, who even in extremely difficult conditions are trying to do their jobs on the ground. Nor are we ignoring the Secretary-General's efforts to mediate and facilitate, and he has our full support in that regard, as does his Personal Envoy Christopher Ross and Ms. Bolduc, in holding direct talks in good faith between the parties to the conflict.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“In the past, there have been serious deficiencies in that regard, including cases where the permanent members of the Council have violated the Charter. Such violations of the international rule of law must end and the Council must live up to its responsibilities. If the people of Western Sahara are not guaranteed the right to determine their own future and the Kingdom of Morocco is allowed to continue to occupy the territory, it will be the first time since the founding of the United Nations that the international community accepts de facto that a non-self-governing territory, recognized as being in the decolonization process, would be forcibly annexed without the people's consent.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“We should not forget that MINURSO's mandate was first set out in resolution 690 (1991), which urged the Mission to make every effort to pursue a just and lasting solution by undertaking a referendum on the self-determination of the Sahraoui people. It is that people who should choose between autonomy and independence. It is essential that, in dealing with the issue of Western Sahara, the Council should act with authority, determination and transparency, and in accordance with international law. We are facing a situation in which the Security Council is at risk of failing to fulfil its mandate, and it will now be very difficult to comply with Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations, which confers the primary responsibility on the Council for the maintenance of international peace and security on behalf of Member States.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“What is more, the text of the resolution does not even take up the just aspirations of the Sahraoui population, which for more than 40 years have lived in a territory under a pending decolonization process, or the existing concerns with regard to protecting the human rights in Western Sahara while taking into account the recommendations made by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2016/355). We believe that the status quo with regard to Western Sahara is already unsustainable. It is for that reason that the ambiguous language of the resolution sends a negative signal and reflects a disheartening message.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“As provided by the resolution adopted, it will be 90 days before the Secretary-General, who by then will be about to be replaced, informs the Security Council as to what has happened with MINURO's civilian staff. And it should be noted that will be only to "inform", and no concrete actions are foreseen. This seems paradoxical: MINURSO'S entire essential component having been expelled, injust 72 hours, the Council does not have the will to meet once per month to look into developments in the situation on the ground.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“In addition, our attention was starkly drawn to the fact that the resolution does include any measures to ensure the return of MINURSO's civilian staff to the area of operations. Regrettably, we must state that had this involved a weaker country without the right allies in the Council, the Security Council would not have hesitated to impose severe sanctions, as it often does with many brotherly African countries. We are sending a message to the international community that is possible to violate the decisions of the Security Council without consequence for Member States. It was not even possible to include a provision in the resolution aimed at setting a 30-day period for a periodic consideration of this issue by the Security Council.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source
“It is not enough to bemoan the situation with MINURSO, as the resolution does; rather, it should have emphatically condemned Morocco's unilateral expulsion of international staff and demanded their immediate return. A Security Council document that is not capable of stating clearly who expelled MINURSO's civilian contingent, or why, is a text that aims to intentionally ignore the reality in Western Sahara. We believe we have lost an outstanding opportunity for the Security Council to express, via this resolution, its absolute disagreement with the expulsion of MINURSO's civilian personnel, which constitutes not just a harsh blow for the political negotiating process but also a lamentable precedent for the international community.”
2016-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7684 (2016) · source