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

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“We must work intensely and come to grips with the causes and characteristics of the conflict if we are to counter them and go from a logic and dynamic of intolerance and violence to one of inclusion, peace and socialjustice. We must recall that the war was triggered in part by the assassination of the popular leader Jorge Elie'cer Gaitan and the Bogotazo riots, after which broad sectors of the Colombian people were unable to participate in the political process and advocate for their economic and social aspirations, particularly those concerning land access and peasant claims. We are concerned about the persistence of violent elements, which no doubt will be a problem the political mission will face on the ground.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“As a close associate of his, I can attest to his efforts and constant concern for peace in Colombia, as well as to the political work led directly by him to approach and convince the parties as to the need for peace. The work ahead for the political mission in supporting the parties in implementing the agreements and in monitoring and verifying compliance is a complex, and probably the most difficult task of all. Hence the need for the United Nations to dedicate itself as a whole - not only on aspects pertaining to financing the mission along with the Colombian Government, but above all in the extensive work relating to eradicating the root causes of conflict and creating spaces for former combatants and their bases of political support to participate in political and economic life.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela feels vindicated, along with Cuba, Chile and Norway, for having participated as supporters and guarantors of the complex and lengthy negotiation process that culminated in the signed peace accords. We also greatly appreciate the effort, participation and political support of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which expressed its unanimous support for the terms of the agreements and their willingness to participate and support the work of the United Nations political mission. I would also like to mention and recognize President Hugo Chavez Frias for his commitment and tireless work for peace in Colombia.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“Our countries were created and forged together under the leadership of the sword of the Liberator Simon Bolivar. We were one country, and the liberation armies crossed borders only to bring freedom to the rest of South America. On our own territory, we have given shelter to more than 4 million Colombians who, product of the war and its economic consequences, were forced to move. Similarly, along the entire length of our long border of over 2,000 kilometres, we have suffered the rigours of violence and the existence of illegal structures to finance and support the war in Colombia. Today our border area is plagued by the phenomenon of paramilitarism, which was created as an anti-insurgent strategy and must be completely dismantled.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“Today's unanimous adoption of the resolution took place in an atmosphere of joy and hope following the definitive, full and Final Agreement reached between the Government of Colombia and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Ejercito del Pueblo to end once and for all the bloody conflict that brought mourning to the Colombian people for over 50 years. The commitment of the parties to ending the war and building a stable and lasting peace has led to widespread support and a feeling ofjoy in our region and among the international community. We commend both parties on that historic agreement. For our country, it is extremely important that Colombia successfully build a society of peace, for, as the brothers we are, we have felt for and supported the Colombian people throughout the terrible years of violence.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carrefio (Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela co-sponsored and voted in favor of resolution 2307 (2016), on the establishment and operation of the United Nations political mission in the Republic of Colombia, which complements resolution 2261 (2016). We did so out of our conviction that the former constitutes a fundamental element in the verification and monitoring of the international community over the historic peace process taking place in fraternal Colombia. I kindly as that Ambassador Maria Emma Mejia Velez convey our congratulations to her Government.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“It is necessary to highlight that the issues of accountability and protecting children in armed conflict must be addressed in a non-selective and impartial manner, while respecting the respective mandates of the mechanisms established to that end in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of United Nations, applicable international law and the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. I reiterate our congratulations to you, Mr. President, and to your delegation for the outstanding way in which you have led the work of the Council during the month of August. Once again, we extend our hand in cooperation with New Zealand in what we are certain will be a successful piloting of the Council's business in the month of September.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“Furthermore, the situation in the occupied territories of the State of Palestine has continued to worsen, without the Council being able to send a clear message demanding Israel to end its settlement policy - the consequence of its prolonged military occupation for nearly half a century. We have insisted that the Israeli occupation is the main cause of human rights and international humanitarian law violations in the occupied territories. More than five years have elapsed since the adoption of a Security Council resolution on the Palestinian question. To conclude, we would like to mention the open debate (see S/PV.7753) on children and armed conflict, during which a considerable number of countries supported the agenda of the Security Council on the subject.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“I would mention, for example, the incident on 11 August in the vicinity of Al-Guerguerat, where Moroccan military forces several times crossed the berm, in violation of the ceasefire agreement, into the Bir Gandouz sector, next to the first Sahrawi- controlled military region. We believe that such events do not receive adequate attention from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. By not being provided with timely information on such developments, it was not until 26 August that members of the Council were informed - in closed consultations requested by my country - about what had occurred. Such practices are inacceptable. For we cannot overlook, for the sake of political expediency, protracted conflict situations that have an impact on international peace and security.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“There are issues that are subject to an absolutely untransparent silence on the part of the Council. When members of this organ work actively to prevent the dissemination of information about conflict situations in certain parts of the world, all members of the international community are kept in the dark about key aspects that ought to be addressed in order to prevent conflicts. That is the case in Palestine and Western Sahara, for instance, where silence and the untransparent manner in which those issues are addressed call into question the entire international security and peacekeeping apparatus that serves to underpin relations among States.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“We believe that preventing conflicts requires more diplomacy and dialogue, and fewer threats and sanctions. There appears to be a tendency among some members of the Security Council to apply Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, instead of the mechanisms aimed at preventing conflict as provided under Chapter VI of the Charter - in practice, turning to the various regional and subregional organizations around the world. Resolving conflicts is always a political undertaking, and there is therefore a need for political will to prevent and resolve them. We also want to highlight the damage done to the Organization, and the world in general by, the double standards by which the Council often operates. We have spoken here about working methods, confidentiality and transparency, but I would like to talk about silence.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“That discussion process should be open, broad and inclusive, as set out in the proposal for the convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament. Turning to the second part of your concept note, Sir, in connection with lessons learned and possible ways to improve the future performance of the Security Council in terms of conflict prevention - including, for example, with regard to South Sudan, Syria and Western Sahara - we believe that a critical area that has been overlooked when in comes to conflict prevention in the Security Council is the mobilizing of resources for sustaining peace, which is essential for generating peace dividends, including creating jobs, providing public services, establishing solid political institutions and providing justice.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“We also believe there to be another urgent, pending issue, namely, the establishment of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in the Middle East. In that connection, we urge Israel and other countries to unblock action on the issue and to take concrete steps towards signing an agreement to that effect. The permanent members of the Security Council, as nuclear-weapon States, have a fundamental role to play in that process. Achieving a world free of nuclear weapons necessarily entails a broad discussion on all issues related to disarmament and international security, based on the principles of preserving the security of the individual parties and not allowing any State to gain an advantage over any other, always with a view to ensuring military stability without affecting security and without weapons of mass destruction.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“We are concerned that the Security Council is not yet ready to assert that the only way to avoid the destruction of the environment or of humankind by way of such weapons, especially nuclear weapons, is through their total elimination. That being the case, we believe that the Security Council, as an organ, finds itself constrained in spearheading the process of nuclear disarmament. It falls to the General Assembly - whose very first resolution focused on disarmament - to work towards the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty and the negotiation and adoption of an internationally verifiable treaty banning the production of fissionable material, as well as a comprehensive treaty prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons, among others.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“It is also true that terrorism has expanded its violent methods and terrorists are more determined than ever to obtain weapons of mass destruction and to use them on civilians, as has occurred in Syria and Iraq. In that connection, the Security Council plays a fundamental role through resolution 1540 (2004), and in fact has made strides in efforts to prevent, investigate and respond to the threats and risks linked to nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Resolution 1540 (2004) has made it possible for the international community to make headway in tackling the issue of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. That has been accomplished, inter alia, by improving reports, bolstering or adopting new legislation, providing assistance, cooperating at the regional level and drawing up national plans of action.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“The Security Council is charged with addressing disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction from the perspective of the fight against terrorism, particularly as it relates to adopting measures to prevent non-State actors, including terrorist groups, from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt that the globalization of commercial, logistical and economic transactions has made the task of controlling proliferation more complex, and has made it easier for non-State actors and terrorists to take advantage of transnational criminal networks in their attempt to obtain weapons of mass destruction.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carrefio (Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): First and foremost, we would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this session to review the work of the Security Council during the month of August. We would also like to congratulate you and your entire delegation for the outstanding work carried out this month. We are grateful for the concept note you prepared, Sir, to guide our discussion today. Turning to your point, Mr. President, about potential areas of convergence between the Security Council and the General Assembly in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we believe that, rather than viewing it as a matter of convergences, the Assembly and the Council could employ a division of labour based on the competencies enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
2016-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7766 (2016) · source
“Making progress in the full elimination of nuclear weapons requires the commitment of everyone, including those countries that are not parties to the NPT. Just as we were able to make progress in areas of particular interest to the international community for the purposes of peace, security, development and human rights, we must also be able to achieve nuclear disarmament. Only then will we be able to genuinely confront the use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“It is regrettable that the two measures that are perceived as the steps essential for nuclear disarmament and have been the focus of the attention of the international community for years, namely, the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the negotiation of an internationally verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons, are stalled. In July 1996, the International Court of Justice unanimously declared in an advisory opinion the obligation of States possessing nuclear weapons, under Article VI of the NPT, to conduct negotiations on nuclear disarmament in good faith. However, the security doctrines of the major nuclear-weapon States continue to give such weapons top priority, not by advocating their elimination but by arranging for their modernization.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“However, to date we do not have a similar convention in the nuclear area. Therefore, if we want to prevent such weapons from being acquired by non-State actors, it is imperative that we have the commitment of the nuclear and the non-nuclear-weapon States and those that have not acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to fulfil basic nuclear-weapons-control and nuclear disarmament agreements. Above all, we believe that a road map for nuclear disarmament should be developed and that it should be verifiable and irreversible, according to a pre-established timetable. We are concerned that almost 50 years after the signing of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and thirty years after the end of the Cold War, there are more than 20,000 nuclear warheads that are at risk of being used.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“But we need to assess whether or not it has the capacities necessary to carry out that role efficiently, or if it needs to be reinforced. Similarly, in order to maximize its effectiveness, the Committee must take into account the context in which the resolution is implemented. For example, a significant number of countries throughout the world do not produce or export materials that could be used to create a weapon of mass destruction. Accordingly, the work of the Committee should focus on the implementation of those aspects of the resolution that are related more specifically to each individual country. The development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical and biological weapons have been banned, as manifested by the existence of the conventions that regulate such materials.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“Each agency and organization provides assistance only in its respective area of expertise: the IAEA in the nuclear area, the OPCW in the chemical area and the WCO in the area of customs. But States do not have the necessary assistance at the international level to design and implement a coherent strategy to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors. The 1540 Committee has been active for some years. It is therefore time for it to make that task its main function. The Committee could also make significant contributions in the biological area and in providing advice on the implementation of export controls, where there are no organizations or agencies responsible for that function or where those that do exist are very weak.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“In the area of customs control, the World Customs Organization (WCO) is better suited to offer assistance. The work ofUnited Nations agencies such as the Office on Drugs and Crime and non-governmental organizations such as the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre sometimes exceed the potential contributions of the Committee. The limited availability of resources, which are allocated by donors, also seriously hampers its ability to provide international assistance efficiently that takes into account the needs and priorities of the receiving State. Through its qualified Group of Experts, the Committee can play an important role in helping States develop a comprehensive national plan to prevent non-State actors from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) was set up to address the illegal markets for the exchange of goods and knowledge that could be used by non-State actors to develop weapons of mass destruction, and as such, it has a very relevant role to play in preventing the use of new technologies that run contrary to the purposes of peace and development. However, the Committee's resources, capacities and engagements are limited. Because of that, it must find an area of concrete and realistic action. Otherwise, it risks seeing its effective functioning compromised. In the nuclear and chemical areas, the work of the Committee is redundant, given the mechanisms of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“The need to contain the risk of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors has increased considerably with the evolving nature of terrorism - and has become even more acute with the advances in science, technology and international trade. Those advances have altered the traditional patterns of proliferation. Over the past 12 years, scientists have made discoveries in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet, self- driving vehicles, 3D printing, meta-data, virtual reality, virtual currency, nanotechnology, genetic engineering and biotechnology. All of those technologies have a dual use: they can be used for peaceful purposes but also can be used as agents of destabilization.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“Weapons of mass destruction pose a serious threat to international peace and security, and are therefore among today's greatest and most urgent challenges. The actions perpetrated by terrorist groups and non-State actors show their intentions to use weapons of mass destruction as a means to achieve their criminal goals. The use of such weapons is no longer a hypothetical construct, but a reality, as evidenced by the recent allegations concerning the use of improvised chemical weapons in the Middle East. In that regard, terrorists groups, such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, participate in illegal commercial activities that ensure them a wide range of resources, and they have shown the ability to recruit individuals with the skills to develop a programme for the development of weapons of mass destruction.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carrefio (Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): We wish to congratulate you, Sir, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs of Malaysia, for having convened this important debate, and we also thank your delegation. We also very much appreciate the concept note (S/2016/712, annex) that was submitted to guide delegations with regard to addressing this issue. We also want to welcome Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and thank him for his relevant contributions to discussions on this matter. We would like to thank Mr. Emmanuel Roux of INTERPOL, Mr. Gregory Koblentz of George Mason University and Mr. Kim Won-soo, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, for their important contributions in addressing this issue, which is particularly important to my country.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“I wish to conclude with an excerpt from a poem entitled "The Infinite Children", written by the Venezuelan poet Andres Eloy Blanco: "When one has a child, every laugh sates us, every tear wrenches us, from wherever it comes. When one has a child, one has the world inside and the heart outside. And when one has a child, one has all the children of the world, the millions of children with whom all peoples cry, with whom mothers laugh and everyone dreams."”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“That is a crucial key for the effective and sustainable transition from war to peace. They must be in line with the special requirements needed to protect and assist children, including gender criteria as well the appropriate budgetary and timely international support. Venezuela reiterates that the protection of children affected by armed conflict must be a fundamental priority for all States Members of the Organization, as well as for the entire United Nations system, in all stages of conflict. Under that premise, we are committed to continue providing our unwavering support to the efforts in line with international law and protect children as an inescapable ethical commitment.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“We recognize as a fact that in numerous cases the socioeconomic vulnerability, abuse, ethnic and religious intolerance, discrimination and exclusion that children face as a result of war facilitate their participation in hostilities and amplifies the adverse effects that armed conflict has on them. It is therefore crucial that we prevent the use and recruitment of children in armed conflict and ensure their protection and rights in such situations. In that way we can overcome the vicious cycle of violence and promote sustainable and inclusive social, political and economic conditions. We must accordingly continue to support disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, including capacity-building devoted in particular to the protection of children as laid out within the framework of the peacebuilding architecture.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“States must make use of measures and procedures consistent with the protections provided by international humanitarian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child when dealing with children associated with armed or extremist groups. Prosecution and detention alternatives should be developed consonant with the interests of the child and prioritizing their effective reintegration. We also believe that the most appropriate strategy to protect children from participation in and the consequences of war is to prevent and resolve conflict situations through a comprehensive approach to the structural causes.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“It is worrying that in many instances the answer to the threat posed by extreme violence gives rise to further human rights violations and increased suffering on the part of the civilian population, particularly children. It is alarming that the military operations conducted by the various coalitions, despite their names, have resulted in the same harm and pain against the Civilian population - a situation that has fuelled the violent narrative of the groups they are combating. We call for any response to confront terrorism and violent extremism be consistent with international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Today many young people have been recruited by extremist organizations, such as Da'esh and the Al-Nusra Front, to spread terror and instability throughout the world, thereby, and sadly, imposing a culture of death, with no expectation of a peaceful future for the children of the Middle East. In that regard, we demand an end to all foreign militaryinterventioninthatregionandthedestabilization of entire societies by way of geopolitical and economic goals, and the transfer of weapons, funding, training and safe havens to terrorist and extremist groups. We urge all States to act in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the provisions of international instruments and the resolutions of both the Security Council and the General Assembly.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Violent non-State actors, including terrorist organizations, commit barbarous acts that threaten the human condition and facilitate abuse and violations of the rights of children, as happened recently in Syria, where Abdullah Issa, a Palestinian child 12 years of age, was beheaded in Aleppo by the forces of the misnamed "moderate" opposition, which uses the same tactics as the terrorists of the Al-Nusra Front, Da'esh and their associated entities. Foreign military interventions and wars launched since 2001 in the Middle East, as in the case of Iraq, have been the main cause of children of no more than 10 years of age becoming the victims of trauma and abuse and direct victims of violence due to the destruction of societies in an environment that has been forcefully transformed in order to justify fear and death.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“In recent years, children have been significantly affected by those scourges and are often direct targets of acts designed to cause maximum civilian casualties and terrorize communities, even designating Children as executioners or forcing them to become suicide bombers. The most outrageous case is that of the mass kidnappings and abuses committed against children by Boko Haram, Da'esh and the Al-Nusra Front. The increase in violent extremism and terrorism in the Middle East, among other things, is a product of military interventions and assistance to armed extremists and terrorists in order to destabilize States, dismantle their institutional capacity and destroy the social fabric. That has led to adverse consequences for international peace and security, particularly security matters affecting children.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“We are alarmed by the double standard policy used in the case of Palestine, whereby the discussion changes in order to restrict the calls aimed at strengthening efforts to fulfil obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principle of proportionality. Accountability for violations committed against children in armed conflict must comply fully with the principles of objectivity, non-selectivity and impartiality. No one can be exempt, whether representing a non-State armed group, a State's military forces or whatever political interests. The second of the great challenges that is before us is that of terrorism and violent extremism.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“The United Nations must raise its voice for all children worldwide, particularly those who are victims of armed conflict, without distinction of any kind. We note with concern and with shame how some countries are called to accountability for violations against children in armed conflict, and yet in response to calls for accountability for crimes and violations committed against Palestinian children by Israel a terrible silence remains. According to figures published by UNICEF, 22 children were killed by Israel in the first quarter of 2016. Moreover, more than 400 Palestinian children have been deprived of their freedom illegally, still unrecognized as minors and further subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Approximately 500 to 700 Palestinian children are tried before Israeli military courts each year.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“It requires us to act consistently in our discussions on actions to protect children in armed conflict. The practice of using double standards in those areas only undermines the international efforts in favour of child protection and is an immoral contradiction and wholly unethical. Venezuela opposes and condemns all violations of international humanitarian or human rights committed against children in armed conflict by whomever, and calls upon all parties to a conflict to meet their obligations under international law. This Organization, in all instances, from the Secretariat to all of its Member States, must avoid impunity for those who commit grave violations against children in armed conflict.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“While in several cases we have adopted resolutions to facilitate humanitarian assistance and protection measures for civilians, including children, in other cases it has been impossible to make progress on the issue. Several countries in the region face a serious humanitarian crisis resulting from the wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, in which more than 80 per cent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. However, no progress has been made due to varying interests that deviate from the principles guiding the Organization. The report (S/2016/360) of the Secretary- General should not remain silent or dilute or put off addressing those issues because of political pressure of any kind. The first great challenge we face is more than ever a moral and ethical imperative for the United Nations.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Without any doubt, those situations compromise the chances that such children can build up and in a few years take over the future of their countries based on a culture of peace and sustainable development. Venezuela recognizes the political and legislative progress made in terms of the protection of children in armed conflicts, which is reflected in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Additional Protocol. However, despite those advances, humankind continues to face enormous challenges and contradictions regarding protection and respect for the rights of the most vulnerable. In several conflicts throughout the world, especially in the Middle East, the Council has reacted inconsistently despite the suffering and the obvious and documented serious violations suffered by children.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“317) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela considers it tragic and ethically unacceptable that year after year ever more serious difficulties persist in protecting children affected by armed conflict and that in many of those cases the situation has worsened in the past two decades. Approximately 60 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, of which half are under 18 and all as a result of the tragedy of war, political and economic destabilization, poverty, violent extremism and terrorism. It is contradictory to aspire to lasting and sustainable peace when a significant number of children have grown up in an environment of armed violence and hatred, as well as the economic and social deprivation resulting from poverty and social exclusion.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Leila Zerrougui, for her briefing. We offer her our support and praise for her efforts to promote and protect the rights of children affected by armed conflict. Of course, we also highlight the work done by the Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr. Anthony Lake./ The concept note (S/2016/662, annex) prepared for this debate begins with an eloquent quotation from the 1996 Graca Machel report, which calls upon the conscience of each and every one of us in the light of the fact that, "[i]t is unconscionable that we so clearly and consistently see children's rights attacked and that we fail to defend them. It is unforgivable that children are assaulted, violated, murdered and yet our conscience is not revolted nor our sense of dignity challenged." (A/51/306, para.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carrefio (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's open debate and acknowledge your work as Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. I would also like to congratulate Malaysia and the Malaysian delegation in its capacity as president of the Council during the month of August. We wish you every success, Sir, and emphasize that you can count on our full support. We would also like to congratulate Japan and its entire delegation for their extraordinary work in presiding over the Security Council in the month of July. We welcome the presence and the statement of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and we thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Yoweri Museveni, in the framework of an African and inter-Burundian dialogue. Finally, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regrets that the opportunity was missed to reaffirm the Security Council's responsibility to work in coordination with Burundi and to safeguard, together with the Member States of this Organization, the principles of the rule of law.”
2016-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7752 (2016) · source
“Venezuela recognizes the efforts of the African Union and other subregional and Burundian organizations to resolve the political crisis affecting that nation. Our country also shares the concerns that have been expressed by other States membes of the Council with regard to the potential deterioration of the situation in the country, which could lead to even greater conflict. That is why we reiterate our firm commitment to a peaceful settlement of the conflict - one of inclusive understanding reached through dialogue and in accordance with the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and the country's Constitution. We also support the dialogue and mediation process that is being led by former President of Tanzania, Mr. Benjamin Mkapa, and by President of Uganda, Mr.”
2016-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7752 (2016) · source
“Instead of specifically mentioning that element, it contains ambiguous language that sets a dangerous precedent for the future negotiations of other resolutions, which has in fact happened in previous situations. Our country notes that there are inconsistencies in the Security Council's actions in relation to the concerned States and the relevant resolutions. In some cases, the Security Council has shown great weakness and laxity in taking unilateral actions against some States with regard to the deployment of peacekeeping missions. In other cases, including this one, the Security Council imposes its resolutions and disregards the opinion of the Government of Burundi, in violation of the principle of State consent.”
2016-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7752 (2016) · source
“The resolution does not address one essential factor for the deployment of the police component - the consent of the Government of Burundi, the country's principal institutional actor. It is not possible to implement the mandate of a document of the Security Council and the United Nations that does not reflect this principle. It is a text that will violate the country's sovereignty, international law and the Charter of United Nations, and it sets a negative precedent for the international community. This is even more true because the resolution reaffirms the Council's commitment to the political independence of Burundi. By not including a specific and clear reference to the consultations that should be held with the Burundian Government for the deployment of the police component, the resolution undermines its own provisions.”
2016-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7752 (2016) · source
“Mr. Ramirez Carrefio (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela abstained in the voting on resolution 2303 (2016), on the deployment of an police officers component in Burundi for a year for substantive reasons that blocked the consensus that is needed for a subject as vital as the principle of obtaining the consent for such action from the concerned State. It is clear to us that there has been a lack of flexibility in this process, which has made it difficult to find a consensus position. Today's voting reflects the prevalance of divergent positions in the Council with regard to managing the United Nations relationship with the State of Burundi.”
2016-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7752 (2016) · source
“Efforts to build peace in Africa and the rest of the world - particularly those to help States emerging from conflict to generate their own national resources - cannot overlook those injustices or fail to address them. In conclusion, we believe that the main functions of the Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund must include building national capacities to combat the exploitative practices of international extractive corporations, while promoting an international financial system that is more fair and transparent. Only through social justice will we have sustainable peace in Africa.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“If we are to curb the illegal exploitation of natural resources and regularly and effectively manage those resources, States emerging from conflicts must create the capacity and expertise to negotiate fair contracts and understand the accounting practices of national and international concerns with which they interact, on the understanding that those natural resources belong to the State and are for the enjoyment of the whole population and not just a few. Moreover, many countries in such circumstances have trouble monitoring and controlling illicit financial flows and tax evasion by these international mining concerns. This challenge extends beyond one, two or three States; it is a problem that requires a legal international framework to counter those trends and reform banking secrecy laws and international corporate tax regimes.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source