YouSaid · the spoken record

Rivas

lines on the record: 71
first: 2002-03-27
most recent: 2017-02-22
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“Finally, I wish Austria every success in its chairmanship and in the attainment of its objectives, which will surely contribute to a peace that will transcend the European continent and benefit us all.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“We also recognize the contribution of the organization to the promotion of mechanisms for dialogue, confidence-building and conflict-resolution measures, as well as the work it carries out through its various missions on the ground that support the implementation of the relevant regional agreements. Among its priorities are important topics germane to international peace and security, such as the current conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Nagorno Karabakh and Ukraine, as well as the fight against radicalization and terrorism, and the protection of human rights. I would like to stress the momentum that accompanies the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and the employment of a gender-sensitive approach in its work in various conflict situations.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“The role played by the regional organizations in matters of good offices, mediation and peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as in the appropriate implementation of their control mechanisms, is based on intimate knowledge of local realities and provides a crucial supplement to the work of the United Nations. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is the broadest organization dealing with collective security. It covers a wide geographic area and has 57 members, as others have mentioned. It has a great deal of experience in resolving conflicts. Uruguay recognizes the organization's values and the ten principles of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which are in line with the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“Uruguay attaches the greatest importance to cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in the framework of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. In that respect, my country participates in valuable regional organizations and mechanisms, some long-standing like the Organization ofAmerican States and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, established pursuant to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, and others more recent, like the Union of South American Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which have proven their worth and have contributed to peace in the region.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“Mr. Rivas (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this informative meeting. I also thank the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Integration, Mr. Sebastian Kurz, for his detailed briefing. As was mentioned yesterday (see S/PV.7886), at a time when the world is ravaged by new risks, such as violent extremism, nationalism, organized crimes and other factors, that are enmeshed in a feedback loop within unresolved conflicts, it is more important than ever to have the support of solid international, regional and sub-regional organizations acting in a coordinated manner.”
2017-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7887 (2017) · source
“As a member of the Union of South American Nations, a cooperation and political consultation body that has played an important role in preventing conflicts and finding peaceful settlements to disputes, Uruguay is part of a zone of peace that puts its trust in preventive diplomacy as an effective tool.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“At the same time, strengthening the rule of law, protecting and promoting human rights and ensuring sustainable economic and social development, equality, social inclusion and the elimination of poverty also contribute to the prevention of conflicts and post- conflict peacebuilding. In conclusion, while we recognize the primary role that the Charter entrusts to the Security Council in the difficult task of maintaining international peace and security, we also recognize the complementary role that is entrusted to regional and subregional bodies.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“In that regard, it is worth mentioning the role of Uruguay in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where approximately 1,000 of its troops are participating, and in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, where not only does it have troops on the ground, but it also chairs the Group of Friends of Haiti. To achieve lasting peace we must address the underlying causes of conflict, and therefore promote development in all its dimensions and the defence, promotion and protection of human rights. The political stability, democratic governance and territorial integrity of States are necessary conditions for conflict prevention.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“Uruguay's commitment to international peace and security is tangible, inter alia through our significant contributions to peacekeeping operations in which it is participating, not only to achieve those goals but also through the categorical, ethic and moral imperative of solidarity with brotherly countries of the region and with other nations that must face serious situations of conflict and instability. Uruguay's commitment is not new, but goes back to the 19505 and 19605, when my Government decided to send military observers to missions in the Sinai Peninsula and in India and Pakistan and then increased its participation until the number of Uruguayan Blue Helmets exceeded 2,000 in 2013.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“However, we are aware that currently most armed conflicts are intra-State in nature and that, in some cases in which the most basic values and human rights are threatened, one cannot adopt the most extreme interpretation of sovereignty because that would amount to impunity. We acknowledge that is the primary responsibility of the State to protect its population. However, when that responsibility is not fulfilled and there is an imminent threat of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing, non-intervention gives way to the involvement of the international community.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“However, we note with regret that we are far from achieving the goals of peace and security enshrined in the Charter. Uruguay is concerned about the fact that the purposes and principles of the Charter are not observed in various areas of the world where they are still challenged by activities that contradict them. That not only affects international peace and security, but also has an impact on the system as a whole and endangers its very foundations. The fact that an unprecedented 120,000 military, police and civilian personnel are deployed in various missions demonstrates that the task of peacekeeping remains enormous and is growing. The consent of the State concerned is a guiding principle of peacekeeping operations, which ensures their legitimacy.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“In the task of maintaining peace and security, Uruguay, as founding Member of the United Nations, reaffirms the principles enshrined in the Charter of San Francisco in 1945. While the international context has significantly changed since then, those principles remain fundamental principles that form a framework of basic rights and obligations. The principle of the sovereign equality of States is the cornerstone of the multilateral system that unites us today. By the same token, the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States is a fundamental value, as it is safeguards the sovereign equality, territorial integrity and self-determination of States. As stated in the Preamble of the Charter, the Organization was founded to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“Mr. Rivas (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate, which we believe is very timely as this year we will commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. 1 also thank you for the concept note (S/2015/87, annex) that has been circulated for this purpose. This debate allows us to reaffirm Uruguay's commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and, at the same time, provides us an opportunity to reflect on where we stand today, given that we note with concern that we are still far from fully fulfilling those purposes and principles. Uruguay aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Maldives on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group.”
2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source
“By the same token, special attention should be focused on the need faithfully to comply with the code of conduct by all those who are members of United Nations peacekeeping contingents deployed on the ground, based on the zero-tolerance policy. In conclusion, in the course of its upcoming substantive session, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations will hold negotiations on the issue of the protection of civilians, which I believe will be an opportunity for all of us to work constructively in order to strengthen our commitment to this noble goal.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“To date, five families have arrived in our country, including 33 boys and girls. The obvious mutual connection between participation and protection is a concept that is central to resolution 1325 (2000). In the resolution, the Council reiterates the important role played by women in preventing and resolving conflicts and in peacebuilding. The number of women deployed in Uruguayan contingents to peacekeeping operations demonstrates our commitment in that regard. Promoting accountability is another fundamental element to prevent the most serious violations of human rights, in particular of women and girls. It is also important to support concrete activities to combat impunity, including designating experts to investigate sexual and gender-based violence.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“In line with that goal, Uruguay has undertaken various timely initiatives to seek to create spaces for integration in various communities, such as in Pinga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Uruguayan personnel established a football school where both boys and girls of different ethnic groups who found themselves in areas of armed conflict could share activities together that allowed them to overcome differences and barriers and thereby contribute to building a peaceful environment. Refugees, asylum seekers, the repatriated, stateless persons and persons displaced during conflict face enormous vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence. The Government of Uruguay has sought to provide a humanitarian response in the face of the refugee crisis in Syria, having committed to receive 120 Syrian refugees.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“In that regard, we are aware of the fact that it is essential to identify emerging signals from the field, as well as to send appropriate early signals to the stakeholders concerned as to the obligation to respect the moral and physical integrity of people. That is why it is also crucial to strengthen the role of communities in ensuring their own protection, not only for immediate physical protection but also for preventing, alerting and acting against attempts at aggression, as well as for establishing cultural criteria at the level of the family and the community that ensures that the rights of women and girls are respected.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“The horrors witnessed by girls and boys against their mothers and sisters will continue to affect them throughout their lives, almost certainly to be manifested in a brutal way sooner or later unless they are adequately addressed. It is therefore necessary that we halt the cycle of violence wherein the immediate consequences of violence often become causes that generate more violence in the next generation. My country attaches particular importance to the prevention of sexual violence in conflict. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Uruguay has approximately 1,000 soldiers who fulfil many tasks for the protection of civilians, joint protection and vigilance teams are operating in order to monitor violations and to ensure the protection of human rights in remote areas.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“In particular, we observe with deep concern the violence against specific population groups and against the human rights of women and children by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and others. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war for terror and revenge in order to obtain the subjugation or support of entire communities, or to cause humiliation or used to destroy the culture of a group or community that is considered an enemy, is clearly a constant feature of a certain type of armed conflict. That is why it is essential to create the conditions that provide an opportunity for women who have been expelled to be reintegrated into their communities and to be able to bring up the children that are the products of rape without any impediments.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Uruguay is strongly committed to the agenda for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and acknowledges its inherent link to the agenda of women and peace and security and children in armed conflict. These are part of the priorities of our foreign policy. Unfortunately, in spite of the legal and normative strides forward recorded in the past few years, we as a troop-contributing country can testify to the fact that civilians, in particular children, women and girls, continue to be the main victims in situations of armed conflict and post-conflict situations. They also account for the greatest number of victims, as is witnessed by the sad situation in Syria and in what recently occurred in the Gaza Strip.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Mr. Rivas (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation would like to commend the President for organizing this debate and for his excellent concept note (S/20l4/32, annex), as well as to express our gratitude to all those, especially women, who work on a daily basis to promote peace and security and to protect civilians. I should also like to thank those who delivered briefings at the beginning of this meeting. Uruguay associates itself with the statement made by the representative Switzerland on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. I must begin by thanking the President for allowing us to address in this open debate a topic that is so important.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“We are clear in our minds about the reality of our situation and the challenges we face. We are working day by day to find lasting solutions that will alleviate the situation of the Colombian people affected by violence. We would also like to reaffirm our resolve to work through cooperation and in complementarity with the United Nations system and with the international community, as we have been doing in recent years.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“Moreover, we are working with the international community and with the United Nations system, which has a broad presence in our country. We believe that the most important thing is for the United Nations to work with the Government and not in parallel with it, since its work must complement national efforts aimed at putting an end to the situation of the Colombian population affected by violence. Furthermore, the Government faces the tremendous challenge of reintegrating the more than 40,000 people demobilized from illegal armed groups and who need opportunities to start a new life. We have rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for former combatants who are minors. We have been the beneficiary of significant and valuable cooperation from a number of Governments and from the Organization of American States.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“The Government is working tirelessly to find comprehensive solutions in addition to the temporary measures required by the affected population, which we have been implementing. The national Government does not believe that the Colombian population can be divided into groups or categories, just as it cannot be divided under international humanitarian law. Thus we have created programmes that benefit the entirety of the affected population. In this context, we would like to reaffirm that the valuable work being done by the International Committee of the Red Cross should be the norm and not the exception when it comes to humanitarian assistance and humanitarian activities. In recent years, Colombia has devoted significant resources to devising solutions for the problems facing its affected population.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“Mr. Rivas (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): Madam President, we wish to thank you for having convened this debate, and we commend you on the way in which you have been guiding the work of the Security Council this month. Likewise, we wish to thank Mr. Jan Egeland for his briefing. I wish in this respect to mention the reference made by Mr. Egeland to Colombia. We thank him and the United Nations system in general for their continued concern about our country and its people. The Government of Colombia is very much aware of the complex situation facing the Colombian people. The displacement situation is caused by illegal armed groups combined with the global problem of illicit drugs. Colombia is firmly committed to tackling those factors that give rise to violence and poverty and lead to insecurity among the national population.”
2006-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5476 (2006) · source
“What is right and what our Government expects is decisive United Nations support for the legitimate efforts of democratic Governments to end terrorism, resolve their conflicts and restore peace.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Today, terrorism is a clearly defined phenomenon, whose devastating effects are all too well known worldwide; hence the global commitment to decisively fight that scourge, strictly observing international humanitarian law and human rights. Appeasing terrorists would run counter to current history. Finally, we do not think it is for the United Nations to certify some sort of "good conduct" on the part of terrorist, drug trafficking or organized crime groups for the purpose of engaging in future peace negotiations. That would reinforce the idea that violence against the civilian population pays and contributes benefits so long as certain minimum requirements are met to allow humanitarian assistance.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“It is also important to point out that in the Colombian situation illegal armed groups maintain a territorial presence in some areas of the country, but do not dominate them; this reaffirms the inappropriateness of establishing dialogue to achieve humanitarian access under the misleading argument that such groups exercise territorial control. Also surprising is the statement in paragraph 41, according to which there is an adverse impact on humanitarian efforts when non-State armed actors are designated as terrorist groups. It is the international community that so labels them, not a whim of our Government.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“A coordinated focus was also established to examine and resolve items related to humanitarian access to civilian populations in need. This was done because access to assist victims of strikes by illegal armed groups is very different from access to carry out dialogue with such groups. We must be clear about the fact that displacement is part of the military strategy of these illegal armed groups, which they use for multiple reasons, including to establish contacts with international bodies and align themselves with them in order to enhance their political status, without putting an end to their strategy of forced displacement or artificial displacement.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“That shows that the Government of Colombia must be the principal ally and interlocutor of the United Nations in assisting civilians at risk. To that end, we are fully prepared to ensure the launching of relevant programmes. The statements about my country in paragraph 41 of the Secretary-General's report are inaccurate, and we do not understand the reasons for them. The President of Colombia has often referred to our nation's willingness to work with the United Nations in various scenarios. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs recently visited the country, a visit which was called "fruitful" by the Secretariat because of agreement on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the Government of Colombia to assist victims of the conflict.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Then the United Nations will have the principal duty of demanding and supporting procedures to carry out that intention. The best way of ensuring adequate protection for civilians threatened by illegal armed groups is - as I said - to restore the democratic State's legitimate authority, ensuring territorial control on the part of the institutional armed forces. Colombia is a clear example. Since the current Government was established, the numbers of displacements, massacres and attacks against population centres have dropped significantly. Thus, between 2002 and 2003, the forced displacement of persons decreased 48 per cent, massacres decreased 37 per cent and attacks against population centres decreased 80 per cent. The threat of a humanitarian crisis has been contained.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“When humanitarian groups enter into political negotiations with illegal armed groups, they are not conforming to the basic principles of humanitarian work - neutrality, impartiality and transparency - and are giving such illegal armed groups an undue status that tends to put them on an equal footing with legitimate democratic Governments. We reaffirm our conviction that the only effective way of protecting the whole population is to put an end to armed conflicts. That is why the Colombian Government has requested the Secretary-General to use his good offices to urge the illegal armed groups operating in Colombia to immediately cease hostilities, thus creating room for negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the country's problems of violence.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“In my Government's view, that involves - in addition to what I just pointed out - jeopardizing the security of humanitarian personnel, because many of these armed groups repeatedly violate their agreements, and, just as they do not respect international humanitarian law, they do not respect the treaty immunities of United Nations personnel and assets. Therefore, the position of the people and the Government of Colombia on such dialogue is clear: the commitments imposed by international humanitarian law must be honoured, but never negotiated. The tranquillity and peace of the world depend to a great extent on such clarity and rectitude. Moreover, only Governments can enter into political negotiations.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Rather, we must intensify our support for and our cooperation with the legitimate authorities of the States affected in the difficult task of overcoming violence and conflict. We must be fully aware that the very dynamic of illegal armed organizations consists of violating the law and international humanitarian law. That is part of their essence and of their nature as illegal entities. That is why the Government of Colombia has expressed its concern about dialogues not authorized by the Government of the concerned State with illegal armed groups, even if such dialogues have a commendable purpose.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Therefore, we must be extremely careful that legitimate concerns about humanitarian access do not end up threatening legitimate Governments, interfering in internal affairs or violating fundamental purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. That applies even more in situations where Governments are working hand in hand with their societies and enjoy immense popular support, and where the majority of the people, after a number of decades, are beginning to receive the benefits of policies undertaken in the fight against those who threaten and affect their very existence. Humanitarian organizations, the United Nations and all Member States must bear in mind the dangers involved in acting precipitously on such matters.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Negotiating with terrorist, drug-trafficking or criminal organizations to gain access to a specific population not only legitimizes such organizations, but also helps them to shield their operations with the weight of legality and the rule of law, thus promoting their dark military, strategic and economic objectives. The excuse of collaborating with humanitarian operations to gain political and tactical benefits that protect their illicit businesses is a vile deception carried out by these criminal organizations to protect their activities and to intensify the war that they have declared on the civilian population.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The legitimate concern of ensuring access to vulnerable populations can be effectively met through strict compliance with the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols and through strict implementation of General Assembly resolution 46/182, which provided the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs with its mandate. Innovations that do not respect the guiding principles of humanitarian assistance - humanity, neutrality and impartiality - and that, for the sake of pragmatic negotiation, disregard the non-negotiable nature of the principles of international humanitarian law, as well as innovations that politicize humanitarian assistance, create vicious circles of suffering for the civilian population, whose problems they are supposed to alleviate.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The democratic institutions of States that have legally elected Governments could be seriously affected by such proposals. For that reason, the Security Council and its member States have the very heavy responsibility of tackling these matters cautiously and with prudence, not only concerning this particular issue, but in all the thematic debates, including actions that it intends to pursue. With regard to the report before the Council, I wish to point out that some of its proposals could give rise to vicious circles of violence and suffering instead of helping to protect civilian populations in armed conflicts.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“For that reason, the Government of Colombia regards as essential the Organization's work in protecting civilians in armed conflict. We acknowledge the Secretary-General's firm commitment to that goal, and we take note of the report before us, understanding that the report was prepared in good faith and with an awareness of the imperative need to provide humanitarian assistance to people in need. But there are some proposals, which theoretically are appropriate, that could in practice backfire and further weaken already fragile States as well as seriously undermine their ability to protect their civilians in conflict. Implementation of such proposals could even end up arming terrorist and drug-trafficking organizations, as well as networks that are involved in the trafficking of human beings, particularly children and women.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Hence, the Colombian people are strongly supportive of their Government. The international community has not yet found an effective way of combating terrorism, drug trafficking, trafficking in small arms, or trafficking in human beings - to mention but a few of the ill deeds perpetrated by organized crime against civilians throughout the world. We believe that the best way to stop such transnational crime is to strengthen the States and their democratic institutions, with robust cooperation and solidarity on the part of the international community. The United Nations and its agencies, whose fundamental goal is to achieve a just and lasting peace in the world, must play a very important role in providing solidarity and support to Member States as they fight against those crimes that affect primarily the civilian population.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Mr. Rivas (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. I should also like to thank the Secretary- General for his report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and Mr. Jan Egeland, Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs, for his presentation on the item under consideration in this open debate of the Security Council. The Government of Colombia would like to reiterate what it said on 9 December 2003, when the Security Council last discussed this item. The democratic security policy of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has demonstrated that strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions helps to increase security for the people and thereby shrinks the area available for illegal actors.”
2004-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4990Resumption1 (2004) · source
“We therefore reiterate our appeal for cooperation on the part of the international community with regard to legal and police activities, as called for in resolution 1373 (2001), to successfully fight terrorism. In that area of international cooperation, we must emphasize that the United Nations has the capability, the experience and the moral authority to help all countries and regions throughout the world beset by the scourge of terrorism.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Anyone who perpetrates, in the words of General Assembly resolution 49/60, "Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public", is a terrorist, regardless of motivation. We must, once and for all, rid ourselves of the political content of the topic of terrorism in order to be able to fight it in all parts of the world for what it is - a serious crime against the life and liberty of peoples and a serious threat to civilization. While reiterating our support for the work carried out by the Security Council and the CTC in the fight against that universal scourge, I wish to inform the Council that Colombia is taking steps domestically to ratify counter-terrorism conventions to which it is not yet a party.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“It cannot be any other way, since it challenges democratic principles that respect life and fundamental freedoms of individuals - principles cherished by our peoples and this Organization. Moreover, any terrorism can become a threat to international peace and security. Finally, we emphasize the need to carry out a serious study on the feasibility of the CTC and the Security Council drawing up a general list of world terrorist organizations similar to the one maintained by the 1267 Committee on Al Qaeda and the Taliban. We do not think that a prior formal definition of terrorism, which has not been possible to achieve in the past 30 years, is necessary in order to begin to draw up that list.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“That is why we insist that the nature of terrorist acts must be defined not just according to the place where they are committed or by their national or global reach, but also by the roots of their financing and the money used to finance them. It has been demonstrated that the international financial networks used by terrorism are similar to those used in the illegal trafficking of drugs and arms. It is urgent that the frontal war against terrorism include the campaign against its related crimes on the basis of the principle of shared responsibility. Secondly, terrorism is a single phenomenon, regardless of the form it takes. Any terrorism, domestic or international, must be rejected and fought with the same determination.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“First, in spite of the fact that in resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1456 (2003) the Security Council expressed concern at the close links existing among terrorism, transnational organized crime, the use and illicit trafficking of drugs, money-laundering and illicit arms trafficking, it is necessary for the Committee and the Council to deal with those links more thoroughly. That is essential if we take into account that to the degree that the controls imposed by resolution 1373 (2001) on the financing of acts of terrorism meet with success, terrorists will increasingly resort to these types of crime to finance their activities. In Colombia, this has been occurring for several years now, and today drug trafficking and money-laundering have become the principle source of financing for the terrorist groups operating in the country.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“A few weeks ago, before the General Assembly, President Uribe said that, "In Colombia's current situation, terrorism, illicit drugs, violence and insecurity are really the same thing. We plead for a commitment from the world so that we are able to completely defeat drugs. We implore the world not to harbour our terrorists, to help us confiscate their goods and only to open their doors to help peace processes." (A/58/PV1 7) That is why my delegation requested to speak at this debate, in order to insist on the need for the CTC and the Security Council to take up fundamental issues that we had already brought forward in the debate last 23 July.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We require more extensive powers that remain in keeping with the rule of law. Currently, the Government is preparing an amendment to the Constitution to allow the public forces of order, in cases of terrorism, to deploy specialized personnel to carry out arrests, searches and communications interceptions. That amendment will include democratic safeguards so that an independent public prosecutor can subsequently take immediate action and the office responsible for oversight of the civil service can be informed, as well as the Congress, which possesses responsibility for political control. The powers proposed in this amendment are considerably weaker than laws in effect in democracies that do not have our degree of terrorist risk.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“In the first year of the mandate of President Uribe, the policy of democratic security that has been applied to uproot terrorism in the country yielded its first results. A police presence has been extended to 151 municipalities, the number of homicides has dropped 22 per cent, the number of massacres has fallen 35 per cent, kidnappings have been reduced 34.7 per cent, illegal detentions on the highways have dropped 49 per cent and the number of internally displaced people has been reduced by 66 per cent. The reduction of all these types of crime is significant, but their levels continue to be alarming. No country can accept such circumstances. The progress made in protecting our fellow citizens encourages us to continue our efforts to vanquish terrorism, in rigorous conformity with the law.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We support the Chairman's initiative of identifying difficulties in the Committee's structure and functioning. The question the Council is considering today is fundamental for a country such as Colombia, which is defending democracy and the human rights of its citizens from the attacks committed daily by three terrorist organizations. The current Government has found approximately 30,000 persons belonging to armed organizations that can be considered terrorists due to the nature of their acts. In the approximately 1.2 million square kilometres of our national territory, of which almost 400,000 square kilometres are jungle, the lack of a State presence in many areas has been taken advantage of by terrorists. Of 1,100 municipalities, 170 had no police presence.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source