YouSaid · the spoken record

Rodney Hunter

lines on the record: 138
first: 2020-06-23
most recent: 2021-04-22
sittings or episodes: 18
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

“We also look forward to the results of the Organization’s independent strategic review of UNMISS. In the months to come, the United States will judge progress in South Sudan’s peace process in a few key areas. First, there should be an end to South Sudan’s restrictions on UNMISS patrols and movement. UNMISS is a critical component of the peace architecture in South Sudan, and its operations have saved many thousands of lives. South Sudan’s leaders need to start treating UNMISS like a partner, not an enemy. Secondly, all parties and armed groups should adhere to cessations of hostilities or ceasefires. Given the recent violence in the Equatorias, we call on parties to abide by their commitments, including their renewed commitment under the auspices of Sant’Egidio, to end conflict and expeditiously resume their dialogue.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“The United States remains the largest provider of humanitarian assistance, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, we have provided over $40 million in virus-related assistance. That is in addition to past investments in South Sudan totalling $6.4 billion over the past 20 years. We continue to be a steadfast supporter of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and its life-saving work to protect civilians in conflict. We welcome and encourage continued UNMISS rapid deployments in Jonglei and elsewhere to provide protection and deter violence against civilians. Protecting civilians in protection-of-civilians sites remains an essential task. As UNMISS continues to transition its role in those sites, we urge meaningful coordination and transparency with the humanitarian community and with displaced persons.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“Over 157,000 persons have been displaced since February. Nine humanitarian aid workers have been killed this year. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic creates additional fiscal and humanitarian needs, exacerbating challenges for those seeking to govern effectively in South Sudan. But through these challenging times, the United States continues to stand with the people of South Sudan. Our Special Envoy just returned from Juba, where he urged President Kiir and South Sudan’s Vice Presidents to undertake immediate reforms and make meaningful investments in the peace agreement. All three Troika Special Envoys were in Juba together for the first time since 2017, delivering joint, face-to-face messages to leaders, humanitarian workers and civil society.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“They would truly believe when they saw former soldiers from the various warring parties walking side by side and working together to protect the people. Unfortunately, we remain far from that point when the people of South Sudan can believe that peace has come to the country. Violence in South Sudan remains widespread and has increased from last year. More than 1,000 civilians have been killed this year. Sexual and gender-based violence is committed with impunity, and the abduction of women and children continues unabated. As Under-Secretary-General Lowcock explained in his briefing (annex II), the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains among the most dire in the world and is directly linked to ongoing conflict and violence in the country. Hunger affects an estimated 6 million people in South Sudan.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“Now, however, is the time for South Sudan’s leadership to redouble efforts to accelerate the implementation of their own peace agreement and to deliver stability and security for the Sudanese people. South Sudan’s people have yet to see tangible benefits from the political commitments made by their leaders. That will continue to be the case until South Sudan’s leaders fully embrace the letter and spirit of their own peace agreement. When Ambassador Craft met with women in Malakal last year, she asked them when they would believe that peace had finally come to South Sudan. Those women told her they would believe when they were able to visit the market and collect firewood without fear of violence. They would believe when they could provide enough food for their family so that their children could go to school and not be hungry.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“South Sudan’s leaders have taken courageous steps to form the Government of National Unity and to begin establishing provincial and local institutions. The process of building a unified military has started. Negotiations with non-signatory armed groups yielded a renewed cessation of hostilities agreement, albeit one that remains imperfectly implemented. The United States fully recognizes the efforts — domestic, regional and international — that support achieving those benchmarks. We applaud the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other regional partners that continue to play a key role in achieving progress. We also recognize and welcome South Sudan’s role in brokering peace agreements for the Sudan.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“I thank Special Representative Shearer for his dedication to South Sudan and for his informative briefing today. I also thank Under-Secretary Lowcock for updating us on the dire humanitarian situation in the country. The United States commends Ms. Tai’s dedication to building peace in South Sudan. We echo her call for the full, effective and meaningful participation of women in all spheres and at all levels of political leadership and in the peace process, and we thank her so much for her briefing today. We really hope to hear more from her in the days and years to come. September 12 marked the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“Their goal is to inspire followers to their cause, while accelerating potential acts of violence. The Council cannot allow that to happen. We must stand together to prevent it. This period, undoubtedly, has been trying for virtually every person in the world. From disrupted livelihoods, upended rhythms of daily life and, of course, the immense sadness of watching loved ones suffer and even die, we have all been profoundly impacted by this pandemic. But make no mistake — the Trump Administration will continue to lead on this issue and will work hard to make the world safer and more secure from infectious disease threats for us, our children and future generations.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“We welcome the increased contributions that many have already made, and we join Under-Secretary- General Lowcock in encouraging other countries and stakeholders to do the same immediately. We all need to step up. The United States has also been a strong supporter of the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, while acknowledging the importance of continuing legitimate counter-terrorism operations. Parties to conflict must continue to respect existing ceasefire agreements or finalize new agreements so that the conflict- affected communities can access crucial aid and take steps to protect themselves from the virus. At the same time, we have to recognize how terrorists are trying to leverage this pandemic to recruit and radicalize others, as noted by our briefers today.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“Our steadfast and heartfelt support for such efforts encompasses all facets of the pandemic response, including second- and third-order effects. And we are working directly with those on the ground to combat this virus, including Governments, multilateral organizations, faith-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, research institutions and many other organizations. Additionally, we have supported the Secretary-General’s call to resource the United Nations response. As of 14 August, the United States had contributed a total of $908 million in 44 countries to eight United Nations agencies; that is 44 per cent of the total humanitarian response raised to date.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“We will continue to call for its reform and we will seek alternative, transparent S/2020/897 S/2020/897 partners in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is incumbent on each of us to collectively commit to the timely sharing of public-health data and information with the international community. Doing so is paramount to our ability to overcome this crisis together and to building our resilience to future pandemics. Since we last met nearly one month ago to discuss COVID-19, the United States’ support for global efforts to counter the pandemic has increased even further. Over just the past few weeks, we have increased our funding for the development of vaccines and therapeutics, global preparedness efforts and overseas economic, health and humanitarian aid from $12 billion to more than $20.5 billion.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“Unfortunately, we may never know for certain how much of the pain and suffering caused by COVID-19 could have been avoided if the Chinese Communist Party had behaved like a responsible Government and immediately warned the rest of the world of the virus that it uncovered in Wuhan. Not only did it fail the world, but the World Health Organization’s (WHO) failures in the early days of the pandemic also contributed to needless suffering and the worsening of the pandemic. The WHO needs to reform, including by demonstrating its independence from the Chinese Communist Party. That lack of independence, transparency and accountability is why President Trump made the decision for the United States to withdraw from the WHO.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“We have heard these claims far too often in the Council as China attempts to deflect attention from its own actions, whether related to this pandemic, the terrible human rights abuses against minorities in Xinjiang or the repression of democracy in Hong Kong. We can all see right through this, no matter how many times those lies are repeated. The Chinese Communist Party must answer to the mothers and fathers around the world trying to home-school their children while working full-time jobs from home. It must answer to those mourning loved ones without the ability to honour them with a funeral. It must answer to those who have postponed weddings, vacations, family reunions, conferences, sports seasons, retirements or the purchase of a house. It must answer to those who have lost their jobs or their business.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“In the early days of the virus, the Chinese Communist Party hid the truth about the outbreak from the world and prevented researchers from accessing vital information — innumerable deaths that could have been prevented were the result. We must hold those responsible accountable for their actions, and inaction, early in this pandemic and ensure that future pandemics are reported in a transparent manner early, instead of being hidden from the world. Now, over and over, we have heard our Chinese colleagues attempt to place the blame on something else and cast themselves as the heroes. They claim, as they did today, that unilateral sanctions are to blame for human suffering and inadequate Government responses to the virus. They will claim that we all need to “look within” instead of criticizing their actions.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“Our never- ending gratitude goes out to all health-care workers, to all United Nations staff and to all essential personnel who continue to put themselves in harm’s way every day to make us all safer. I express my gratitude to them. Since the pandemic began, the Trump Administration has been very clear that transparency and the timely sharing of public-health data and information are essential to fighting it effectively. Unfortunately, however, failures at the outset of the pandemic by the People’s Republic of China, where COVID-19 originated and was first diagnosed, have imperilled all of us and caused needless additional suffering and death.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“I wish to thank all three of our briefers today for their fantastic briefings. I thought that it was particularly telling, and indeed very important, for three of the highest-level people within the United Nations system to be speaking with one voice on such an important issue, and I thank them once again. The United States appreciates the opportunity today to continue this dialogue in the Council on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. I would like to begin today by expressing our condolences in connection with the illnesses, deaths and other adverse consequences — including those affecting health-care and humanitarian personnel — resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2020-09-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/897 (2020) · source
“On this solemn anniversary, the United States reiterates our resolve to prevent further use of those deadly weapons and to hold the Al-Assad regime accountable for its heinous crimes against the Syrian people. The United States is committed to the future of the Syrian people — all of the Syrian people. Every Syrian child should have an opportunity to live up to his or her highest potential. Instead, they and their parents worry whether they will live until their next birthday. That is wrong. The United States will continue to work towards a peaceful future for all Syrians, and we know the rest of the Council will as well.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“Therefore, every single member of the Council must commit to ensuring that Bab Al-Hawa remains open. To that end, the United States urges Turkey and Russia to contain all escalatory incidents, continue cooperation on the implementation of the 5 March memorandum of understanding and restore calm in Idlib. The Al-Assad regime must also heed the calls of Special Envoy Pedersen to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus by releasing detainees who are being unjustly held in horrific conditions. Seven years ago, on 21 August 2013, the Al-Assad regime launched a horrific chemical attack with the nerve agent sarin on the Ghouta district in Damascus that killed more than 1,400 Syrians, many of them children.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“In north-west Syria, the recent airstrikes by Russia and ground movements by Syrian forces in Idlib province are of serious concern. The continuation of the 5 March Turkish-Russian ceasefire agreement is fundamental to a lasting political solution to the conflict. Notably, the continuation of the Idlib ceasefire is more essential now than ever since resolution 2533 (2020) forced the United Nations to shift its operations from Bab Al-Salam and reach the entire displaced population through Bab Al-Hawa alone. Renewed military hostilities could have a profound and crippling impact on United Nations aid deliveries from Bab Al-Hawa, and there is no backup option for United Nations cross-border assistance to flow into the country if Bab Al-Hawa is closed.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“Rest assured that the United States will continue to do everything in its power to provide humanitarian assistance and support to all the Syrian people in need. In north-east Syria, the United States is closely monitoring the operating status of the Allouk water station. The United States has been very clear with all sides, including with the Turkish authorities, that restricting access to water and other basic services is unacceptable. We encourage the United Nations to provide technical assistance to address the water station’s operations, because it is imperative that water be permitted to flow at levels that adequately meet humanitarian needs, particularly in the midst of a pandemic. The United States will continue engaging with the relevant parties to achieve a sustainable solution.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“Until that happens, the Syrian people will continue to suffer while they and the rest of the world have no real idea about what is going on inside the Syrian Government’s territory. The coronavirus is absolutely exacerbating the Syrian humanitarian crisis. Of the more than 1,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus reported, dozens of health workers across Syria have tested positive. This complicates humanitarian efforts. The United States stands with the Syrian doctors and other health-care and humanitarian professionals, including the volunteer White Helmets, who are serving on the front line of the pandemic to protect their communities. The brave men and women of the White Helmets remain in our thoughts as they put their lives in danger to help others.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“The United States is also concerned by the reports we are receiving about a massive coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the Damascus region and elsewhere in regime-controlled areas. There are no reliable statistics from Syrian authorities in Damascus and no transparency, in general, from the Al-Assad regime on the scale of the outbreak. There is no clear picture of how the Syrian Government is using the COVID-19 assistance it has been receiving from the international community. Nor has the regime conducted any significant public health campaign or outreach to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, we call on the Syrian authorities to immediately grant full and transparent access to the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations to collect statistics and determine the scale of the pandemic in Syria.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“They were never given the chance to become what they should have become. They were never allowed to recognize their potential, that they had no choice over the situation that they had been put into. These deaths were completely preventable — had the thousands of camp inhabitants still received the life-saving combination of cross-line deliveries from Damascus and cross-border aid deliveries from Al-Yarubiyah. Each of us needs to ask herself whether the deaths of these eight innocent children could have been spared had the Council been able to keep Al-Yarubiyah open. For the United States, the answer to that question is very clear: yes. The Security Council has to do better.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“And despite their assertions to the contrary, we have seen no sustained improvements in the regime’s provision of cross-line access. Russia and China’s refusals to reauthorize the Al-Yarubiyah crossing continue to have a profound impact on the lives of Syrians in need. We are deeply saddened by reports from UNICEF earlier this month that eight children under the age of five died in Al-Hol in less than a week. We understand that four of those deaths were caused by malnutrition-related complications. I know that we all talk about things like this in the Security Council all the time, and I worry that sometimes our words lose their meaning because we talk about such horrifying events just in our normal statements. But these were real people; these were real children; they were real lives that were cut short.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“I very much thank the Acting Assistant Secretary-General for his briefing today. There can be no doubt, based on his assessment, that the Syrian people need more United Nations humanitarian aid now more than ever, and still the Al-Assad regime is failing to step up to meet its responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality. At this time of significant humanitarian need, the welfare of millions of Syrians remains at the mercy of the political calculations of the Al-Assad regime and the Russian Federation. Due to the callous and inhumane Russian and Chinese vetoes earlier this summer, United Nations humanitarian access via the cross-border modality is forced to trickle into Syria from the single remaining crossing point at Bab Al-Hawa.”
2020-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/866 (2020) · source
“A stable, prosperous and independent Iraq is what the Iraqi people want — an Iraq that is for the Iraqi people. Iraqi protesters could not have made that any clearer, and the United States stands with them to make it a reality.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“As Secretary Pompeo made clear during the United States-Iraq strategic dialogue, the United States is committed to helping Iraq achieve economic prosperity and freedom from foreign meddling in its internal affairs and through support for local militias. This includes malign influence and activity from Iran, the world’s leading State sponsor of terrorism. Iran’s actions in Iraq and elsewhere in the region show that it is not interested in being a responsible member of the international community. Instead, Iran wants to sow chaos and mistrust across the region. As we have said many times, the United States will not allow that to happen. That is why we have taken action to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran. Iran must never gain access to more modern weaponry to threaten its neighbours or the region.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“That grant will bolster Iraqi efforts to hold free and fair elections, and we expect that it will include activities to support Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission and enhance voter engagement. Once again, we implore Iraq’s other international partners to follow suit and provide voluntary contributions to support UNAMI’s invaluable work in helping Iraq prepare for elections. I also want to reiterate my Government’s outrage at the killing of peaceful protesters, civil-society activists and members of the media. To date, more than 600 have been killed and thousands injured. The Government of Iraq must bring those responsible for the killings to justice.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“The Security Council recognized the critical role that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) plays in assisting the Government of Iraq in its election preparations by enhancing electoral assistance language in UNAMI’s mandate renewal this past May. I call upon the United Nations and all Member States to ensure that UNAMI has the resources necessary to foster credible, free and fair Iraq-led and Iraq-owned elections. As a demonstration of support for Iraq’s democratic process, the Trump Administration announced plans to fund UNAMI’s electoral-support activities. We plan to announce $10 million in funding, subject to congressional notification, through a voluntary contribution routed through the United Nations Development Programme.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“That assistance will provide critical shelter, essential health care, emergency food assistance and water, sanitation and hygiene services across Iraq, and it continues to support the return of displaced persons, including ethnic and religious minorities. It will also improve access to civil documentation and legal services, enhance the capacity of health-care facilities and increase access to education and improved livelihood opportunities. We welcome the Prime Minister’s 31 July announcement of early parliamentary elections; it is an important step in addressing the Iraqi people’s demand for a responsive and representative Government.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“By the end of last week’s strategic dialogue, the United States and Iraq had signed nine memorandums of understanding codifying bilateral cooperation in health, economic reform, private-sector investment, trade and energy. Five of those memorandums were with United States companies, to help Iraq develop its energy sector. Moreover, the United States announced nearly $204 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq, Iraqi refugees in the region and the generous communities that are hosting them. That funding brings the total for the United States humanitarian response for Iraq to more than $706 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2019, and more than $2.4 billion in both humanitarian and development assistance since 2014.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“During their meeting at the White House, President Trump and Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi reaffirmed that the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq is based on a mutual desire for security and prosperity. We continue to work in close coordination to ensure that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham is rendered incapable of posing a threat to Iraq or any other nation, including by holding it to account for the atrocities it has perpetrated. We are committed to long-term security cooperation to build Iraq’s military capability and address threats to our shared interests. The United States is committed to Iraq’s economic development as well.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“I wish to thank the Special Representative for her briefing today. She and her team continue to distinguish themselves despite the constraints that the pandemic has imposed on their work. Today I will focus our remarks on just a few key points. I am pleased to report that last week’s United States-Iraq strategic dialogue was a great success. The fact that the United States hosted such a logistically complex in-person, strategic dialogue in the midst of a pandemic speaks to our commitment to a stable, sovereign and prosperous Iraq. That Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi, along with his Ministers for foreign affairs and of finance, defence, electricity and oil, led such a delegation speaks to Iraq’s good-faith efforts to meet the needs of its people and embrace the international community.”
2020-08-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/845 (2020) · source
“A Government working together would look to UNMISS and the United Nations as valuable partners not only in providing safety and security for its citizens, but also in addressing the COVID-19 crisis. A Government working together would recognize the essential role played by humanitarian partners in delivering much-needed assistance. Unfortunately, we still do not see the Transitional Government working together. We recognize the challenges posed by COVID-19, but we see the pandemic S/2020/582 as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among all parties and stakeholders in the Transitional Government. The United States remains committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement, just as we remain committed to the people of South Sudan at this most pressing time.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“Moving forward, then, we call on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to appoint a permanent and empowered Chairperson of the reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. African political leadership is essential for driving the peace process forward and for ending the violence. The United States is committed to working closely with the Transitional Government and its partners to implement the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and ensure a better future for the people of South Sudan. However, we expect South Sudan’s leaders to govern together as one Government and work in the best interest of its citizens. A Government working together would immediately address outbreaks of violence anywhere in the country.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“The United States supports South Sudan’s efforts aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic, but we cannot accept the Government’s using the virus as a pretext to curtail freedom of movement for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Even more egregious is South Sudan’s denials of internal medical-evacuation flights for UNMISS staff. This must stop, and it must stop now. Given these challenges, we look forward to hearing how the United Nations is protecting its personnel who contract COVID-19. As Council members, we must not lose sight of the important progress we have sought to advance in South Sudan, such as the forming of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, which requires that additional steps be taken for it to become fully functional, and we can no longer tolerate any setbacks.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“The violence, which is spreading to other parts of the country, risks eroding gains in the peace process that the Security Council has sought to support. The continued delays in the peace process are unacceptable. While there has been an agreement on the political formula to be used for appointing governors, the actual appointments and implementation of security arrangements need to occur in short order to have value. A priority in all of this should be the meaningful participation of women. Existing humanitarian programmes must be supported and allowed to continue even in the face of the additional challenges posed by COVID-19.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“I thank Special Representative Shearer for his briefing and his tireless leadership in support of stability in South Sudan. We would also like to thank Mr. Yakani for his steadfast commitment to advocating peace in the country. We stand shoulder to shoulder with him and other civil society advocates as they strive for the peace and security the South Sudanese people so richly deserve. The people of South Sudan are facing monumental challenges as they confront both escalating violence and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The United States remains concerned about increasing violence in Jonglei state, including widespread sexual and gender-based violence, which has already killed at least 600 individuals this year and resulted in the abduction of 150 women and girls.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source