YouSaid · the spoken record

Roscoe

lines on the record: 181
first: 2019-09-30
most recent: 2022-05-25
sittings or episodes: 26
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

“It was worrying to hear in today’s briefing about the rise in human rights abuses across the country. We also urge the Government to ensure that the necessary resources reach the responsible actors in the east. We welcome investigations into allegations of embezzlement of funds for military operations and encourage the Government authorities to ensure accountability for those responsible. We encourage the Government to follow the other recommendations of the joint Defence and Security Standing Committee, including the development of an exit strategy from the state of siege. As we approach MONUSCO’s mandate renewal, let me briefly highlight the United Kingdom’s priorities. We want to see progress in the implementation of the Mission’s transition plan.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“While UPDF-FARDC operations take place against the backdrop of improved regional relations, we encourage all Governments to use existing regional mechanisms to share information about those operations in order to reduce the risk of unintended harm. Turning now to the state of siege, the United Kingdom acknowledges FARDC and MONUSCO efforts against armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo but remains concerned about persistent armed group activity and consequent civilian death, injury and displacement. We reiterate our call for the Government to ensure that the state of siege is transparent, time-bound — and we note today that we are in its thirteenth extension — and implemented with full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“We welcome the steps taken by the parties to begin sharing information and the role that the Special Representative has played in the region in facilitating that process. The United Kingdom also underscores the necessity of conducting all operations in full respect of international human rights law and international humanitarian law and, where appropriate, in strict compliance with the human rights due diligence policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces. In that connection, it was reassuring to hear that the Special Representative reports human rights compliance by all actors in her territory.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“First, the United Kingdom is closely following developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo following the launch of joint operations by the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces. Coordination will be essential to maximize operational impact and minimize the risk posed to civilians, United Nations personnel and humanitarian actors, as well as the risk of unintended action between the forces. We therefore stress the need for effective information-sharing and coordination between the UPDF, the FARDC and MONUSCO on any military action, including location, nature and objectives, and also with humanitarian actors so as to enable access to those likely to be displaced or affected.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“May I begin by welcoming back Special Representative of the Secretary-General Keita to the Chamber. It is very good to see her here in person, and we are very grateful for her briefing. I am also grateful to Ms. Kalala for her briefing and to you, Mr. President, for your insights on the visit of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and your role as its Chair. I will focus my intervention on three issues: Uganda’s intervention in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the state of siege and the mandate renewal of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“Where they can, they have confiscated and destroyed such weapons, but it would be much more effective to work together in order to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands in the first place. The Council should do everything in its power to work to ensure that. As Ms. Devoto said — the tools, knowledge and experience are all there; what we require is political will.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“For our part, the United Kingdom will continue to support other policy initiatives in this area such as the Group of Governmental Experts on problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus, as they seek to establish better standards for the safe storing of ammunition. We will also continue to partner with other States to strengthen arms control frameworks through national legislation in order to implement better stockpile management procedures and to tackle the grave challenges recognized by our briefers today. The United Kingdom peacekeepers on patrol in Mali have seen how a limited number of small arms can be used to terrorize and abuse communities.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“We completed a new risk- analysis tool kit that will strengthen understanding of the risks and impact of arms and how conventional arms control can contribute to United Nations conflict prevention, management and resolution. But States must also recognize their responsibilities in this area, as other speakers have said. Small arms trafficking networks operate internationally, and all States can support conflict-affected regions by implementing their own robust export control and customs systems. The Arms Trade Treaty is a key multilateral tool to ensure a well-regulated, legal trade in conventional arms and to address illicit transfers. We continue to encourage all States to ratify and accede to the Treaty.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“The Council should mandate the United Nations to do more in these areas, as well as to identify and transfer best practices and to better gather, pool and share disaggregated data on small and illicit arms and their effects in conflicts on the Council’s agenda. However, activity mandated by the Council should recognize the specificities of each situation and the fine political balances within peace operations rather than being too directive. Effective control of small arms and light weapons must play an important part in our wider approach to conflict prevention. The United Kingdom is pleased to support the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research in a project to integrate conventional arms control into the Organization’s conflict-prevention work, as we heard today.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“Where appropriate, the Council should support this opportunity through mandating missions to provide security reform assistance and should lift embargoes only when States are fully ready to take responsibility for preventing small arms diversion and misuse. As in all areas, sustainable peace requires the full and active participation of women. That applies equally to responses to small arms trafficking. The Secretary-General’s report makes clear the horrific impact of the misuse of such weapons, particularly on women and girls, and we fully support the report’s recommendations to the Council in that regard.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“Devoto spelled out very clearly the advantages of properly implementing them and the costs of not doing so. We thank the various panels of experts for the important oversight and implementation support that they provide. Additionally, weapons and ammunition management support is being provided in a range of settings also on the Council’s agenda. That assistance should draw on recognized sources of best practices, such as the Modular Small-arms-control Implementation Compendium and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines. By restricting illicit weapon flows, arms embargoes can also present space and opportunity to strengthen State security institutions more widely, which is why the Council should think very carefully before lifting them.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“We welcome you, Mr. President, as well as Minister Bhattacharya, to the Security Council today. It is good to see you. As you said in your statement, the diversion and misuse of small arms and light weapons costs hundreds of thousands of lives each year. And as the latest Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/839) once again makes clear, illicit small arms undermine security and sustainable development, drive conflict and fuel crime and terrorism — all of which falls squarely within the Council’s remit. I want to turn first to the important role the Security Council can play in supporting efforts to address illicit flows of small arms and light weapons. Mexico has rightly brought particular attention to our arms embargoes. In order to be effective, it is vital that embargoes are properly implemented and enforced. Ms.”
2021-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8909 (2021) · source
“In parallel with that, there needs to be sustained effort on human rights compliance and investment in broader political efforts to address the underlying causes of conflict. In conclusion, we know the gravity of the challenges faced by the G-5 Sahel countries. For our part, we are proud to be supporting efforts to stabilize the region, including through our deployment in MINUSMA. We remain committed to helping to address the Sahel’s challenges, not only militarily, but also through a greater focus on stabilization, governance and development. We look forward to continuing constructive discussions with all partners in the interests of the long-term peace, stability and development of the region.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“We have noted the Secretary- General’s letter of October (S/2021/850) regarding alternative support models for the Joint Force, which we had hoped would propose options for bilateral and multilateral support mechanisms other than just the United Nations. As we have consistently said, we have a fundamental concern with United Nations involvement in offensive, national counter-terrorism operations. We therefore do not believe that the United Nations is the right vehicle to provide durable support to the Joint Force. But we stand ready to continue to engage with partners to discuss possible alternative solutions that would enable the Joint Force to build its own capacities towards a self-sustaining basis over time. I reiterate that that is only a part of the solution.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“We continue to urge all Governments to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses when they arise, to prosecute those responsible and to ensure respect for international human rights standards and judicial processes in the course of counter-terrorism operations. In that regard, we welcome the announcement by the Malian authorities of the three cases brought before the military tribunal in Bamako this month. It is an important step forward in the fight against impunity. We recognize the efforts of the G-5 Sahel nations and their partners to address security concerns and tackle cross-border threats. We support the aims of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force as a key part of the solution to the challenges in the Sahel.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“The Council also heard about the Niger’s efforts to address insecurity and the impact of climate change and to support access to education, especially for girls. The United Kingdom will support the work of the Niger’s High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace, aimed at improving the resilience of local populations in the tri-border area and promoting dialogue between communities and State representatives in order to help resolve disputes. We also support and encourage Government engagement with humanitarian, stabilization and development partners in relation to internally displaced persons and refugee returns in order to ensure that returns are safe and sustainable. There can be no sustainable peace and security in the Sahel without the protection of human rights and compliance with international humanitarian law.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“As I stated when the Council last discussed the Sahel in May (see S/2021/484), it is evident that any military response to the problems of insecurity in the region needs to be integrated into broader efforts to improve governance and, indeed, to address the socioeconomic challenges and underrepresentation and mistreatment of women, as set out so clearly today by Ms. Sinaré. The key to that in Mali is a timely democratic transition, as the Council discussed at the end of October (see S/PV.8893). During the visit to the region last month, the Council had the opportunity to hear first-hand about the engagement of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) with the Malian transitional authorities in order to encourage their development of a strategy for the protection of civilians in central Mali.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“I thank Under- Secretary-General Lacroix and Ms. Sinaré for their briefings, as well as the Permanent Representative of Chad for setting out her view. It is clear again today that violence is spreading. Civilians are continuing to suffer and humanitarian access is becoming even more challenging amid growing political uncertainty in Mali and Chad, as well as worrying trends in regional cooperation. As others have said, just last week, we again saw terrorist incidents in the Niger’s Tillabéri region, leading to a significant loss of life. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims in the Niger and to all of those living in conflict zones across the Sahel.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Let us redouble our efforts. Let us consider whether we can sign the Arms Trade Treaty if we have not already. Let us properly implement all Council resolutions in this area and think through the issue very carefully as we mandate our peacekeeping missions.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“You put this issue on the agenda today, Sir, because it is clearly at the very heart of the Council’s work. We heard again and again that unchecked proliferation — plain and simple — causes conflict, conflict causes insecurity and unchecked proliferation is therefore exacerbated even further by it. That proliferation causes human misery where it occurs, and, as we said, that cost is felt mainly by women and children, as well as peacekeepers, whom we deploy, as we heard earlier. It is therefore clear that the Council needs to focus on the objectives set out by our briefers. It is also clear that we need to think very carefully when members in the Council call on us to modify or reconsider arms embargoes that we have implemented. We implement them for a reason, and we need to consider very carefully the implications of changing them.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“The United Kingdom itself is leading a review of the Handbook of Best Practices on Small Arms and Light Weapons of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe with regard to stockpile management. We also continue to support work to address the risks of stockpiles of ammunition, including through the recently concluded Group of Governmental Experts on problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus. The United Kingdom will continue to prioritize work on small arms to strengthen domestic frameworks, and we are helping countries to strengthen arms control frameworks through national legislation to implement better stockpile management procedures and tackle the grave challenges recognized in the Secretary-General’s report.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“We therefore support its recommendations, particularly on coherence in programming related to children and the role States should play to counter sexual violence in conflict by tackling illicit arms f lows, in line with the Arms Trade Treaty or other national obligations. As others said earlier, the Arms Trade Treaty is a key multilateral tool to ensure well-regulated legal trade in conventional arms and address illicit transfers. We continue to encourage all States to ratify and accede to the Treaty. Illicitly traded small arms affect different countries and regions in different ways, which has been made clear today. Accordingly, we commend regional approaches in that area, including the African Union’s Silencing the Guns initiative and The Western Balkans road map.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“The United Kingdom is therefore pleased to support the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research in a project to integrate conventional arms control into conflict-prevention work. Together we have developed a risk-analysis toolkit for conflict practitioners that will strengthen their understanding of the risks and impact of arms and how conventional arms control can contribute to United Nations conflict prevention, management and resolution. We also welcome the focus within the latest report of the Secretary General on children affected by armed conflict and the gendered dimensions of the harm caused by the illicit trade in small arms (S/2021/437). As we heard repeatedly today, it is clear that children and women bear the brunt of the impact of small arms.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“Illicit small arms undermine security and, in doing so, sustainable development, fuelling further conflict, crime and terrorism. Many United Nations processes contribute to countering the illicit trade in small arms. In that context, we warmly thank your Mission and you, Sir, for your able leadership of the recent seventh Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, as others also acknowledged today. As our speakers have brought out, effective control of small arms and light weapons should be seen as an important part of our wider approach to conflict in the Security Council.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening us today to discuss this important issue. Our thanks also go to our briefers, not only for their valuable contributions but also all the work they do in this area in their respective fields. It was good to hear such practical and common-sense advice from them. We are also grateful to the Secretary- General for his latest report of on small arms and light weapons (S/2021/839). It is very important that we consider peacekeeping in this context but, as we heard repeatedly today, peacekeeping does not happen in a vacuum. We therefore need to consider the issue carefully in the round. Although small arms and light weapons have important and legitimate uses, they are also subject to diversion and misuse, which costs hundreds of thousands of lives.”
2021-10-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8874 (2021) · source
“We welcome recent developments, including the purchase of land for two more former territorial areas for training and reintegration and encourage the Government to consolidate and accelerate that process. As we have noted before, this is a critical year not only for Colombia’s transitional justice process but for the peace process more widely. When the Council holds its next quarterly meeting, the fifth anniversary of the peace agreement will almost be upon us. That will be a moment for the international community to celebrate with Colombia the significant progress achieved to date, while reflecting on the remaining challenges to overcome to ensure a sustainable peace. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Colombia as it continues on that path.”
2021-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8818 (2021) · source
“In that regard, we look forward to the implementation of the recently adopted Strategic Plan for Security and Protection for former combatants. We also welcome the progress made by the National Protection Unit in assessing pending requests and filling its vacancies, as well as the further convictions by the Special Investigation Unit. We urge the Colombian Government to build on that, taking further steps, including — as we have called for before in the Council — to implement the public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups and increase the security and civilian presence of the State in conflict-affected areas. Finally, I would like to touch briefly on reintegration.”
2021-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8818 (2021) · source
“We encourage all involved to acknowledge their role in crimes and injustices, fulfil their responsibility to the victims of conflict and pave the way towards reconciliation. As the Special Representative of the Secretary-General said, closure for those left behind is critical. Reconciliation will be impossible to realize fully while conflict-affected communities face ongoing insecurity. The United Kingdom continues to be deeply concerned about the persistent threats and deadly violence by illegal armed groups targeted at former combatants, human rights defenders and social leaders, including women and those from indigenous Afro- Colombian and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities.”
2021-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8818 (2021) · source
“The challenging recent context should not cause us to overlook the achievements in peace implementation during the reporting period. As we heard from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, they were particularly significant in regard to the transitional justice system, which is at the heart of the peace agreement. The contributions to the transitional justice process witnessed in recent months were historic. While they may have surfaced painful truths, they have vindicated the purpose of the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition. The United Kingdom welcomed the response of former leaders of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo to their indictment of kidnapping by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.”
2021-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8818 (2021) · source
“The Security Council’s relationship with Colombia is one of partnership, and we look forward to working together with her as Colombia continues its journey towards a lasting peace. As we have just heard, this past reporting period was marked by protests and, unfortunately, acts of violence and destruction. We echo the Secretary- General’s call in his most recent report (S/2021/603) for all political and social actors in Colombia to commit to non-violence and to choose dialogue to find solutions to the challenges facing Colombia. We share concerns about human rights violations, particularly in relation to the protests, and we welcome the Colombian Government’s commitment to conduct transparent investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force. President Duque Márquez’s promise of police reform is also an important step forward.”
2021-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8818 (2021) · source
“My thanks go first to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General both for his briefing today and for the huge amount of work that he and his team are doing, including in what have recently been challenging circumstances. Whenever Mr. Ruiz Massieu comes to the Security Council, he clearly sets out a pragmatic way forward for us and for all partners in the peace process. We are grateful to him for that work. I also want to thank the civil society briefer, Ms. Herrera, both for sharing her brave and powerful testimony with us today and also for reminding us that culture is what makes us human and that it is one of the cornerstones of peace anywhere in the world. Finally, it is very good to see Vice-President Lucía Ramírez in the Chamber today. I welcome her and her team.”
2021-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8818 (2021) · source
“We are also grateful to him for the emphasis he has placed on women and the role of women in political processes, and in politics more generally, as well as the emphasis he has placed on young people and their involvement. We know from listening to Ms. Ayemou’s briefing how critical that is to progress. In conclusion, there are four areas that we believe require Mr. Annadif’s continued focus, namely, defining what States and the United Nations can do in a coordinated manner to address insecurity; pressing States and parties to conflict to allow humanitarian access; working with States to prepare for elections that are independent and credible; and, finally, acting as a champion for human rights and an equal role for women across the region.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8814 (2021) · source
“Annadif can add particular value by encouraging all parties to continue to use dialogue to resolve their political differences and to continue to call for free and fair elections that allow all parties to participate. Again, we believe that Mr. Annadif’s role as an elder statesman in the region will help States to think ahead on elections to ensure independent preparations that lead to credible outcomes. On human rights, and on gender in particular, we are concerned by the level of impunity for human rights violations and abuses across West Africa and the Sahel. We call on Mr. Annadif and UNOWAS once again to call for strengthened accountability from Governments and improved compliance with international human rights standards.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8814 (2021) · source
“That included an initial pledge of £267 million in assistance for communities in north-east Nigeria. We are particularly concerned about the food security situation for those whom humanitarian access is unable to reach. We hope that Mr. Annadif can again use his role to work with all parties to conflicts to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian actors. Turning to elections, the United Kingdom welcomes the largely peaceful elections in Côte d’Ivoire, the Niger and Cabo Verde earlier this year. We are pleased to see that preparations are under way for elections that will take place later in the year, including in the Gambia and Cabo Verde. However, we share Mr. Annadif’s concerns about the violence and tensions that marked the election periods in Benin and Guinea. Once again, we think that is an area in which Mr.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8814 (2021) · source
“Annadif identified just now: that that threat could be conflated with the land-based security risks. The United Kingdom is committed to improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea by supporting regional African partners to find regionally led solutions, and we are delivering support to the Gulf of Guinea through the Group of Seven (G7) ++ Group of Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, which the United Kingdom is co-chairing with Senegal this year. We also want to focus on the humanitarian situation, which Mr. Annadif mentioned and as raised in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2021/612), because the situation is clearly incredibly concerning across the region. We are doing what we can; at the Group of Seven Summit in May, the United Kingdom brokered an action plan to help save millions of lives from famine and humanitarian crises.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8814 (2021) · source
“Annadif’s briefing that security, particularly in the Sahel, continues to be the dominant regional concern. We encourage Mr. Annadif’s Office to focus on the steps that the United Nations can take in a coordinated fashion to address the underlying drivers of conflict and the work that Mr. Annadif personally can undertake to encourage leaders across the region to make the right choices. I was also very pleased to hear about the regional working group that he set up to address the impact of climate change on the security situation in the region. I think that it is such a critical area for the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to be involved in. We also note the references in the report (S/2021/612) to insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea and the risk that Mr.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8814 (2021) · source
“I, too, should like to join others in welcoming Special Representative Annadif back to the Chamber today, thank him for his briefing and welcome him to his new role. We are very grateful to him for the dynamic start that he has made in the job since he began. The work that he has done on his regional tour to meet Heads of State across the region is such a critical part of the role. I thank him for that energy. I should also like to thank Ms. Ayemou for her commitments and all that she is doing in the fight for women’s rights and for the children across her country. The prognosis that she gave is one that we agree with entirely, and, as my United States colleague just said, we will do all we can to support her and all like her in championing those causes. It is clear from Mr.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8814 (2021) · source
“We agree that it is critical that the Mission support the Government in the implementation of the Government’s action plan. We agree that it is particularly critical that the elections in 2023 happen on time, and we encourage her to continue to press for the right appointments being made now so that the Democratic Republic of the Congo can prepare effectively and deliver credible elections. We also think that political engagement to ensure non-military solutions to the violence should be pursued energetically. Lastly, we agree that, where it comes to the transition benchmarks, we need to see a clear connection between the Government’s action plan and the results that drive the transition process. I again thank Special Representative for her leadership.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“In this respect, we welcome the progress that has been made in Tanganyika to bring MONUSCO, the United Nations country team, local authorities and civil society together to operationalize the provincial transition plan. In addition to the cessation of MONUSCO’s operations in the Kasais, these joint efforts in Tanganyika will enable MONUSCO to focus its efforts on the three remaining provinces in the eastern Democratic Republic heavily affected by conflict. As MONUSCO’s transition progresses, it will be important to reflect on the experiences and lessons learned in provinces from which the Mission has already departed. Finally, we want to support Special Representative Keita’s four objectives, which she set out so clearly in her briefing this morning.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“Turning to the transition of the United Nations presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Kingdom welcomes the establishment of the joint working group between the Government and the United Nations. We encourage the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to engage fully with MONUSCO and the United Nations country team through the joint working group, including on the articulation of a joint transition plan that is being provided to the Council in September. Effective coordination between MONUSCO and the United Nations country team will also be essential to the success of the transition, and we encourage continued efforts to overcoming remaining coordination challenges.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must focus on using security to enhance governance. As we have noted several times before, the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is dire. We remain concerned about the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, which makes, as we have heard today, the country extremely vulnerable to the health, food, security, social and economic impacts of the pandemic. The United Kingdom has provided almost $17 million to support the Democratic Republic’s response to COVID-19 and the rapid, and the effective response to the recent resurgence of Ebola in North Kivu demonstrated the importance of responding to health emergencies through local health structures and leadership.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“The manner in which the state of siege is implemented will determine its success, and in this regard, the United Kingdom urges the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure that the state of siege remains transparent and time limited and that it continues to be implemented with full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. We also encourage the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to increase FARDC collaboration, including joint planning with MONUSCO, to ensure coordinated efforts to tackle the armed groups. On a related note, we look forward to the completion of the enhancements brought to MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade later this month, and we also agree wholeheartedly with Special Representative Keita’s assessment that military means alone cannot provide or guarantee security.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“The United Kingdom continues to be concerned by the deteriorating situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri. The civilian population continues to withstand appalling attacks by armed groups, and personnel from MONUSCO and the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC) continue to lose their lives as they attempt to tackle these armed groups. Concerted efforts are required to combat the armed groups and, critically, to disrupt support from their political and economic backers. We take note in this context of the state of siege announced by President Tshisekedi on 6 May, his acknowledgement of the challenges the FARDC need to overcome in order to tackle armed groups effectively, and his commitment to addressing those challenges.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“I would also like to express through Special Representative Keita our condolences on the killing of the peacekeeper, Lance Corporal Chitenji Kamanga, who was simply trying to protect civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and do her job. It is appalling that she should be murdered, and we condemn that. I am also very grateful to Ms. Kibambe for her first-hand account of responding to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) under what are very challenging circumstances. I will focus my statement on three issues: the state of siege in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the humanitarian situation and the transition of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), including the Special Representative’s action plan.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“Before I begin my statement, I would like to join others and you, Mr. President, in condemning the abhorrent murder of President Moïse of Haiti. We send our condolences to the people of Haiti and to President Jovenel Moïse’s family, and our thoughts are with the injured first lady. The Security Council should continue to closely monitor developments in Haiti, and we must ensure accountability for those responsible for the murder. Let me begin my response to this morning’s briefing by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Keita for her comprehensive briefing and also for her reassuring leadership.”
2021-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8813 (2021) · source
“We therefore will not reiterate those points today. Like others, we call once again on the regime to release those whom it holds in arbitrary detention, which Ms. Hussain described as her group’s greatest priority, allow medical access to those detained and provide information on the missing to their families, in line with resolution 2254 (2015) and Human Rights Council resolutions on Syria. Lastly, progress on the political process is the only way to build conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes and secure a lasting end to the conflict in Syria.”
2021-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8805 (2021) · source
“We must not forget that the conflict continues in Syria, and we are deeply concerned about increasing levels of violence, including strikes on southern Idlib, a regime attack on a school facility in a camp for internally displaced person on 9 June and an attack on yet another hospital in Afrin on 12 June. We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, abide by existing ceasefire agreements and implement resolution 2254 (2015)’s instruction for a nationwide ceasefire. That remains as urgent as ever. We also note the call of resolution 2254 (2015) to allow humanitarian access to those in need, and we thank Special Envoy Pedersen for his comments today. We obviously discussed the imperative of humanitarian access in some detail on Wednesday, 23 June (see S/PV.8803).”
2021-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8805 (2021) · source
“I was very encouraged by the information that he gave us on the way that he is engaging civil society in the process in innovative ways. Now that the distraction of the so-called presidential elections in Syria is out of the way — I noted Ms. Hussain’s description of them as a sham — we call on the Syrian regime finally to engage constructively with the political process and the Constitutional Committee towards a new constitution and free and fair elections pursuant to the constitution. We recognize the Special Envoy’s efforts to that end and his efforts to accelerate progress on all aspects of resolution 2254 (2015), including by encouraging greater international consensus on the path forward. We would be interested to hear more about his ideas for a new international dialogue.”
2021-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8805 (2021) · source
“We remain firm in our belief that the way to secure rights for all Syrians is by bringing about a negotiated end to the appalling conflict and that the political process established by resolution 2254 (2015) remains the only viable route to lasting and inclusive peace. As the Council made clear in resolution 2254 (2015), the meaningful participation of women in the United Nations-facilitated political process is critical. And it was good to hear Ms. Hussain reiterate that herself. Indeed, we cannot envisage a solution to the situation without the participation of women. We therefore very much welcome the vital work of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement and ongoing engagement by the Special Envoy with women representatives.”
2021-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8805 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Pedersen for his briefing. As others said, it is very good to see him back in the Chamber with us. I am also very grateful to Ms. Hussain for her briefing. I think that she offered us a stark description of the desperate situation in Syria, especially with regard to violence and discrimination against women and their counterproductive exclusion from the political process. It was interesting to hear the extent to which her diagnosis of and remedy for the situation aligns with ours. As she insisted, we offer her no sympathy, but only admiration for her strength and determination to challenge an illegitimate regime and fight for change and accountability.”
2021-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8805 (2021) · source