YouSaid · the spoken record

Rycroft

lines on the record: 1,262
first: 2015-05-12
most recent: 2018-01-10
sittings or episodes: 197
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

“I have been continually impressed by their expertise and fortitude. They really are the unsung heroes of the Organization. Finally, I should like to thank my own team at the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations, which has supported me with skill, expertise and dedication. I wish all of them the very best for the future.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“I am very pleased to be able to finish my time in New York with a meeting on Colombia - one of our greatest success stories. I wish that all the conflicts that we work on could achieve the peace that has been achieved in Colombia. It is essential that we learn the lessons of that success and apply them to the countless other issues on our agenda, which, frankly, could do with a little bit of that success. As I leave this role, I want to thank all members of the Security Council with which I have shared this horseshoe table in this famous Chamber and all of their predecessors. I thank them for their cooperation, their insights and all their support over the past nearly three years. I should also like to thank everyone who works for the United Nations, be it here in New York or around the world.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“I urge both sides to work together to find a way of avoiding further civilian suffering. President Santos Calderon, together with Columbia's leaders, took a bold step in coming to the Security Council for help in 2016. Our support for a sustained peace in Colombia will not waver, and, as Columbia holds elections later this year and goes through political change as all democracies do, it is important to remember that the Peace Agreement belongs to all Colombians, not to any specific Government. The United Kingdom will continue to encourage focus on and commitment to the peace process to bring about real lasting change. That process is unique and will continue to inspire us for years to come, as it has inspired me during all of my time in the Security Council. This is my final scheduled public statement in the Security Council.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“All those steps taken together are a clear signal of the Government's commitment to implementation. Looking ahead, I encourage the Government to Columbia to maintain its focus on adopting the remaining peace legislation through Congress. An early ruling by the Constitutional Court on amendments made to some key laws will be important to maintaining momentum. That includes the ruling on amendments to the special jurisdiction for peace, which are vital to making progress in the transitional justice system. I had hoped that today we would be discussing the announcement of a renewed ceasefire between the Government and the ELN. Instead, I am concerned and disappointed by the recent news that the ELN has broken its ceasefire and squandered the chance of bringing about sustained peace.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“As we just heard, those challenges include increasing levels ofviolence in some areas affected by the conflict and the killing of human rights defenders and former FARC members. I share the concerns that the Secretary-General mentioned in his report, and I therefore welcome the important steps taken by the Colombian Government to tackle them. They include the establishment of a more permanent and visible presence by the police and security forces, a strengthened early warning system and a renewed focus on investigations by the Office of the Prosecutor. Security must be established in those areas to allow communities to realize the full benefits of the Peace Agreement. I also welcome come the Government's commitment to addressing the issue of access to land for former FARC combatants.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“The new political party - the F uerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Comun i will be able to participate in Colombia's elections this year, and the FARC has handed over its last caches of weapons to the United Nations. Those are remarkable achievements, but we are now getting to the hardest part. Much work remains to be done. As President Santos Calderon said in Cartagena last week, less than 10 per cent of the time set out for the peace agreement to be delivered has passed. We welcome the continued commitment of both parties to achieve a sustainable peace. We encourage them to continue to work together to overcome the challenges, which are only to be expected following more than 50 years of conflict.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“I commend him and his team for their continued efforts both in supporting the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peacebetween the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and the Government of Colombia and, more recently, in participating in the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism for the ceasefire by the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN). The courage and diligence of both parties have allowed many positive steps to take place since the Peace Agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC was signed. More than 11,000 FARC members have registered with the United Nations, and are now beginning their reintegration into civilian life.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“Let me extend a very warm welcome to Vice-President Naranjo. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Vice-President and, through him, to President Santos Calderen for their tireless commitments to peace in Columbia. I also thank Jean Arnault, for his briefing and presentation of the comprehensive report of the Secretary-General (S/2017/1117) detailing the progress that has been made under the mandates of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.”
2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source
“Iran continues to invest heavily in ballistic missile development despite United Nations sanctions; we saw launches ofballistic missiles in 2016 and 2017 that were inconsistent with the resolution. We urge Iran to refrain from such activity and ask all partners to report any evidence that Iran is conducting activity inconsistent with resolution 2231 (2015) to the Security Council. In conclusion, let us not forget that a prosperous, stable Iran is beneficial us all, in the region and beyond. We will continue to encourage Iran to comply fully with Security Council resolutions, to respect their citizens' human rights, and to reduce regional tensions. That is the only way to achieve the peace and stability we all endeavour to achieve.”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“We look forward also to the report of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) this month. The United Kingdom remains fully committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. It is one of the international community's greatest successes in recent memory. We welcome Iran's compliance with its nuclear commitments. We encourage all Member States to uphold their commitments so the Iranian people see the tangible benefits of this deal. We also encourage Iran to uphold its commitments, especially with respect to the provisions of annex B, as highlighted in the Secretary General's fourth report (S/2017/1030) as stipulated by resolution 2231 (2015).”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“Had they landed as intended, they would have caused suffering and chaos. And there are press reports even today of a new launch. This is unacceptable. We call on all Member States to implement Council resolutions and prevent such attacks, which increase regional tensions and threaten peace and security. The transfer of weapons to the Houthis will also prolong the conflict in Yemen and the suffering of the Yemeni people. As I have said previously, it is essential that the United Nations conduct a thorough investigation and inform the Security Council of its conclusions as soon as possible. We strongly support the Secretary- General's call for a joint meeting of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) and the Council in the 2231 format.”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“But too often, Iran's security interests are pursued in a way that destabilizes and, at times, directly threatens others, supports terrorism and distorts the Iranian economy. These regional activities risk increasing international conflict and threaten international peace and security. We are deeply concerned by Iranian assistance to groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. That includes reported transfers of Iranian ballistic missile parts and related technology to the Houthis in Yemen. Such transfers violate resolution 2231 (2015), which prohibits such transfers without the authorization of the Security Council. They also violate resolution 2216 (2015), which prohibits the sale or transfer of arms and related materiel to the Houthis. Houthi missile attacks in November and December targeted civilian areas.”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“The continued use of the death penalty, including for juveniles, the weak rule of law, and restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief are all deeply worrying. We call on Iran to adhere to its international obligations and to respect the rights of individuals to freedom of expression, opinion and peaceful assembly. We also urge Iran to permit full access to the Special Rapporteur so that she can fully assess its actions on areas of concern. At the same time,it is important to recognize that Iran has legitimate security interests in the region. Iran suffered hugely in the Iran-Iraq war. We worked with Iran after 9/11. The Iranian people represent an ancient and important civilization that has a rightful place in the modern world, with a modern economy.”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“I note here that President Rouhani has said that the protesters' concerns are legitimate and that they have a right to peaceful protest. People should be able to exercise their right to freedom of expression and demonstrate peacefully and lawfully. We encourage the Iranian authorities to permit such actions. No one is forcing Iran onto our agenda. The Security Council is perfectly empowered, through Article 34 of the Charter of the United Nations to "investigate any dispute, or any situation which might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security". The United Kingdom's concerns about the human rights situation in Iran extend beyond the recent treatment of protesters.”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, and welcome you to the hot seat. I would also like to thank our briefer, Assistant Secretary-General Zerihoun, for the updates on the situation in Iran and to extend a very warm welcome to all the new members of the Security Council. We look forward to working closely with all six of them to enhance international peace and security. The United Kingdom is watching events in Iran very closely. We regret the loss of life that has occurred during the protests. We call for an end to the violence and for the Government of Iran to comply with its international human rights obligations in dealing with the protests. There needs to be a meaningful debate about the legitimate and important issues that the protesters are raising.”
2018-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8152 (2018) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to work with the members of the Council, our allies and our partners to increase diplomatic pressure. The resolution just adopted gives us an opportunity to do just that. We must all enforce these new measures and work together, using all the diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal to deliver this clear, uncompromising message to the Kim regime.”
2017-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8151 (2017) · source
“Any consequences the people suffer are because of the regime's reckless choices - its choice to develop its nuclear programme over providing for its people. We must stand united and be clear that we are adopting these measures today to force Kim Jong Un to see that he has the choice of two paths. The current path does not advance the prosperity and security of North Korea; instead, it poses a very real threat to the entire international community. We therefore call on North Korea once again to change course. Let us all call on that regime once again to prioritize the well-being of its people over its illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons. Let us call on it once again to engage meaningfully with the international community.”
2017-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8151 (2017) · source
“We have taken these steps to restrict the income that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea uses to fund its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. I congratulate the United States on this diplomatic achievement and we join it in leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of a diplomatic solution. We call on all States to implement this and previous resolutions fully. It is only by all of us doing this that they will have the intended impact. These measures are not designed to hurt the North Koreanpeople. We are not targeting the ordinary citizens of North Korea. There are humanitarian exemptions and protections in place to protect the people who already suffer so much at the hands of the Government. It is the regime that bears full responsibility for the measures we have enacted today.”
2017-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8151 (2017) · source
“Through the adoption of resolution 2397 (2017), we are showing the regime that our will is strong and that these provocative actions have severe consequences. Today, we have banned the import of nearly 90 per cent of refined petroleum products into North Korea. These products are used by the regime to resource its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. By cutting off this supply, we will restrict its ability to develop and deploy these weapons. We have also banned North Korean exports of food products, machinery and industrial and electrical equipment. We have taken another important step towards ending the exploitation of North Korean workers sent overseas with the sole aim of generating earnings for the regime.”
2017-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8151 (2017) · source
“Instead, unbelievably, it claims that it will be a responsible nuclear Power. It shows no sense of responsibility to its neighbours - over whom it fires their ballistic missiles - and it shows no sense of responsibility to the people it forces into modern slavery. As North Korea's missile capabilities advance, so do the contempt and disregard it shows for the Council. It has repeatedly and wilfully rebuffed our unanimous will. It continues to act in brazen violation of its legal obligations, and it seeks to undermine our systems and our collective values. Last week, we all confirmed that we must use all the diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal to deliver the uncompromising message that this path is unacceptable. Today, we are doingjust that.”
2017-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8151 (2017) · source
“Last week, we sat in this Chamber and heard about the many ways that North Korea has violated multiple United Nations resolutions and the will of the Security Council (see S/PV.8137): the illegal nuclear programme; multiple launches ofballistic missiles; the appalling human right violations. We condemned, in the strongest possible terms, these reckless acts by North Korea and we called on the regime to stop immediately all activity in defiance of the Council. We also offered Kim Jong Un a clear choice - different path that leads to prosperity and security. However, last Friday, the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea defiantly made clear that North Korea has no intention of changing its path. It has no intention of abandoning their nuclear programme.”
2017-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8151 (2017) · source
“Let us therefore take responsibility at home, build partnerships overseas and, most importantly, enable the United Nations to respond ever more effectively to these challenges so that we can achieve a safer and more secure world for all.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“The risk of too much reform or too rapid reform is dwarfed by the risk of not enough reform or too slow reform. We need to get on with the reform to sustain peace better, to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and to protect the human rights that we cherish. Success in these interlinked areas will depend on our ability to escape silos and tackle the challenges coherently. I have a simple wish for the year ahead. I hope that as Member States deliberate over the Secretary- General's reform proposals, they will remember that as we sit and debate this important issue, millions of far less fortunate people confront insecurity, forced displacement, rights violations, hunger and poverty as a single reality. They do not recognize them as isolated issues, and neither should we.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“We know that these appalling human rights abuses are most prevalent in conflict zones and that they feed instability. We have sought to respond and will continue to do so through the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. Working through these multilateral organizations allows us to connect the dots and to better address the complex and multifaceted challenges that we are confronted with. We must all endeavour to do more and do it better here at the United Nations. Ifthe United Nations itselfis the rise to the challenge, we must support the Secretary-General in his ambitious reform programme to join the United Nations up so that it can act more effectively and more efficiently at the heart of a rules-based international system.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“This year, we passed the Criminal Finances Act, which ensures that we are better able to tackle this illicit financing and consequently promote peace. Secondly, through our partnerships we are tackling climate change, which is recognized by the Security Council as a factor that can aggravate existing threats to international peace and security. We have partnered with others to improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change. In one project, we support 13 countries in integrating risk-reduction and climate adaptation into Government policies and institutions. This reduces their instability and safeguards our collective security. Finally and perhaps most importantly, we are acting multilaterally, including here at the United Nations. Let us consider the universal issues of modern slavery and human trafficking.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“To counter these challenges, we must act at home, in partnership and multilaterally. We cannot hope to prevent conflicts, sustain peace or enable development otherwise. I should like to illustrate the action that the United Kingdom is taking in each of these areas with three examples. First, at home we are tackling illicit financial flows. Globally, these are estimated to be worth up to $1.6 trillion a year. Our national crime agency believes that tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars are laundered through the United Kingdom. They include the proceeds of armed groups, terrorists, organized crime and corrupt officials in predatory States. These proceeds fuel further conflict and are a barrier to peace and stability.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“Syrian terrorists spread their poisonous messages and plan transnational attacks using the Internet. In fact, it is hard to find a situation on our agenda where peace and security dynamics are not bound up with contemporary transnational challenges. The illicit trading of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the enslavement of migrants in Libya, smuggling in the Sahel, drug flows in Colombia, ecological and climate stress in the Lake Chad basin - the list goes on. If we want to tackle these conventional threats effectively, the United Nations and its Member States must also consider contemporary transnational challenges. These challenges do not care about national borders. As our world becomes more connected, so too will the challenges that we face. Therefore, to succeed we must confront them together.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President for holding this important debate. It gives us the opportunity both to reflect on the past year and to look to the year ahead. I want to thank the Secretary-General for his excellent briefing, which clearly demonstrates that the contemporary challenges we are addressing are highly relevant, not just to the Security Council or the rest of the United Nations, but to the whole world. The Security Council has engaged this year on a number of conventional threats to peace and security, including North Korea's nuclear weapons programme and Da'esh in Syria and Iraq, but those conventional threats have been fueled by contemporary challenges that we all face. North Korea's illegal missile programme is partly funded by modern slavery.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“The JCPOA and its implementation through resolution 2231 (2015) are important elements of the international community's non-proliferation architecture and are essential to supporting regional and global security. We are all responsible for ensuring its success. We must all honour our commitments. Iran is no exception.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“Putting all those issues together, it is clear that such activities have a detrimental impact on regional security and undermine Iran's integration with the international community. We remain committed to the full implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) in order to uphold the historic agreement and to working with all parties to make that a reality. But we cannot stand by and allow a Security Council resolution to be ignored and the situation in the region to be further destabilized. We urge Iran to respect all provisions of resolution 2231 (2015) and we are prepared to work with Council members to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for any proven violations.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“Those activities, which are contrary to the resolution, give us further cause for concern about Iran's involvement in that conflict. Thirdly, we are concerned by evidence relating to Iranian ballistic missile-related activities. Paragraph 3 of annex B calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles that are designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such technology. The launch of the Simorgh space launch vehicle on 27 July made use of such technology and, as such, was inconsistent with resolution 2231 (2015). Finally, we are concerned about reports of multiple violations of the travel ban provisions, including new infringements by Major General Qasem Soleimani. That is particularly disturbing given the public nature of the violation.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“It is essential that the United Nations conduct a thorough investigation and inform the Security Council of its conclusions as soon as possible. We strongly support the Secretary-General's call for a joint meeting of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) and the Council under the 2231 format. That will allow for a coherent discussion of the use of ballistic missiles against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while also considering next steps to address that threat. Secondly, we are concerned by the continued reported violations of restrictions on arms-related provisions. Evidence of those activities is mounting. The latest report indicates that the arms seized from a dhow near the Gulf of Oman and an unmanned surface vessel recovered in Yemeni waters are both of Iranian origin.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“Such transfers would be a violation of resolution 2231 (2015), which prohibits the transfer to and from Iran of ballistic missile technology and related material. Such transfers would also violate resolution 2216 (2015), which prohibits the sale or transfer of arms and related materiel to the Houthis. The Houthi missile attack on Riyadh on 4 November deliberately targeted a civilian area, and earlier today we heard reports ofa further missile attack on Riyadh, this time aimed at the Al-Yamama Palace. Both would have caused suffering and chaos had they landed as intended. That is clearly unacceptable, and risks escalating the situation. The transfer of weapons to the Houthis threatens regional security and stability. Their use is prolonging the conflict in Yemen and contributing to heightened regional tensions.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“Iran is complying with its nuclear commitments. For our part, we are committed to ensuring that the Iranian people see tangible benefits, including from sanctions relief. I encourage all Member States to uphold their commitments. We welcome the recommendation of the Secretary- General to promote further understanding of resolution 2231 (2015) and of the Procurement Channel. We are committed to supporting those efforts. However, despite that progress, four elements of the report are of concern. They relate to provisions of annex B. They hinder the full realization of the reciprocal benefits of the deal and they undermine faith in Iran's long-term commitment to regional stability. First, we are deeply concerned by reported transfers of Iranian ballistic missile parts and related technology to the Houthis in Yemen.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“I thank our briefers: Under-Secretary-General Feltman, for his comprehensive presentation of the Secretary- General's fourth report (S/2017/1030); Ms. Adamson, for her update on the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA); and Mr. Cardi, for his summary as Facilitator of the format under resolution 2231 (2016), as well as for his and his team's excellent work. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is one of the greatest diplomatic successes in recent memory. The continued endorsement of the deal through resolution 2231 (2015) is another considerable achievement, and also a responsibility for all ofus. We remain committed to its full and equitable implementation by all parties. As the Secretary-General's latest report demonstrates, the nuclear components of the deal are working.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8143 (2017) · source
“They refused to engage in direct negotiations with the opposition. The Al-Assad regime has made aid a weapon of war. It is restricting humanitarian access to the besieged populations. Blocking aid convoys from the United Nations and other impartial humanitarian organizations after approving them is abominable, and it must stop. The renewal of the resolution today is a clear signal to the regime that the international community is united in its determination to ensure that aid must not be used as a weapon. Aid must be delivered at speed, unhindered, to those who need it.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8141 (2017) · source
“We must stand in solidarity with Karim. The siege must be lifted immediately. Ultimately, the suffering of the Syrian people will only end when the conflict ends. There must be a political settlement. We must all unite to support Staffan de Mistura. The Geneva talks represent the only sustainable path to peace, and all international efforts must support that process. We commend the opposition, which has maintained their commitment to direct negotiations without preconditions and have engaged constructively in the talks. The opposition's efforts presented a perfect opportunity for real progress to be made in the last round of talks with respect to the substance of a political transition. Those hopes were dashed by the regime. They showed their utter contempt for the talks. They arrived late. They took a long weekend in Damascus.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8141 (2017) · source
“Therefore, once again I urge Russia to use all its influence over the regime to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and to ensure that those in urgent medical need can be evacuated. It is just a 30-minute journey from eastern Ghouta to Damascus to receive treatment. It really is a matter of life and death. We call on Russia to use its influence over the regime so that one more person does not die waiting for treatment - 15 is already too many - and so that another child does not die for want of a 30-minute journey - six is already too many. Those who require treatment must be allowed to leave now. The people of eastern Ghouta have suffered enough. Karim is a two-month-old baby. His mother was killed by regime artillery bombardment. He lost his eye and had his skull broken in the same attack.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8141 (2017) · source
“Such zones are meant to ensure a cessation of hostilities and an increase in the amount of humanitarian aid. In reality there is little or no actual de-escalation taking place in eastern Ghouta. The regime has used the de-escalation designation to cut off access to life-saving medical and food aid. The regime is starving the people of eastern Ghouta to death, in contravention of international humanitarian law. The situation has now reached a critical point: more than 10 per cent of all children under the age of 5 suffer from acute malnutrition, which is the highest rate recorded since the conflict began. Medical facilities are overwhelmed. Five hundred and seventy-two people urgently need medical evacuation, including 65 who are under the age of five. Eighteen children are at imminent risk of death.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8141 (2017) · source
“It is three years since resolution 2165 (2014) was adopted. Despite the intention to ease the suffering of the Syrian people, the situation for them has worsened: 13 million people are still in need of humanitarian assistance, which is 2 million more than when we adopted 2165 (2014). On top of that, an additional 2.3 million people have fled Syria, countless others have been killed and, in some areas, malnutrition has increased fivefold during this year alone. Yes, the renewal of the resolution will ensure that aid will continue to reach some of the millions who depend upon it. But, despite the resolution, the vast majority of the 420,000 people in 10 besieged areas will be denied access to aid because of blockages imposed by the regime - 94 per cent of those people are in eastern Ghouta, a so-called de-escalation zone.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8141 (2017) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the renewal of resolution 2165 (2014) today for a further 12 months. Resolution 2393 (2017) will allow us to continue to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid across conflict lines and borders to reach the people of Syria. We thank the co-penholders for their work, and we regret that the adoption was not unanimous, especially since the penholders ensured, over many weeks, that they listened to concerns of all members of the Security Council and took on board proposals from many of us, including Russia. The renewal of resolution 2165 (2014) gives the people of Syria a small ray of hope. The delivery of cross-border aid provides a lifeline for millions of Syrians who would be impossible to reach in a sustained manner from within Syria. However, we must take stock.”
2017-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8141 (2017) · source
“I once again reaffirm our strong support for renewed peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians as soon as possible - these should be supported by the international community - and for realizing the vision of General Assembly resolution 181 (II), whose seventieth anniversary we marked last month: a safe and secure Israel, the homeland for the Jewish people, living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, the homeland for the Palestinian people.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“Within East Jerusalem live more than 320,000 Palestinians. The vast majority are permanent residents, but their permits can be revoked at any point. If they apply for Israeli citizenship, and most do not, a high proportion of applications are rejected. The lives of Jews and Palestinians - and for both groups Jerusalem is uniquely holy - must not be forgotten in any peace effort.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“We call on all parties to act with restraint, reject violence and work together to ensure calm and stability. This will give the peace process the best chance of success. We remain fully supportive of progress towards a lasting peace and will do everything we can to achieve it. Any peace effort needs to take account of the people, not just the land and the holy sites. For too long Israelis have lived in fear of rockets and terror; this wreaks havoc in people's daily lives and renders peace hard to achieve, as do attempts by some to deny the ancient and legitimate connection of the Jewish and Palestinian peoples to Jerusalem. Many Palestinians living outside East Jerusalem, including the Old City, are effectively cut off from it. Those that can enter have to wait in long lines to pass through checkpoints.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“Our commitment to and position on an Israeli- Palestinian peace agreement has also not changed. It should be based on the lines as they stood on 4 June 1967 with equal land swaps to reflect the national, security and religious interests of the Jewish and Palestinian peoples. Jerusalem should be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian States, and its status must be determined through a final status agreement. A just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees is needed that is demographically compatible with the principle of two States for two peoples. This position is consistent with the draft resolution before us. We now strongly encourage the United States Administration to bring forward detailed proposals for an Israeli- Palestinian settlement.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“Our position since the Security Council met on 8 December (see S/PV.8128) has not changed. We recognize that Jerusalem holds huge significance and holiness for Jews, Muslims and Christians. We reiterate the fundamental necessity of maintaining the status quo at the holy sites, in particular the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. We continue to value Jordan's important role as custodian of the holy sites, and remain fully supportive of its efforts to maintain calm. We must now all look forward. We share President Trump's desire to bring an end to this conflict and welcome his commitment to a two-State solution negotiated between the parties. This includes his clear acknowledgement that the final status of Jerusalem, including the sovereign boundaries within the city, must be subject to negotiations between the parties.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“As recent events in the region have shown, these decisions are unhelpful to the prospects for peace in the region, an aim that all ofus in the Council remain committed to. The British Embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it. Importantly, the draft resolution that has just been voted on stressew that Jerusalem is a final-status issue to be resolved through negotiations; affirmed that decisions and actions that purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect; demanded that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding Jerusalem; and called for the intensification and acceleration of international and regional efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East without delay.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“The United Kingdom voted in favour of draft resolution S/2017/ 1060 today because it is in line with previous Security Council resolutions, including 242 (1967), 476 (1980), 478 (1980) and 2334 (2016), and with our established position on the status of Jerusalem. That position is clear and long-standing. The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between Israelis and the Palestinians and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian States. In line with those same resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part ofthe occupied Palestinian territories. As we have previously said, we disagree with the United States decision to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel before a final status agreement and to move the United States Embassy to Jerusalem.”
2017-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8139 (2017) · source
“Real, positive change to the livelihoods of the North Korean people will not happen overnight, but it will not happen at all for as long as North Korea pursues its current course. We are committed to working with partners on the Council and beyond to tackle that challenge. The world looks to us all and, above all, to the North Korean regime to support a change for the better.”
2017-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8130 (2017) · source
“Today, I repeat the United Kingdom's call on North Korea to allow human rights actors immediate and unhindered access to assess the human rights situation in the country. Our message to the regime must be clear and united. We must use all of the diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal to deliver that message. There is a very different path that is still open to the regime. That path leads to security and prosperity. It leads to improved lives for its citizens. All of the members of the Council and beyond must work together to persuade the North Korean leadership to pursue that path. In order to do so, it must end illegal missile tests. It must genuinely engage with the international community. It must take serious steps to improve the human right situation for all of its citizens.”
2017-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8130 (2017) · source