YouSaid · the spoken record

Saikal

lines on the record: 276
first: 2015-12-21
most recent: 2018-12-17
sittings or episodes: 20
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

“The project works with our Government to effectively prevent trafficking, prosecute traffickers, protect victims and improve regional coordination to combat cross-border trafficking. The problem of human trafficking is wide-ranging and has various components. The unprecedented flow of migrants and refugees, mainly from countries facing conflict, has left millions of people vulnerable to human trafficking throughout the world. In that context, we are pleased that the joint declaration adopted at the conclusion of the summit meeting on migration here in New York in September placed due focus on preventing human trafficking.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“The United Nations Global Plan of Action to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, remain the overall international framework for decisive action to combat human trafficking in all its aspects. Afghanistan is a party to the Convention and has put in place several pieces of legislation to criminalize various forms of human trafficking. In addition, we are grateful to the United States Agency for International Development for its project on combating human trafficking in Afghanistan, which is co-funded by the International Organization for Migration.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“In doing so we will avoid the enabling environment that fuels the problem of human trafficking. The Security Council should take necessary measures to identify and address the lingering problem of continued support for extremists as a means to advance political objectives. More focus should be placed on ensuring that States comply with their counter-terrorism commitments and obligations on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions. As a front-line State in the fight against global terrorism and extremism, we assure the Council and the international community at large that our struggle against those twin menaces will continue unabated, and with firm resolve. As we speak, our national security forces are engaging a multitude of international extremist groups that pose a serious threat to the civilized world.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“The inextricable link between human trafficking and terrorism remains a serious source of concern that demands urgent attention by the international community. We believe that addressing some of the underlying factors driving violent extremism should not be separate from ending the problem of human trafficking. In various conflict situations, especially in our region, a multitude of terrorist and extremist groups, including the Taliban, its Haqqani Network and Al-Qaida, still enjoy sanctuary and safe havens, alongside material and financial support, which have reinforced their operational capability to continue their reign of terror against innocent people. One of the best ways to address human trafficking is to prevent conflict from arising in the first place and to resole them wherever they occur.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Human trafficking is particularly prevalent in countries stricken by conflict and strife, especially those that continue to suffer at the hands of terrorists and extremists. We have witnessed a continuing trend where many terrorist and extremist groups - such as the Taliban, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/ Da'esh and Al-Qaida, among others - increasingly resort to human trafficking to advance their evil agendas. In our region, as well as in Africa and the Middle East, extremist groups have abducted men, women and children as a means to finance and conduct their criminal activities. In many cases, women and girls in particular have been put up for sale to mobilize financial resources and fund military operations. Such despicable activities represent the most evil of human actions.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank the Spanish presidency for convening today's open debate on a topic of crucial importance, which demands the urgent attention of the international community. Human trafficking constitutes a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law. It violates the fundamental values and principles we hold dear, such as justice, equality and human rights for all. Over the past several years, the world has seen human trafficking continue unabated in different parts of the world, especially in countries stricken by conflict and facing violent extremism. That has many causes: to generate illegal profits in the criminal economy; to enlist people in illegal armed groups; and to impose forced labour and slavery upon the innocent and have them carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of the world.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Secondly, let me pay tribute to the work of Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen of New Zealand, who has so ably chaired the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities over the past two years. He has worked with us very closely. I take this opportunity to welcome the new Chair of the Committee, Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, a very close friend and the Ambassador of a near neighbour. I wish him all the best and commit myself to working closely with him to make sure that the sanctions regime will be working properly. The meeting rose at 1.40 pm.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“I just want to make two points. First, it is a sad day for diplomacy, as evidenced by the assassination of Ambassador Andrey Karlov, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Turkey. On this occasion, let me extend the deepest condolences on behalf of myself, my Government and the people of Afghanistan to the Government and the people of the Russian Federation, and in particular to the family of Ambassador Karlov, Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the Government and the people of the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation is a close neighbour to Afghanistan and we have deep ties.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Together, those events have established a firm foundation to enhance our strategic cooperation into the new year. The Council and the international community are well aware that terrorism remains a constant threat to the security of all peoples and societies. That said, let us approach the coming year with a new confidence and commitment to secure a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan. We must not forget that our joint partnership is in fact a strategic investment for a more safe and prosperous world order.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“However, our counter-narcotics operations continue unabated with recent unprecedented seizures. One thing is clear - insecurity creates fertile ground for drug production. We maintain the view that a viable solution to the narcotics problem must be based on the principle of shared responsibility. A verification regime of cultivation, production, trafficking and demand would probably prove that Afghanistan beneficits the least from drug profits. We have reached the end of an eventful year, with key developments that signify an enormous leap forward for Afghanistan. The regional and international consensus has reached new heights, as reflected in the Warsaw NATO Summit, the Brussels Conference and Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference, and the unanimous adoption of General Assembly resolution 71/9 on Afghanistan.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Recently, we have initiated a string of consultations with relevant line ministries, United Nations agencies and other related stakeholders to provide immediate response packages during the winter season to needy returnees and internally displaced persons. In the broader context, we are seeking long-term, viable solutions for those problems. In that context, the further assistance of the international community remains of vital importance. Our efforts to curb the menace of narcotics and to break its link with criminality are ongoing. In October, the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics, along with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, released the executove summary of the Afghanistan Opium Survey 2016, which noted an increase in poppy production.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“It is important that national and international stakeholders further strengthen the independence of the Afghan judiciary without politicizing or ethnicizing the course ofjustice. During the past 10 months, Afghanistan has witnessed the return of nearly 1 million of its nationals. Increased policing and uncertainty over their status in Pakistan, including the fear of eviction, have led to a huge surge of returnees. That fact, along with internal displacements resulting from conflict, might exacerbate the already difficult humanitarian crisis as winter approaches. We invite the international community to support the flash appeal of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to provide immediate life-saving assistance while we continue to work on a comprehensive solution.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The recent targeting of religious gatherings was aimed at stoking ethnic and sectarian tensions among our people. But let me reiterate that Afghans stand united in the face of such divisive strategies. The Government of Afghanistan, in collaboration with the United Nations and other international partners, continues to work on creating equal opportunities for women, pursuant to resolution 1325 (2000). We have also improved workplace conditions for women and strengthened the legal framework for their physical protection. In that regard, the recently revised penal code is among our other recent achievements. We are highly determined to bring all human rights violators to justice, including those in the highest positions of Government.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The Taliban's recent statement of support for major development projects has no genuine basis. As mentioned, insecurity created by the Taliban undercuts economic development in the country and challenges regional connectivity. On 17 December, just a couple of days ago, the Taliban targeted five female airport personnel in Kandahar airport. That is their real nature. Any expression of support willbe deemed legitimate only when expressed through deeds, such as the immediate cessation of violence and their genuine joining of the peace process. Compared to previous years, the rate of civilian casualties has gone down marginally in Afghanistan. However, terrorists continue to attack soft targets mercilessly, as manifested by the rising percentage of child casualties this year.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“We expect the Independent Election Commission to announce the date of our upcoming parliamentary and district council elections in the near future. Talks on other subjects are still ongoing to strengthen our political stability and democratic process. Afghanistan has progressed steadily on the path of economic cooperation through regional connectivity and tangible development projects. The recent inauguration of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan railway, following the arrival of a cargo train from China, and the construction of the Iran-Afghanistan railway, together with the forthcoming cargo air corridor between Afghanistan and India, are reviving centuries-old trade routes that will help revitalize the regional economy. However, insecurity presents a primary obstacle to our economic reform and infrastructure-building agenda.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The Government pardon is not a justification of their past violent activities and should neither be misused nor abused. It is noteworthy; the people of Afghanistan have the full right to seek justice, in accordance with their fundamental rights. We expect the implementation of the agreement to improve security, strengthen the political stability and national unity of the Afghan people and set a good precedent in the peace process. Recently, President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah have displayed a renewed level of consensus in the work of the national unity Government, in particular in relation to the appointment of new commissioners at the electoral bodies, which marks a decisive step forward to strengthening the credibility, transparency and integrity of our future elections.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“In that endeavour, we recognize the importance of the role of neighbouring countries, in particular Pakistan, and other regional partners. We have made some progress towards the implementation of the peace agreement signed with Hezb-i-Islami (Gulbuddin) on 29 September. The cessation of violence with former belligerent members of the group has held for nearly three months. Their disarmament and reintegration require careful planning. The agreement presents an opportunity to put the future together, not justify the past. Making the agreement work will necessitate collective and careful efforts from all stakeholders, across domestic and international spectrums. Those who want to take advantage of this historic opportunity should refrain from all derogatory, divisive and xenophobic activities.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“We welcome the Sanctions Committee's November visit to Afghanistan, where relevant issues were discussed with the senior leadership. Winter in Afghanistan begins in two days. For the Taliban and their supporters in our neighbourhood, that usually marks the official end of their fighting season. Most Taliban militiamen return to the warmth of madrasas in Pakistan for rest and recuperation and to refuel for the next fighting season. Often, around this time of year, the regional orchestrator of violence in our country reverts to the notion of peace talks. Thus their seasonality and tactical use of war and peace continues, leaving little room for genuine peace efforts. Nevertheless, we once again urge all Afghan Taliban groups and their foreign supporters to enter into genuine peace talks with the Government of Afghanistan.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“At an operational level, we need to refine and enrich relevant existing resolutions or adopt new resolutions to target the drivers of such policies within State structures. At the implementation level, effectively enforcing the counter-terrorism resolutions, including the sanctions regimes on the Taliban, Al-Qaida and Da'esh, and those who use the State apparatus to nurture them, can have a significant impact on war and peace in Afghanistan. We want the timely inclusion of select irredeemable Taliban leaders on the sanctions list and a review of those delisted so far. There is an urgent need for increased and more meaningful interaction between the United Nations counter-terrorism bodies and Afghan security agencies.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The Conference welcomed and supported Afghanistan's initiative in taking the lead in exploring a regional counter- terrorism strategy, in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations. At Amritsar, President Ghani proposed an Asian and international mechanism to verify cross- frontier activities and terrorist operations. Verification of nefarious activities would present our neighbour hard evidence to undercut their plausible deniability and blame games, and shift the focus to where it should be - a unified response to countering terrorism. At the United Nations level, consideration of new three-tier measures for a more effective counter- terrorism strategy is needed. During our debates, we ought to address the impact of negative State rivalries and State use of violence in pursuit of political objectives on the growth of terrorism.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The enemy's intention was to establish a parallel geography for the Taliban, but the commitment and bravery of our security forces prevented terrorists from realizing their wicked ambitions. Due to its sensitive geostrategic location, Afghanistan firmly believes in regionalism and multilateral diplomacy. The sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, held two weeks ago in Amritsar, acknowledged the support that terrorism derives in our region and called for the dismantling of regional terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens. Further, it called upon all States to take action against those terrorist entities in accordance with their respective national counter-terrorism policies, their international obligations and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The surest way to protect those interests in Afghanistan is to desist from ill-conceived attempts at regional orchestration of Afghanistan's insecurity, enhance official State-to-State cooperation and support our national security forces. At the peak of the international military presence in 2012, the casualty rate of coalition forces was over 400, and the approximate cost of war amounted to around $110 billion; in 2016, the casualty rate has dropped to 16, and financial costs are estimated to be less than one-eleventh of that figure. Hence, today our forces are at the forefront of countering terrorism on behalf of the world and need to be fully supported. It must be noted that in October and November, various provinces of Afghanistan became the target of terrorist attacks that are unprecedented in our country's modern history.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“In that context, any kind of outside contact with the Taliban or other such groups without the prior knowledge and approval of the Government of Afghanistan is seen as a legitimization ofterror, a direct breach of our sovereignty and a clear contravention of the United Nations sanctions regimes and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which will not be tolerated. Fighting terror with terror, no matter what the justification, is a sign of weakness of the civilized world and a return to impasse and stagnation. Certainly, our people will suffer most from this irrational and reckless policy. In the campaign against terrorism, Afghanistan ought to be a symbol of international cooperation. We welcome the regional and global convergence of legitimate interests in our security, political stability and development.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“For too long, terror has found a comfort zone in the occasional tectonic shifts and grinds of security fault lines, along with negative rivalries of regional and global powers. Scattered, fragmented and slow counter- terrorism measures have been exploited by terrorists to manoeuvre, spread violence and create discord among people. In the face of growing terrorism worldwide, we must increase trust, collaboration and coordination among relevant Member States for a comprehensive response based on the rule of law and established international norms.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Those developments represent the clear consolidation of international consensus on Afghanistan, for which we are deeply grateful. On behalf of my Government and my people, let me thank all Member States for their positive contributions to Afghanistan's stability and progress. In particular, we are grateful to the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Turkey for forging the Warsaw Summit consensus on Afghanistan, and the European Union for galvanizing renewed international development commitments for our country. Effective counter-terrorism requires a clear regional and global security architecture and constructive engagement among the relevant stakeholders.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“In 2016, parallel to the challenges, we witnessed significant developments that reflected strong international military and civilian support for Afghanistan. In July, our international partners at the NATO Warsaw Summit pledged continued assistance towards the sustainability of our security forces. In September, the Council reaffirmed its full support to Afghanistan through presidential statement S/PRST/20l6/14. In October, the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan renewed the partnership for prosperity and peace between our country and the international community. In November, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 71/9 entitled, "The situation in Afghanistan", which reiterated the commitment of the international community for a stable Afghanistan.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Two years after the three-pronged transition, with focus on reforms and renewed international commitments, Afghanistan has defied odds by standing on its own and managing complex challenges, notwithstanding a high price in lost lives and denied opportunities. From the perspective ofsecurity, in recent months our armed forces have proved their strength by repulsing unprecedented waves of attacks in various provinces. Economically, Afghanistan's regional connectivity has been growing fast. And politically, our vibrant course of democratization continues with electoral reform on track. However, with a high rate of return of refugees, coupled with the increased number of internally displaced persons resulting from terrorist attacks, we have fresh humanitarian challenges ahead of us this winter and beyond.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Let me congratulate Spain on its successful leadership of the Security Council this month. We wish to thank Ambassador Roman Oyarzun Marchesi and his team at the Spanish Mission for their dedicated efforts as penholder for Afghanistan during the past two years and welcome Japan's assumption of this important task. I thank the outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his recent report (S/2016/1049) on the situation in Afghanistan. We are grateful to Ambassador Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, for his comprehensive briefing and outstanding leadership of the United Nations work in Afghanistan.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“In addition, Afghanistan joined the Group of Friends of resolution 1540 (2004) on 9 August and the United Nations Group of Friends on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation and Security Governance on 23 March. Afghanistan is committed to fulfilling its international obligations and remains dedicated to achieving the aims and objectives of the international treaties and instruments to which it is a State party. In conclusion, my delegation calls upon all Member States to support international efforts to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery and urges them to strengthen national measures, as appropriate, to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and materials and technologies related to their manufacture.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“We have done so knowing that a world free of WMD translates into a safer and prosperous world for current and future generations. Afghanistan, as a State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nucear-Tes- Ban Treaty, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, stands in full support ofall initiatives aimed at the realization of a world free of weapons of mass destruction.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“While some progress has been made in adopting measures to prevent the proliferation of WMD by non-State actors, the rate and variability of that progress confirms that accomplishing the objective of the full implementation ofresolution 1540 (2004) is a long-term task that requires continued efforts at national, regional and international levels. It also requires constant and enhanced support from the Security Council, as well as the provision of technical assistance to States that require the same, especially for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and voluntary national plans of action. Afghanistan, surrounded by a number of nuclear countries, has maintained a consistent policy of calling for the total, worldwide elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“At the outset I wish to convey our appreciation to the delegation of Spain for organizing today's high-level open debate, under the agenda item "Preventive catastrophe: A global agenda for stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors". The risk of non-State actors, especially terrorists, using weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including nuclear weapons, is one of the biggest threats to global peace and security. While no major, large-scale attack of that nature has yet happened, terrorists have shown the intent and capacity to develop and use WMD. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the international community to effectively address the possible threat of the use of WMD by non-State actors, in all of its aspects.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“The international community, especially the Council, has to demonstrate strong political will and ingenuity to break this untenable impasse and signal to the world that the United Nations is serious when it talks about peace between Israel and Palestine. The Committee reiterates that an end to the Israeli occupation and the realization of the rights of the Palestinian people, including to self-determination and independence, remain top and unavoidable priorities for the international community and should be pursued with courage and determination.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The international community cannot continue managing this conflict, as in the past; it is clear that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, as indicated by the number of civilian victims of violence, and as reported yesterday by several international human rights organizations at the meeting of the Committee's Working Group. The Committee condemns all forms of violence against civilians, by which Palestinians are disproportionally affected, and calls for action to ensure their protection and accountability, including for unlawful killings, in accordance with international law. The Committee also urges Palestinians to move decisively forward on the path of national reconciliation.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“It is now time for the Council to take action, to remove all obstacles to implementing international law and the long-standing parameters for a solution, and to move decisively towards a just and durable solution that will allow the Palestinian State, within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, to live side by side, in peace and security with Israel. Stressing that the political, physical and socioeconomic division of Gaza and the West Bank is another major obstacle to advancing the prospects for peace, the Committee reiterates today the call on Israel to lift the Gaza blockade.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“In that regard, the Committee encourages Member States to implement Human Rights Council resolution 31/36, of 24 March 2016, requesting the High Commissioner for Human Rights to produce a database of business enterprises involved in the activities of the illegal settlements, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Committee further welcomes the stance taken by the European Union on the labelling of products manufactured in the settlements. In several resolutions, the Council itself has described Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a serious obstruction to peace, calling on Israel - to no avail - to cease their construction and to dismantle existing settlements.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The practices also violate the Palestinian people's economic, social and cultural rights, preventing them from exercising sovereignty over their natural resources, and hampering their right to sustainable development. The Committee underscores the responsibility of States and private entities to not contribute to Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights, particularly as it relates to settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, in line with their obligations under international law.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The settlement enterprise, sustained and enabled by an entire network of bypass roads and infrastructure only for Israeli settlers, is not only impairing the daily lives of Palestinians and violating their rights, but it is fragmenting the Palestinian territory in hundreds of separate, disconnected enclaves, eroding the two-State solution based on the 1967 borders. As has been amply documented by the United Nations and others 4 including Israeli organizations 4 those illegal practices constitute grave violations of the individual and collective inalienable rights of the Palestinian People, particularly their rights to life, freedom and self-determination.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Despite repeated international calls for a cessation of all settlement activities, Israel continues to methodically plan, tender and build new settlements, expand existing ones, attempt to legalize settlement outposts, expropriate land and demolish Palestinian homes and other structures in unprecedented numbers, as well as to declare increasing sections ofthe Palestinian territory to be State land, military zones, national parks and archaeological sites. Israel's systematic policies increasingly deprive Palestinians of their own land with impunity, in violation of international law and in contradiction to its stated commitment to the two- State solution.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“At last week's Arria Formula meeting, we all heard the briefings of international and Israeli experts describing how settlement construction and expansion is not only a breach of numerous relevant resolutions adopted by the Council and the General Assembly, but also a direct violation of article 49 of the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and the 2004 International Court of Justice advisory opinions on the construction of a wall in occupied Palestinian territory. We also heard about the massive impact of the Israeli settlement campaign on the Palestinian people's human rights.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate - with socioeconomic conditions in the blockaded Gaza Strip, in particular, reaching the lowest point since the Israeli occupation began in 1967 - the continuous building and expansion ofillegal settlements has also reached an unprecedented level, effectively confiscating more than 50 per cent of the territory of the State of Palestine, undermining its contiguity and viability.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Mr. Saikal: Given the time limitations, I will deliver only part of the statement of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. The full version will be circulated shortly. As we meet at the quarterly debate on the question of Palestine, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People is compelled to sound the alarm on the downward spiral in all aspects of the situation of the Palestinian people under the nearly half-century Israeli military occupation, which is causing so much human suffering, derailing the prospects for a two-State solution and undermining the pursuit for peace.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Of course, as we said from the start, this has not been an easy way; there is a troubled way ahead of us, but we must make it work. And the only way to make it work is to address the issues rather than ignore them. That is exactly what we are doing.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“However, with all due respect, the debate over governance in Kabul is an internal matter for Afghanistan, and we expect our friends and partners around the world to respect that and understand their limitations when it comes to the sovereignty of other countries, just as we respect the sovereignty of New Zealand and all other countries around the world. The debate in Kabul is for the sake of the political stability of Afghanistan, of which our international partners should be proud. We will have to address anything that could harm the political stability of Afghanistan. Our two national leaders at the head of the Government proved themselves two years ago when, after a very lengthy marathon election, they came together and showed a great deal of statesmanship in putting the National Unity Government together.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“Ijust want to make two brief points. First, on behalf of my Government, I wish to officially thank the Security Council for adopting the very timely presidential statement S/PRST/2016/14, expressing its unanimous support. Secondly, let me thank the Foreign Minister of New Zealand, His Excellency Mr. Murray McCully, for presiding over today's meeting on Afghanistan. New Zealand is a true-blue friend of Afghanistan, and I am sure that it was in the spirit of such friendship that Minister McCully spoke so frankly in his statement.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“Innumerable Afghans have been robbed of the promise of a peaceful future due to years of instability. However, in the past 15 years, the Government of Afghanistan, along with many of our international friends, including the United Nations, has worked hard to restore faith in the values we cherish - freedom, democracy, good governance, the rule of law and human rights for all. We look forward to seeing members of the international community at the Brussels Conference to reiterate pledges of support to Afghanistan and to refocus on the long road ahead in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. A win for Afghanistan in that realm would be a win for the world, and we would be safer and prosperous together.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“The focus will be on the joint international and Afghan efforts to increase the effectiveness of sustained international support, multiple Afghan reform measures, including public finance management and anti-corruption, as well as regional efforts to achieve peace and economic prosperity. The preparations for the Conference are ongoing and we have presented the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework to our partners for their final input. In conclusion, the global security scenario is undergoing significant changes, and Afghanistan's role in the fight against terrorism remains pivotal. We have long suffered at the hands of extremists and paid a very steep price through the blood and sacrifices of our people in standing up against it.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“We are grateful to the United Nations and our international partners for the continued humanitarian assistance. On counter-narcotics, despite some increase in the production and cultivation of opium, we are focused on continuing eradication efforts despite the security challenges. We are pleased with the outcome ofthe ninth session of the Regional Intelligence Working Group on Precursors, which, among other issues, identified next steps on the issue of precursor trafficking. The forthcoming Brussels Conference on Afghanistan will be an opportunity to showcase to the global community our long-fought and hard-won achievements.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“We are committed to the protection of children and have prohibited security forces from using schools for military purposes. We are working on the national policy on civilian casualty mitigation, which will be adopted across all Government institutions to better protect our citizens. However, mainly due to continual attacks by the Taliban and other terrorist groups, the number of internally displaced people has risen, especially in rural areas. Food insecurity and lack of adequate health care remain a challenge among that group, and the Government is focusing its resources to mitigate the crisis. Under the voluntary repatriation programme, the number of returnees has increased significantly. The number of Afghan migrants to Europe has also fallen, as compared to 2015.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“More than 600 judges have been replaced, with 60judicial officials being prosecuted for corruption and malpractice. We have also announced new appointments and conducted performance reviews to instil a culture of transparency in our State institutions. In tandem with our economic achievements, our social sector is reaching new heights, with women increasingly assuming leadership positions at different levels of Government. There are more women in senior Government positions now than at any other time in Afghan history. Among them there are four ministers, nine deputy ministers, one governor, one deputy head of the High Peace Council and a number of senior diplomats at a leadership level. The Ministry of the Interior has opened six new child-protection units in police recruitment centres, bringing the country total to 13.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source