YouSaid · the spoken record

Salarzai

lines on the record: 26
first: 2016-05-11
most recent: 2018-05-22
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“In fact, these attacks constitute and meet the definition of war crimes against the civilian population, and stringent action must be taken against the perpetrators, financers and planners of such ghastly action. Terror, violence and insecurity in our country are rooted in factors that lie outside Afghanistan and have regional and global dimensions. Hence the goal should be to address this issue and overcome the structural drivers of conflict and violence. The Council has a fundamental role to play in that regard as the United Nations body entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security. We expect the Council to respond appropriately to ensure the protection and well-being of Afghan civilians, who are being senselessly killed and maimed on a daily basis.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Needless to say, the absolute majority of civilian casualties are the result of the barbaric attacks conducted by the Taliban and other terrorist groups, who have no regard for human life and dignity. Regardless of what we do, so long as their deliberate tactics of attacking civilian spaces and targeted killings do not cease, our civilians will continue to suffer. The continuing attacks on hospitals, medical professionals and humanitarian workers, among other civilians, as well as the recent despicable attack in Kabul, where an ambulance packed with explosives was used, show their complete disregard for international law, the Geneva Convention and resolution 2286 (2016).”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Furthermore, the Civilian Casualties Avoidance and Mitigation Board, intended to identify areas critical to minimizing civilian casualties, meets every three months and has developed the practical efforts undertaken by domestic and international military forces to mitigate casualties. These measures are a clear reflection of our firm commitment to the protection of the civilian population. Our protection measures have had an impact on reducing the number of casualties attributed to pro-Government forces during combat operations against terrorists. We are pleased that this fact was also acknowledged in the UNAMA report. Moving forward, we will remain fully committed to continuing to streamline, improve and increase our measures aimed at lowering the number of incidents resulting in civilian harm due to ANDSF operations as much as possible.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“The following year, the committee developed a national action plan to end and prevent the recruitment of children in our defence and security forces. Among other reforms, we established 21 child- protection units with the Afghan national and local police recruitment centres, which have prevented more than 100 underage voluntary enlistments. Moreover, NATO training sessions for senior Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) personnel in the area of civilian casualty tracking and mitigation is offered at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“We have also ratified the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, including all amendments and protocols, in August 2017, which will result in improved protection of civilians. Additionally, the Tawhid Center in the National Security Council has been established to maintain a database aimed at tracking conflict-related civilian casualties, among other responsibilities. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our security forces operate within national and international law and regulations to protect civilians during military operations. Our Ministry of Defence has established an internal board for investigating allegations of human rights abuses, including civilian casualties and the recruitment of children into the armed forces. In 2010, we established an inter-ministerial steering committee on children and armed conflict.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“We have also developed and improved a number of strategic, operational and tactical measures to protect civilians during conflict. In October 2017, we endorsed the national policy on civilian casualty prevention and mitigation and its implementation plan. This plan consists of specific guidelines for our security forces to prevent and mitigate civilian casualties and damage to property. Further, the plan strictly prohibits any use of civilian facilities such as schools, hospitals or clinics for military purposes. Additionally, our Government agencies have continued to promptly and thoroughly investigate any possible violations of the provisions of the policy by any Government official or agency and take the appropriate corrective measures, as recommended in the UNAMA 2017 annual report.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Against that backdrop, landmark resolution 2286 (2016) reaffirms the Council's determination to bring the behaviour of parties to conflict and Member States alike in line with international humanitarian law. It also highlights the obligation of the parties to a conflict to protect and care for the wounded and sick, and to respect and protect those providing impartial medical care and to facilitate their mission. In the same light, prevention and mitigation of harm to the civilian population remains a key priority for the Government of Afghanistan. Our brave defence and security forces, which are at the forefront of fighting international terrorism, have valiantly defended our territorial integrity and the safety and security of the civilian population.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) 2017 report on protection of civilians in armed conflict clearly depicts how the Taliban and other terrorist groups have used suicide attacks, including targeted and deliberate killings, bombs and other explosive devices, abductions and other arbitrary and extrajudicial punishments against our civilian population. As we assemble here to discuss the crucial issue ofprotecting civilians in conflict, only a few hours ago another terrorist attack in Kandahar reportedly killed 16 civilians and injured more than 30 others. The utter disregard for human life demonstrated in these attacks constitutes a clear violation of international law.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“By systematically targeting our children, medical personnel, journalists, commuters and ordinary men and women, the Taliban and other terrorist groups who have come from outside our borders have sought to compensate for losses on the battlefield with attacks on soft targets and by sowing fear and discord in our society. Based on our recent estimates, last year alone 2,903 civilian deaths and more than 6,000 civilian injuries occurred as a result of enemy attacks nationwide, mainly against civilian targets.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“Let me first thank the Mission of Poland for having convened this ministerial open debate on the urgent issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I would also like to extend my delegation's gratitude to His Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and to other speakers for their statements today. Today's meeting is of crucial importance for Afghanistan, a country that has seen decades of imposed conflict, including terrorism and violent extremism, leading to a disproportionate number of civilian deaths and injuries. Recently, we have seen a significant increase in the number of barbaric attacks on our civilians, where our schools, mosques, hospitals and, as of late, electoral registration sites and other safe spaces that are of a purely civilian nature have come under attack.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“In that effort, our security forces are serving valiantly to enhance security, while defending and protecting our sovereignty, infrastructure and people against terrorism and violent extremism. In conclusion, we believe today's meeting marks an important step forward in devising a more effective United Nations approach to protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. As the principal organ of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of peace and security, we hope the Security Council will continue to give due focus and attention to this important matter.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“At this critical juncture, a refined global effort is needed to combat this menace with greater precision and accuracy. In that context, we welcome the efforts of the Secretary-General to strengthen the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture, including his decision to establsih an office for counter-terrorism and to appoint an Under-Secretary General to head that office. Despite the difficult security environment in Afghanistan, we are a nation that is making steady progress towards lasting stability and self-reliance. The National Unity Government is working, in greater cohesion and coordination, on tackling a difficult set of challenges facing our people.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“We are currently working to implement 18 cooperation and investment projects in the areas of energy, transport and trade and the commercial and labour sectors. Once completed, those projects will benefit the prosperity of Afghanistan and our wider region. The ongoing cycle of violence in Afghanistan is not, by any means, a homegrown phenomenon. Its roots lie elsewhere, outside Afghanistan, emanating from a strategic plan crafted from within our region to advance an ill-fated political agenda that serves no one, defies international law and constitutes a blatant violation of the very spirit and tenets of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the relevant counter-terrorism resolutions of the General Assembly and Security Council. We believe the fight against international terrorism stands at a crossroads.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“A few days ago, Da'esh militants in northern Jowzjan province killed six members of the personnel of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northern Afghanistan. The ICRC convoy was attacked while travelling to distribute aid to a storm-stricken area. The overall security environment has only complicated humanitarian conditions for our people, to the point where 9.3 million people, mainly women and children, are in dire need of immediate humanitarian assistance. This figure marks a notable increase from last year. We reiterate our call on the international community to support the 2017 humanitarian response plan of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Terrorists also pose a threat to economic and development infrastructure projects, in which we have invested heavily.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“Last month, on 11 January, the Taliban carried out an attack on our Parliament, resulting in more than 120 people dead, with many more left severely maimed or injured. That act of barbarism was widely viewed as an attack on the infrastructure of our democracy, which is among the most significant achievements of Afghanistan since 2001. In August of last year, extremists attacked the American University in Kabul, which is seen as a beacon of hope for a better future among our educated and talented youth. Sixteen people were tragically killed in that attack. Moreover, there are many cases of local hospitals, clinics and international humanitarian relief agencies coming under attack or otherwise being negatively affected by the activities of extremist groups.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“Aside from targeting our security forces and those of international partner countries present in Afghanistan, extremists are attacking our political and legal institutions; mosques and schools; health and medical facilities; and other soft targets, such as non-governmental organizations, which are working to improve the lives of ordinary Afghans. Just last week, in the continuation of their carnage, a suicide bomber conducted an attack on our Supreme Court, the highest judicial institution in our country, killing 21 people and wounding close to 50 others. The victims included several female judges, prosecutors and court employees who were simply returning home to their families after a hard day's work.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“Afghanistan has been a primary victim of global terrorism for over two decades - long before the start of the international community's engagement in our country in 2001. Today, our people remain defiant in the face of a multitude of terrorist groups, such as the Taliban, the Haqqani Network, Al-Qaida, Da'esh, J amaat Dawah, Lashkar i Jhangvi , the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and other foreign terrorist fighters, all of which are symbiotically linked to one another, come from abroad and receive, inter alia, political, ideological, moral and material support.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“The protection of physical and social infrastructure should therefore comprise a key component of any strategy for ensuring peaceful and stable societies. Terrorism and violent extremism constitute dominant factors of instability in the current international landscape, bringing untold suffering and devastation on peoples and communities. As evident in the case of my country, Afghanistan, and many other countries where terrorists operate, extremist forces have gone to great lengths to advance their vicious agenda i wreaking havoc, undermining the rule oflaw and terrorizing populations. They openly target many kinds of infrastructure to amplify the effects of their barbarity and to attract global media attention.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“Afghanistan thanks Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin of Ukraine and his delegation for convening today's debate on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. We are pleased to see so many countries participating in today's discussion, which reflects the importance of the topic under consideration. Infrastructure provides a key component for the normal and effective functioning of society, enabling citizens' access to fundamental services, such as food, water, shelter, adequate health care, transportation facilities and economic opportunities - each of which are critically important for the stability of any environment. An attack that damages a nation's infrastructure in essence does irreparable harm to the very social fabric of society.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“In that regard, regional countries and international actors bear particular responsibility to assist countries experiencing strife in their efforts to restore peace. In conclusion, Afghanistan reiterates its commitment to engage constructively with the United Nations and other international partners to discuss counter-terrorism measures, including the upcoming biannual review of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. We hope to achieve tangible results at the end of the review process.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Targeting the promoters and drivers of such policies, who use violence in pursuit of political objectives within the State structures, especially in the security apparatus, is absolutely crucial when dealing with the threats of Violent extremism. In that regard, it must be mentioned that the differentiation between good and bad terrorists is futile, since all forms of terrorism are inherently appalling and must be condemned. In Afghanistan, we have witnessed how terrorists and violent extremist groups take advantage of prolonged and unresolved conflicts, the lack of basic peace and security, and most importantly, negative competition between States to push forward their brutal agendas. The world today is in dire need of reducing State rivalries and addressing trust deficits.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“The question should be what motivated and still continues to motivate those circles to use violence through proxies in pursuit of political objectives at the national, regional and global levels? Three causes can be identified: first, negative State rivalry in the region with excessive anxiety and suspicion on the part of one State for the other's intentions, resulting in the adoption of misguided policies; secondly, the tension between military and civilian control in politics, an inherent struggle emerging from militarism in society; and thirdly, a trust deficit between States that has prevented constructive dialogue. Hence, it is not, in our case, the ideology but the initiatory, enabling and facilitating role of political actors and their use of radical ideology for short- term gains that need to be addressed.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“We need to ask ourselves how they learned to drive tanks and fly jets overnight, stage conventional warfare and capitalize on prolonged political conflict in our country? Who trained them? Who provided them with supplies? Who financed them? Who provided them with safe havens and orchestrated their spring offensives year after year? Religious outfits and sloganism, as well as an ability to take advantage of the weaknesses emerging from the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan, were the cheapest and easiest ways to recruit for the rank and file of the Taliban. In this case, ideology and violent behaviour were used in pursuit of political objectives by circles within State structures outside our borders.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“Since the Taliban mushroomed overnight in the landscape of Afghanistan, mainly with foreign support, our entire population has been brutalized at their hands. The latest attack came three weeks ago, when an indiscriminate brutal bombing in Kabul led to the deaths of 68 people and wounded 350. But their vicious bloodlust has never been limited to Afghanistan. Let us not forget that it was under the Taliban that Afghanistan became the jumping board for international terrorism when thousands of young men received training and logistical support in terrorist camps. This was the precursor of today's terrorists carrying out deadly attacks in Asia, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. So the question is how and why did the Taliban come into being?”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“The Taliban came into existence before groups like Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and Da'esh gained notoriety. In a way, it was the Taliban and their backers who characterized the kind of terror that we witness today from various violent extremist groups around the world. In the current global climate of unspeakable brutality committed by these terrorist outfits, let us not forget that it was the Taliban who stoned women to death; it was the Taliban who closed girls' schools, thereby denying millions of girls of their right to education; it was the Taliban who prevented women from pursuing a livelihood; and it was they who introduced suicide attacks on civilians and destroyed towns and villages in Afghanistan. One can easily trace how the Taliban long started promoting Al-Qaida and Da'esh-style divisive and hateful ideology.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank Egypt for its leadership of the Council this month and for organizing this important debate. Afghanistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Let me be brief and to the point. Much has been discussed today about the internal factors involved in countering the narratives and ideologies of terrorism. While we agree with most of what has been said, let me focus on the external factors, particularly in the case of Afghanistan, and remind the Council that the creation of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 1994 opened the current tragic chapter of terrorism in the world. Before the establishment of the Taliban, terror in its current behaviour and form was little known to the world.”
2016-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7690 (2016) · source