YouSaid · the spoken record

Samvelian

lines on the record: 57
first: 2014-02-12
most recent: 2017-02-21
sittings or episodes: 10
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 top news item in Azerbaijan at the same time was about a decree signed by the President of Azerbaijan appointing the country's First Lady to be the country's First Vice-President. That is all I will say in bringing the Council's attention to the differences between us in our perceptions of democracy.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“It is ironic that a country with a poor human rights record can challenge or question a referendum that represents one of the highest possible exercises of their human rights by the people of Nagorno Karabakh. Clearly no one, especially Azerbaijan, can deprive the people of Nagorno Karabakh of their right to organize a referendum. I do not want to go into detail over this, but it is about a difference in perceptions of democracy. I will confine myself to bringing to the Council's attention to two major pieces of news yesterday and today in the region. Googling to satisfy curiosity will show that a referendum was conducted in Nagorno Karabakh, giving the population an opportunity to express their will regarding their future lives, development and constitutional reforms.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“The people of Nagorno Karabakh chose their path to the future and democracy a quarter of a century ago. That path is irreversible. Finalizing and formalizing that process is the only way to bring stability and security to the region, and for that there are two requirements - compromise and realism. A couple of delegations have made accusations about my country, and I would strongly encourage them to read the meeting record of my Ambassador's statement when it becomes available, since it addresses those accusations very effectively. Nonetheless, one claim was made by the representative of Azerbaijan with regard to a new referendum conducted yesterday in Nagorno Karabakh.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“We strongly urge Azerbaijan to grasp the basic fact that there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and that there can be no military solution to the conflict nor justification for the human losses associated with it.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The most recent military actions of Azerbaijan, on 29 December 2016, can only stand as proof of its intention to deny the verification of ceasefire violations, evade the responsibility that it bears for those violations and sustain the escalation of tensions. Armenia remains fully committed to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the internationally agreed format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship and urges, as an immediate priority, the full implementation of the agreements reached at the Vienna and St. Petersburg summits in May and June 2016, respectively. In conclusion, the prevention of conflict or of relapse into conflict also entails a change of mindset.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Azerbaijan has been acting in blatant defiance of the most recent statement of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs ofthe OSCE Minsk Group co-Chair countries, issued in Hamburg on 8 December 2016, in which they strongly urged a strict adherence to the 1994/1995 ceasefire agreements. In their related statement of 9 December 2016, the OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairs once again urged strict observance of the agreements reached during summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg, including the obligations to finalize in the shortest possible time an OSCE investigative mechanism. To date, Azerbaijan has continued to reject the implementation of the agreements on the expansion of the OSCE monitoring team in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict area and the establishment of an OSCE investigative mechanism on the ceasefire violations.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The irresponsibility and belligerence of the authorities of Azerbaijan should receive forceful condemnation by the international community. In a statement on 29 December 2016, the Foreign Ministry of Armenia stressed that, at a time when the most serious damage caused to the settlement process as a result of the Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno Karabakh in April 2016 had not yet been overcome, Baku embarked upon a new bit of adventurism, grossly violating the agreements reached at the Vienna and St. Petersburg summits and the commitment to settle the issue through peaceful means.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Most recently, on 29 December, Azerbaijan carried out a diversionary incursion attempt into Armenia, which resulted in human losses. That heinous act took place only months after its large-scale attack on Nagorno Karabakh in the beginning of April 2016. Through such acts, Azerbaijan continues to inflict considerable damage on the peace process. Furthermore, the habitual glorification of the atrocities, beheadings and mutilations committed by the armed forces of Azerbaijan, as witnessed most recently during the April 2016 aggression, represent a grim demonstration of the incapacity of the authorities of Azerbaijan to adhere to the basic norms ofthe civilized world. The perpetrators of such heinous crimes should be brought tojustice.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“A division of labour and coordination and non-duplication of efforts and activities are the building blocks for enhancing the capacity of regional organizations to prevent and resolve conflicts. We serve as a example of success in applying such efforts in our region. Armenia welcomes the support of the international community, the United Nations and the Secretary-General for the work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group co-chairmanship, which is seeking the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. In that connection, Armenia once again draws the attention of the international community to Azerbaijan's ongoing obstruction of tangible progress towards reaching a peaceful settlement ofthe Nagorno Karabakh conflict in conformity with the internationally agreed format.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“We believe that, over the years, the United Nations and its States Members have reached the reasonable conclusion that conflicts are detectable at a considerably earlier phase because they are, more often than not, a reaction to persistent injustice, discrimination and the denial of rights - which are generally the root causes of conflict. We speak from experience. The human rights aspect of conflict prevention should therefore receive particular attention across the entire United Nations system. In other words, all human rights are a function of security. Secondly, the regional context of conflict prevention requires broader recognition and support.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“We must note, however, that the issue poses a persistent challenge, as the operational activities of the United Nations and its relevant bodies often address conflicts as they occur - and collective preventive action has not seen much success. In addressing the question of prevention, Armenia has consistently stressed the importance of synergy, coherence and coordination among United Nations bodies in order to sustainably achieve the mutually reinforcing, interrelated and indivisible primary objectives of the Organization - known as the three pillars of peace and security, development and human rights. In underlining the objective of achieving tangible results, we have consistently emphasized early prevention, as inaction gives rise to conflicts, major humanitarian crises and, not least, atrocity crimes.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“We join others in congratulating you, Sir, on the start of your two-year term as a member of the Security Council. We also welcome your presidency and applaud your choice of theme for today's open debate. This is indeed an excellent opportunity to exchange views with the new Secretary-General about the fundamental issue of conflict prevention. We thank the Secretary-General for his extensive analysis and his proposed surge in diplomacy for peace. This subject matter is particularly topical as we confront grave challenges to peace and security at the global level. First of all, as a consistent supporter and promoter of the concept and practice ofconflict prevention, Armenia particularly welcomes the focus on taking early action to prevent conflict.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“It is ironic that Azerbaijan should refer to the Armenian leadership. In the 24 years of independence, not one President in Armenia out of the three, including the incumbent, has served more than two terms of office. Meanwhile, if one were to, out of curiosity, have a look at the leadership of Azerbaijan, they would come to a very simple conclusion: for almost half a century just one family has led that country - and Azerbaijan is not a monarchy.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Indeed, the overwhelming majority of the members of the United Nations are here thanks to that principle. Secondly, she referred to the Security Council resolutions. I would remind the representative of Azerbaijan that the key element of those resolutions is the establishment and observance of a ceasefire. That is something that is violated by Azerbaijan on a daily basis, with casualties on both sides. Armenia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group - the main format for negotiations on the conflict - call for the establishment and observance of a ceasefire, the establishment of an inquiry mechanism and the withdrawal of snipers. The observance of the ceasefire has been refused unilaterally by Azerbaijan. Thirdly, the representative of Azerbaijan referred to the incumbent Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“There was nothing new in the statement made by the representative of Azerbaijan: Armenia-phobia has become standard practice in this Chamber. Although I will not engage in that meaningless exercise, I will make several remarks. First, the representative of Azerbaijan spoke at length about selectivity and double standards. That is exactly what Azerbaijan is practicing. In her statement, she referred to a number of the principles of international law. Let me recall that no one is in a position to hierarchize the principles of international law. No one principle takes precedence over the other, in particular the principle of self-determination, which was missing from the statement of Azerbaijan. Thanks to that very principle, Azerbaijan is here as a Member of the United Nations.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Finally, swift action on early signs, however, remains a challenge, as it concerns heightened sensitivities to preventive engagement and compatibility of political will among Member States. It should also be noted that deteriorating situations are further exacerbated against a background of the deterioration in the international political context, in which major international and regional actors expand the scope of disagreements among them, and to which smaller States are particularly vulnerable.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“The Secretary-General makes a cogent argument in his report entitled One Humanity, SharedResponsibility, in that people want to be safe and free from violence, persecution, oppression and fear. They want to be treated with dignity and to know that their lives matter. Indeed, that is the central tenet of the Charter. It should also be central to the international order. The capacity to channel early signs of deteriorating situations into the United Nations system, not least to the Security Council, remains a vital objective. In that respect, we commend the Secretary-General and the United Nations system for their continued efforts. We recall that one such important tool in that respect is the Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Enhanced international cooperation to that end is therefore compelling, not least when viewed strictly through the prism of the maintenance of international peace. The requirement of systematic and careful analyses of information to detect deteriorating situations requires the sustainability of strengthened and reliable data sources. The United Nations system, with its multiple reporting mechanisms and extensive field presence, is one such important source. Enhanced cooperation with regional organizations also serves the purpose of expanding data-gathering. Sources of information are multiple. However, the affected people whose actual physical security is at risk are the ultimate voice in analysing situations.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Once again, Armenia highly values the support by the international community and the United Nations, and of the Secretary-General in particular, rendered to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship in the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Over the years, the broad concept of prevention has been gradually and effectively taking centre stage in the function of the maintenance of international peace and security. The responsibility of States to build peaceful and effective societies is a primary guarantee against conflicts. The evolving agenda of the United Nations, notably the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1) recognizes in no ambiguous terms the interlinkages among peace, security, development, human rights, responsible Government and the rule of law.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“The continued cultivation of hatred and aggression against the people of Nagorno Karabakh, the entrenched culture of systematic violations of human rights in Azerbaijan, their continued war-mongering and effective refusal to achieve a swift and negotiated peace agreement mediated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group co-Chairs represent an actual physical threat to the people of Nagorno Karabakh. The consolidated support of the international community to the negotiating process within the agreed format is of the utmost importance, particularly in order to deny the unwilling party the privilege of procrastination, deviation from agreed principles of the settlement and forum-shopping.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Therefore, when sovereignty harbours a political culture of repression, systematic violation of human rights and disregard for the rule of law, it effectively cultivates conflict. When a sovereign leader drives the discourse of intolerance and hatred, he flouts the responsibility of sovereignty. It is therefore as much about the responsibility of Government as it is about sovereignty. The people of Nagorno Karabakh have effectively won their right to self-determination and freedom out of a struggle against decades of discrimination - historical as well as socioeconomic and political injustice.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“It is precisely due to those fundamental principles of the Charter that 193 States, free nations, are gathered under the roof of the United Nations. The Charter does not in any way limit the privilege of freedom to any people. It would be utterly unfair to downplay the many achievements of the Organization in promoting peace and security during the past 70 years. However, we should also admit that there has been an erosion of trust in the world order, given the proliferation and intensity of conflicts. Negotiations on peace agreements often confront fundamental difficulties, not least because the voices of the affected people are drowned in the justification and abuse of the principles of sovereignty, non-interference and territorial integrity. Sovereignty entails responsibility.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for the choice of the theme for the present debate. The full text of our statement will be shared accordingly. The history of humankind has indeed been marked by conflicts, conquests and wars for the control of areas of influence, as the concept note (S/2016/103, annex) points out. However, the same history is replete with examples of the continued struggle of oppressed peoples for their freedom, self-determination and independence. The Charter of the United Nations was written by the people and for the people. The doctrine ofthe Charter is based on a reaffirmation of the faith in basic human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human individual. The Charter bases the development of friendly relations among nations on respect for the principles of equal rights and the self-determination of peoples.”
2016-02-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7621 (2016) · source
“Azerbaijan not only failed to comply with that requirement, it intensified its aggression and its military operation against Armenia in Nagorno Karabakh, using mercenaries closely linked to notorious terrorist organizations. Regardless of Azerbaijan's distractive stance, Armenia will continue its efforts to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by exclusively peaceful means and on a basis of the purposes, principles and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“I will be very brief. Listening to the statement of the Azerbaijani delegation, one comes to a very simple conclusion. Azerbaijan has turned Armenophobia into State propaganda at a level that is far beyond injurious. That alarming assessment has been voiced by international and intergovernmental institutions that specialize in combating racism. The speaker from Azerbaijan was referring to four Security Council resolutions that are more or less 20 years old. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to reinterpret those resolutions, whose core requirement was the immediate cessation of all hostile acts and the establishment of a durable ceasefire.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“Is it possible to promote the women and peace and security agenda and achieve lasting peace in the conflict when these authorities systematically oppress, jail and attack their own women human-rights activists and peace advocates?”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Rather than delivering false statements and utilizing baseless propaganda, we would strongly advise Azerbaijani representatives to concentrate on monitoring cases of grave human rights violations currently taking place in their country, particularly the widespread violence against women observed by United Nations Special Rapporteurs and other international experts; the persecution of women human-rights defenders and activists and women peace advocates; the occurrence of illegal marriages; gender-related killings of women and girls; a very high rate of gender selective abortions, and so on. We could pose a very relevant question to the authorities of Azerbaijan.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“As a result of that aggression, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Armenians, the majority women and children, had to abandon their homes and become refugees and internally displaced persons. They suffered unspeakable acts of Violence and State terror by Azerbaijan. That aggression continues to this day. Due to the indiscriminate shelling of Armenian villages by Azerbaijan's heavy artillery, only last month three Armenian women - villagers from the bordering Tavush province of Armenia - were killed.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“I requested the floor to reply to the comments made by the representative of Azerbaijan. We reject all allegations made against my country. I regret to note, though, that once again the statement by Azerbaijan on the important topic of women and peace and security fell short of addressing the real situation on the ground related to the violence against women in that country. Instead, comments by the delegation concerned were full of allegations, fabrications and lies against my country. It is well known and properly documented that it was Azerbaijan that, more than two decades ago, unleashed a full-scale war against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, with the intention of totally exterminating its Armenian population. The military aggression by Azerbaijan, however, had unpredictable consequences.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“The purpose of the round table is to raise awareness of the international commitments, examine best practices related to stockpile management and security, the destruction of SALW and conventional ammunition, as well as, where appropriate, to consider the review of national procedures on handling SALW and conventional ammunition. In conclusion, we are confident that the Security Council will continue to pay particular attention to SALW-related issues.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“We are pleased to inform the Council that, jointly with the United Nations and the OSCE, a round table on the implementation of SALW commitments, which was aimed at supporting Armenia in the elaboration of a national strategy on SALW control, was organized in October last year in Yerevan. The United Nations-OSCE team of experts recently presented recommendations based on the results of the discussions. We are currently working on the organizational modalities of the second round table, entitled Effective Stockpile Management and Security, and Destruction of SALW and Conventional Ammunition, which will be held in Yerevan in July with the participation of relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence, the police, national security service, and International Criminal Police Organization National Central Bureau.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“It is also important to take necessary steps to prevent the export of SALW to countries where there is a clear risk that force might be used for the violation or suppression ofhuman rights and fundamental freedoms, including that of the right to self-determination. In that regard, Member States should ensure that they have adopted relevant laws, regulations and/or necessary administrative procedures to exercise control over the legal possessions of SALW and their transfer in order to prevent illicit trafficking. At the international level, Armenia continues to support efforts aimed at the regulation of SALW- related matters. In that regard, we stress the importance of financial and technical assistance in building the capacity of Member States to implement such controls.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“Dialogue and goal-oriented cooperation among international organizations are essential to better address the issue while avoiding the duplication of activities. When SALW fall into the wrong hands, they exacerbate violence, prolongs conflicts, undermine the security of States, increase the activities of transnational organized crime, and allow for terrorism. They affect all levels of society, economically and socially, causing a great degree of human suffering. Therefore, combating the threat of the uncontrolled and illicit spread of SALW is crucial in order to strengthen transparency in military matters and build a climate of trust and confidence between all stakeholders, particularly in the regions where the threat perception is real.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“We support the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) initiatives aimed at promoting the implementation of SALW-related commitments. Armenia submits information on international SALW transfers to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and to the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre annually. It is noteworthy that last year OSCE adopted a decision on voluntary guidelines for compiling national reports on SALW exports. We believe that such a voluntary guide could also be useful to other United Nations Member States in their efforts to implement international agreements on SALW. We are of the opinion that a standardized reporting form may encourage greater transparency on SALW exports and imports, especially in our region.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“In that vein, Armenia remains committed to the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, which outlines a number of important steps including measures pertaining to regional cooperation. We are convinced that the further development of regional and subregional small arms control mechanisms, with the participation of all stakeholders and interested parties on a status-neutral basis, could promote better control of small arms and light weapons (SALW). Armenia also acknowledges the important contributions made by civil society to the implementation of the Programme of Action, and encourages cooperation with a broader participation of civil society in that process.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“Armenia thanks the Lithuanian presidency of the Security Council for initiating this open debate, and the Secretary-General for his briefing and recent comprehensive report on the subject matter dated 27 April 2015 (S/2015/289). We also thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for his detailed overview. The excessive accumulation, uncontrolled spread and illicit trafficking of small arms in all its aspects pose a serious threat to peace and undermines efforts to ensure an indivisible and comprehensive security.”
2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source
“In conclusion, while reiterating our strong support for the 1540 Committee, and in particular its leadership, I would like to inform the members of the Council that Armenia expects to finalize its national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) no later than July, and to start its implementation.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“In July 2013, by decision of the Prime Minister, an inter-agency working group was formed to develop a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In September 2013, at Armenia's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the first workshop of the working group and international experts took place in Yerevan. Recently, a draft action plan was put on paper and submitted for review to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Conflict Prevention Centre, and the EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centres of Excellence Initiative.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“The Republic of Armenia considers resolution 1540 (2004) of 28 April 2004 to be one of the fundamental international instruments in the sphere of non-proliferation of WMDs and related elements, and attaches paramount importance to its implementation. Armenia was among the countries that fully supported the extension of the mandate of the relevant United Nations committee on the implementation of the resolution until 2021. Since the adoption of the resolution, Armenia has undertaken several measures for its comprehensive implementation. In particular, Armenia has completely reformed the national expert control system on dual-use and military goods by adopting a new law and relevant Government decrees.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“At the outset, let me express my delegation's appreciation to Mr. Yun Byung- se, Minister for Foreign Affairs ofthe Republic ofKorea, for organizing and presiding over today's open debate, and to Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General, for his comprehensive briefing delivered today. Armenia also strongly welcomes the Council's presidential statement (S/PRST/2014/7) under the agenda item on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), adopted earlier today. It again reaffirms that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security. While Armenia fully associates itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union (EU), I would like to make some brief comments and remarks in my national capacity.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“She said that constructive engagement with Member States in collaboration with child protection partners was crucial to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children; no one could single-handedly accomplish the difficult task of addressing the impact of conflict on children; and that Member States, the United Nations and civil society partners had to support each other for the sake of children affected by conflict and to include children's needs in peace agreements and in broader peacebuilding recovery and development initiatives.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“In conclusion, let me commend the efforts of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict. The Office does impressive work in raising awareness and in mobilizing strong support for the protection of children affected by armed conflict. In that connection, let me also make a reference to the statement of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ms. Leila Zerrougui made during the presentation of her annual report in the autumn of 2013 to the General Assembly, which fully reflects the position of Armenia on the issue discussed.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“While the promotion and protection of the rights of all children is a priority concern of States Members of the United Nations, Armenia believes that particular attention should be paid to projects specifically related to disarmament, reintegration and rehabilitation, including psychosocial work. The promotion of peace is in the overriding responsibility of all countries, as well as of the Council. As long as armed conflicts are a reality, we have a duty to promote the protection and to defend the rights of the most vulnerable - the children. The United Nations system as a whole has a role to play in that regard, and we owe it to the children of the world to mobilize the full potential of that system.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“However, it is regrettable that, notwithstanding the fact that the legal regulation of the rights of children and their involvement in armed conflict has been significantly strengthened and affirmed, the substantive use ofchild soldiers in armed conflicts still continues to take place. Children in conflict are separated from their families, are forced to kill and experience violence and abuse. Ending impunity for grave violations against children is crucial. Recruiting child soldiers constitutes a war crime and the perpertrators of such crimes must be held accountable.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“However, there was no prohibition against children choosing to fight in conflict. The situation changed from the year 2000 and onward when the United Nations authorized a special tribunal to prosecute those with the greater responsibility of violations of international humanitarian law, including the use of child soldiers. Compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law, with their emphasis on special protection for children, remains the key to preventing grave violations against children. In that resepct, in 2005 Armenia ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and strongly supports the activities of the Committee and the wider United Nations system in that regard.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“They have become more vulnerable, particularly due to new tactics in warfare - an absence ofclear battlefields, the increasing numbers and diversification of parties to conflicts, which add to conflicts' complexity, and the deliberate targeting of safe havens such as hospitals and schools. Conflict deprives children oftheir parents, caregivers, basic social services, health care and education. Civilians, including child soldiers, should be spared war's devastation, and no civilian losses should be forgotten or overlooked. There was no outright ban on child soldiers under international law until fairly recently. Both the additional 1977 Protocol I of the Geneva Convention and the Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibit States from recruiting soldiers under the age of 15.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Mr. Samvelian (Armenia) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to say how pleased we are to see Luxembourg presiding over the Security Council, and to express our gratitude to you, Madam President, for organizing this open debate on an issue that is so important to the United Nations and its Member States. We are also grateful to Luxembourg, and its Permanent Mission in particular, for launching the "Children, not soldiers" campaign. (spoke in English) My delegation would also like to thank Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, Mr. Anthony Lake, the Executive Director of UNICEF, and Ms. Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, for their briefings earlier today. In recent years the evolving character of armed conflict has created unprecedented threats to children.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“It is an appalling demonstration of the Azerbaijani Government's failure to uphold the rule of law. We expect that the United Nations and its Member States will continue to voice their concern and react to this atrocious development in our part of the world, which has already undermined respect for justice, human rights and human dignity and endangers regional peace and security. In conclusion, we call upon Azerbaijani representatives to simply try to establish a tone in this Chamber that is based a little bit more on reciprocity and mutual understanding. Armenia pursues an approach of dialogue, negotiation and mutual compromise. We strongly reject the language of force, threats and hatred.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Eight years later, in September 2012, the whole civilized world was appalled to learn that Safarov had been transferred to Azerbaijan and freed upon his arrival in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital. Moreover, in Baku he received a full pardon and eight years' salary compensation. He was granted an apartment, promoted to the rank of major, glorified and received a hero's welcome from President Aliyev of Azerbaijan. That treatment of a cold-blooded killer and his pardoning contradicts not only international human rights instruments but also the Azerbaijan criminal code, which stipulates that a prisoner serving a life sentence cannot be freed before serving at least 15 years. This is a manifestation of how Azerbaijan treats a convicted murder who carried out a brutal hate crime, a crime committed against an unarmed Armenian.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“On 19 February 2004, exactly 10 years ago today, an Armenian participant in a NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace training programme in Hungary, Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, was axed to death by his fellow Azerbaijani participant, Lieutenant Ramil Safarov. The 26-year-old Armenian army lieutenant was hacked to death while asleep in his dormitory room. Safarov stabbed Margaryan 16 times with an axe, almost decapitating him. Following the murder, he walked over to another Armenian officer's room, hoping to commit a second murder, but, fortunately, found the door locked. Safarov expressed not even a hint of remorse after being sentenced in Hungary to life in prison.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source