YouSaid · the spoken record

Seger

lines on the record: 350
first: 2010-10-26
most recent: 2015-06-18
sittings or episodes: 42
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

“While States have the primary responsibility to take the necessary steps to bring the perpetrators of such acts to justice, the International Criminal Court, as others have noted, can play an important role when States are unable or unwilling to do so, I cannot conclude my remarks without thanking Ms. Leila Zerrougui and her team, whose important work Switzerland thoroughly supports.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“Switzerland calls on States to View children primarily as victims and to draw up measures that will not adversely affect them, in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights. My country believes that we should avoid the detention of children suspected of having or determined to have links to armed groups considered violent extremists. In addition, the international community should give higher priority to youth awareness-raising programmes aimed at the prevention of all forms of extremism and to include a deradicalization component in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes. Finally, Switzerland believes that the international community should send a clear signal that there will be no impunity for crimes committed against children.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the non-paper prepared by France for the March 2015 debate, which called for Member States to ensure that in their fight against terrorism and Violent extremism they comply with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law and that they avoid criminalizing any contact initiated for exclusively humanitarian reasons with non-State armed groups considered extremist. We strongly urge the international community to support organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Geneva Call, which have direct access to such groups and which can make a difference through dialogue, awareness-raising and training aimed at implementing action plans and at ending violations against children.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“Secondly, many non-State armed groups are attacking children's education, either by forcing children to stop attending classes and to join their ranks while exploiting them for propaganda purposes or by misusing educational facilities. Schools should be safe places where children can learn and should in no case be used as shields or shelters for combatants. In that regard, Switzerland welcomes the signing of the Safe Schools Declaration by 37 States that committed themselves to ensuring that schools would no longer be targeted in conflicts. Thirdly, violations against children by non-State armed groups remain a major challenge, as others have already noted. Switzerland believes that it is urgent to find measures to strengthen compliance with international law by those actors.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Like other delegations, Switzerland is deeply concerned by the scale of violence perpetrated against children. First of all, the abduction of children is becoming a war practice used in systematic campaigns of intimidation and reprisals against civilian populations. Switzerland is particularly concerned by those developments, because they are often the precursor to many other serious violations committed against children, such as torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearances. Switzerland therefore welcomes the decision of the Security Council to make the abduction of children a criterion for listing in the Secretary-General's annual report on children and armed conflict, and that is why my country decided to co-sponsor the resolution.”
2015-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7466 (2015) · source
“Switzerland stands ready to deploy experts within United Nations Action to support Governments in the development of comprehensive national strategies.”
2015-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7428 (2015) · source
“On 9 September, Switzerland will convene a meeting in Geneva on resolution 1325 (2000), at which we will take stock of innovative measures to address the root causes of gender-based violence on the women and peace and security agenda, including efforts to reform security andjustice institutions. Our aim is to develop concrete recommendations to that end. Finally, we commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Bangura, for her leadership and initiatives. We also thank her for her update on the efforts deployed by the United Nations system to date, including through the inter-agency network United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2015-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7428 (2015) · source
“Secondly, we must strengthen the implementation of the Secretary-General's recommendations to prevent sexual violence with measures to fight extreme violence. Conflict-prevention measures must take gender specificities into account of course, and only the inclusion of women in the analysis of conflicts will enable States to design appropriate replies. We must also support civil society, particularly women's organizations, and ensure that they are included in a significant way in all preventive measures in ongoing peace processes. Thirdly, Switzerland believes that security and justice institutions can have a decisive impact on conditions that promote an increase or a reduction in sexual violence.”
2015-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7428 (2015) · source
“First, the examples that I have just given show that acts of sexual violence are often committed by non-State armed groups. To prevent such terrible acts, we must engage in dialogue with these actors, even if these are groups that we would rather not speak to. This dialogue, of course, must be led in a way that is adapted to each situation, but experience shows that it can help to reduce sexual violence if it is led competently. For example, the Swiss non-governmental organization Geneva Call has already been able to obtain specific, time-bound commitments from non-State armed actors to put an end to sexual violence and to comply more closely with humanitarian law and human rights law. Switzerland supports the activity of such organizations.”
2015-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7428 (2015) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Madam President, Switzerland would like to thank you for organizing this open debate, even if its very holding is admission that we have all failed in our collective efforts to eradicate sexual Violence against women. The recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/203) is bleak testimony to this fact. It reports on rape, sexual slavery and forced marriage perpeatred mostly by armed groups, sometimes as a tactic of terror, especially in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, Libya and Yemen. We previously heard examples of this in the past. The many statements that we have heard today are undoubtedly important, but we must act and adjust our strategy in order to tackle this issue. In that regard, Switzerland would like to put forward three specific suggestions.”
2015-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7428 (2015) · source
“In that regard, we have taken note of recent initiatives that emphasize the role of the United Nations in prevention, such as the recently released Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes and, of course, the Rights Up Front Action Plan. In conclusion, we encourage the Security Council to strengthen the protection of civilians across its agenda, including in the mandates of peacekeeping operations and special political missions. Looking ahead, the parallel reviews in 2015 of the peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations, the women and peace and security agenda and peace operations will be an important opportunity to examine how we can reinforce the effectiveness and consistency of our common action in protecting civilians and ensure that it is gender sensitive and reflective of women's voices on the ground.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Indeed, the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls is often related to underlying inequalities, which must be addressed in any effort to end impunity with regard to sexual violence and other serious crimes, in order to provide victim- centred support and create mechanisms to ensure that women are empowered and supported through social, economic and political inclusion and opportunities. In that regard, we would like to recall here the importance of implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and other related resolutions. The Group of Friends also stresses the importance of prevention and the need to prioritize the use of peaceful and diplomatic tools, including good offices and mediation, in the protection of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict environments.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“In that connection, the Group notes the importance of ensuring that the United Nations reports sex-disaggregated data and casualty records, and of recognizing the different needs of women, men, girls and boys. Women's participation in the formulation and implementation of responses to protection challenges is essential, and humanitarian assistance must take into account gender-specific needs and reduce the risks faced by women and girls, including in the early phases of response. However, improving the protection of women and girls should also be done through their empowerment in society, not merely during conflicts and their aftermath.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“Certain groups of women and girls who are particularly vulnerable or disadvantaged, such as displaced persons, may be specifically targeted or find themselves at an increased risk of violence. Women and girls face a greater risk of forced displacement, enforced disappearance and disproportionate impacts as a result of the destruction of civilian infrastructure, particularly education and health-care facilities. The forced displacement of women and girls is often the result of inequality in citizenship rights and in their involvement in decision-making processes, of discriminatory land and property rights, of the gender-biased application of asylum laws, of obstacles to registering and accessing identity documents and of the breakdown of protection systems in conflict situations.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“The abduction of girls, which has been mentioned, and the specific targeting of women by violent extremists are two striking examples. Attacks on schools and on health-care facilities and their personnel are particularly despicable. As has been said, we cannot tolerate impunity, and we must ensure that all the perpetrators of such atrocities are held accountable for their actions. In that respect, we underline the importance of strengthening inter-State cooperation and States' cooperation with international jurisdictions in fighting impunity. Women and girls face a wide range of threats and human-rights violations and abuses in armed-conflict and post-conflict situations. More must be done to ensure that our response takes into account the full range of violations and the differences in the impact that they can have on women and girls.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“The Group of Friends strongly condemns all violations of international humanitarian law, international human-rights law and refugee law committed against civilians, including women and girls. Those responsible for atrocities such as crimes involving rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based Violence; killing and maiming; wilfully impeding relief supplies, in contravention of international humanitarian law; and mass forced displacement too often go unpunished. In that regard, we would like to draw the Council's attention to the policy paper on sexual and gender-based crimes issued in 2014 by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Recent trends point to an increase in the deliberate targeting of women and girls in conflict, in blatant disregard of international human-rights law.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“I am pleased to speak today on behalf of the members of the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and my own country, Switzerland. The Group of Friends is grateful to the Chilean presidency of the Security Council for organizing today's open debate so as to ensure that the issues of the protection of civilians and women and peace and security remain high on the agenda. I run the risk of echoing much of what has already been said by previous speakers, but certain messages cannot be repeated enough.”
2015-01-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7374 (2015) · source
“As per usual practice, I will continue to keep the Council informed on the activities of the configuration, and on my trips in particular, knowing that the Council will remain firmly engaged in Burundi throughout the crucial electoral period.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“In that regard, I warmly welcome the World Bank decision, taken 13 January during a Board of Directors meeting convened by the Swiss Executive Director, to allocate $25 million to support economic reform and to remain attentive to the situation in Burundi. Ultimately, the decision whether or not to continue the involvement of the Peacebuilding Commission will have to be taken by Burundi itself following discussion within the configuration. To that end, I am currently preparing a working document to guide our consideration of the matter. In the meantime, I will continue to fully discharge my duties as Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission throughout the electoral process. I intend to visit the country two more times, in April and June/July, before my own departure.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“Given the Burundi configuration's ability to convene and the experience it gained in the context of the Geneva process, it could play an important role in supporting the dialogue on the second poverty reduction strategy paper development strategy and in supporting its implementation. The PBC could also look into the possibility of creating an international forum aimed at attracting private investment in Burundi. I have already raised this issue with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Said Djinnit, and could further explore it with the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Continuing close cooperation with international financial institutions would certainly remain a pillar for future Peacebuilding Commission engagement.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“BNUB is already gone, and MENUB's mandate will also expire in the aftermath of the elections. The PBC can help smooth the effects of this transition by remaining engaged through its three main pillars: political support, resource mobilization and the promotion of coherence in international assistance. Secondly, and depending on the success of the electoral process, the PBC could in future focus even more on socioeconomic development. Here I fully agree with the Assistant Secretary-General that the economic aspect is very important. The current four-year poverty reduction strategy paper will expire in 2016, and, consequently, a new one will have to be elaborated and promoted in order to attract investment.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“My third and last point pertains to the future of the PBC. As indicated in my report, my designated successor as Permanent Representative, Ambassador Jurg Lauber, joined me on my last trip to Burundi, primarily to show Switzerland's commitment to carry on with the mandate in case Burundi wishes to remain on the PBC's agenda. We specifically raised this issue at our meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Laurent Kavakure; of course, the question of whether Burundi wants to carry on with the PBC must first and foremost be answered by the Government. I see merit in continuing the engagement beyond this year's elections, for two reasons in particular. First, the PBC would ensure an element of continuity in the accompaniment of the country.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“I was also informed that there are important outstanding staffing needs within the United Nations country team, particularly in the Resident Coordinator's office. Given the importance of a well-functioning country team, I strongly encourage Member States to consider closing the capacity gaps by seconding staff to the office. Similarly, the OHCHR bureau is in dire need of financial stability and operational predictability, and has for this reason already lost experienced staff in Burundi. Human rights support and monitoring remain as important as ever in Burundi, and I therefore urge Member States to contribute the necessary financial resources to the OHCHR, to wit, $2.2 million per year. I thank the Peacebuilding Fund and Germany for their substantial support in this regard and hope that others will follow suit as soon as possible.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“One of the PBF projects that is ready for implementation is the establishment of a network of human rights defenders to be deployed throughout the country. The project was elaborated over the past nine months in agreement and in close cooperation with Burundi. That observation network would be a very welcome addition to the measures taken to protect and promote the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms during the electoral period. As Burundi recently reiterated its commitment to pursue the promotion of all public freedoms and to ensure the protection of all human rights defenders in the round- table communique of 12 December 2014, I urge all parties involved to redouble their efforts so as to ensure the prompt deployment of the network.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“With BNUB's mandate at an end, the United Nations country team, headed by the Resident Coordinator, now leads the United Nations presence on the ground. In a bilateral meeting with UNDP Administrator Ms. Helen Clark last week, assured me that her office is well aware of, and taking the measures necessary to accommodate, the specific needs resulting from the current political context in view of the upcoming elections, including the appointment of the new Resident Coordinator, who, I have been told, has been selected and has the right profile. Ms. Clark also promisedto accelerate the process of translating the latest grant of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), totaling $11.65 million, into impactful projects in order to support Burundi's peaceful transition.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“Following BNUB's drawdown, the electoral mission MENUB was officially inaugurated at a ceremony in Bujumbura on Monday, 12 January, as the Assistant Secretary-General noted. I welcome today's signing of the status-of-mission agreement, which forms the basis for constructive cooperation between the Burundian Government and MENUB. I trust that MENUB will now be able to play the role with which it has been entrusted by the Security Council, and as requested by the Burundian Government, including engaging with all political actors in Burundi. We had the pleasure to welcome the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Head of MENUB, Mr. Cassam Uteem, at a Steering Group meeting of the Burundi configuration on 22 December, and I very much look forward to closely cooperating with him and his team throughout the electoral period.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“This cannot be stressed enough. Only a truly inclusive political dialogue and an open political space that ensures the protection of all public liberties and rights for all can lay the groundwork for genuinely free, fair, peaceful and credible elections. Let me now turn to my second point. The presence of the United Nations on the ground is undergoing substantial changes. The United Nations country team, headed by the Resident Coordinator; the new electoral mission, the United Nations Electoral Observer Mission in Burundi (MENUB); and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights must work hand in hand to ensure maximum impact. Also, the Government must continue to cooperate with the entire United Nations family constructively and in good faith.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“In the same vein, I also strongly condemn the attack on 4 January by unidentified assailants on supporters of the ruling party, the Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), near the border with Tanzania, that claimed three lives. Those incidents have shown once again that despite BNUB'S drawdown, we - and here I include the Council - must remain vigilant. The electoral phase is getting into full swing and is creating tensions that need be carefully managed. We would be ill-advised to be lulled into complacency at this point. It goes without saying that violence, by whomsoever committed, should have no place in Burundi. In the context of the electoral process, the only viable option for all Burundian stakeholders is the path of dialogue, based on the spirit of Arusha.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“I fully share the concerns expressed by Under- Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman regarding the recent acts of violence in the provinces of Cibitoke and Ruyigi, which, unfortunately, resulted in a significant number ofvictims. Those recent attacks, as well as all recourse to violent means for political ends, must be firmly condemned. Given that uncertainties persist regarding the identity of the armed groups and the exact nature of the hostilities, I strongly recommend that the competent national authorities carry out investigations into the events in a quick and impartial manner. As long as the facts have not been established, rumours will spread and aggravate the already tense political environment in the run-up to the elections. I am convinced that an impartial investigation could serve as a much-needed confidence-building measure.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“In that regard, I especially welcome President Nkurunziza's personal commitment to free, inclusive and peaceful elections, as expressed at the opening of the round-table meeting. The joint communique adopted at the end of the round table is a very promising step, and it is my hope that going forward it will serve as a guiding document for all of us. I appeal both to the Government of Burundi and to international partners to fully implement the political commitments made in the joint communique. Let me now turn to three main points that, in my view, merit particular attention from the Council: first, the current security situation; secondly, the United Nations presence on the ground; and, thirdly, the future of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“In my capacity as Chair of the Burundi configuration, I visited Burundi from 8 to 12 December 2014 together with the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Mr. Oscar Fernandez- Taranco. Since I already transmitted a detailed report to the Council, which was attached to my letter dated 30 December 2014 (S/2014/954), I will address only the most important aspect, the round-table meeting. I was heartened by the discussions we had during the two-day event on important issues such as the follow-up to the mutual commitments taken in Geneva in 2012, the implications of BNUB's drawdown on the wider international cooperation between Burundi and its partners, and the future prospects for the partnership, assuming that the elections will be free, transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“Albert Shingiro, who was also in Burundi during my trip and whose personal engagement was decisive for the adoption of the joint declaration in Bujumbura. Since today's briefing is the last one on BNUB, I would like to join with others in expressing my gratitude to the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, my dear friend Mr. Parfait Onanga- Anyanga, and his team for their outstanding efforts for the Burundian nation and for our partnership in this common endeavour. However, despite BNUB's departure - and I am sure Parfait would concur with me on this - it is not yet time to look to the past. On the contrary, our focus should be on the future. The stakes are too high, especially in the context of the electoral process, to allow us to lower our guard.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“Let me, at the outset, thank the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, who has just spoken, for his very comprehensive briefing and his personal commitment to the cause of Burundi. We had the pleasure to cross paths in Bujumbura in mid-December 2014 and to jointly attend several meetings, including the closing ceremony for the United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB), on 12 December, which he mentioned. Also, Mr. Feltman's participation in the round-table meeting between the Government and its main international partners on 11 and 12 December was an important factor for its success. Let me also welcome the presence of the Burundian representative and my dear friend, His Excellency Mr.”
2015-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7364 (2015) · source
“Burundi has a historical chance to show the international community that it has overcome its painful past and that it is embarking on a new era based on strong democratic institutions and defined by the improvement of the living standards of its population, in particular of its youth. The international community must help Burundi achieve those goals.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“I welcome the Government's decision to organize the round table. Invitations should be sent out soon. I intend to travel to Burundi in the days leading up to the round table to meet the parties involved, as is the usual practice. Prior to that, I will be part of a delegation of Chairs of the Peacebuilding Commission visiting the African Union in Addis Ababa. On that occasion, I will further discuss the issue of regional engagement. There is no doubt that Burundi is going through a challenging and decisive phase. The tasks at hand are critical to the consolidation of the gains the country has achieved and to laying the foundation for a long- term vision, following the elections in 2015. BNUB's drawdown and, even more importantly, the 2015 elections are milestones and must be managed with utmost care, but they also offer new opportunities.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“Ideally, the number of high-level representatives of the Government and the main partners participating in the round table would be limited in order to encourage an open and frank conversation in an informal setting. I am encouraged by the many assurances of commitment I have already received from high-level representatives in that regard. Together with the Government, we are currently working on a joint declaration to be adopted at the end of the December meeting, and we will submit it to all the main partners in due time. The declaration aims at identifying the progress achieved, as well as the areas requiring further attention and intervention. Its objective is to define a new set of mutual commitments that would guide the common way forward during the election year and beyond.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“On the basis of the concept paper, which I also transmitted to the Council, it was agreed that the round table would have three objectives: first, to take stock of progressachievedinandchallengestotheimplementation of the second poverty reduction strategy paper, which was presented at the 2012 Geneva Partners Conference, in particular in view of the 2015 elections; secondly, to discuss the implications of BNUB's departure and its consequences for the future cooperation between Burundi and its bilateral and institutional partners at the regional and international level; and, thirdly, to evaluate future perspectives for a mutually beneficial partnership for Burundi's development and long-term prosperity on the assumption that, in 2015, fair, safe, democratic and universal elections will have laid the foundation for peaceful and sustainable development in the country.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“Until then, vigilance is required, including by the Council, and I will seek to provide continued support to the country on its path. This brings me to my third and final point, the round-table meeting. On 9 October, I wrote a letter to the Council announcing that a round-table meeting between the Government and its main bilateral and institutional partners would take place on 11 and 12 December in Bujumbura. That decision was reached at a high-level luncheon I organized on 29 September, attended by the First Vice-President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burundi, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and other eminent persons from Member States and multilateral institutions.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“Last week, I also had a very fruitful meeting with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Said Djinnit. We both believe that the current challenges have to be tackled through a regional approach and are committed to working together to enhance the role of regional and subregional organizations. Those organizations, including the African Union, the East African Community, the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries and others, will become even more important once BNUB has left Burundi. Regional cooperation is also crucial to fulfilling the economic potential of the countries of the Great Lakes region and promoting the socioeconomic development necessary for its people. I believe Burundi will continue to make progress in peacebuilding, leaving its conflicted past behind once and for all.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“Therefore, as Chair of the Burundi configuration, I organized a working lunch with Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovie to raise awareness among interested Member States of the needs of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. I was encouraged by the broad support expressed at that meeting, and I appeal to participants today to make a contribution. That echoes what the Special Representative of the Secretary-General just stated a few minutes ago. Beyond the Office's role as a protective presence, considerable work remains to be done in the field of human rights in terms of civil and political rights, the transitional justice process and the establishment of social and economic rights for all Burundians, which is a goal we all pursue.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“The strengthening of the United Nations country team is also on the right path. It is important that the transition from BNUB to the country team be carried out in a seamless manner. I therefore call upon the United Nations Development Programme for a timely nomination of a Resident Coordinator for Burundi with the necessary profile to support the country at the socioeconomic level and on related institutional and political issues. Furthermore, the Government's commitment to cooperate with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to promote that agenda in Burundi is an encouraging sign, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General noted. However, while the political will to open a stand- alone office exists, the necessary financial means to maintain its field presence are still lacking.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“BNUB's imminent departure at the end of the year is a crucial and delicate moment for Burundi - crucial because it gives the country an opportunity to prove that it is ready to start a new chapter in its peacebuilding process, but also delicate because it comes only five months prior to the general elections. BNUB will leave behind serious gaps, not least in the areas of political dialogue and high-level facilitation, which were identified as priority areas in the joint transition plan adopted by the Council earlier this year. However, efforts are well under way to ensure a smooth transition into the post-BNUB phase, and I am happy to note that. I welcome the United Nations electoral mission, which will be deployed with the approval of the Government on 1 January 2015 and will remain until after the elections.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“They must declare their willingness to contribute to the country's political dynamic in order to strengthen the democratic process and work hand in hand towards a prosperous future for Burundi. There must be a medium- and long-term vision rather than a focus on short-term political considerations. Finally, while the primary responsibility lies with the Government, I appeal to all political stakeholders to refrain from any behaviour that could further increase tensions or lead to acts of political violence. I remain confident that that will not occur, since no-one would stand to gain from it, but we should all continue to work hand in hand to prevent that from happening.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“All political stakeholders must be allowed to participate in the electoral process in a free, fair and secure manner. Political space must be opened up not only in theory but in practice and throughout the entire country. The Government is primarily responsible in that regard. I therefore call on it to prepare for the elections with the confidence of a country that is undertaking this exercise in democracy for the third time since emerging from its bloody past, and with the vigilance of a country that is aware of the fragility of its peacebuilding process and the responsibility inherent in it. I also urge the opposition parties not to repeat the mistakes of 2010 and to participate in the elections.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“During my most recent briefing to the Council in May (see S/PV.7174), I observed a growing lack of trust that was hindering the country's progress on two levels: both internally between the ruling party and the opposition and externally between the Government and its main international partners. Today, with the electoral process fully under way, those tensions persist. To not repeat what has already been said by Special Representative of the Secretary-General, I will refrain from dwelling on the details of recent developments, but will limit myself to some key messages with regard to next year's elections, which are of paramount importance. Inclusive participation is key. Indeed, I believe we cannot overestimate that element.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“I also welcome the presence of my dear friend Ambassador Zacharie Gahutu, Director General for International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Burundi. I would like to cover three main points today. After some remarks on the current situation in the country, I would like to expand on the subject of the end of the United Nations mission and its implications. Finally, I would like to talk about the round-table meeting that will be held on 11 and 12 December in Bujumbura between the Government and its main bilateral and multilateral partners.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“Since this is the last meeting of the Council before the closing of the United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB) at the end of 2014, not including the meeting scheduled for January, let me begin by conveying my heartfelt thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and his entire team in Bujumbura. I would like to welcome in particular the exemplary professionalism and unshakable dedication that they have always shown in implementing the complex tasks assigned them by the Council and the implementation of a smooth transition by the end of the year. Thanks to their support, I was able to play my part in the peacebuilding process.”
2014-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7295 (2014) · source
“To that end, I assure you, Madam President, that the ACT group will remain committed to continuing to work constructively with the Security Council and with the wider membership to increase the involvement of non-members and the accountability of the Council. (spoke in French) To finish in due form, I would add in my national capacity that Switzerland associates itself with the statement to be made by the representative of Norway on behalf of the informal Group of Like-Minded States on Targeted Sanctions, as well as with the statement to be made by the representative of Liechtenstein.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“Repeated calls for more transparency and increased involvement of the General Assembly in the appointment process have been made in the past and are legitimate, since the Secretary-General represents the whole United Nations membership. ACT is therefore of the opinion that the transparency of the overall process, in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions, should be enhanced. That will mean listening to the views of Member States and widening the scope of consultations beyond the permanent members. ACT intends to embark in a constructive dialogue with both the Security Council and the General Assembly in that regard. The Council acts on our behalf. That is why accountability, coherence and transparency in its work and in the implementation of its decisions are so crucial.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“Roughly half of all countries coming out of conflict suffer a relapse into violence. Therefore, a coordinated and committed approach to post-conflict peacebuilding is key to preventing such relapses. Our group is convinced that the PBC can assume the role of a forum where critical situations are discussed early, in an inclusive manner and with all relevant stakeholders. The upcoming 2015 review of the peacebuilding architecture is a valuable opportunity to implement necessary adaptations to further improve that role of the PBC. Finally, we encourage the Council to invite the chairs of the various country-specific configurations of the Peacebuilding Commission to participate in Council meetings. In closing, I would like to mention one topic that will be crucial for all of us, namely, the appointment of the next Secretary-General in 2016.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source