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

“In recent years, the Security Council has made some progress in improving its interaction with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and in addressing other related issues. However, the lack of follow-up to referrals by the Security Council remains a matter of concern, as has been mentioned by several speakers before me today. ACT will continue to call for more consistent follow-up, including through the creation of a subsidiary body to address issues related to the ICC. ACT has also advocated a perspective that is more oriented to conflict prevention in the work of the Security Council and therefore welcomes the adoption of resolution 2171 (2014). In that regard, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), as an advisory body to the Council, has a strong role to play in preventing the recurrence of conflicts.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“Our group is therefore pleased that France has taken up an idea that many of us have advocated for years, namely, that the permanent members of the Council should voluntarily commit to refraining from using the veto to block Council action aimed at preventing or ending atrocity crimes. While we believe that a commitment from all members of the Council to that end is appropriate, a special responsibility naturally falls to the permanent members of the Security Council. Even such events as the high-level ministerial event on 25 September have been important milestones. It is now time to make progress towards concrete measures, including the early finalization of a code of conduct that contains a commitment to refraining from the use of the veto in situations of mass atrocities.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“In that regard, ACT encourages the Council to take note of the recommendations made by all the States participating in today's debate and to provide the wider membership with a summary of those recommendations by the end of the year. That document could serve as guidance for the work of the Informal Working Group in the coming year. Similarly, ACT would encourage the Working Group to hold a meeting in the open debate format in 2015. One of the priorities of ACT concerns the use ofthe veto in the case of mass atrocities. ACT has advocated a use of the veto consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“In particular, ACT calls for the implementation without delay of the presidential notes contained in documents S/2014/268 and S/2014/393, on enhancing the wider participation and inclusiveness of Council members in the work of the Council and on ensuring continuity in the work of the subsidiary bodies, respectively. ACT therefore welcomes the efforts of the Council to hold meetings out in the open, especially open debates allowing the participation of the wider membership. However, the response of the Council remains in most cases very limited, and outcomes are adopted before the Views of the wider membership are even heard.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“Like all the speakers before me, ACT would like to acknowledge the efforts of your delegation, Argentina, Madam President, for capably steering the work of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions and for organizing today's debate, which, I have to say, has been very rich and substantive so far. Moreover, ACT commends the Working Group for its work leading to the adoption during the past year of five presidential notes, all of which build on previous Council decisions. In particular, ACT welcomes the commitment to continuing the practice of using wrap- up meetings and informal briefing sessions. ACT encourages the Council to monitor and report consistently on the implementation of measures on working methods.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in Spanish): Honouring the request of my French colleague for more linguistic diversity, I offer my greetings to you in Spanish, Madam President. (spoke in English) I am pleased to take the floor in my capacity as the Coordinator of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group, a cross-regional group of 23 States. Respecting your call for brevity, Madam President, I will read out an abridged version of my statement, while a copy of the full statement will be circulated in the Chamber.”
2014-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7285 (2014) · source
“Switzerland will make a financial contribution to a review of the impact of the deployment of child protection advisers in peacekeeping missions. Finally, Switzerland encourages States that have not yet done so to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.”
2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source
“Member States must always allow the United Nations access to those groups with the aim of adopting and implementing action plans. Switzerland continues to support the critical work of the non-governmental organization Geneva Call. Serious violations of children's rights, particularly sexual violence, too often remain without consequence in armed conflict. Serious international crimes must be judged primarily by national judicial institutions, but if those are unable or unwilling, the Security Council should use its power to refer matters to the International Criminal Court. In addition, it is essential to train peacekeepers on issues related to the protection of children and to include related provisions in the standard operating procedures and rules of engagement. That programme should be mandatory for any troop- contributing country.”
2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source
“In Nigeria, Boko Haram systematically attacks schools and in Iraq, the scale and brutality ofthe violence against civilians have achieved unprecedented levels. That is why Switzerland welcomes the work of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack under the Lucens Guidelines. It is also urgent that we all mobilize to strengthen respect for international law and put an end to grave violations against the rights of children, especially their recruitment and use by non-State actors. The commitments made by such actors remain very limited and the adoption of action plans with these groups faces several obstacles, including their ephemeral nature, governmental opposition or access restrictions under legislation relating to the fight against terrorism.”
2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): As it is late, I will be brief. First I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate. I also thank Luxembourg for its tireless efforts in chairing the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. Without question, we also welcome the important work of Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and firmly support the Children, Not Soldiers campaign to end the recruitment and use of children by Government security forces in conflict by the end of 2016. Her work has already yielded significant results, for example in Chad. Despite such progress, hundreds of thousands of children still suffer the effects of armed conflict in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Syria, Gaza and elsewhere.”
2014-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7259 (2014) · source
“The joint expressions of concern by the Council and other forums regarding recent developments, in my opinion, have above all shown that the international community cares about Burundi. In my view, that is an important message that we must build on.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“I thus intend to officially present this idea during my exchanges in Burundi, so as to then present a concept paper to the concerned stakeholders. As per usual, I will send a report on my visit to the Council. Given its painful history, Burundi has made remarkable progress towards stability in a very short period of time. We must stay the course and prevent any backsliding into the past. The international community's involvement in Burundi is still very much needed - perhaps now more than ever. It is in this spirit that I welcome the attention the Security Council is giving to the situation in Burundi. It is now up to us, as Burundi's partners, to pick up the BNUB torch and consolidate its extraordinary achievements by enhancing our involvement.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“Such a meeting would have several objectives: to counter the risk of an economic and political relapse; to rekindle what I would call "the spirit of Geneva"; and to review the progress in the implementation of the second poverty reduction strategy and the mutual commitments. Ideally, the roundtable meeting would take place sooner rather than later - namely, in the summer or early autumn - and would include a limited number of high-level representatives of the main partners and the Government in order to encourage open communication in an informal setting. Finally, such a roundtable would also respond to the Council's call contained in paragraph 19 of resolution 2137 (2014) of 13 February. During the informal discussions, high-level representatives of the Burundian Government supported the idea of such a roundtable.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“International partners committed to supporting Burundi financially within the framework of the second poverty reduction strategy, and Burundi committed to embarking on important reforms in the political and the socioeconomic sectors. We must admit that the Geneva conference's momentum has slowed over the past few months and given way to an increasing lack of trust, as I mentioned at the beginning of my statement. We have reached the midpoint of the second poverty reduction strategy, and that provides us with an opportunity to come together again and take stock of the mutual commitments undertaken in Geneva.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“I also plan to participate in the first meeting of the joint steering committee that will support the implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund's new priority plan, which has been allotted $11.65 million and covers four priority areas: social cohesion, youth, human rights and property development. My upcoming trip has a more concrete objective as well. Within the configuration, we have been discussing the idea of convening a roundtable meeting as a follow-up to the 2012 Geneva conference. That issue was also at the core of yesterday's discussion in Washington, D.C., with Assistant Secretary-General Judy Cheng-Hopkins and the World Bank's Vice President for Africa, Mr. Makhtar Diop. The Geneva conference, as the Council knows, was organized on the basis of the principle of mutual commitments and responsibilities.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“My initial intention was to include Addis Ababa and Dar Es Salaam in my itinerary in order to meet with African Union and Tanzanian officials, but due to time constraints I was unable to do so. I will, however, make up for that on one of my upcoming trips, during which I will also seek to enhance my contacts with other important partners in the region, in particular Kenya and Uganda. The programme for my two-day stay in Bujumbura is being finalized, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank BNUB's staff in advance for their preparatory work. As usual, I will meet with high- level representatives from the Government, including, I hope, the President, and representatives of various political parties, civil society and the international community.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“The goal of my stopovers in Europe and Burundi's neighbouring States is to discuss recent developments with high-level representatives from the various countries and regional organizations, in particular the European Union and the East African Community, in order to explore the best options to engage with Burundi and define their respective roles, in particular after BNUB's departure. In my opinion, that last point is of particular importance, given that Burundi's partners will have to fill the gaps left by BNUB's withdrawal. Indeed, the transition plan just presented by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General clearly reflects those gaps.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“I welcome the efforts of neighbouring States and regional organizations in the context of the current situation and call upon them to become even further involved. Given recent developments, the Burundian Government has invited me to move my visit up to the month of May. I have gladly complied and have planned my visit for 21 May to 1 June. Contrary to my usual practice, I will stay in Bujumbura for only two days and will devote some of my time to visits to Brussels, Paris, Kigali and Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“Furthermore, following the configuration's meeting on 12 March, I continued my informal exchanges with key configuration members to share our respective analyses and cooperate with the Government through its Permanent Representative in New York. Yesterday, I also met with the World Bank Vice President for Africa, Mr. Makhtar Diop. I will come back to that visit later. As BNUB's mandate is coming to an end, as we know, on 31 December, I intend to continue to engage in dialogue with the various stakeholders over the coming months to ensure continued or even increased political commitment on the part of the international partners in Burundi. The countries of the subregion have a central role to play.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“I have therefore focused my efforts of recent months on exploring options for ending the current impasse while continuing to appeal for a smooth transition towards the post-BNUB phase and beyond. In that context, I met with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark, high- level officials from the Department of Political Affairs, a ministerial delegation from Burundi and a few bilateral partners. Administrator Clark has assured me of UNDP's full commitment to continuing the work of peacebuilding after BNUB's departure. I also had the pleasure of participating in the first two meetings of the transition steering group via video-teleconference.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“Internally, the perspective of the 2015 elections is giving rise to a significantly increased tension. Exacerbated by an absence of dialogue, the political space is clearly limited, leading to mutual mistrust between the ruling party and the opposition parties. In the same vein, recent events on the political front in Burundi have raised great concern at the international level, as underscored by the various statements and visits by bilateral and multilateral partners and institutions. The international community's increased attention to Burundi clearly demonstrates its strong bond with the country and its people. We have to further intensify our common efforts in favour ofa frank and open - but also respectful and friendly - dialogue between Burundi and its partners.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“I will limit my statement today to two points. First, Iwill sum up the essential aspects ofthe configuration's efforts to assist Burundi, in particular in the light of the current situation, and to inform the Council about my upcoming visit to the region from 21 May to 1 June. Secondly, I will raise the idea of convening a follow- up meeting to the Geneva conference of 2012 to assess progress in the implementation of the second poverty reduction strategy paper and the mutual commitments agreed upon at the meeting in Geneva. As the Council has heard, the current situation in Burundi is difficult and tense. Without dwelling on developments since the adoption of resolution 2137 (2014), which the Council has followed closely by meeting three times in closed consultations, I now note a growing lack of trust on two levels.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“Allow me first of all to thank the Council for having invited me to this briefing, I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and his entire team for their outstanding work with regard not only to the transition plan that he has just presented but also their tireless efforts in balancing the dual burden of continuing to implement the mandate of the United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB) until the end of the year and of ensuring a smooth transfer of BNUB's remaining tasks to the country team. I also take this opportunity to welcome the Minister of the Interior and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of External Relations and to the Government of Burundi for its very constructive and positive cooperation thoughout our relationship.”
2014-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7174 (2014) · source
“This also concerns the very existence of such arms: until they are prohibited and abolished, they will continue to represent a risk to peace and security throughout the world.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“While such advances have enormous potential for public health, biomedical science or agriculture, there is also growing risk of State or non-State actors exploiting such sciences to illicit ends. As current Chair of the Biological Weapons Convention, Switzerland is aware of such risks and will therefore launch a series of workshops focused on the implications of the convergence of chemistry and biology. We will inform the 1540 Committee regarding the results of that initiative. In conclusion, the international community must continue its efforts to manage the risks posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Their use could have severe humanitarian consequences and major repercussions for security, the economy and the environment.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“That cooperation also involved the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre, a non-governmental organization. Thirdly, regional organizations also have a role. For example, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), with Switzerland's support, carries out awareness-raising activities, provides specific information and assists States in developing national legislation and national action plans. A few weeks ago, the OSCE Points of Contacts on resolution 1540 (2004) met in Vienna. While the implementation of existing provisions remains a priority, we must also anticipate new challenges, such as the implications of dual-use and convergence in the areas of biology and chemistry resulting from revolutions in the life sciences, and find meaningful ways to address them.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“In that regard, I will briefly address three points. The first concers the importance of national implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and role of international instruments in that regard. Switzerland has for its part made its expertise availability to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to assist in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. In the area of exports, Switzerland controls the transfer of dual-use items in a broad and systematic manner. The written text of my statement contains further detail. Secondly, international assistance can play a useful role in advancing implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In that regard, in 2011 Switzerland, at Iraq's request, provide such assistance in the area of bio- safety and bio-security.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I will deliver a shortened version of my prepared statement in the interest of time. I ask the Security Council to take note of my written text. At the outset, I would like to thank the Republic of Korea for having organized this open debate, which is of great importance because this is an issue that concerns all Member States. It goes without saying that Switzerland fully supports the objectives of resolution 1540 (2004) and its follow-up resolutions. The resolution, unfortunately, remains important in the light of the persistent threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, and by their potential use by non-State actors. We should therefore continue our efforts to effectively implement the resolution.”
2014-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7169 (2014) · source
“Equal participation is a prerequisite for comprehensively addressing gender-based violence, as well as its causes and its consequences. Therefore, Switzerland would like to stress the importance of the latest resolutions on the issue, in particular resolution 2122 (2013). Furthermore, we call upon all actors to continue their efforts for the complete and cohesive implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In conclusion, we commend Special Representative Zainab Bangura, who has played an outstanding role in drawing up joint strategies with Governments to combat sexual violence. Switzerland congratulates her for the progress made in the implementation of the frameworks and looks forward to hosting the next donor conference of the United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“With the goal of improving data collection, Switzerland supports the Harvard University Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research, which focuses on the development of systematic methodological guidance that can be applied to monitoring, reporting and fact-finding efforts. We continue to believe that such instruments are essential for improving the prevention of crimes of sexual Violence. Finally, allow me to reiterate the importance of linking our efforts to protect and strengthen women's rights with our commitment to promote women's participation. Men, too, have everything to gain from such efforts. The development of a truly global society will be achieved only by insuring the equal participation of women and men in all aspects of the peacemaking, peacebuilding and reconstruction processes.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“We share the Secretary-General's concerns about the fate of displaced populations, whose majority consists of women and girls. Their limited access to resources makes them that much more vulnerable to sexual Violence and sexual exploitation. We welcome the fact that his recommendations insist that prevention be an integral part of all country-specific resolutions by the Security Council. It is essential that prevention and protection measures be tailored to the context of displacement. Finally, we share the Secretary-General's concern about the lack of official data on sexual violence. We need reliable data to effectively combat violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in situations of armed conflict and internal disturbances.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“It is also crucial, in the early stages of a peace process, to adopt gender-sensitive policies and measures to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation, early marriage, human trafficking and rape. What other options do we have for action? While there may be no ready-made solutions, I would like to explore three areas that are addressed in the report. We welcome the Secretary-General's recommendation to emphasize the decisive role of civil society, in particular women's organizations and community leaders, in the many efforts to eliminate sexual violence against women. We need to ensure that women's participation in peace negotiations and processes is conducted on an equal footing with men and that the resulting agreements take gender problems into account.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“The high incidence of sexual violence, especially rape, is a source of grave concern, all the more so because systematic impunity creates a context that encourages such violations. Three months ago, just before the second Geneva Conference, 50 women from across Syria shared with us their priorities regarding the issue of sexual violence. They stressed that rendering justice was essential. Over a year ago, Switzerland, together with more than 60 other States, called on the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. That demand is more timely now than ever, and in that regard we support France's initiative to draft a resolution to that end.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“We welcome the programmes for training and consciousness-raising as well as the monitoring measures such as those being pursued within the framework of human rights due diligence policy of the African Union Mission in Somalia. Regular reports on sexual and gender-based violence along with a zero- tolerance policy vis-a-vis the perpetrators of such crimes are indispensable. Last March, the Human Rights Council in Geneva hosted a panel on sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which again brought to our attention the massive character of violence against women in that context. Armed conflicts and the weakness of State institutions, especially the judiciary and the security forces, are the primary destabilizing factors.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“Our response to that must be firm: there shall be no impunity for the perpetrators of those crimes, and we will not rest until justice is done. In that regard, we would like to emphasize the recommendations of the Secretary-General on the need for countries to foster national ownership, leadership and responsibility and to strengthen the capacity of their civilian and military justice systems. In that context, we would do well to recall the complementary role of the International Criminal Court when States are either unable or unwilling to render justice to the victims of acts of serious sexual violence insofar as they constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): The Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000) more than 13 years ago. Nevertheless, as my colleague from Liechtenstein has just recalled, sexual violence, especially rape, in countries in conflict and post- conflict situations, remains a sad reality. We cannot turn a blind eye on those human rights violations. Switzerland therefore thanks your delegation, Madame President, for convening this debate, and the Secretary-General for his report (S/2014/181) on conflict-related sexual violence, which emphasizes the scope of the problem. In the majority of the situations that have been observed, sexual violence is perpetrated as much by Government forces as by armed opposition groups.”
2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source
“Also, we are of the view that Government armed forces listed in the annexes to the Secretary-General's reports on children and armed conflict should be prohibited from participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations until they have adopted and fully implemented action plans to end violations against children. Finally, Switzerland encourages States that have not yet done so to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Geneva Call's approach is complementary to the work undertaken by the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders. Training and capacity-building for the personnel responsible for child protection are of the utmost importance. The pre-deployment training in child protection for peacekeepers is essential. Police officers, military personnel and civilians need specialized training on child protection. Switzerland will financially support the mainstreaming of the protection, rights and well-being of children affected by armed conflict within United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“In that regard, Switzerland supports a project on improving accountability for children in situations of armed conflict, which is being implemented by the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination and the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict. The project will, in particular, focus on facilitating information exchange and dialogue between armed non-State actors, the United Nations and civil society as a step towards increased implementation of action plans with non-State actors that are still committing violations against children. Furthermore, we will also continue to support the non-governmental organization Geneva Call, which has access to armed non-State actors and engages them to sign deeds of commitments to prevent and put a ban on the recruitment and use of children in hostilities.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Despite the repeated calls of the international community to put an end to grave violations of children's rights in situations of armed conflict, a number of parties to armed conflict still recruit or use children. The list established by the Secretary- General contains more than 50 perpetrators, 46 of which are armed non-State actors. The representative of New Zealand also referred to that fact. Despite the praiseworthy efforts of the Special Representative to engage with a number of those non-State actors to end grave violations against children, the commitments from armed non-State actors remain very limited and a number of challenges continue for the conclusion of action plans with those groups, namely, because of their ephemeral nature, Government opposition or the difficulty in getting in contact with them.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Like my colleague who preceded me, I, too, will read a shortened version of my text. I refer participants to the full written statement. However, allow me begin by thanking you, Madam President, in particular for holding this debate. We especially appreciate its open format, which allows all Member States to publically reaffirm their commitment to the protection of children in situations of armed conflict and to make recommendations to the Security Council. Like preceding speakers, we highly value the very important work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, and support the joint campaign to end the recruitment and use of children by government security forces in conflict by 2016, launched yesterday by the Special Representative together with UNICEF.”
2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source
“As a result, experts who should be quickly made available to support the rule of law cannot be deployed in a timely manner in the field. We therefore encourage the Secretary-General to submit an appropriate budget proposal to the General Assembly. Finally, the United Nations must itself adhere to the principle of the rule of law in order to credibly promote it. We should continue to consider options to fill existing gaps, in particular by holding United Nations personnel accountable for any abuses.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“In that regard, special political missions and United Nations country teams could also be mandated in a more systematic manner to do political work and to promote the rule of law. Mandates that assist international criminal justice efforts by supporting both national processes and the International Criminal Court, as was the case for Mali in resolution 2100 (2013), are extremely important. In order for them to be successfully implemented, however, the international community must stand firmly behind them. Switzerland also wishes to draw the attention of Member States to the fact that the Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Service of the Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions is increasingly short of funds and resources, although it supports and provides advice to operations on the ground.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“We hope that pooling our efforts will make a difference on the ground. That said, restoring and strengthening the rule of law in the aftermath of conflict and building national capacities are challenges that require our attention in both mission and non-mission settings. We must be consistent in our efforts from the very outset and sustain our efforts in the long term. Madam, we thank your presidency for preparing a concept note (S/2014/75, annex) that rightly highlights a number ofimportant steps that could be taken to ensure that rule-of-law mandates are more effective. It is very important that mandates be spelled out in a more specific fashion to improve monitoring. Moreover, mandates must be tailored to specific situations, inter alia, through consultations with the host country, local actors and other stakeholders.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“Mr. Seger (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Madam President, we would like to thank you for having convened this debate. We also welcome the Security Council's practice regarding the inclusion of the rule of law in peacekeeping missions. In that context, we welcome the recent efforts of the Secretary-General to ensure greater coordination on the ground by, inter alia, designating the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Development Programme as thejoint global focal point for the police, justice and corrections areas in the rule of law in post- conflict and other crisis situations. On the institutional front, we believe that the Rule of Law Unit of the Secretariat has an important role to play in defining a consistent and coordinated approach to the rule of law throughout the United Nations system.”
2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source
“The Secretary- General quite rightly identified that issue as being one of the main challenges for the protection of civilians, and a welcome step would consist in identifying the best practices and experiences of the United Nations and other actors in a future report by the Secretary- General. Thirdly and finally, my neighbour from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has already mentioned the joint initiative with Switzerland to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law. I will limit myself to calling on all States to actively participate in the consultations that the ICRC and Switzerland will continue to organize to that end.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“First, Switzerland shares the Secretary-General's concerns regarding humanitarian access, particularly in Syria and the Sudan, where millions of people are in great need of assistance. As other delegations have already stated, States have the primary responsibility to protect their civilian populations and must therefore allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian actors to civilians in need. Secondly, we support direct interaction with non- State armed groups to protect civilians in situations ofconflict. The existence ofa dialogue in no case confers legitimacy on any armed group nor on its methods. But today it is not realistic to believe that civilians can be protected in modern-day conflicts without the direct or indirect involvement of armed groups.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Finally, on the issue of lethal autonomous weapon systems, the Group is ofthe View that further discussions are needed and welcomes the fact that the issue will be examined in Geneva in May 2014, in the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The Group hopes that such discussions will also examine the issue with due consideration to the protection of civilians as part of a comprehensive debate that includes legal, military, operational, technological and ethical perspectives. In time, discussion should focus on the relevance of such systems to the protection of civilians, in particular, in the context of international humanitarian law and with regard to the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality. (spoke in French) Allow me now to briefly touch on three points in my national capacity.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“The Group of Friends notes that civilian casualty tracking, where practicable, plays an important role in efforts to reduce harm to civilians. The Group of Friends calls on parties to a conflict, as well as United Nations peacekeeping missions, to recognize the potential value of such a role. With regard to casualty recording and in the light of the recent presentation of the "Rights up front" action plan, the Group notes the continuation of efforts to ensure effective and credible recording mechanisms, noting further that the establishment of systematic and credible records of civilian casualties in the right context could support broader efforts to monitor and report on violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, while taking into account the practical challenges in recording casualties, civilian or otherwise.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“In that regard, the Group notes the intention of the Secretary-General to examine the issue of arbitrarily withholding consent to relief operations. We note the fact that several drafting seminars involving legal experts from diverse backgrounds have taken place. Responding to the Secretary-General's recommendation in that regard, the Group expresses its readiness to discuss their findings, among other inputs, with a view to elaborating guidance on how to facilitate consent in a peaceful manner. All parties to a conflict must abide by international humanitarian principles and practices to protect civilians; the international community needs to take the initiative to guarantee that. Secondly, we turn to the issue of casualty tracking and recording.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source