YouSaid · the spoken record

Šimonović

lines on the record: 287
first: 1997-12-19
most recent: 2023-12-12
sittings or episodes: 39
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

“Not only is South Sudan on the verge of fragmenting, but the conflict seriously threatens stability in the entire region. Thirdly, I call on members of the Security Council and the entire international community to provide support, including financial, for the establishment of the transitional justice mechanisms outlined in the peace Agreement. The United Nations needs to extend all necessary support to the African Union and the Transitional Government of National Unity, once established, to ensure that the cycle of impunity is broken and justice is served.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“The parties to the conflict must abide by and implement their commitments made to end hostilities, to prevent conflict-related sexual violence, and to stop violations of child rights violations. The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict needs to be implemented in letter and spirit in a timely manner. Civil and military leaders have a command responsibility under international humanitarian law to prevent violations and to punish them, if they occur. Otherwise, they are responsible themselves. Secondly, I urge members of the Security Council and regional leaders to continue engaging the parties to the conflict in that regard. It cannot be tolerated that leaders make declarations in Juba, while the hostilities and attacks on the civilian population continue and intensify across the country.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“The establishment of these mechanisms in line with international norms and standards is crucial to achieving sustainable peace, but their formation faces tremendous challenges. The need for resources will be enormous and require the international community's focus and funds over a long period of time. Once established, an independent hybrid court will only be able to put to trial the most senior officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses. However, many more perpetrators will need to face justice in South Sudanese courts, which currently do not have the capacity to conduct such trials. In conclusion, let me put forward three recommendations. First, I urge the South Sudanese parties to the conflict to immediately cease all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“To break this long- standing cycle of impunity, and to prevent future violations of international human rights law, we must ensure that the transitional justice mechanisms outlined in the Peace Agreement are implemented. Almost total impunity so far contributes to incidents such as the recent rampages, killings, wounding, burning and looting in the UNMISS protection of civilians site in Malakal. There needs to be accountability to contribute to prevention. Chapter V of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict includes provisions to create a commission for truth, reconciliation and healing, a hybrid court for south sudan, and a compensation and reparation authority.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“A series of reports have repeatedly concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that gross violations of international human rights law, serious violations of international humanitarian law and international crimes have been committed by the parties to the conflict. These include human rights reports of UNMISS, the report of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan, and the report of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015). However, no action has been taken. Perpetrators of these violations have not been held accountable. South Sudan has a long history of forgiveness and amnesties, even for the most serious crimes.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“Several radio stations and newspapers have been closed for having reported on topics deemed too critical of the Government or, in the case of the Al Rai newspaper, reportedly on the grounds that one of its board members had recentlyjoined Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition. Human rights defenders and journalists have also been intimidated, harassed, attacked, and detained. In late December 2015, it was reported that ajournalist of the El Tabeer newspaper had been arrested following the publication of an article he had written, criticizing the Government's economic policy. In 2015, seven journalists were killed by unidentified gunmen. This pattern of deliberately silencing dissenting voices seriously contributes to the shrinking of democratic space and negatively impacts the attainment of a sustainable peace.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“An increasing number of armed defence groups have emerged in response to the Government's highly militarized approach to addressing insecurity. With the diffusion of armed conflict in all parts of the country, and the creation of local armed groups fighting against Government troops, South Sudan faces the risk of fragmentation and related human rights violations. While conflict-related violence remains a serious concern, human rights are under attack throughout the country. As UNMISS recently documented in a report on the human rights situation, the space for freedom of expression and dissent has narrowed considerably.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“UNICEF estimates that about 16,000 children have been recruited and used by all parties since the beginning of the conflict, including over 400 children in the last quarter of 2015. Fortunately, violence in Unity and the greater Upper Nile has subsided; however, new theatres of violence are emerging in areas previously little affected by direct hostilities, notably in the Equatorias. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has received reports of killings, sexual and gender-based violence, and the destruction and looting of civilian property. In recent months, allegations of unlawful and prolonged detention, mistreatment and extrajudicial killings of civilians have been documented, particularly in Western Equatoria state.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“In Leer county, Unity state, a survivor told our staff that her Village was attacked by a mix of Sudan People's Liberation Army soldiers and armed youth in late October. She described how the attackers shot and killed her husband and then locked up her grandfather in a storage room and burned him alive. Children's rights violations and sexual violence in conflict remain rampant, despite respective commitments signed by the parties to conflict to cease and prevent them. During an attack on Koch county, one woman described how soldiers killed her husband, then tied her to a tree and forced her to watch as her 15-year-old daughter was raped by at least 10 soldiers.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“However, the reconciliatory rhetoric propagated by Government and opposition actors has deflected attention from the fact that the parties to the conflict continue to attack, kill, abduct, rape, arbitrarily detain and forcefully displace civilians, and pillage and destroy their property. In the six months since the signing of the peace Agreement, a scorched-earth strategy has continued in which civilians were burned alive in their homes, their livestock raided and their means of livelihood destroyed. In the greater Upper Nile region, Government forces systematically razed villages to the ground in what appears to be a deliberate strategy to deprive perceived opposition supporters ofany means of securing a living, thus forcing their displacement. Attacks on civilians reveal horrific levels violence.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“Mr. Simonovic': I thank you, Sir, for inviting me to brief members of the Security Council on the human rights situation in South Sudan. When the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan was signed in August 2015, it was largely received with optimism that the parties to the conflict would abide by the declaration of a permanent ceasefire and halt their attacks on the civilian population. Small welcome steps have been made in the implementation of the peace Agreement, with crucial support from the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the wider international community.”
2016-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7628 (2016) · source
“The document requires the Cabinet of Ministers to oversee the drafting of such a strategy, with the participation of State authorities, local government bodies, civil society organizations and international experts. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is working hand in hand with the United Nations system as a whole, the Council of Europe, the national human rights institution and the Government to ensure a comprehensive approach to United Nations requirements, as part of the EU association process. As Ukraine prepares for Sunday's parliamentary elections, we call on the authorities to ensure that they are concluded in a free, fair and open manner and in an atmosphere of tolerance, peace and respect for human rights.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“I firmly believe that the lZ-point Minsk protocol has its best chances of holding if it is implemented in line with human rights standards. Almost half of the provisions of the 12-point Minsk protocol could, in fact, have a direct positive bearing on the human rights situation. To contribute to sustainable peace and facilitate reconciliation, the implementation of the agreement should be based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. I also welcome the decree signed by President Poroshenko on 15 October regarding the drafting of national human rights strategy, whose purpose is to create a mechanism for the comprehensive protection of human rights.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“In particular, I wish to express concern about the abduction of four Crimean Tatars during the past month in Crimea, one of whom has been found dead. It is imperative that the whereabouts of those missing persons be clarified and those responsible held accountable. The implementation of the 5 September ceasefire agreement remains fragile. Human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law continue to be committed. There is a clear threat that we may be facing yet another protracted low-intensity conflict, as mentioned by Assistant Secretary-General Fernandez-Taranco. Nonetheless, the 5 September ceasefire agreement, still presents the most significant opportunity for a peaceful solution to the situation in the east.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“In that context, I welcome the fact that the 12-point Minsk protocol - which includes the passage of a law on non-prosecution of persons in connection with the events that took place in some parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - excludes amnesty for such crimes as genocide, terrorism, murder, the infliction of serious bodily injury, sexual abuse, hostage-taking and human trafficking. However the law appears to allow amnesty for acts of torture, which should be clarified in order to bring the law in line with international norms and standards. A worrying new tendency in Crimea, in addition to the previous human rights violations reported, is the increasing number of cases of enforced disappearance.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“The alleged execution of the four people found in the graves near Komunarska Mine No. 22 needs to be seriously investigated, and all measures should be taken to preserve the evidence. Despite the fact that a number of other graves containing more than one body were reportedly found in the conflict zone, the human rights monitors do not have information that those graves may contain the bodies of victims of arbitrary or summary executions. If such allegations are made, they need to be properly investigated. Accountability is key to reconciliation. Efforts must also be made to hold accountable members of the armed groups who have perpetrated grave human rights violations, including killings, enforced disappearances and torture.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“Two more graves, discovered on the territory of the Komunarska Mine No. 22, contained two bodies each. The people whose bodies were found in the first grave were identified as members of the armed groups, reportedly killed in action. Currently, to the knowledge of the human rights monitors, there are no allegations that they were summarily executed. As regards the four people from the two graves near the mine, according to officials of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, there exists forensic evidence of a summary execution. On 15 October, a monitoring team visited the three locations of the reported mass graves. The team also interviewed relatives of the two people whose bodies were reportedly identified. Their testimonies indicate that those people may have previously been detained by Ukrainian forces.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“After the 5 September ceasefire, opportunities to collect the unburied remains of people killed as a result of hostilities and to identify ad hoc and irregular graves in the conflict zone have considerably increased. As a result, hundreds of bodies have been found, but many of them remain unidentified. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes the efforts that are being undertaken to establish the identities of the dead and to hand the bodies over to their relatives as well as to ensure burial in dignity. Within that process, the issue of the alleged mass graves near the village of Nyzhnia Krynka in the Donetsk region has received extensive publicity. One of those graves, located near the entrance to the village, contained five bodies.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“It could in theory be applied to a million officials. While it is crucial that the Government take measures to combat corruption, such measures must include basic due-process guarantees, and they must be applied in a non-discriminatory fashion. I encourage the Government to align the legislation with the relevant regional standards. These developments have negative human rights implications and can lead to a deepening of the divide within the Ukrainian population at a time when it should move forward with the peace plan and national reconciliation. In that context, accountability is not only a prerequisite, but also a cornerstone, of any lasting peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“Some of those acts have involved violence against individuals, particularly when officials were manhandled into rubbish containers. In the Kharkiv region, over 12 statues of Lenin have been toppled by pro-Unity groups since early September. Such acts, which exacerbate tensions between the communities, appear in some cases to have been tolerated by local law enforcement officials. There are also indications in some areas of incidents of election-related intimidation and violence against campaign workers, party infrastructure and candidates. The lustration law, passed on 9 October, has been widely criticized both by the Ombudsperson as well as by civil society. The law is broad in its scope, enables the lustration of a number of positions, with a prohibition against allowing current office holders to maintain or regain those positions.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“While most IDPs continue to live from their savings, some of them, especially those from Crimea, still have no access to their deposits in Ukrainian banks. On 20 October, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, adopted a law on internally displaced persons. That is a welcome development. As we wait for it to be publicly promulgated and signed by the President, we very much hope that it will provide meaningful guarantees to IDPs, including access to health care, employment and shelter. With our partners, including in particular the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, we will monitor its implementation. In recent weeks, there has been an increase in direct action by the Right Sector and other activists to publicly remove allegedly corrupt officials or former politicians of the former Party of Regions.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“The ceasefire has encouraged many internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their homes in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Some went simply to collect belongings; others have remained in their homes. Those who have returned face serious difficulties besides the volatile security situation, as private property has been destroyed or damaged, and employment is limited, as many business or industries have been closed. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as of 24 October, the overall number of registered IDPs has reached a peak of 430,059. A large number of displaced persons remain unregistered. The conflict in the east has triggered a wave of solidarity among Ukrainians towards IDPs, but the capacity of host communities to continue to absorb IDPs has been shown to be weakening.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“The humanitarian situation in the areas controlled by the armed groups remains precarious, especially in the Luhansk region. Despite the ceasefire, many people in the conflict area have remained for a second month deprived of regular access to water and electricity, with limited access to health care and educational services. Humanitarian assistance largely depends on volunteers and a few international organizations, namely the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Medecins Sans Frontieres. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to the ICRC on the loss of one of their staff members in an attack in Donetsk city on 2 October. Perpetrators of that and other violations of international humanitarian law must be brought to justice.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“They continue to abduct people for ransom and forced labour and to use them in exchanges and simultaneous releases of detainees with the Ukrainian Government. They also continue to practice forced mobilization of civilians and threaten the local population with execution. There have also been continued allegations of human rights violations committed by some volunteer battalions under Government control, which have been performing police functions in some of the towns and villages taken back by the Government. We have continued to urge the Government to exercise more control over all of its forces, including the volunteer battalions, and to ensure accountability for any violations and crimes committed by their members.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“Owing to their wide impact radius, cluster munitions regularly have an immediate indiscriminate impact when used in areas with a civilian presence. Their use in such situations constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime. The Government has denied the use of cluster munitions when approached by the Human Rights Monitoring Mission on that matter. It is imperative for the reported use of cluster munitions to be investigated promptly and thoroughly, as well as the reports of indiscriminate shelling of residential areas by conventional weapons. Armed groups continue to terrorize the population in areas under their control, committing killings, abductions, torture, ill-treatment and other serious human rights abuses, including the destruction of housing and the seizure of property.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“At the height of the fighting over the summer, an average of 42 people a day were killed. The current death toll per day is close to the level of that from mid-April to mid-July, which was slightly above 10 people a day. Residential areas continue to be indiscriminately shelled by various artillery and multiple rocket-launch systems. For example, the 1 October rocketing of the centre of Donetsk hit a bus and killed six civilians and wounded another 25. On 14 October, a funeral procession in the village of Sartana, near the city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region, was hit by a rocket that killed seven civilians and wounded 18. Similar incidents have been reported on an almost daily basis. Recent reports of the use of cluster munitions in residential areas are alarming.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“While some areas in the conflict zone reported calm, such as Luhansk city, artillery, tank and small arms exchanges continued on a daily basis in other places, with Donetsk city, especially around the airport, and the towns of Debaltseve in the Donetsk region and Shchastya in the Luhansk region being the major flashpoints. The number of military and civilian casualties continues to grow. The current registered death toll of the conflict in the east, as of 21 October, is at least 3,724 people, which includes the 298 victims of the Malaysian plane crash. Let me add that that number covers killings registered by available resources and that the actual number is likely to be significantly higher. Approximately nine people have been killed per day since the ceasefire agreement.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“Mr. Simonovic': I thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the human rights situation in Ukraine. On 8 October, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued the sixth monthly report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine, based on work of the United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, which covered the period from 18 August to 16 September. Today, I will highlight some of the report's key findings. I will then focus on recent developments, since the cut-off date of the report. During the reporting period, the 5 September ceasefire agreement was adhered to only in terms of an absence of large-scale offensive actions.”
2014-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7287 (2014) · source
“Perhaps that new civic spirit will help drive the next phase of much-needed change in Ukraine. Allow me to conclude by stressing the need to find a peaceful solution to the current situation. We cannot afford to wait a day longer when at least 50 people are being killed or wounded every day. The price being paid by all Ukrainians as a result of the conflict is too high. Ukrainians and Russian Ukrainians in the cast are losing their lives, but the whole country is paying the price of the conflict as a result of the deterioration of social services. The political and economic consequences of the conflict spill over Ukraine's borders, negatively impacting human rights worldwide, the civilian aeroplane tragedy being just the most drastic example.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“It is critically important that the recommendations in the annex to the report be part of the broader reform agenda as the international community and Ukraine prepare for a major donor conference later in the autumn. As the report notes, the Government needs to seriously address the wider systemic problems facing the country, such as corruption, with respect to good governance, the rule of law and human rights. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterates its readiness to work with the Government on those issues. Civil society has played a vital role in Ukraine. The report describes how citizens have become involved in areas where their Government has been unable to respond quickly enough, such as accommodating people fleeing the fighting.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“The fabric of society is being torn apart by the continuous and ongoing violence and fighting. The misinformation being spread is building divisive narratives, hardening people's resolve and deepening social divides. The residents of areas in the east affected by the prolonged fighting, particularly children, may need psychological assistance to heal and to rebuild their lives. Many others, such as the victims of torture and former hostages, especially those held for long periods, will require help to recover. There is a clear need for a multi-year human rights national plan of action for Ukraine based on the recommendations of the United Nation human rights mechanism and the work of the human rights monitoring mission.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“In that regard, I note with concern the abduction of a local field producer for CNN, who was taken from a hotel in Donetsk on 22 July, held for four days, severely beaten and accused of being a Ukrainian spy. It is imperative that the parties to the conflict be assisted in finding a way out of this murderous and potentially even more explosive crisis. I welcome the Ukrainian President's proposal for a new round oftalks to find a way to restore the ceasefire. A first meeting was held in Minsk on 31 July, where important agreements were made to secure the crash site of the Malaysian Airlines plane and to release a sizeable number of the hostages being held by armed groups. Moreover, even once the current crisis has been resolved, deep psychological scars will remain.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“Freedom of expression has also come under attack, especially in the east, where attempts at media manipulation have been especially egregious in territory under the control of armed groups. Journalists in Luhansk were required to meet the political leadership of the armed groups every Monday to discuss what to cover and how, and those who did not comply were threatened and blocked, and their equipment destroyed. The so-called Defence Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic has prohibited journalists, cameramen and photographers from taking photos, videos and audio recordings, and banned them from working in combat zones and in proximity to military objects. As a result, a number of journalists, including foreign media professionals, have been harassed. Ukrainian j ournalists are treated even more harshly.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“The ability of Ukrainians to exercise their freedoms ofexpression, association, peaceful assembly, movement and religion or belief, as well as their political rights, has been strongly affected by the current crisis. In the east, those rights have been strictly curtailed by the armed groups. In a significant moment, the United Nations human rights monitoring mission reported that, on 1 August, residents of Severodonetsk - a city regained by Ukrainian forces on 22 July - were able to openly gather in the central square in a flash mob to express support for Ukraine. That was the first such rally allowed since March. However, worrying trends include the rise of hate speech, particularly in social media, and a number of incidents targeting Russian-owned banks and businesses on the ground that are alleged to be financing terrorism.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“I would reiterate that the Government of Ukraine should investigate all alleged human rights violations, as recommended by the mission. In the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, harassment and discrimination has intensified against Ukrainian nationals, Crimean Tatars, representatives of religious minorities, minority groups in general and activists who opposed the 16 March "referendum" in the area. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that more than 15,200 people have left Crimea, while tens of thousands continue to flee the fighting in the east, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine to more than 117,910, according to UNHCR, as 0f5 August. The report details a number of recommendations to the Government for the purposes of addressing outstanding issues.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“As the Government regains more territory formerly controlled by the armed groups, it must ensure that all atrocities are fully investigated under the full application of international human rights norms and guarantees, which include the avoidance of reprisals. Allegations about arbitrary detention and abuses by Government forces have to be investigated and acted upon promptly and decisively. I wish to inform the Council that the United Nations Human Rights Office has received a "White Book" on alleged human rights violations in Ukraine prepared by the Russian Federation covering the period from April to mid-June 2014, which we are currently reviewing. Some of the cases have already appeared in previous reports of the United Nations human rights monitoring mission.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“Water, electricity and gas supplies have been restored to 95 per cent of previous capacity, and children have returned to kindergarten. The city no longer needs humanitarian aid, according to the acting mayor. However, a disturbing discovery was made in Slovyansk when a mass grave was uncovered containing 14 bodies, at least 2 of which were identified as abducted members of a local evangelist church in that city. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission spoke to the father of the two identified individuals, who said that the church had been threatened by members of the armed groups on a number of occasions before armed men abducted four church members on 8 June as they left their church service. Until the bodies were exhumed on 24 July, their whereabouts had been unknown.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“Otherwise they will be held accountable for the casualties that could have been avoided. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission and the World Health Organization estimate that from the date of the onset of fighting in mid-April to 7 August, more than 1,543 people were killed in the east, including civilians, military personnel and members of the armed groups. At least 4,396 have been confirmed wounded; the real number is likely to be much higher. Some internally displaced people are beginning to return to territories in the east where the Ukrainian Government has regained control. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission visited Slovyansk earlier this week, and I am pleased to report that life in that city is returning to normal.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“The circumstances of her capture have been controversial. The Russian authorities state that she freely crossed the border into the Russian Federation and was subsequently arrested because she had no documents and was masquerading as a refugee. The Ukrainian Government says she was abducted in Luhansk by armed groups and was taken to the Russian Federation in an operation coordinated with the Russian secret services. The Ukrainian Consul was permitted to visit her on 16 July. She remains in detention. Fighting in and around population centres has resulted in heavy loss of life and very significant damage to property and civilian infrastructure. Both sides must be reminded of the imperative that they act proportionately and take precautions to avoid deaths and injury of civilians.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“The situation of children affected by the conflict is particularly worrying and requires more concerted commitments by all parties to ensure the effective protection of those children. While it seems that considerable efforts have been undertaken to evacuate children from the area of hostilities, according to the Ukrainian ombudsperson about 300 children remain in several orphanages in the areas under the control of the armed groups. Children experience specific vulnerabilities in the context, and allegations of abductions or attempted abductions continue to persist. On 8 July, the authorities of the Russian Federation announced that a former Ukrainian military pilot held in a pretrial detention centre in the Russian Federation would be charged with complicity in the killing of two Russian TV journalists on 17 June near Luhansk.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“Abducted individuals have been used as an exchange currency to free members of armed groups detained by the Government, to extort money or property and as a source of forced labour - to dig trenches or build barricades close to the epicentre of the violence. Some vulnerable groups, such as persons living with HIV or drug users, have been made to "work off their guilt" as forced labour or to fight on the front lines. Recently, as the Government of Ukraine has regained control over more of the territory in the east formerly held by the armed groups, many hostages have been freed or released through negotiations. But, as of 5 August, the whereabouts of 465 people remain unknown.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“There have been reports of human rights abuses, including abductions, detentions, torture and executions in those areas, all of which have increased the terror of civilians who are trapped there or held as hostages. More must be done to protect the lives of innocent people and to bring perpetrators to account. That must start with an immediate cessation of hostilities. Since April, some 924 people have been abducted by armed groups, including 811 politicians, journalists, professionals, students and other civilians and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitors, while 113 servicemen, military border guards and security personnel have been detained. Those figures are provided by the Government.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“On 2 July, constitutional proposals were made, including on decentralization, local governance structures and the preservation of the use of the Russian language. Those have been among the main concerns ofthe Russian-speaking population in the east of the country. Meanwhile, the human rights situation has deteriorated significantly in pockets of territory in Luhansk and Donetsk, which are still controlled by armed groups and where the Government has been undertaking its security operations. The report details what amounts to a reign of fear and terror in areas under control of the armed groups, twinned with the breakdown of law and order.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“The intense fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine is extremely alarming. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission reports mounting casualties and serious damage to infrastructure. All Ukrainians are paying an increasingly high price. As the Council is aware, the ceasefire declared by the Government was in effect for 10 days, from 20 to 30 June. The report describes the rapid escalation ofhostilities that has occurred since the end of that ceasefire, which, it notes, was violated over 100 times. It also notes the rapid professionalization of the armed groups, which are increasingly well organized and equipped with heavy weaponry. Their political and military leadership includes not only Ukrainians but also citizens of the Russian Federation.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“While the downing of the plane may constitute a war crime, a thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation is needed to determine the facts and circumstances of that act. That investigation is now under way, but it is disturbing to learn that the volatile security situation at the crash site continues to hamper international investigators, despite the ceasefire zone declared by the Government of Ukraine around the area. It is urgent to stop the fighting and to secure the crash site. At the same time, of course, more broadly, there must be accountability for those responsible for other war crimes, serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross violations of human rights law, as documented by the findings of the United Nations human rights monitoring mission.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“Mr. Simonovic': I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council again on the human rights situation in Ukraine. On 28 July, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued the fourth monthly report of the United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, which covered the period from 8 June to 15 July 2014. Today, I will highlight the report's key findings, and I will focus on the rapidly deteriorating situation in the east of the country and provide updates on the situation since 15 July. At the outset, let me say that the downing of the Malaysian civilian aeroplane, which occurred on 17 July, killing 298 people, calls for our unanimous sorrow and sympathy for the victims' families and for our outrage.”
2014-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7239 (2014) · source
“It is also encouraging to learn of yesterday's announcement by the armed groups that they would observe a ceasefire until Friday. That creates a window of opportunity for human rights and humanitarian confidence-building measures. Beyond the immediate crisis response, respect for all the human rights of everyone living in Ukraine is a prerequisite for sustainable peace. The United Nations human rights monitoring mission stands ready to support the Government of Ukraine, as well as civil society and various national and social groups, to make that happen. With your permisison, Mr. President, I will now disconnect from the video teleconference. Because of an unforseen change in my flight schedule, I will need to depart now to catch a flight to Bujumbura.”
2014-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7205 (2014) · source
“The United Nations human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine has so far been playing an important role in defusing tensions through its impartial reporting on the human rights situation. It can play an equally useful role through human rights and humanitarian confidence-building measures. The mission has already facilitated numerous releases ofindividuals detained by the armed groups. However, such measures should be based on reciprocity, and individuals that are arbitrarily detained by the authorities must also be released if there is no well-founded legal basis for them to remain in detention. As the mission has contacts on all sides, it will continue to support and facilitate such initiatives. President Poroshenko's recently announced peace plan and unilateral ceasefire is a positive step in the right direction.”
2014-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7205 (2014) · source
“While the perpetrators of those recent attacks are yet to be identified, it will be highly important to ensure accountability. The report describes the situation in Crimea as a legal limbo. Although Ukrainian legislation is supposed to remain in force, also in accordance with General Assembly resolution 68/262, legal institutions in Crimea are already being required to comply with the provisions of legislation of the Russian Federation. That has very practical effects, as some 15,000 judicial cases remain in legal limbo between Ukrainian and Russian laws and legal systems. The Crimean Tatar population has been facing some concerning limitations on their enjoyment of the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association and religion.”
2014-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7205 (2014) · source
“Seasonal vegetables are now on average four to fivetimes more expensive than before. Meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to operate and people to go to work. There have been, for instance, armed attacks on mining companies, which constitute the main share of the region's economy. About half of the population of the Donetsk region is experiencing some problems with access to water. Since last week, in Slovyansk there has been no running water. Around 90 per cent of the town is now cut off from electricity. Phones do not work most of the time and public transport does not function. The situation ofjournalists is also alarming. The Council rightly condemned the recent killing of two Russian journalists by mortar fire, which followed the killing of an Italian photojournalist and his Russian interpreter on 24 May.”
2014-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7205 (2014) · source