YouSaid · the spoken record

Skoog

lines on the record: 1,817
first: 2015-03-16
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 248
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

“We welcome his efforts over the past year and fully support that agenda. Prevention is the most effective tool to ensure the protection of civilians. It is our first line of defence. But when prevention does not succeed, international humanitarian law should provide a safety net for civilians caught up in armed conflict. We commend the Secretary-General for his action-oriented approach to enhancing respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law and for promoting good practice. Despite our efforts, unspeakable crimes continue to be committed. The use of rape and sexual and gender-based violence have reached new and horrific levels.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“In last Thursday's open debate on upholding international law (see S/PV.8262), my delegation asked, rhetorically, how it could be that we succeed in using the tools of international law in most areas yet fail in this most critical one - protecting the life and dignity of our fellow human beings. This morning, the briefers eloquently and powerfully outlined the consequences of that failure. They are not abstract. They are lives shattered and futures erased as a result of a reckless and unacceptable disregard for international law and the civilians whom it is there to protect. And we, the 15 members around this table, have a particular responsibility, individually and collectively, to reverse that trend. The Secretary-General told us again this morning that preventing conflict and sustaining peace are his top priority.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“I would especially like to thank the Polish presidency for organizing this important open debate and to express my appreciation to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mr. Yves Daccord, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Ms. Hanna Edwar for their important contributions today. Sweden aligns itself with the statements to be made later today on behalf of the European Union and by the representatives of Norway, on behalf of the Nordic countries, and of Switzerland, on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Responsibility to Protect.”
2018-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8264 (2018) · source
“We believe that the Council must come together and send a strong signal in that regard. That includes the use of sanctions to target those responsible for smuggling and trafficking in persons. The political, security and humanitarian situation in Libya is one of the most complex on the Council's agenda. We have given UNSMIL, under the leadership of Special Representative Salame', a huge task to support the Libyan people to move their country forward. We must continue to stand united and give them our full support.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“Finally, I should like to turn to the situation of refugees and migrants, as many others have done this morning. We remain deeply concerned about the situation of the more than 5,000 refugees and the estimated 700,000 migrants currently in Libya. Refugees and migrants are often vulnerable and risk being exploited or arbitrarily detained. We would like to highlight the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration to assist refugees and migrants under difficult circumstances, and underline the importance of full access for humanitarian actors. Serious efforts are needed to safeguard against human rights abuses and violations, create accountability and promote changes in behaviour in order to end impunity.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“Moving forward, every effort must be made to promote women's equal representation and participation in the political and election process. That includes ensuring that women from all parts of the country will have access to information on election procedures and an opportunity to run for election. Concrete efforts to prevent stigma and address all types of security threats facing female candidates are essential. As co-Chair of the Council's Informal Working Group on Women and Peace and Security, we are pleased that Libya has been added as a country of focus for 2018. We aim to continue to provide the Council with up-to-date information and analysis on the women and peace and security agenda in Libya, which we hope can better inform our deliberations.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“We encourage continued collaboration and support, not least for the International Criminal Court's important work in Libya. Secondly, we reiterate our firm support for the United Nations-facilitated political process in Libya. We urge all Libyan leaders to engage constructively and to create the legal, political and security conditions necessary to hold free and fair elections to end Libya's protracted transition. We are impressed by the ambitious bottom-up approach being taken in the ongoing national conference consultations across the country, including the valuable online activity to engage more Libyans in the political process. Such initiatives help build trust in the political process and contribute to increasing the legitimacy of the elections.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“We welcome in particular the visits to Libya's prisons and detention facilities and the documentation of widespread abuses such as torture, sexual and gender-based violence and arbitrary detention - in the east as well as the west. It is clear that thousands of individuals now languish in detention, many without knowing the charge against them or what their future holds. That is entirely unacceptable. Accountability is needed for crimes committed against those in detention. We call on all parties to ensure access for the United Nations, and other humanitarian organizations, to detention centres under their control, including to the Mitiga detention facility. We applaud the cooperation between the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on those issues.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“We share the concern expressed by the Special Representative and echoed by other speakers about the escalation of violence in Derna. While we note that commitments to spare civilians have been made, the potential for further significant civilian casualties cannot be ignored. We echo the call on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. That includes protecting civilians and allowing their free and safe passage. We are also concerned about the escalation of violence in the south, not least in Sabha, where we encourage continued regional cooperation to defuse the conflict as outlined by the Special Representative this morning. We welcome the focus in the Secretary-General's report on human rights and the rule of law.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking Special Representative Salame for his briefing to the Security Council. As the Secretary-General's report (S/2018/429) reminds us, the situation in Libya remains very difficult, and we commend his tireless efforts to implement the United Nations action plan and to work towards a peaceful and stable Libya. I would like to highlight three areas today. First, the security situation in Libya remains fragile. The terrorist attack on the High Commission for National Elections Commiss, which we condemn, was a stark reminder of that fact. Nonetheless, we note the gradual improvement of security situation in Tripoli. Every effort should be made to consolidate and build upon such improvements. It is imperative that all parties refrain from destabilizing threats or actions that risk reversing that trend.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“Finally, the Committee received updates from the Panel of Experts in relation to the vessels Nadine and Lynn S, which had previously been subject to some of the measures in connection with its attempts to illicitly export petroleum, including crude oil and refined petroleum products, from Libya. The listing of the two vessels expired on 18 and 29 April, respectively.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“During the reporting period, the Committee also received a request for de-listing from the travel ban, through the focal point for de-listing established pursuant to resolution 1730 (2006), from a listed individual, Aisha Al-Qadhafi, whose name is currently inscribed on the Committee's sanctions list as subject to the assets-freeze and travel-ban measures. In accordance with the provisional guidelines of the Committee, given that Ms. Al-Qadhafi was listed by a resolution of the Security Council, the Committee assumes the role of designating State and will take further steps after having received any possible comments from the States of citizenship and residence.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“The Committee also discussed, under "Other matters", the issue of the Libyan assets frozen pursuant to Security Council resolutions following reports of alleged devaluation and losses. With respect to the arms embargo, the Committee sent a letter to Libya seeking any update to the written briefings that were provided in May 2017, pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 2278 (2016), concerning the Libyan coast guard, explosive-ordnance disposal units and the presidential guard. As of 1 May, the Committee is considering proposals for the designation of six individuals under the assets-freeze and travel- ban measures in the context of migrant exploitation and abuse.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“In accordance with paragraph 24 (e) of resolution 1970 (2011), of 26 February 2011, I have the honour to report to the Security Council on the work of the Committee established by the same resolution. The report covers the period from 22 March to 21 May, during which time the Committee met once in informal consultations and conducted additional work via the written silence procedure. During the informal consultations held on 3 April, the Committee discussed a letter dated 7 March from the Coordinator ofthe Panel of Experts on Libya, addressed to me, expressing the Panel's extreme concern, which was shared by Committee members, regarding the leak to the media of the Panel's unpublished interim report of 16 January. The Committee heard briefings by the Secretariat and the Coordinator of the Panel.”
2018-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8263 (2018) · source
“This is not just a legal and political imperative; it is a question of common interest. Those who seek to undermine our common legal protection should be wary of doing so; the longer-term and wider consequences of weakening any single instrument can be hard to predict.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“The national responsibility for addressing violations must be emphasized. But where that is lacking, the international community, including the Council, must use the means available under international law to act. The universal jurisdiction of States and the complementary mandate of the International Criminal Court should be used when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute those responsible for mass atrocities. In this regard, we are pleased that the crime of aggression in the Rome Statute will soon be activated. It is a historic event when not only States but also individuals can be responsible for this crime. We need to effectively achieve the purposes and principles of the Organization by faithfully adhering to international law as set out in the Charter.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“International law and the institutions that uphold it provide a common basis for addressing the root causes of conflict, including violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law; environmental and climate change; justice-related issues and inequality. It provides frameworks for inclusive development and the empowerment and full and effective participation of women, as well as other prerequisites for peaceful societies. As such, international law is not only fundamental to bringing an end to conflicts but also imperative in order to prevent them in the first place and to build sustained peace. Finally, the Council needs to come back to addressing the entire spectrum of the peace and justice agenda. Accountability is not only justice done and reparations, it also deters and prevents crime and abuse.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Early-warning mechanisms and relevant and independent information from the ground play a crucial role in enabling the Council to effectively assess, address, prevent and respond to conflicts and threats to international peace and security. The Council must make better use of the tools at its disposal to advance the peaceful settlement of disputes provided for in the Charter, including the legal mechanisms available. We have a Secretary- General who is very committed to conflict prevention and peaceful settlements. We encourage him to integrate the relevant international law perspectives and tools more clearly in reporting to the Council. Secondly, the role of international law in sustaining peace must be further developed.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“We, its members, acting on behalf of all members of the United Nations, have an obligation to shoulder this responsibility, and the permanent members have a particular responsibility. That is why the use of the veto to protect narrow national interests in situations of serious violations of international law is totally unacceptable. I call on all members to adhere to the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group code of conduct and the Franco-Mexican initiative on restraint in the use of the veto. Three points are particularly important. First, on early warning and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the Council needs to do more than react to violence. It must use the early-warning tools available to it to the fullest extent possible.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“These are examples of situations where conflicts and suffering could have been prevented or mitigated if international law had been respected. We must ask ourselves how it can be that we succeed in using the tools of international law in most areas yet fail in this most critical one, protecting the life and dignity of our fellow human beings. The Council, which the Charter entrusts with the ultimate power, has a duty to meet its responsibility to hold those who violate international law to account and to bring justice to the peoples whom the Charter was promulgated to protect. Our credibility depends on it. The Security Council essentially has all the tools necessary to respond and to maintain peace in accordance with the Charter.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has lasted for more than half a century, and flagrant violations of international law, such as illegal settlements, continue. The prolonged occupation of Palestine has an extended negative impact on the daily lives of the Palestinian people and undermines respect for international law. As repeatedly stated by the Secretary-General, the only sustainable way forward is a two-State solution based on international law. Finally, in Myanmar, just weeks ago, Security Council members witnessed the appalling situation of the Rohingya minority. Systematic, widespread and coordinated acts of violence strongly indicate that crimes against humanity have been committed. Impunity for such crimes cannot be tolerated, and the Council cannot abdicate its role in ensuring that those responsible are held to account.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“When such conditions prevail, it is our duty to act. It was for this reason that, with Kuwait, we submitted resolution 2401 (2018), adopted unanimously by the Council in February (see S/PV.8188). In Backakra, Sweden, the summer residence of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, the Council confirmed that the use of chemical weapons is a violation of resolution 2118 (2013) and is unacceptable. We also reaffirmed our commitment to establishing an independent and impartial attribution mechanism. In Ukraine, Russia's continuous aggression and illegal annexation of Crimea is an ongoing breach of international law. The redrawing of borders backed by military power represents a threat that goes beyond Ukraine; it is a challenge to the international legal order and the United Nations Charter as such, and thus a threat to all States.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“In today's debate, many will reaffirm, and have reaffirmed, their commitment to respect for international law. Yet we need to be clear-sighted. The implementation of international law is being challenged in many quarters, and efforts to undermine the legal fabric built to protect us are threatening international peace and security. No State can be above the law. Yet all too often the Council deals with situations in which international law has been violated. Such breaches aim to undermine a system that, ultimately, is there to protect us all. In Syria, seven years of war have borne witness to some of the most egregious and sustained violations of international humanitarian law in modern times. Civilians are consistently targeted, and humanitarian agencies are regularly denied access to those in need of assistance.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“This tapestry ofinternational rules and institutions enables international cooperation and in many cases prevents and manages conflicts. It creates stability, predictability and regularity while allowing for peaceful change. Most rules are followed by most actors most of the time. Such is the moral expectation; violations are the exception to the rule. Compliance is also our only enlightened and civilized option, the alternative being indiscriminate chaos, with the most powerful intervening at their whim. We have created these mechanisms to protect the rights and interests of States, peoples and individuals. They are not only essential for the maintenance of international peace and security but also confirm the duty of all States to settle disputes by peaceful means.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Sweden warmly welcomes Poland's initiative to convene today's meeting. We believe that it is a timely discussion, taking place at a moment when severe strains are being placed on international law. International law is an essential part of modern international relations and, although invisible to most, is an essential part of modern life. Almost everything we do is dependent on international agreements and international cooperation - the ability to talk to friends and family overseas by mail, phone and email; to travel and discover one another's cultures; to engage in international trade; and to protect our societies from global health risks or through criminal law cooperation. The list is a very long one.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“I would like to thank Judge Owada, Judge Meron and Chef de Cabinet Viotti for their briefings. The Charter of the United Nations sets out the ambition to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind. Sadly, seven decades after the Charter was signed, the scourge of war continues to bring untold sorrow. Yet, the vision set out in the Charter in 1945 was not naive. It embodies a clear view of how to ensure a better path for the world. As stated in its Preamble, it seeks "to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest". That is, that international law and international institutions should harness war. That vision holds true today.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“We must more than ever urgently engage to bring the parties back to negotiations so as to advance the two- State solution. Intra-Palestinian reconciliation and the Palestinian Authority's re-establishment in Gaza are also needed. A halt to settlements and an end to the ongoing Israeli occupation are fundamental. It is time for a relaunch of the Middle East peace process.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“Our immediate priority must now be to defuse the current tensions on the ground, as more demonstrations are expected today and in the coming days. The lethal violence cannot be allowed to continue. All parties must take immediate steps to de-escalate, and the Council has a responsibility to actively promote such efforts. We regret that the press statement proposed by Kuwait yesterday could not be adopted, and we hope that a way forward on an appropriate public expression can be found without further delay. There is unanimity around this table, I believe, in calls for restraint and de-escalation to break the cycle of violence, relieving the dire situation in Gaza, and for resumed serious negotiations towards peace. Increased regional instability must not contribute to a marginalization of the Israeli-Palestinian question.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“A way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both States, in line with the relevant United Nations resolutions. In line with the long-standing policy of the European Union, we will continue to respect the international consensus on the status of Jerusalem embodied in, inter alia, Security Council resolution 478 (1980), including on the location of diplomatic representation, until the final status of Jerusalem is resolved. As was stated in December last year, we regret the United States' decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This runs counter to international law and the Council's resolutions.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“In addition, we must not forget that the people of Gaza have lived in intolerable conditions for far too long, in a humanitarian situation that is now deteriorating even further. To tackle this situation and to enable Gaza to recover, movement and access restrictions must be eased. We support the proposal just made by the representative of the United Kingdom on the need to come forward with concrete ideas in this regard. At this time, Israelis and Palestinians are commemorating defining moments in their history that serve as important reference points for both peoples. The position of Sweden and of the whole European Union on the status of Jerusalem as a final-status issue is clear and will not change. All three Abrahamic religions 4 Judaism, Islam and Christianity - have strong bonds to Jerusalem that must be preserved.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“These incidents raise serious concerns as to their compatibility with international law, and there must be an independent and transparent investigation, as called for by the Secretary-General, among many others. We urge all parties to act with the utmost restraint to avoid any further loss of life and to protect civilians, particularly children. This means never making children the target of violence as well as not putting children in harm's way or encouraging them to participate in violence. We urge the Israeli security forces to refrain from the use of force against unarmed civilian protesters and representatives of the media. We also call on Hamas and those organizing the demonstrations to avoid any provocations and ensure that protests remain non-violent and peaceful.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“There are reports that several children under the age of 18 were among those killed yesterday, in addition to the seven children killed in the preceding weeks. We condemn the killings, and we express our condolences in connection with the tragic loss oflife. As we have stated repeatedly, Israel has a right to protect itself and the people within its borders. That said, Israel, as the occupying Power, has a responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians and must fully respect the right to peaceful protest; protect civilians; and ensure that the use of force and other measures taken are strictly proportional. The lethal use of force should be exercised with maximum restraint, and only as a last resort.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“I thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his very sobering briefing this morning. As we held an open debate on this issue some two weeks ago (see S/PV.8244), I will focus my remarks today on the immediate situation in Gaza. We are appalled by the Violence that we have witnessed in Gaza since 30 March, in particular the sharp escalation yesterday. Every life lost is a tragedy, but the number of people killed was the highest in a single day since the beginning of the protests. Indeed, it was the bloodiest day since the last conflict in Gaza, in 2014. Yesterday at least 60 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli security forces and more than 2,000 were wounded. Yet again the Israeli security forces used live ammunition, including when shooting at children.”
2018-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8256 (2018) · source
“We also hope that more women will be elected to the next Parliament and serve in the next Government. We reiterate our full support for Lebanon's stability, security, sovereignty and political independence. Lastly, in response to the Israeli Ambassador who, regrettably, has already left, we share the view expressed by the United Kingdom and others with regard to the virtue of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, as endorsed by the Council and as a means to maintain international stability and resolve the nuclear issue with Iran.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“President Abbas' plans for an international conference with a View to establishig a multilateral mechanism for peace is well worth exploring. It is critical that any future peace proposal have the ultimate goal of a two-State solution and that all final status issues are resolved based on international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolution 2334 (2016), and previous agreements. Let me just make a few brief remarks on Lebanon, where we welcome the holding of legislative elections on 6 May. It is the first time in nearly a decade for such elections, which constitute a milestone in Lebanon's democratic tradition. More broadly, the elections are vital for preserving the legitimacy of Lebanese State institutions. We hope that a new Government can be formed swiftly following the elections.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“The position of Sweden and of the whole European Union on the status of Jerusalem as a final status issue and as the future capital of both States, including the location of diplomatic representations, is clear and will remain unchanged. With the current violence on the ground and the upcoming period, we see a real risk that the situation could spiral out of control. All parties must exercise maximum restraint and avoid confrontation. All parties must take immediate steps to de-escalate. The Council should contribute to those efforts, including through an appropriate public announcement. While that must be our immediate priority, we must also drastically increase our multilateral efforts to advance peace. We must see the resumption of meaningful negotiations on all final-status issues leading to the two-State solution.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“We must also acknowledge that the birth of one State, while being a joy to many, brought suffering for others. The Israeli declaration of independence coincides with the Palestinian exodus, also referred to as the Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes. In 1947, Sweden voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 181 (II), which recommended the creation of independent Arab and Jewish States, aimed at fulfilling the national aspirations of both peoples. While the establishment of the State ofIsrael led to the fulfilment of its legitimate national aspirations, those of the Palestinian people - a people living under more than 50 years of occupation - are yet to be realized. The events in mid-May will also coincide with the planned move of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“As others have done today, I wish to highlight the difficult financial crisis of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA). We must all support UNRWA, financially and politically, to avoid additional severe humanitarian consequences for the people of Gaza. It is of the utmost importance that all members of the international community meet their political and financial responsibilities. We are heading into a historically charged period in mid-May, with important reference points for both Israelis and Palestinians. It has been 70 years since Israel declared independence, on 14 May 1948. Sweden was among the first wave of States that recognized the State of Israel, in February 1949. We have a long history of friendship with Israel.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“While understanding the legitimate security concerns ofIsrael, Palestine and Egypt, restrictions must be lifted and full and sustained access and movement guaranteed. That includes an immediate end to the Israeli policy of closure, which hampers reconstruction and makes economic development impossible. We underline the need for unimpeded access to Gaza for humanitarian actors, which is far from being the case today. Furthermore, Gaza constitutes an integral part of the State of Palestine, and the Palestinian Authority must resume its responsibilities in Gaza. We call on Palestinian factions to redouble their efforts to achieve reconciliation. Only reconciliation will lead to a unified Palestinian leadership and the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“We also stress that it is imperative that all actors, including those who organize demonstrations, put the protection of children first and never make children the target of violence, put them at risk of violence or encourage them to participate in violence. Such deplorable events do not take place in a vacuum. Gaza - roughly half the size of New York City * is on the verge of social and economic collapse. Earlier today we heard Mr. Mladenov explain that Gaza is coming apart as we speak, with very dire consequences. We have the collective responsibility to avoid a humanitarian disaster and further escalation of violence in a very volatile region. There is an urgent need for changes on the ground, and all actors have responsibilities in that regard.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“Israeli security forces have used live ammunition, including when shooting at children. Like the six United Nations Special Rapporteurs mandated by the Human Rights Council, Sweden condemns the killings and expresses its condolences. Israel has the right to protect itself and its people within its borders, but measures taken must always be proportional. The lethal use of force should be used only as a last resort. Such incidents raise serious concerns about their compatibility with international law and must be swiftly and fully investigated. We support the Secretary-General's call for an independent and transparent investigation. We continue to urge Israeli security forces to refrain from the use of force against unarmed protesters and representatives of the media and to respect the right to peaceful protest.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union later today. I would like to start by thanking the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Mladenov, for his briefing to the Security Council and for his tireless efforts, including most recently to de-escalate the situation in Gaza. In today's challenging times, the strong presence and engagement of the United Nations in Gaza is of paramount importance, and we fully support Mr. Mladenov's efforts. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the tragic events in Gaza that have led to a regrettable loss of life. Since the beginning of the events on 30 March, 34 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces and thousands have been wounded.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“If there is any encouragement today, it is that it appears that everyone around the table insists on a sustainable political solution as the only way to end the suffering of the Syrian population. We therefore reiterate our full support for the United Nations political process, which must now be urgently reinvigorated, including through strong support for the efforts of Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“We voted against the draft resolution submitted by the Russian Federation (S/2018/355) because we believe that its language was unbalanced. It was not comprehensive and failed to address all of our concerns about the current situation. At the same time, we agree with the Secretary-General that actions must be consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and with international law in general. In our national statement delivered earlier today, we explained our view on the current situation in Syria and condemned the use of chemical weapons and the many other flagrant violations of international law in Syria. We also underscore the importance of a sustainable political solution. As members of the Security Council, we reiterate that we must unite and exercise our responsibility with regard to the situation in Syria.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“A sustainable political solution is the only way to end the suffering of the Syrian people. Let us all then rally around that objective. Let us redouble our efforts and put an end to the long, brutal and meaningless conflict once and for all.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“In order to be successful, diplomacy needs to be backed by clear demands. The Secretary-General called on the Council to take action, but regrettably the Council could not unite. It was indeed a missed opportunity, but we stand ready to continue those efforts. In the light of all that has now happened, it is more critical than ever to avoid an escalation and revert to the track of diplomacy for a political solution in line with resolution 2254 (2015). We reiterate our total support for the United Nations-led political process, which urgently needs to be reinvigorated, as well as the efforts of Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura and the full implementation of resolution 2401 (2018) for the cessation of hostilities. Humanitarian access can wait no longer.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“At the same time, as the Secretary-General said in his statement yesterday, there is an obligation, particularly when dealing with matters of peace and security, to act consistently with the Charter of the United Nations, and international law in general. We are at a dangerous moment. We call for restraint and for avoiding any acts that could escalate, or further fuel, tensions. We need to avoid the situation spiralling out of control. Over the past few days, we have tried to ensure that all peaceful means to respond are exhausted. We worked tirelessly so that no stone was left unturned in efforts to find a way for the Council to shoulder its responsibility in accordance with the Charter. We have shared a proposal with Council members to achieve that objective by inviting the Secretary-General to come back to the Council with a proposal.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“It is regrettable that the Council was unable to come together and agree on a timely, clear and unified response to the repeated use of chemical weapons in Syria. We regret that Russia, again this week, blocked the Council from setting up a truly impartial and independent attribution mechanism. That has contributed to the situation in which we find ourselves now. The use of chemical weapons is a serious violation of international law and it constitutes a threat to international peace and security. Deterrence and prevention of their use is the concern of the entire international community. We therefore share the rage and anger and are appalled by the repeated use of such weapons in Syria. It is necessary to rid Syria of chemical weapons once and for all, and hold those responsible accountable.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“Those responsible for such crimes must be held accountable; there can be no further impunity. The Security Council has the primary responsibility to act in response to threats to international peace and security. It is our joint responsibility to uphold the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons in armed conflict. It is our common legal and moral duty to defend the non-proliferation regimes that we have established and confirmed. That is best done through true multilateralism and broad international consensus. In that regard, we welcome the deployment of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapon's Fact-finding Mission to Syria and we look forward to its findings.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“Indeed, there are numerous and flagrant violations of Security Council resolutions, international protocols and conventions Chemical weapons have been used repeatedly in Syria. The Joint Investigative Mechanism concluded that the Syrian authorities were responsible for four chemical-weapons attacks, and Da'esh for two. The use of such weapons is abhorrent, intolerable, a war crime and a crime against humanity. That is why, as has been noted here before, the international community banned their use in the international armed conflict more than a century ago. Subsequent developments have confirmed the prohibition of the use of chemical weapons as a norm of customary international law. We will spare no effort to end the use and proliferation of chemical weapons by State or non-State actors anywhere in the world.”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source