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

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“I thank you, Sir, for convening today's important meeting. I also thank the Secretary- General for his briefing. The conflict in Syria is now in its eighth year. That is longer than the Second World War. President Al-Assad is responsible for one of the worst and most enduring humanitarian disasters of our time. From the beginning of the crisis, we have witnessed terrible violations and violence and a flagrant lack of respect for international law, in particular by Syrian Government forces. We must also never forget the atrocities committed by Da'esh. As the Secretary-General stated yesterday, we have witnessed "systematic violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international law tout court - in utter disregard for the letter and the spirit of the United Nations Charter".”
2018-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8233 (2018) · source
“We believe that we need to ensure that we have exhausted every peaceful effort and every diplomatic option to stop further atrocities from being carried out in Syria, hold those responsible to account, come to terms once with the chemical-weapons issue in Syria, cease hostilities and find a political solution.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“The time has now come to urgently revert to a political process under United Nations auspices for a political solution in line with resolution 2254 (2015), and for Syria and the Astana guarantors to move forward without further delay and live up to their commitments so that resolution 2401 (2018), which demands the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access, can be fully and urgently implemented. That is the only way to end to the suffering of the Syrian people and end the brutal seven-year-long conflict. We firmly believe that there is a way for the Council to shoulder its responsibilities under the Charter. We believe that there continues to be a way for the Council to come together.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“We therefore call on all members of the Council to muster the political will and respond to the appeal by the Secretary-General so as to come together and move forward. The use of chemical weapons is a grave threat to international peace and security. It is indeed deplorable that the Council has not yet been able to come together and agree on a timely and firm response. Even though the use of chemical weapons in itself violates international law, any response must comply with international law and respect the Charter of the United Nations.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“Thirdly, it expresses the Council's determination to establish a new impartial, objective and independent attribution mechanism based on a proposal by the Secretary-General, because the perpetrators of chemical-weapons attacks must be identified and held to account, and, to that end, we need a new mechanism. Fourthly, it requests the Secretary-General to dispatch immediately a high-level disarmament mission to Syria because we need to resolve all outstanding issues on chemical weapons and rid Syria once and for all possible chemical weapons that might still exist in the country. Such a mission would add political and diplomatic leverage to the necessary technical and professional work of the OPCW.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that no stone is left unturned in efforts to find a way forward in the Security Council. The Secretary-General offered to support such efforts through his good offices, which is an opportunity that should be seized. That is why yesterday we circulated yet another proposal that asks for four things. First, it condemns in the strongest terms any use of chemical weapons in Syria and expresses alarm at the alleged incident in Douma last weekend, because the use of chemical weapons constitutes a serious violation of international law. Secondly, it demands full access and cooperation for the OPCW Fact-finding Mission, because we need facts and evidence about what happened in Douma last weekend.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“The conflict in Syria is in its eighth year, and we are at a dangerous moment. We fully share the deep concern expressed by the Secretary-General about the risks of the current impasse and the need to avoid the situation escalating and spiralling out of control and to pay further attention to the divides, tensions and fault lines in the region, as described again by the Secretary- General this morning. We remain deeply disappointed that the Security Council has been unable to agree and move forward on a substantial, swift, and unified response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. We deeply regret that Russia once again used its veto and blocked the Council from taking action this week (see S/PV.8228). Over the past few days, we have tried to ensure that all peaceful means to respond have seriously been considered.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“I want to reiterate once more that Sweden will spare no effort to combat the use and proliferation of chemical weapons by State or non-State actors anywhere in the world. We unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons, including in Syria. It is a serious violation of international law, it constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and their use in armed conflict is a war crime. The international disarmament and non-proliferation regime must be safeguarded, which is best achieved through true multilateralism and broad international consensus. We share the outrage and the frustration of many in this Chamber about chemical-weapons use in Syria. Those responsible for such crimes must be held accountable. We cannot accept impunity.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“I thank the Secretary- General for his briefing today, for his efforts and for his good offices. Last weekend, reports once again began to emerge ofhorrifying allegations ofthe use of chemical weapons in Syria, this time in Douma, with reports of a large number of civilian casualties. Like many others, we were alarmed by these extremely serious allegations, and we called for an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation to establish the facts. In that regard, we welcome the fact that the Fact-finding Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which we fully support, has been deployed to Syria. Full access and cooperation by all parties must now be ensured.”
2018-04-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8231 (2018) · source
“We are proud to contribute to MINUSMA's important work as it continues to support the parties to deliver on their commitment to implementing the outstanding provisions of the peace Agreement.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“We encourage the parties to take advantage of this opportunity. I want to again thank Foreign Minister Coulibaly for his availability and active engagement during the visit to Mali of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali. It was clear that the parties took the sanctions instrument seriously, with all parties to the peace agreement expressing their support and engaging. That engagement needs to be sustained Finally, MINUSMA's presence remains a key factor for stability in Mali. Its support for the Malian Government serves to build confidence between State actors and the population. We look forward to the conclusions of the independent strategic review, which we hope will identify ways to enhance the performance of the Mission.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“Inclusivity and the full and effective participation of women, including in elected and nominated functions and decision-making structures related to the peace process, is essential to building a sustainable peace. For that reason, the meeting on 16 January between the President of the Agreement Monitoring Committee, the High Representative of the President for the peace process and MINUSMA with a delegation of women representing signatory armed groups and civil society was encouraging. However, the further institutionalization of women's inclusion in the mechanisms supporting the implementation of the Agreement is needed. All the tools needed to support the peace process are now in place, including the independent observer, the International Commission of Inquiry on Mali and resolution 2374 (2017).”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“We reiterate the need for substantial steps towards the full implementation of the peace Agreement as a prerequisite for successful elections. At the same time, it is crucial for Mali and the peace process that elections be duly and legitimately undertaken and that electoral timetables be fully respected. As the date set for the planned elections gets closer, there is no time to spare. All parties have a responsibility to honour their commitments and engage in confidence-building measures without further delay. We welcome and echo the Secretary-General's call for the inclusion of women and youth in all the mechanisms supporting the implementation of the Agreement, as well as among interim authorities.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“The time to evaluate progress has now come; we are ready to engage with all parties and key actors to do so. We welcome the continued engagement of the parties in the implementation process. The recent visit of Prime Minister Maiga to the northern and central regions is encouraging, as is the ongoing drafting process ofa national strategy on security sector reform. However, engagement must be further translated into tangible actions. We regret that most of the deadlines set out in the January timetable have not been met. We stand ready to continue to work with the parties to implement the roadmap, as further revised in March. We hope that there will be no further delays or adjustments to the timetable going forward.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“The Malian Government has the primary responsibility to fight impunity for violence and ensure access to justice for all, including by prioritizing the reconciliation and justice measures in the peace Agreement. In this regard, we welcome the new Government's ambitious plans to restore security, particularly in central Mali - always, of course, in full respect for human rights. On 24 January, the Security Council adopted a press statement (SC/13177) that clearly set out our expectations in relation to the key reforms foreseen under the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. We expressed a shared sense of impatience at persistent delays in the Agreement's implementation, as well as our intention to assess progress and respond with appropriate steps, if needed.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, for his very inciteful briefing, as always, and the work he does with his team on the ground. I also want to express our appreciation for the presence, once again, of Minister Coulibaly, which is much appreciated and useful. While it is clear that some progress is being made in Mali, concerns remain over the security situation and the pace of implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. I should like to pay tribute to the work of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in difficult and often dangerous circumstances. Our thoughts remain with the families of the peacekeepers from Chad and the Niger who lost their lives in the attacks that occurred in Aguelhok and Gao last week.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“The visit provided us with an opportunity to obtain first-hand information from key counterparts in Mali and engage with all Malian parties on how the sanctions regime put in place by the resolution can support peace and stability, including through the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. In accordance with the Committee guidelines, I will report, orally and in writing, to the Committee on the observations and the findings of the trip. In conclusion, I would like to thank all Member States for their continued willingness to cooperate constructively with the Committee and its Panel of Experts.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“On 5 February, the Committee convened its first informal consultations, during which the four members of the Panel of Experts were introduced to the Committee and presented their work plan. During the informal consultations held on 28 February, the Committee considered the first interim update of its Panel of Experts, submitted to the Committee in accordance with paragraph 11 of resolution 2374 (2017). The Committee heard a presentation by the Coordinator of the Panel, followed by an interactive discussion between the Committee members and the Coordinator. Together with other members of the Committee, I conducted a visit to Bamako on 26 and 27 March. I wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General and his team, as well as the Security Council Affairs Division, for having facilitated that mission.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“I have the honour to report to the Security Council on the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali. The report covers the period from 5 September 2017 to 4 April 2018, during which time the Committee met twice in informal consultations and conducted additional work via the written silence procedure. After the establishment of the Committee, preparatory work was undertaken by the Secretariat in terms of creating the Committee's website in all languages; preparing the budget ofthe Panel ofExperts; screening candidates for the Panel; and preparing the Committee's guidelines. On 29 January, the Committee adopted the guidelines for the conduct of its work, and on 1 February, the Panel of Experts started its work.”
2018-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8229 (2018) · source
“It was also very clear in its determination to establish an impartial, independent and professional investigative mechanism, and we had suggested that the Secretary-General help us recommend the best way forward in that area and give him 10 days to come back to the Council. I believe that would have been a much better way forward than where we are right now. I am therefore very disappointed that we have not been able to move forward on this. I thank all those members of the Security Council that were ready to engage, and I just hope that we do not consider this the end with regard to ensuring that the facts will be established and that there will be true accountability and no more impunity for the horrendous use of chemical weapons in Syria and elsewhere.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228Resumption1 (2018) · source
“We deeply regret that we have ended up here following a long day of serious efforts to move forward by some of us - I believe. We abstained in the voting on the Russian draft resolution (S/2018/322) a few moments ago because the attribution and accountability track, which we believe is important, lacked clarity. We called for consultations earlier because we felt that, provided there was political will, an opportunity remained for us to come together and shoulder our responsibility today. We put forward a draft resolution (S/2018/321) to all members that we felt was credible and assertive, and was intended to support the Fact-finding Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228Resumption1 (2018) · source
“We want swift and resolute action today, and we want the Security Council to shoulder its collective responsibility. But I am not sure that we have exhausted all the avenues that could get us there, nor am I sure that voting on this new Russian draft resolution (S/2018/322) will get us there either. We feel that we are at a very fragile stage of Council deliberations right now, and we need to reflect carefully on the way forward to ensure that we do not jump into further paralysis, with consequences that will be difficult to defend or repair. That is why I would like to ask you, Mr. President, to suspend the meeting right here and now so that we can all move into consultations and carefully and collectively reflect on the next step.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228Resumption1 (2018) · source
“Establishing the facts of what has taken place in Douma remains an essential first step towards confirming the alleged use of chemical weapons and finding the truth, and we need independent, impartial attribution of guilt followed by full accountability. The Council must remain seized and live up to its responsibility. That is why we circulated yesterday a draft text aimed at finding common ground. We stand ready to work tirelessly to find agreement on a robust, swift and immediate response. We need to come back together again after the failure that we have just witnessed.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228Resumption1 (2018) · source
“Accountability for the use of chemical weapons is crucial. As we have stated before, the Syrian people suffering from more than seven years of conflict deserve no less from us. They want peace and justice, not further military escalation or impunity. A collective response to the most recent alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma therefore remains urgent and critical. The credibility of the Council is at stake. We must now come together to swiftly condemn the use of chemical weapons in Syria and express alarm at the alleged attack in Douma. We must support an immediate and further investigation through the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and we must demand full, free and safe access without any restrictions or impediments to the fact-finding mission in its immediate deployment to Syria.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228Resumption1 (2018) · source
“Like everyone else, we deeply regret that today the Council was prevented once again from establishing a responsibility-attribution mechanism for the purpose of impartially identifying the perpetrators and organizers of the use of chemical weapons in Syria. I am sure we all share a sense ofvery tragic de'ja vu as we repeat the scenario the Council faced in November when the renewal of the mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism was blocked. However - and I apologize to all of those who are tired of hearing me say this - we will not give up. Efforts to reach an agreement on a responsibility- attribution mechanism must continue, and we support all serious and genuine initiatives that aim to achieve this objective. We stand ready to help facilitatory efforts to find a way forward.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228Resumption1 (2018) · source
“It was also very clear in its determination to establish an impartial, independent and professional investigative mechanism, and we had suggested that the Secretary-General help us recommend the best way forward in that area and give him 10 days to come back to the Council. I believe that would have been a much better way forward than where we are right now. I am therefore very disappointed that we have not been able to move forward on this. I thank all those members of the Security Council that were ready to engage, and I just hope that we do not consider this the end with regard to ensuring that the facts will be established and that there will be true accountability and no more impunity for the horrendous use of chemical weapons in Syria and elsewhere.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228 (2018) · source
“We deeply regret that we have ended up here following a long day of serious efforts to move forward by some of us - I believe. We abstained in the voting on the Russian draft resolution (S/2018/322) a few moments ago because the attribution and accountability track, which we believe is important, lacked clarity. We called for consultations earlier because we felt that, provided there was political will, an opportunity remained for us to come together and shoulder our responsibility today. We put forward a draft resolution (S/2018/321) to all members that we felt was credible and assertive, and was intended to support the Fact-finding Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228 (2018) · source
“We want swift and resolute action today, and we want the Security Council to shoulder its collective responsibility. But I am not sure that we have exhausted all the avenues that could get us there, nor am I sure that voting on this new Russian draft resolution (S/2018/322) will get us there either. We feel that we are at a very fragile stage of Council deliberations right now, and we need to reflect carefully on the way forward to ensure that we do not jump into further paralysis, with consequences that will be difficult to defend or repair. That is why I would like to ask you, Mr. President, to suspend the meeting right here and now so that we can all move into consultations and carefully and collectively reflect on the next step.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228 (2018) · source
“Establishing the facts of what has taken place in Douma remains an essential first step towards confirming the alleged use of chemical weapons and finding the truth, and we need independent, impartial attribution of guilt followed by full accountability. The Council must remain seized and live up to its responsibility. That is why we circulated yesterday a draft text aimed at finding common ground. We stand ready to work tirelessly to find agreement on a robust, swift and immediate response. We need to come back together again after the failure that we have just witnessed.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228 (2018) · source
“Accountability for the use of chemical weapons is crucial. As we have stated before, the Syrian people suffering from more than seven years of conflict deserve no less from us. They want peace and justice, not further military escalation or impunity. A collective response to the most recent alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma therefore remains urgent and critical. The credibility of the Council is at stake. We must now come together to swiftly condemn the use of chemical weapons in Syria and express alarm at the alleged attack in Douma. We must support an immediate and further investigation through the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and we must demand full, free and safe access without any restrictions or impediments to the fact-finding mission in its immediate deployment to Syria.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228 (2018) · source
“Like everyone else, we deeply regret that today the Council was prevented once again from establishing a responsibility-attribution mechanism for the purpose of impartially identifying the perpetrators and organizers of the use of chemical weapons in Syria. I am sure we all share a sense ofvery tragic de'ja vu as we repeat the scenario the Council faced in November when the renewal of the mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism was blocked. However - and I apologize to all of those who are tired of hearing me say this - we will not give up. Efforts to reach an agreement on a responsibility- attribution mechanism must continue, and we support all serious and genuine initiatives that aim to achieve this objective. We stand ready to help facilitatory efforts to find a way forward.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8228 (2018) · source
“Successfully overcoming challenges will require concerted action at the national, regional and international levels that links peace and security and economic and social development. Continued leadership from the region, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, will be essential if the people of the Great Lakes region are to finally have the peace and sustainable development that they desire.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“For there to be lasting peace and stability in the region, it is essential that women's voices are heard. We strongly endorse the call from the Women's Platform for the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for greater support for women's participation in peace and political processes, especially in the context of elections. More needs to be done to implement the Nairobi declarations and to take necessary actions involving disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement. The Judicial Cooperation Network could also help in the areas of judicial cooperation and combating impunity. The Great Lakes region is home to an estimated 130 million people spread across five countries. The people of the region have suffered from decades of instability and conflict.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Close cooperation with and among those actors continues to be essential, however. For that reason, we welcome the current cooperation among the guarantors of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We firmly support the efforts of the Republic of the Congo, as ICGLR Chair, together with Angola, for fostering dialogue with the Democratic Republic of Congo. In partnership with regional actors, we must all support the holding of credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections on 23 December 2018, with the ensuing democratic transfer of power in accordance with the Constitution and the New Year's Eve agreement. That is necessary to foster stability and peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Those examples illustrate how further strengthening the region's forums for dialogue, information-sharing and transparency, as well as increased joint monitoring, will enhance mutual trust and transparency. That could help the region resolve key issues central to building sustainable peace. The United Nations has an important role to play in supporting those efforts, and we fully support the work of the Special Envoy in that regard. The current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most pressing issue facing the region. The severe humanitarianissue, the delicate political situation and increased insecurity are of great concern, and also potentially threaten regional stability. We fully support regional efforts to resolve the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“Complementary efforts such as the Great Lakes Regional Strategic Framework are more likely to be effective when accompanied by strong national leadership. We fully support the important regional efforts under way to implement the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework. These include the revitalization of the Regional Oversight Mechanism and the active engagement by the chairmanships of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region on issues of regional stability, peaceful electoral processes and transition. In addition, the use of the expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, which helped defuse tensions involving a February cross-border incident in North Kivu, is welcome.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“I thank the Special Envoy and Ambassador Bale for their remarks this morning. I think that their briefings underlined very clearly the interconnected nature of the challenges facing the region and the need for an integrated approach that addresses the root causes of conflict. We fully support their efforts to strengthen regional dialogue in order to advance peace and development efforts in the Great Lakes. Five years after its adoption, the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region continues to be relevant for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, regional stability and the United Nations and the international community's engagement for peace in the region. Regional leadership and ownership of the Framework are critical.”
2018-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8227 (2018) · source
“To that end, we have circulated elements as input to our discussions. We must immediately engage in consultations in order to break the current deadlock and to shoulder our responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations. We owe that to the many victims of the crimes committed in this conflict.”
2018-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8225 (2018) · source
“Thirdly, all States, as well as the parties to the conflict, including the Syrian authorities, must fully cooperate with the Fact-finding Mission. What is particularly needed is safe and unhindered access to the site in Douma, as well as any information and evidence deemed relevant by the Fact-finding Mission to conduct its independent investigation. Fourthly, we need to urgently redouble our efforts in the Council to agree on a new independent and impartial attributive mechanism to identify those responsible for chemical-weapons use. Finally, if the allegations of chemical-weapons use are indeed confirmed and those responsible are eventually identified, the perpetrators must be held to account. We are ready to work actively and constructively with other members for urgent Council action.”
2018-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8225 (2018) · source
“How we respond to the most recent reports from Douma is therefore decisive. Despite the odds, we must put aside our differences and come together. Now is the time to show unity. In our view, the following needs to happen. First, we must condemn in the strongest terms the continued use of chemical weapons in Syria. Secondly, our immediate priority must be to investigate the worrying reports from Douma. In that context, we welcome the announcement by the Director- General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that the Fact-finding Mission for Syria 4 to which we reiterate our full support - is in the process of gathering information from all available sources. We express our hope that the Fact-finding Mission can be urgently deployed to Syria.”
2018-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8225 (2018) · source
“The graphic material that has been shared is beyond repugnant. We are alarmed by those extremely serious allegations. There must now be an immediate, independent and thorough investigation. Let me reiterate that Sweden supports all international efforts to combat the use and proliferation of chemical weapons by State or non-State actors anywhere in the world. We unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons, including in Syria. It is a serious violation of international law and constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The use of chemical weapons in armed conflict is always prohibited and amounts to a war crime. Those responsible must be held accountable. We cannot accept impunity. Addressing the use of chemical weapons in Syria has become a central test of the credibility of the Council.”
2018-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8225 (2018) · source
“I thank Mr. Staffan de Mistura and Mr. Thomas Markram for their briefings this afternoon. I would also like to thank you, Mr. President, for acceding to our request for an emergency meeting. We are dismayed by the general escalation of violence in Syria, as described today by Staffan de Mistura, in clear violation of the various resolutions, including resolution 2401 (2018). In that regard, I want to plea with the Syrian authorities represented in the Chamber and with the Astana guarantors to live up to the Security Council's resolutions. We asked for this meeting today because over the weekend we were yet again faced with horrifying allegations of chemical-weapons attacks in Syria, this time in Douma, just outside Damascus. There are worrying reports of a large number of civilian casualties, including women and children.”
2018-04-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8225 (2018) · source
“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development offers a framework to curb the chronic vulnerability of many Congolese. The Government together with the assistance of the whole of the United Nations, as well as other parts of the international community, must now work together to make progress in alleviating poverty, ending inequality and creating a society in which all Congolese look to the future not with despair but hope. That will require an investment from the Government, including through increased mining revenues channelled towards the good ofthe people. On the part of the international community, there needs to be a comprehensive, integrated and resourced plan for sustained peace.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“Measures to ensure women's full and effective participation in the elections are critical so that all sectors of Congolese society can play their full part in the democratic process. As Ms. Bahatijust said, women and girls must be accorded significantly more influence in every aspect of decision-making. That requires political space. It is important that freedom of speech and assembly be reasserted. In that regard, we welcome the recommendation from the Government commission of inquiry into the security forces' actions in response to peaceful protests to lift the ban on demonstrations. Lastly, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as elsewhere, the root causes of the conflict must be addressed if the country is to break free from a vicious cycle of poverty, insecurity and violence.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“The roots of the violence are complex, but the Government must shoulder its primary responsibility vis-a-vis the population to stop the surging violence and promote peaceful conflict resolution. In addition, MONUSCO must be properly equipped to effectively protect civilians. Thirdly, in order to foster long-term stability and peace, the holding of credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections on 23 December, with the ensuing democratic transfer of power in accordance with the Constitution and the 31 December agreement is imperative. That is something we must all support, including local and regional actors, with whom close cooperation continues to be essential. What happens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has broader consequences and risks jeopardizing the stability not only of that country but of the Great Lakes region.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“We welcome the agreement between the United Nations and the Governor of Tanganyika on an enabling environment for humanitarian action. The security of humanitarian personnel is an essential element of access. Cooperation with the Forces armees de la Republique de'mocratique du Congo and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to guarantee safe passage to affected populations is critical. Last week, we commemorated the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Zaida Catalan and Michael Sharp, who were murdered. It was a sad reminder about the lack of accountability involving their deaths and how the security of United Nations personnel needs to be enhanced. Secondly, we must simultaneously step up efforts to protect civilians who are increasingly at risk.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“Sweden will continue to provide significant and increasing humanitarian support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to meet increasing needs. Our contribution for 2018 is already $28 million. It is important that we all play our part. In such a complex context, the need for an integrated approach that addresses the nexus linking humanitarian, development, human rights and peace and security is clear. In its support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sweden has aligned its humanitarian and development support. We encourage others to do the same. Full, safe and immediate humanitarian access for all those who are doing what they can with extremely limited funding and facing serious challenges must be ensured. The Government has a particular responsibility in that regard.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“Let me also take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We look forward to hearing him later. Sweden fully supports the work of Mr. Lowcock, the United Nations and partners on the ground. As we have heard, the challenge is great, and it must be urgently addressed. Our response must be swift and, as Abbe Nshole said, correspond to the scale of the challenge. I will outline four areas that should be the focus of our efforts. First, responding to immediate humanitarian needs will require a surge in funding. We welcome the upcoming high-level donor conference and hope that it will generate generous, reliable and flexible funding, as well draw attention to the situation in the country.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“Surging levels of violence fuelled by political instability and uncertainty are leading to forced displacements, coupled with sexual and gender-based violence, human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law - all of which are driving the humanitarian crisis. The trends and increasing rate in humanitarian needs are shocking and unprecedented. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing its worst humanitarian crisis in modern times. We therefore welcome the initiative of the presidency and the Emergency Relief Coordinator to bring the humanitarian situation in the country to the attention of the Security Council. I also thank Ms. Jeanine Bandu Bahati and Abbe' Nshole for their sobering briefings before the Council today.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting and your country and Minister's engagement. Throughout its turbulent history, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seldom been far from the Council's agenda. Likewise, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is always present when our colleagues in Geneva discuss humanitarian needs and appeals. For that reason, it is easy to dismiss the latest crisis as business as usual. However, as we have heard today, we clearly cannot. The current crisis in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo is catastrophic in scale. Civilians, particularly women and children, are bearing the brunt. It is a man-made disaster.”
2018-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8207 (2018) · source