YouSaid · the spoken record

Sobral Duarte

lines on the record: 72
first: 2016-04-14
most recent: 2017-05-25
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“It is imperative that national health emergencies be treated as such, even when they arise from armed conflicts, and that the activities of international organizations occur only with the consent of the affected countries. It is crucial that all parties to armed conflict facilitate safe and unimpeded passage for medical and humanitarian personnel. In this regard, we commend the brave work of all entities involved in providing much-needed care and protection for conflict-affected people around the globe.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“In peacekeeping operations, the protection of humanitarian and health workers should be seen as a multidimensional task to be pursued by all mission components in the field and by both the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support at Headquarters. It is also essential to ensure that peacekeeping missions have the capabilities and resources they need to discharge their protection responsibilities as effectively as possible. The World Health Organization has played an increasingly important role in humanitarian crises. Health workers are present in nearly 50 countries at high risk and are becoming the preferred targets in conflict situations. However, we are concerned with the growing securitization of health issues.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“In orderto ensuretheresolution's dueimplementation, it is important, among other initiatives, to align domestic legislation with obligations under international law, to train military personnel to minimize disruptions to health-care services, and to ensure that every transfer of weapons is accompanied by an assurance of respect for international humanitarian law. Brazil is committed to the intergovernmental process aimed at strengthening respect for international humanitarian law and the possible creation of a forum of States on the subject. We regret that the discussions so far have been marked by excessive polarization.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“Under no circumstances should medical facilities be used for military purposes. In addition to the prohibition of targeted attacks on such facilities and their personnel, it is forbidden to use them as a shield to protect military equipment and personnel. Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions, which addresses non-international armed conflicts, contains similar provisions in protection of medical services and their personnel against attacks. Brazil strongly supports seminal resolution 2286 (2016), which demands respect for international law and an end to impunity. Violations of humanitarian law must be considered war crimes, not just errors. They must be investigated impartially and the perpetrators held accountable.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“The nature of warfare might have changed, but the rules of war have not. For Brazil, the cause of such violations of international humanitarian law is not associated with shortcomings in the normative framework, but, rather, with a lack of respect for international humanitarian law by the main actors involved. Geneva Conventions I and II of 1949, aimed at improving the situation of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, stipulate the protection of medical and hospital personnel, preventing them from being attacked on the battlefield and ensuring the exercise of their activities. They also provide that the parties to the conflict may notify each other of the location of their fixed medical facilities and that the absence of such notification does not imply authorization to carry out attacks on these premises.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“Mr. Sobral Duarte (Brazil) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I wish to congratulate Uruguay for having convened this important open debate. (spoke in English) Allow me to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2017/414), as well as the Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy of Human Rights Watch for their enlightening presentations. It is unacceptable that in many countries hospitals are still being routinely bombed, raided, looted or burned to the ground. Brazil strongly condemns attacks and threats against the wounded and the sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel engaged in medical duties, their means of transportation and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities.”
2017-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7951 (2017) · source
“During that period, we identified several best practices and lessons learned related to the implementation of MINUSTAH'S mandate that could be further discussed and incorporated in other peacekeeping missions, such as the Group of Friends of Haiti, enhanced civilian-military coordination in the field, community-approach strategies as confidence-building measures, the innovative use of engineering units and the important role of women in all areas of the stabilization process. Let me conclude by reaffirming Brazil's long- term commitment and solidarity with Haiti and our confidence in the Haitian people's determination to persist and succeed in their quest for stability, democracy and prosperity.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“Moreover, the past 13 years have provided a unique and unprecedented experience for Brazil, as it led the command of MINUSTAH's troops and the deployment of more than 30,000 soldiers, working side-by-side with peacekeepers from our region and all around the globe, to support the Haitian authorities in their efforts to ensure a secure and stable environment for their people, and also to help them to reconstruct the country after natural disasters.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“We also reiterate our support to the United Nations for its new approach to cholera in Haiti and the full implementation of that approach in order to tackle the significant increase in the number of suspected cases of cholera. It is alarming that 440 Haitians are still dying per year from the disease. Brazilian society has been very supportive of Brazil's engagement with MINUSTAH since its inception.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“There are still many challenges ahead. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary- General's recommendation that a new United Nations peacekeeping mission be established in Haiti following the possible termination ofMINUSTAH by 15 October, in order to continue to assist the Government of Haiti in consolidating its gains by reinforcing Government institutions and strengthening the national capacity in the rule of law, police development and human rights. MINUSTAH's experience has shown the potential of innovative approaches that should continue to be carried out by the new mission. Tools such as the reduction of community violence and quick-impact projects have played an important role in supporting core stabilization objectives and will certainly be crucial for the consolidation of the rule of law in Haiti.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“Brazil supports the Secretary-General's positive assessment regarding stability and security in Haiti. In this context, we agree to the gradual withdrawal of the military component, as proposed by the Secretary- General, attuned to realities on the ground. As the United Nations reduces its military footprint, development assistance should be scaled up. Very often, however, as troops depart development and humanitarian actors and resources follow suit. A future presence of the United Nations in Haiti should be able to reverse that trend. It should be based on the broad repertoire on the relation between security and development, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, sustaining peace and sound transitions. Aware of MINUSTAH's accomplishments, we must bear in mind that the United Nations work in Haiti is not over.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“At the outset, allow me to express our condolences to the Government and the people of Egypt for the tragic terrorist attack perpetrated on Sunday, which took so many innocent lives. I thank the United States for convening this debate. I congratulate the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Sandra Honore, on her briefing and reiterate my Government's appreciation for her leadership. I also appreciate the contribution of the Permanent Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Denis Regis. I would like to start by commending Haitian political actors and the efforts of the leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to support the political process, which allowed the completion of the electoral process and the return to constitutional order last February.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“Let us all work together to ensure that human trafficking and slavery in all their forms can be brought to a definitive end and that its victims can resume their lives with dignity and, above all, with hope.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Our actions should aim at protecting the rights of and providing assistance to those people who are forced to leave their homes and fall prey to human traffickers. The international community has a responsibility to act to find a solution of the refugee crisis. It is not coherent to make a case for the responsibility to protect and the protection of civilians while turning our backs on those fleeing conflict and persecution. As my country's experience in granting humanitarian visas to Haitians since 2012 has shown, one of the most effective means of dismantling criminal human- trafficking networks is to provide regular and safe ways of entry for those forced to move.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“It is more appropriately addressed as a matter of enhanced international cooperation than as an issue pertaining to collective security. While human trafficking and slavery occur in scenarios plagued by armed conflict, there are no automatic linkages between these phenomena. They also take place in situations that do not threaten international peace and security. For these issues to be effectively addressed by the United Nations in all their forms, the Security Council should be mindful of the mandate and technical expertise of the General Assembly and of the Human Rights Council, as well as of the crucial role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in this realm. Migration itself should not be criminalized or confused with the criminalization of trafficking in persons.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Advancing the universality of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court would contribute to ensuring accountability for those responsible for such crimes, when committed in the context of an armed conflict. Terrorism and transnational organized crime are different problems that require different remedies. The interrelationship between them may, obviously, arise under specific circumstances, but should in no way be deemed universal or predetermined. It is important to pay attention to the forum in which these issues should be primarily discussed. Terrorism, as a threat to international peace and security, should be addressed in the Council. Organized crime, in turn, remains primarily a domestic public-security issue.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Long-term solutions can arise only from multilateral approaches to peace and security that address the underlying causes of conflicts and firmly set dialogue and mediation as priorities. More often than not, military intervention leads to increased civilian suffering and vulnerability. The expansion of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant into Libyan territory is a reminder of the destabilization that may result from military action. The international community can do more to combat this scourge. Little regard and few resources have been given to sustain peace in crisis or in post- conflict situations. Closer cooperation among States and international agencies can help rescue victims and bring traffickers to justice.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Human trafficking and slavery in all their forms are among the most despicable crimes known to humanity, as they affect those most vulnerable, such as migrants and internally displaced persons, especially women and girls. When committed in conflict situations, such acts might even amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. The victims of these crimes are often subjected to organ harvesting, sexual exploitation, forced labour or forced marriage. Brazil supports efforts aimed at helping victims recover their dignity and ensuring that they have access to justice. Displaced communities are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and enslavement by criminal groups and terrorist organizations.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“We expect United Nations peacekeeping missions to remain a cooperative endeavour at the service of peace, political stability and sustainable development, with an emphasis on the primacy of politics and on prevention, as wisely proposed by President Jose Ramos-Horta and the High-level Panel he chaired. In that regard, we should strive to follow up on the High-level Panel's recommendation to preserve a clear distinction between the roles of United Nations peacekeeping operations and non-United Nations military counter-terrorism operations, rather than blur the lines between peacekeeping and counter-terrorism in ways that can worsen even further the plight of civilians on the ground.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“We encourage the Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, chaired by Senegal, to deepen discussions on how to better implement those innovative projects. We must do much more to prevent conflicts and situations that place civilians at risk. We must also consistently remind parties to armed conflict of their obligations to uphold international law and to respect and protect all civilians, including humanitarian workers. It is equally important that the Council take a strong stance against the continued channelling of weapons to zones of conflict, including those affected by intense non-State activities. The Council should continue to emphasize the importance of the processes of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and security sector reform.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“The United Nations must ensure that also under these conditions everything will be done for a safe and secure the implementation of the mandate, as well as the safety and security of its personnel. In that regard, it is crucial to establish a comprehensive response to IEDs, thereby maintaining the military and civilian components fully prepared to accomplish the mission's mandate. Many casualties could have been avoided with the use of mine-resistant vehicles. Further guidance and support is needed in the use of certain modalities, including new technology, intelligence gathering, standby and quick-reaction capabilities and force enablers.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“That is of particular relevance in cases of asymmetrical threats posed by terrorist networks with an increasingly global reach. Excessive militarization of the United Nations response in such cases not only increases the exposure of Blue Helmets, but it also endangers the security of the civilian component of the missions. Fulfilling a mandate to protect civilians from imminent threat, wherever it comes from, should not be confused with direct involvement in, or support to, offensive counter- terrorism operations. We regret that the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide attacks continue to increase the number of casualties among United Nations personnel. Asymmetrical threats also limit the interactions with locals and make it difficult for peacekeeping missions to carry out critical elements of the mandate.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“The Sahel continues to face the consequences of an ill-fated intervention in Libya, which contributed to the increase in the illegal trafficking in weapons and to the spread of the activities of terrorist groups in the region, as the situation in Mali exemplifies. The multidimensional threats we face today will be more efficiently countered only if prevention is prioritized and underlying causes are taken into consideration. Although peacekeeping scenarios have changed in the past decades, we should not be tempted to make flexible interpretations of the foundational principles of peacekeeping, namely, the consent of the parties, impartiality and the non-use of force except in self- defence and in defence of the mandate.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank Senegal for organizing this debate. I also thank the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Jean, Mr. Fedotov, Mr. Laborde and Mr. Boutellis for their briefings. Peacekeeping operations should be primarily a political instrument in support of peace processes, as highlighted in the report (see S/2015/446) of the High- level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. Brazil fully agrees with the need and urgency to combat the scourge of terrorism. Brazil's own Constitution enshrines the repudiation of terrorism as one of the guiding principles of our foreign relations. Experience has proved that short-sighted policies and a single-minded focus on the use of force have often made matters worse.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“That initiative will strengthen and build upon the provisions of our national policy plan on women, which already embraces several recommendations contained in resolution 1325 (2000).”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“The Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Centre in Rio de J aneiro regularly holds workshops and courses to train peacekeepers on gender issues and the protection of women. Rigorous standards regarding the conduct and discipline of personnel are upheld. We are confident that our national efforts will positively influence all of our activities in the international arena. We are also finalizing our national action plan on women and peace and security. It will comprise measures, such as fostering the participation of women in peace missions, that will further enhance the relationship between troops and civilians, particularly women and girls, in peace operations and provide humanitarian assistance and technical cooperation to post-conflict countries concerning gender issues.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“At the international level, that includes formulating and implementing the mandates of peacekeeping operations and special political missions, conducting peace negotiations and handling peacebuilding, recovery and humanitarian initiatives. At the domestic level, Governments should be ready to redesign and improve gender-sensitive policies. Brazil has made considerable progress in the past decade and remains a vocal advocate and staunch supporter of United Nations efforts to advance the women and peace and security agenda. Our South- South cooperation is closely aligned with that agenda. We have, for instance, supported projects to assist Victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Guinea- Bissau, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“The complex humanitarian crises arising from conflicts highlight the plight of women and girls who have been subject to various forms of sexual violence and forced abandonment of their homes and communities. They have become refugees and internally displaced persons. In that context, we should ensure that we give particular attention to women and girls who belong to more vulnerable groups, including indigenous or older women, those with disabilities and members of ethnic or religious minorities. Brazil remains strongly engaged in the advancement of gender equality and women empowerment issues at all levels and areas of work of the United Nations. Protection and empowerment are inseparable aspects of the women and peace and security agenda.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“United Nations entities, including UN-Women, the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Commision on the Status of Women, have contributed in that regard. Likewise, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and several rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council have diligently worked to strengthen that vital agenda. It would be inconceivable today to establish a peacekeeping operation without deploying gender advisers, without including a mandate to protect women or without training peacekeepers to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and abuse, as highlighted by many countries in September during the peacekeeping defence ministerial in London.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“Women should play a crucial role in bolstering conflict prevention. In the short-term, they can lead efforts aimed at promoting pre-emptive dialogue and early warning systems. In the long-term, they can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the causes and contribute to solutions to conflict. It is also important to explore the synergies between the women and peace and security agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly regarding the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5, without losing sight of their specificities and the integrity and universality of the Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past few years, the women and peace and security agenda has been integrated into the political mainstream of the United Nations.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“Women and girls suffer their impact disproportionately more because they are also targets of specific forms of violence and abuse, including sexual violence and exploitation. Efforts to resolve conflicts and address their root causes should aim to empower all those who have suffered from them, especially women. Brazil was honoured to participate in the foundational meeting of the women and peace and security national focal points network that took place at the margins of the General Assembly recent general debate. As discussed at that meeting and underlined in the global study for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), Member States and regional organizations remain the most influential actors regarding the women and peace and security agenda. We commend Spain for its leadership in the creation of the network.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking the Russian Federation for organizing this debate. I also thank the Secretary-General, the Executive-Director of UN-Women and Ms. Lopidia for their briefings. Many positive steps have been taken to implement the resolutions on women and peace and security. However, despite those efforts, women are still a minority in peace and security negotiations and in peacekeeping operations. Our challenge remains to fully implement the eight Council resolutions on women and peace and security, including the landmark resolution 1325 (2000). Women are proven agents of change and should be able to do even more. Today's conflicts continue to have a tragic feature in common.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“Concerning resolution 2312 (2016), which renewed the authorization for naval operations to prevent migrant smuggling and human trafficking on the high seas off the coast of Libya, let me recall the imperative of protecting the human rights of all refugees and migrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean, especially the most vulnerable. Migration is not a threat to international peace and security and should not be criminalized.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Libya continues to face the political, social, security and humanitarian consequences of the absence of effective State authority. We reiterate our support for Special Representative Martin Kobler and the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. We strongly condemn the recent attempted coup against the Government of National Accord and urge all parties to cooperate towards achieving national and local reconciliation in the country and restoring the national unity of Libya. Recent progress in the fight against ISIL and other terrorists groups should be matched with similar breakthroughs on the political side. We took note of two important decisions adopted by this Council on Libya. We welcome resolution 2298 (2016), which allows for the removal and destruction of all chemical weapons precursors from Libya.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“All actors must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. On Lebanon, we are concerned that the positive momentum generated by the successful local elections could not be translated into a solution for the political deadlock on the national level and the vacancy of the presidency that has lasted two years. The situation creates serious difficulties for the effective functioning of the Lebanese Government, which is already faced with challenging circumstances in its vicinity. Brazil reiterates its commitment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and its support to the Lebanese Government and people. Nearly one year since the Libyan Political Agreement was signed, the consolidation of the Government of National Accord remains a work in progress.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Brazil actively encourages the Council to lead the way towards the creation of a fully independent, free, sovereign and viable State for the Palestinian people within its 1967 borders and in peace with the State of Israel. Reaching such a concrete outcome before 2017 would send a positive signal. The Council has a vital role to play in this regard. The conflict in Yemen shows no sign of abating. We regret the apparent deterioration of the political process since the end of negotiations in Kuwait. Brazil urges all parties to resume consultations with Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in order to reach a comprehensive agreement. We join the Secretary-General in condemning the airstrikes on a funeral ceremony in Sana'a that reportedly caused over 140 civilian deaths.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Brazil took note of the decision of the State of Palestine to postpone local elections due to legal difficulties and urges all Palestinian actors to overcome their divisions and uphold democracy and national unity. We welcome recent efforts by Russia, France and Egypt, among others, to promote an atmosphere that is conducive to the revitalization of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Nevertheless, no ad hoc initiative can be a substitute for the responsibilities of this Council in resolving the dispute. We are heartened by reports that the Security Council may soon draft a long-awaited resolution that would define parameters for the peace process.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We stress that, according to the Charter of the United Nations, the only body with the legal authority to impose coercive economic measures is the Security Council. Brazil is concerned with recent developments concerning the question of Palestine. Of particular concern is the unrelenting expansion of and official support for Israeli settlements in the West Bank and in occupied East Jerusalem. As highlighted last week by an informal meeting of the Security Council, Israeli settlements in the occupied territories represent a serious obstacle to the peace process. Brazil strongly condemns all recent acts of violence and terrorism in the region, including a shooting attack on Israeli civilians in Jerusalem. Such actions are deplorable and unjustifiable.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Brazil has long advocated accountability regarding allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of terrorism and other serious violations in Syria. We reiterate such calls today. The eight-hour humanitarian pause announced for tomorrow in Aleppo is a positive, though limited, step. Other actions could be taken to minimize civilian suffering. We should consider adopting multilateral measures to curb the proliferation and supply of weapons to Syria, including the imposition of an arms embargo, as recommended by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria. However, existing or new unilateral economic sanctions have a negative impact on the welfare of civilians in Syria and create further barriers to humanitarian assistance and reconstruction activities.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We urge all parties to cooperate constructively, without preconditions and in good faith, with Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura and to resume the intra-Syrian dialogue. We also stress the need to separate so-called moderate opposition forces from all terrorist groups active in Syria, particularly Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, as well as the importance of ceasing any support whatsoever to those terrorist entities. Countries with direct influence on the developments on the ground should resume full dialogue and cooperation in order to revive the cessation ofhostilities and tackle terrorism in Syria. That would allow for unimpeded humanitarian access for all Syrians in need and pave the way for the resumption of the peace talks.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We are particularly worried by the delay of the Security Council to uphold its responsibilities, in view of a persistent lack of unity among its members. That was confirmed on 8 October, when this body rejected two draft resolutions (see S/PV.7785). Such omission underlines yet again the urgent need to reform the Security Council and to adjust it to the geopolitical realities of our multipolar world. Tomorrow's informal meeting of the General Assembly on Syria will, we hope, inspire the Council to build consensus and identify new avenues to achieve the long-overdue peace and stability in Syria. Brazil stands firmly in favour of an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, as established by Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We thank the Russian Federation for organizing this open debate, as well as Under-Secretary-General Stephen O'Brien and Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov for their briefings. We are distressed by the ever-worsening spiral of violence in Syria. Brazil welcomed the announcement last month ofa renewed cessation of hostilities in Syria. The apparent collapse of this promising initiative, only a few days later, was a bitter setback. The destruction of medical facilities in Aleppo, the bombing of Syrian Government positions in Deir ez-Zor, the attack on a humanitarian convoy in Oram Al-Kubra and the shelling of the Russian Embassy compound in Damascus are only the latest unacceptable episodes of a seemingly endless sequence of serious violations of international law perpetrated by all sides of the war.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Conflict prevention remains the most ethical and effective approach to shielding all civilians, including children, from the plight of war. The Peacebuilding Commission can play a constructive role in promoting policies in countries emerging from conflict to foster social cohesion and render children and youth less vulnerable to recruitment and abuse, including by terrorist groups. Children must not be deprived of their childhood and future. Brazil continues to be fully committed to that endeavour.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“In that regard, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict has played a crucial role. Brazil is proud to be one of its signatories. The right of children to education is not respected in conflict settings where schools are destroyed and teachers killed. The impact of such attacks on education has long-term consequences. The mitralization of education institutions also has devastating effects. Detention on national security grounds is another problem affecting thousands of children in today's conflicts. It is worrisome that children allegedly associated with armed groups are increasingly treated as security threats rather than as victims, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism operations.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“The commitment of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - Eje'rcito del Pueblo to ending the recruitment of children in Colombia is a case in point. Conflicts have also led to an increasing number of refugees and internally displaced persons, almost half of whom are children. Obligations of States of origin, transit and destination must not be disregarded on the grounds of national security. As mentioned in the Secretary-General's report, accountability for violence against children remains too rare, even in countries that have criminalized their recruitment. The protection of children from serious crimes goes hand in hand with tackling impunity and ensuring that the perpetrators are held accountable.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“We reiterate our concern with regard to the alarming reports that certain parties that committed violations against girls and boys in the context of war may have been omitted from the annex of the Secretary-General's report. We commend the efforts and results achieved so far by the Children, Not Soldiers campaign launched by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and UNICEF. We also commend Chad for having put in place all the measures foreseen in the initiative and encourage other countries facing the problem of the recruitment and the use of children by Government forces to follow suit. The momentum generated by the campaign has also created opportunities for engagement with non-State armed groups.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Once released from armed forces or armed groups, many suffer from severe psychological disorders. Providing reintegration opportunities is not only a moral and legal obligation, but also an important building block in sustaining peace. The Secretary-General's report also highlighted the prevalence of armed groups that perpetrate extreme violence. Those groups have committed atrocities against children and tested the response capacity of national authorities and the international community. While recognizing the challenges that States face in addressing the threats posed by such armed groups, responses that do not comply with international law risk inflicting further harm on civilians and helping the very groups that Governments seek to combat.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Brazil reiterates its strongest condemnation of the recruitment and use of children, as well as all other violations and abuses, including killing, maiming, rape, other forms of sexual violence, attacks against schools and hospitals, abduction and the denial of humanitarian access. According to the latest report of the Secretary- General (S/2016/360), this year's casualties amount to 1,509 children, the highest number of children killed or wounded in a six-month period since counting began in 2009. That is a cruel reminder of the disproportionate impact of war on children and of the urgent need to protect them. Thousands of children around the world are associated with armed forces and armed groups. Boys and girls are not only used in combat, but also in support roles or for sexual purposes.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“I thank the Presisdent and the Malaysian presidency for convening this important debate. I am also grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Leila Zerrougi and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake for their leadership and their briefings. In 1996, following the Graca Machel report (see A/51/306), the Security Council created the mandate of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, based on the realization that children were the primary victims of armed conflict. Twenty years after the Machel report, the international community's engagement has resulted in a strong framework and concrete tools to engage with parties to conflict and address the violations committed against children, yet armed conflicts continue to have a horrific impact on children, who are denied even the most basic of human rights.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Similarly, violent extremism that leads to terrorism has been plaguing the Lake Chad Basin, where Boko Haram continues to submit the civilian population to heightened fear and pain. This should be taken as a powerful warning against resorting to military force as the first measure to solve conflicts. It is disheartening to acknowledge that many of these situations could have been less traumatic or could have been circumvented had different approaches been attempted. In this sense, the recent reviews on peacekeeping operations, on the peacebuilding architecture and on women and peace and security represent a step in the right direction. They converge on the emphasis on prevention and on political solutions to conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy in Africa and elsewhere.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source