YouSaid · the spoken record

Sven Jürgenson.

lines on the record: 527
first: 2020-03-31
most recent: 2021-06-28
sittings or episodes: 119
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 important that concrete steps are taken to further build trust between the Libyan parties and in Libyan society. That includes thoroughly investigating all alleged human rights violations, mass killings, torture, enforced disappearances and ensuring justice for the victims. A society without accountability will not be able to find lasting peace and reconciliation. We note that there has been some progress in terms of the access for humanitarian aid and staff, and we encourage this progress to continue. However, the humanitarian situation on the ground, further exacerbated by the coronavirus disease pandemic, remains alarming.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“We welcome the efforts of the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI that acts strictly under those authorizations, is impartial in its activities and offers an important contribution to the implementation of the sanctions regime that the Council has put in place. It is important for the Security Council to continue supporting Libyans in their efforts towards achieving lasting peace and contribute to this process when possible. In this regard, we support the establishment of a credible, realistic and effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism that acts under United Nations auspices. I would also like to stress the importance of confidence-building measures, such as the recent prisoner exchanges that have taken place.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“At the same time, we need now more than ever to direct our focus to the implementation of the permanent ceasefire agreement. The 90-day deadline that was set in the agreement for ending all foreign interference in Libya passed just last weekend and significant progress still needs to be made in fulfilling this obligation. I underline once again how important international support is in achieving lasting stability in Libya. I urge all those involved to put an immediate end to the blatant violations of the Libyan sanctions regime and to call off all foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya. All actions that violate the Libyan arms embargo must immediately stop. The Security Council has tools at its disposal to support the implementation of the arms embargo through the relevant authorizations.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“We urge the parties to continue that steady pace in the run-up to the elections in December this year. In that regard, I would like to stress the importance of the inclusion of women throughout the entire political process. We commend Libyan women for being active in the political dialogue and urge all relevant actors to enable and ensure the full, meaningful and equal participation of women in the decision-making process. The permanent ceasefire agreement signed on 23 October last year was a concrete step towards achieving lasting peace in Libya. We welcome the process that ensued and the meetings of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission and their contacts with the security working group of the international follow-up committee for Libya.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank Acting Special Representative Stephanie Williams for her briefing. Since this is her last briefing to the Council in that role, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Ms. Williams for the tremendous work done in facilitating the contacts and mediating between the Libyan parties. We welcome the appointments of the new Special Envoy of the Secretary General, Mr. Ján Kubiš, and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Coordinator, Mr. Raisedon Zenenga. We offer both of them our full support and look forward to working with them. We are encouraged by the progress that the Libyan parties have made in the political dialogue process, including reaching agreement on the selection mechanism for the new transitional Government.”
2021-01-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/97 (2021) · source
“Only in that way can we ensure that humanitarian aid will not be instrumentalized to reassert unjust policies on the Syrian people.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“We are now one year into the first reduction of cross-border aid to Syria after the Russian and Chinese double vetoes at the end of 2019. That decision of the Security Council seriously damaged our capacity to support Syrian civilians. The promises of replacing cross-border deliveries with cross-line aid have fallen short in their substance. We remind the Syrian Government and its allies that the European Union will not support Syria’s reconstruction or lift any sanctions until a genuine political process is firmly under way. Resolution 2254 (2015), the Secretary-General’s guidelines and the document on humanitarian aid “Parameters and principles of UN assistance in Syria” remain at the core of sending aid to Syria.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“As we heard, the truce largely holds, but violence prevails in many places across the country, putting in danger the most vulnerable. We must admit that the war is far from over. Confrontations continue, including deadly attacks by extremist groups. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict, millions of people have been forced to leave their homes. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 1.5 million Syrians live in internally displaced person camps across Syria. Ahead of winter, it is crucial that humanitarian workers have access to all of those locations, of which there are thousands. Estonia calls on the Syrian authorities and other parties to the conflict to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings on both the political and humanitarian situation in Syria. I welcome the announcement by the Special Envoy of the upcoming next round of Constitutional Committee talks in Geneva. Those meetings are an important step towards restoring trust between the Syrian authorities and its legitimate opposition. I encourage the Special Envoy to explore additional measures to rebuild confidence between the parties. In that regard, the release of arbitrarily detained people, especially women and children, remains an imperative. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, more than 1,800 people were arbitrarily arrested in Syria 2020. We remain cautiously optimistic about the ceasefire agreement in north- western Syria.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“That can be achieved through ongoing dialogue between their respective special envoys, as well as the exchange of relevant information and joint action to address the underlying causes of conflicts. I especially encourage United Nations agencies to seek ways to enhance coordination with the League of Arab States in the fields of preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, climate change and ensuring accountability for crimes against humanity.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“In Yemen, the United Nations and members of the League of Arab States agree that there can only be a political solution. Unfortunately, the war in Yemen is far from over, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. I call for all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilians. In Syria, the only way forward is an inclusive and credible political process under resolution 2254 (2015) (2015). The active engagement of the international community, including the members of the League of Arab States — is essential to ensuring a final agreement between the Syrian regime and its legitimate opposition. Estonia echoes the June 2019 presidential statement (S/PRST/2019/5) stressing the importance of intensifying cooperation between the United Nations and the Arab League.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“The Security Council and the League of Arab States stand out as they both seek to prevent conflict and resolve disputes through dialogue. From the very start of the Libyan conflict, the Security Council and the League of Arab States have been united in their calls to end violence in Libya and adamant about the need to find a political solution to the conflict. It is clear that maintaining peace is not possible without regional support. I thank the League of Arab States for its continued assistance to the Security Council in the implementation of the Libyan arms embargo under resolution 2526 (2020), which, first and foremost, aims to protect civilians. The question of responding to the needs of vulnerable populations also remains crucial in other countries.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“It is in that spirit of mutual cooperation that Estonia welcomes Saudi Arabia’s recent announcement at the forty-first Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, held in Al-Ula, on the reopening of borders with Qatar. No single nation can address the complex issues of our world alone. Estonia views positively the normalization of relations between Israel and certain Arab States, which will hopefully help revive the Middle East peace process, with the aim of achieving a two-State solution. To that end, we look forward to continued joint efforts alongside the new United Nations Special Coordinator, Mr. Tor Wennesland, and the relevant regional stakeholders, including the League of Arab States. Improving multilateral diplomacy is at the core of our work.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“I first want to extend my gratitude to Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary- General of the League of Arab States, for his comprehensive overview on the situation in the Middle East and the Arab world. I also thank Under-Secretary DiCarlo for her remarks highlighting the current state of dialogue between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, as well as opportunities for increasing it. As mentioned, despite numerous regional and global challenges, there is great potential to enhance cooperation between the two organizations. The coronavirus disease pandemic has reaffirmed the well-known truth — that global problems require multilateral action.”
2021-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/66 (2021) · source
“As a final note, we underline the obligation of all parties to prevent violations of international human rights law and to ensure accountability for all violations and abuses. We also reiterate our full support of the recommendation to the Security Council of the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen — to integrate the human rights dimensions of the conflict in Yemen more fully into its agenda.”
2021-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/56 (2021) · source
“In that regard, we remind all parties that there is no military solution to the conflict, and we call upon them to agree on the joint declaration without delay. Regarding the humanitarian situation in Yemen, we are very concerned about the rising food insecurity there — almost 50,000 people are estimated to be facing famine by July. This calls for immediate, unhindered humanitarian access and stepping up humanitarian assistance, as well as ensuring that fuel and commercial items are imported. We are concerned about the possible impact of the designation by the United States of Ansar Allah as a foreign terrorist organization, especially as it relates to the economic situation and the delivery of humanitarian aid. It might also complicate United Nations efforts to negotiate a political solution.”
2021-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/56 (2021) · source
“It is another tragic event for the Yemeni people and another deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilian infrastructure — clearly a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Unfortunately, there have been other attacks, in Al-Hudaydah and Taiz, that have claimed numerous civilian lives. We call on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and to protect civilians, especially women and children. On a more positive note, we welcome the recent formation of the new Government of Yemen as an essential step to the implementation of the Riyadh agreement. Regardless of the Government’s current challenges, we hope that this step will contribute to a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women.”
2021-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/56 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General Lowcock and Executive Director Beasley for their briefings. I also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Yemen Mr. Binmubarak. It is saddening and frustrating that, despite the worsening humanitarian situation and all peace efforts, hostilities in Yemen continue, causing more and more civilian casualties. We strongly condemn the heinous attack on Aden International Airport on 30 December, which took place just after the landing of a plane carrying the members of the new Government. According to credible assessments, the attack — in which 27 people were killed, including three staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross — was likely carried out by the Houthis.”
2021-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/56 (2021) · source
“Every effort must be made to build a transparent and fully functioning judicial system. Finally, I would like to express our continued concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Mali. We call on all relevant parties to allow access to humanitarian aid to those most in need.”
2021-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/47 (2021) · source
“The continuing rise in grave human rights violations and abuses is appalling and simply unacceptable. It is of the utmost importance to break the cycle of impunity and ensure that all those who perpetrate human rights violations and abuses or violate international humanitarian law are brought to justice. Reconciliation and rebuilding trust within society is the only way to achieve lasting peace. We strongly urge the Malian authorities to conduct full investigations into all attacks on civilians, including allegations against the national security forces. We note that some trials have taken place and encourage more to follow. We also encourage the Malian authorities to consider the recommendations made in the recent report by the International Commission of Inquiry for Mali.”
2021-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/47 (2021) · source
“However, the international efforts in achieving peace in Mali, including in the framework of the Coalition for the Sahel, are there only to support the Malian authorities. A stable, long-lasting and adequate State presence all over the country can be achieved only with clear political will and full cooperation with all Malian parties. I would like to reiterate our firm understanding that the Algiers Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali remains the basis for a political solution to the Malian conflict. It is positive that the Agreement Monitoring Committee could meet in November after a five-month break, and we are encouraged by the discussions that took place. Now the parties need to show full political ownership and take concrete steps in implementing the Agreement. I would like to turn to the question of accountability.”
2021-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/47 (2021) · source
“I would like to commend the African Union and Economic Community of West African States for their commitment and engagement in supporting the political transition in Mali. Regional organizations can play an indispensable role in supporting political transitions. The overall security situation in Mali remains of great concern. We are extremely alarmed by the coordinated attacks against the national and international security presence as well as the deliberate targeting of civilians by terrorists and armed groups. Estonia will continue to do its part in the fight against terrorism by contributing to MINUSMA, the European Union Training Mission in Mali, the French-led Operation Barkhane and its special operations Task Force Takuba.”
2021-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/47 (2021) · source
“In preparation for the presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of the transitional period, we call on the transitional authorities to step up the implementation of the necessary institutional and governance reforms. It is of the utmost importance to maintain the rule of law and constitutional order in Mali. I would further like to underline the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the political process as well as in the society at large. Making women’s voices heard at every stage of the decision-making process and ensuring the representation of women will help create more inclusive and stable conditions for achieving peace in Mali.”
2021-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/47 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Annadif for his briefing and to express Estonia’s full support to the work of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Mali is now a little more than four months into the 18-month transition period. We take note of the steps that have been taken thus far, including the formation of the transitional Government and the National Transition Council. The representation of the signatory armed groups for the first time presents an opportunity for a more inclusive political process. But now is the time to act. We urge all parties to take concrete steps to work together for the common goal of peace in Mali. All groups in society need to be included in the process.”
2021-01-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/47 (2021) · source
“Let us all step up our game in 2021 in making sure that the Security Council is an institution that provides hope to the world, prevents people from suffering and offers solutions to the most urgent issues that humankind is facing.”
2021-01-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/24 (2021) · source
“Equally, we know that peace agreements are more lasting when women are substantially involved. In addition, there must be more efforts made to win the trust of young people. The Council must ensure that all the relevant mandates that it authorizes are robust in those aspects. Given the unique role of the Security Council in the world, the Council has the responsibility to constantly adapt to changing times. This includes being open to new topics that we now consider to be part of peace and security; being willing to employ new tools to tackle emerging issues; and reviewing its current practices as to make sure that these are the most effective. Estonia welcomes the new members to the Council, and we look forward to a fruitful year ahead, seeing where together we can make a difference in the work of the Council.”
2021-01-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/24 (2021) · source
“At the same time, in order for communities to be peaceful and resilient, it is critical to acknowledge past and present violations and to provide redress to victims. State capacities also need to be strengthened to address intercommunal conflicts and promote reconciliation efforts. The Security Council should pay due attention to all those aspects in the relevant mandates that it authorizes. Thirdly, an important antidote to fragile contexts is inclusivity. It is vital to include persons belonging to marginalized groups, especially women and girls. Against the backdrop of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the world is backsliding in the progress we have been making to achieve gender equality, and we simply cannot afford to let that happen. Data suggests that gender-equal societies are on average more peaceful.”
2021-01-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/24 (2021) · source
“We hope that in 2021 the Security Council will finally be able to adopt a thematic draft resolution on climate and security; mandate the Secretary-General to report on the impacts of climate change on international security; and provide robust mandates to the relevant missions that the Council authorizes. For instance, the dedicated climate expert of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia is a good start, but we need to build on this example, as much more needs to be done in that regard. Secondly, the rule of law, access to justice and human rights are essential for maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts. As the Secretary-General has emphasized in his call to action for human rights, there is a well-documented correlation between a society’s enjoyment of and commitment to human rights and its resilience to crisis.”
2021-01-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/24 (2021) · source
“Estonia recognizes this link, and we are proud to belong to the European Union, which is the world’s largest donor, with the largest recipient continent being Africa. There is a lot to achieve by working closely together with regional organizations, such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, to address the drivers of fragility. I would like to highlight three elements that Estonia considers important in the context of fragility. First, climate change is not only exacerbating existing conflicts but is also contributing to the onset of new ones. Estonia is of the view that it is the responsibility of the Council to take climate-change-related threats to peace and security seriously.”
2021-01-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/24 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to offer our condolences to the Niger in connection with the devastating terrorist attacks that took place over the weekend in western Niger. I join others in thanking you, Mr. President, for having organized today’s debate, as well as our esteemed briefers for having shared their insights. Estonia attaches great importance to this topic, in particular to the issue of preventing conflicts from happening in the first place. The Security Council should treat the causes, not only the symptoms once violence has broken out. For that to be achieved successfully, it is important to take a holistic view, acknowledging the interdependence of security and sustainable development.”
2021-01-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/24 (2021) · source
“We hope that in 2021 the Security Council will not remain idle but will take action to uphold its resolutions, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Charter of the United Nations. To echo Mrs. Nakamitsu, we hope that members of the Council will unite on this important issue.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“Beyond their widespread use by the Syrian regime as a weapon of war to suppress the opposition and terrorize its people, chemical weapons were recently also used in assassination attempts. The use of Novichok in the United Kingdom in 2018 against the Skripals and last year in Russia against the opposition politician Alexei Navalny constitutes a violation of international law and poses a threat to international peace and security. We reiterate our call on Russia to investigate those crimes thoroughly and in full transparency, bearing in mind Russia’s commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Security Council has an obligation to address, and respond to, the use of chemical weapons given the threat that they pose to international peace and security.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“As we learn from the current Director-General’s report (see S/2020/1300, annex), Syria has not responded to several requests from the OPCW for information regarding its chemical weapons production facilities. Syria has blatantly ignored the OPCW Executive Council decision of July 2020 (EC-94/DEC.2) and the Technical Secretariat’s offers of assistance. But, instead of condemning such behaviour, we hear from some members of the Council encouragement to non-compliance. We hear how all the outstanding issues are basically fabricated and that the Executive Council sets Syria impossible and unrealistic demands. The re-emergence of chemical weapons is one of the most urgent threats to international peace and security.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“However, in practice, we hear from a Member State how the OPCW Technical Secretariat is exercising double standards, engages in political smear campaigns and manipulates and falsifies its reports. That is not constructive criticism to make an institution stronger but a concerted disinformation campaign to shield the crimes of the Al-Assad regime and undermine the prohibition of chemical weapons. Resolution 2118 (2013) also stipulates that the Syrian Arab Republic shall cooperate fully with the OPCW. However, seven years and 87 monthly reports later, there are still 19 outstanding issues remaining with regard to the initial declaration.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“Consistent, science- based, solid evidence that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons against its own people on at least seven occasions has been provided by the best independent experts in that field — the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)- United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism and the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team. Yet all attempts within the Council to take action and move towards accountability were blocked by the Russian Federation, which dislikes the inconvenient outcomes of the reports and therefore cannot accept them. In the presidential statement of 2019, the Security Council unanimously reaffirmed its strong support for the work of the OPCW.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“I doubt that there is anyone on the Council who would disagree with the High Representative. The Security Council confirmed that position in resolution 2118 (2013) and, most recently, in presidential statement S/PRST/2019/14, of November 2019. Many of us emphasize those same views in our statements. Yet, regrettably, the gap has been widening with respect to the values, norms and commitments upon which the Security Council has agreed and the way in which it upholds them. With regard to accountability, resolution 2118 (2013) clearly states that those individuals responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be held accountable. In the face of clear evidence of the use of chemical weapons, the Security Council has an obligation to act and respond decisively. The evidence exists.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“Allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the Security Council presidency for this month. I also wish the new elected members — India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway — a very warm welcome. We look forward to working with them. I thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing (annex I). Despite the lack of progress on this file, we highly appreciate her joining us every month with a very important message. As she did today, she reminds the Council, normally in concluding her briefing, that the use of chemical weapons is intolerable and a serious violation of international law and that it is imperative that those who use, or have used, chemical weapons be identified and held accountable. That reminder should actually be superfluous.”
2021-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/22 (2021) · source
“Estonia welcomes the JCPOA participants’ commitment to the JCPOA and efforts to address and find a viable solution to the issues of non-compliance. We believe that, once the participants engage constructively and substantively in the dispute resolution mechanism and return to full compliance with the deal, it will serve as a way to build confidence and create opportunities to address other regional security concerns.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“The taking by Iran of steps inconsistent with the restrictive measures set out in annex B of resolution 2231 (2015), along with other Security Council resolutions and with international obligations, makes it difficult to consider Iran a responsible actor. I refer here to Iran testing and developing ballistic missiles and technologies related to them, attacking commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman, damaging Saudi oil facilities and transferring arms to its proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Such weapons-proliferation activities have a highly destabilizing effect to the region. They only increase mistrust and feed into the escalation of tensions. Such activities are unacceptable and need to stop immediately. Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful that there is a way to preserve the JCPOA and ensure its full implementation.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“We note with concern the latest report of the IAEA informing us of Iran’s intention to install additional advanced centrifuge machines at the Fuel Enrichment Plant in Natanz, contrary to the JCPOA commitments. We also note with great regret the recent laws adopted by the Iranian Parliament with the purpose of further expanding Iran’s nuclear programme and restricting IAEA inspectors’ access to key nuclear sites. Those steps are counterproductive to preserving the agreement. We strongly urge Iran without delay to reverse those and other measures contrary to its commitments and to refrain from taking further escalatory steps. Besides the nuclear domain, Iran’s other actions are cause for concern.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“We believe that these transparency measures remain crucial in averting the prospect of a nuclear- armed Iran. In that regard, I would like to emphasize the important role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in verifying and monitoring Iran’s nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. Estonia commends the impartial and professional work of the Agency. We encourage Iran to continue its constructive engagement and cooperation with the IAEA. The JCPOA has faced a number of challenges over the past few years. Estonia deeply regrets Iran’s decision in 2019 to start reducing its nuclear-related commitments under the Plan. As a result, Iran has again accumulated worrisome levels of enriched uranium and acquired new knowledge through its research and development activities.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“I thank all the briefers for their statements. Allow me to extend my special thanks to our Belgian colleague and his team for their diligent work in facilitating the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) for the past two years. Five years ago, persistent diplomatic efforts produced an agreement to ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme remained exclusively peaceful in nature. Estonia has repeatedly stated its support to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). We continue to consider the JCPOA a key element in the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and as crucial for regional and wider international security. Owing to the strict limits and international monitoring mechanisms set by the Plan, the Iranian nuclear programme remains under tight scrutiny and verification.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“We also acknowledge the Agency’s efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic on Palestinian refugees. Estonia continues to support the work of UNRWA financially and urges all other countries to do the same.”
2020-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1275 (2020) · source
“We condemn the continued firing of rockets from Gaza towards Israel and any other form of violence targeting civilian populations. We encourage the Palestinian factions to commit to the intra-Palestinian reconciliation process and reach an agreement on holding presidential and legislative elections. We also share the concern mentioned in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2020/1234) about the continued arrest of human rights defenders and peace activists by all parties. We remind the parties of their obligation to respect the freedom of expression and assembly. Finally, I would also like to reiterate the important role that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) plays in terms of stability for the region.”
2020-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1275 (2020) · source
“The decision by the Palestinian Authority to resume civilian and security coordination with Israel is most welcome and will hopefully also improve prospects for resuming peace negotiations. Regarding the situation on the ground, we call on all parties to refrain from any unilateral steps that undermine the viability of the two-State solution. We call on Israel to halt the continued settlement expansion and demolitions in the occupied Palestinian territories, including in East Jerusalem and in sensitive areas such as Har Homa, Givat Hamatos and Area E-1. We also call upon all States to distinguish between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. We repeat our call for preventing all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, incitement and provocation.”
2020-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1275 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing. I would also like to express my appreciation for his efforts and dedication during his term in office. I wish him every success in his new and challenging job. We reiterate our call to the Israelis and the Palestinians to take steps towards solving the conflict and to re-engage in meaningful negotiations on all final-status issues. We urge both sides to engage with the members of the Middle East Quartet and other regional players in that regard. We believe that the normalization of relations between Israel and certain Arab States is a significant step, and we hope that development will also give impetus to reviving the Middle East peace process with the aim of achieving a two-State solution.”
2020-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1275 (2020) · source
“Finally, while the coronavirus disease pandemic continues to put our societies and economies under exceptional strain, it is clear that multilateralism and respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law remain essential to coming out of the crisis stronger. Estonia is ready to support creating more space for the International Court of Justice and the Security Council to work more closely in striving towards those aims.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“Another crucial step would be for a party to a dispute to recuse itself from voting in the Council, in accordance with the Charter. We also echo the plea not to use the votes of other members to block any recommendations regarding the judicial settlement of disputes by the Council. Estonia would also like to take this opportunity to call on all Member States that have not yet done so to accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court. Currently, only five countries out of the Security Council’s membership of 15 States, including Estonia, and a total of only 74 States Members of the United Nations have accepted that jurisdiction.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“Estonia believes that more frequent recourse to the International Court of Justice by the Council could provide a useful avenue for the clarification of legal issues that contribute to resolving disputes and thereby promote international peace and security. We hope that the exchange today will contribute to further consideration of a stricter application of paragraph 3 of Article 36 of the Charter of the United Nations, namely, that legal disputes should, as a general rule, be referred to the International Court of Justice. At the same time, in order to enhance the upholding of the rule of law and a rules-based international order, we emphasize the need for members of the Council to apply initiatives that seek to deter the use of the veto in cases related to the commission of atrocity crimes.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source
“In accordance with the Charter, and as has repeatedly been mentioned, the Security Council can request the International Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion, may recommend that parties to a legal dispute refer it to the International Court of Justice and can proactively take measures to ensure compliance with a judgment of the Court. It is also not hard to see that those comprehensive tools have been far too rarely used by the Security Council during the past 75 years of its existence. There is indeed scope for improvement and further cooperation between the Security Council and the International Court of Justice and among Member States.”
2020-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1286 (2020) · source