YouSaid · the spoken record

Takht-Ravanchi

lines on the record

330

first

1996-04-15

most recent

2022-07-19

sittings or episodes

49

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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

1. “It is in fact the protection of civilians, practically speaking, and should result in the release of all civilians trapped in terrorist-held areas. It is also obvious that those internationally designated terrorist groups cannot and should not be allowed to maintain their control over a large part of a sovereign State's territory. Otherwise, Idlib will certainly turn into a safe haven from which the worst terrorists will continue conducting their operations and killing more civilians both inside and outside Idlib. We must not forget that the Idlib de-escalation area was created to protect civilians from terrorists, not to provide a safe zone for terrorists. It was on the basis of that principle that the importance of the continued fight against terrorists was also stressed when the de-escalation area was established.”

   2019-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8553 (2019) · source

2. “I thank you for organizing this meeting, Mr. President. The Islamic Republic of Iran is continuing its consultations with the other guarantors of the Astana format on a range of issues, including Idlib's de-escalation area, which we consider extremely important. In line with international law, Iran supports the inherent right of the Syrian Government to fight terrorists designated as such by the Security Council. While international humanitarian law must be fully observed by all without exception, that cannot and should not be used as a pretext to call for an end to the fight against terrorism. Fighting the most dangerous terrorist groups, which have taken a large number of civilians hostage, is a must.”

   2019-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8553 (2019) · source

3. “"In 2015, the Israel Defense Forces were initially listed but removed prior to the report's publication [and]; [i]n 2016, the Saudi-led coalition, which had been listed for grave violations in Yemen, was removed from the listing following political pressure". (Building a Culture ofProtection, p. 32, footnote 132) The conclusion that can be drawn is that respect for international humanitarian law continues to be eroded because criminals are not held accountable, because they continue to commit those crimes with impunity and because they are emboldened to disregard international humanitarian law and commit further brutalities. The Council can show its seriousness in protecting civilians, which is a legal obligation as well as a moral imperative, by putting an end to a policy based on political considerations.”

   2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source

4. “The inhumane blockade of Gaza by Israel - the clearest violation of international humanitarian law and a crime against humanity - entered its twelfth year in 2019. Lastly, according to the Secretary-General's report, civilian casualties increased in Yemen throughout 2018, with a devastating impact on children. On 9 August 2018, in a single incident, a school bus in the market of a densely populated area in Dhahyan was deliberately targeted by Saudi Arabia. The attack left 52 civilians dead, among them 40 children, and 79 wounded, including 56 children. It was the single-worst attack since 2015. What was the Council's reaction? In conclusion, I would like to cite two examples from a United Nations publication published by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.”

   2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source

5. “In Syria, where, in accordance with our obligations and religious teachings, we accord the highest priority to the protection of civilians, a United Nations assessment mission to Raqqa in April 2018 found that nearly 70 per cent of buildings in the city had been destroyed or damaged and that essential services, such as water, electricity and health care, were absent or severely limited. Did the Council hold the United States and its partners accountable for such a clear violation of international humanitarian law? In Gaza, during the Great March of Return, for the period from 30 March 2018 to 29 March 2019, Israel brutally killed nearly 280 civilians, including 56 children, and wounded nearly 32,000 others, more than 3,000 of whom were children. The Council has been completely silent on those crimes.”

   2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source

6. “Recalling that 2019 marks the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of four Geneva Conventions, the question arises as to why we still face - as confirmed by the Council - the erosion of respect for international humanitarian law, despite those and other important legally binding instruments. Citing certain examples from our own region, I will try to briefly answer that question. According to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/373), not only did civilian casualties increase in Afghanistan in 2018, but so did civilian casualties resulting from the use of air-launched weapons - by 61 per cent - the highest number in a single year since 2009. What was the Council's reaction to such a Violation of international humanitarian law by United States and NATO forces?”

   2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source

7. “I thank the Indonesian presidency of the Security Council, particularly Her Excellency Mrs. Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, for organizing this open debate. I also thank the briefers for their input. I associate myself with the statement delivered earlier by the representative Venezuela on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. It is a source of grave concern that civilians still account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflicts. The worst aspect of this issue is that most of the victims are among the most vulnerable civilians - women and children.”

   2019-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8534 (2019) · source

8. “As stated in the aforementioned joint statement, there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict, and the only option is to advance the Syrian-led, Syrian- owned and United Nations-facilitated political process. Ultimately, the right to determine the future of Syria belongs exclusively to the Syrians themselves. We must genuinely support the realization of that objective.”

   2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source

9. “As underlined in the joint statement by the guarantors on the international meeting on Syria in the Astana format held in Nur-Sultan on 25 and 26 April, no action, no matter by whom, should undermine those principles. In that context, the guarantors of the Astana format also rejected all attempts to create new realities on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism. In that regard, the United States must therefore immediately end its illegal presence in parts of Syria. With that in mind, the Syrian Government must be assisted in the formation of the constitutional committee, facilitated by the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General for Syria, Mr. Pedersen, whose efforts we support. We encourage him to further strengthen his consultations with the Government of Syria.”

   2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source

10. “We should be vigilant enough not to confuse the protection of civilians with the protection of terrorists. The continuation of the current state of affairs in Idlib would further interrupt the restoration of the Government's control over all its territory and securing the safety and security of all its citizens, prevent the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, delay the country's reconstruction and hamper the political solution, all of which are inherently interlinked. In conclusion, I would like to stress once again the need for full respect by all for the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.”

    2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source

11. “It does not limit the right of the Syrian Government to fight Security Council-designated terrorists, which of course has to be carried out in accordance with international humanitarian law. Therefore, both defeating terrorists and releasing civilians is necessary. The current situation in Idlib - in which the most dangerous terrorist groups are allowed to use more than 2 million civilians as human shields, continue their control over a large part of a sovereign State's territory and conduct their operations therefrom, attacking both military and civilian targets beyond that area - cannot and must not continue indefinitely. The persistence of that situation would enable the terrorists to kill more civilians. That is in contradiction with the objective of the Idlib de-escalation area's creation.”

    2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source

12. “Along with other guarantors of the Astana format, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to support keeping Idlib as a de-escalation area. That approach is based on a reality and a fundamental principle. There are a large number of civilians there whose lives must be saved. At the same time, certain questions are in order. Can and should this situation continue indefinitely? Should the Government allow internationally designated terrorist groups to maintain their control over its territory. Should the international community allow such terrorist groups to take a large number of civilians as their hostages? The answer is clear. The establishment of the Idlib de-escalation area was only a temporary measure, with the exclusive objective of protecting civilians, not providing terrorist groups with such a safe haven.”

    2019-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8527 (2019) · source

13. “Hence, it is crucial that the General Assembly continue to develop operational policies and activities designed to clear mines in affected countries in the post-conflict period to pave the way for bringing normalcy to life and for development. It is in this context that due attention should be paid to the distinct nature of the demining activities performed by different United Nations departments, programmes and bodies. Moreover, mine clearance activities, whether in the context of peace-keeping operations or outside of their purview, should be consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, in particular the principles of full respect for the sovereignty, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States, and of non-interference in their internal affairs.”

    1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source

14. “We are also conscious of the serious threat that mines and other unexploded devices pose to the safety, health and lives of personnel participating in humanitarian, peace-keeping and rehabilitation programmes and operations. In this regard, we note with satisfaction the inclusion in the mandates of several peace-keeping operations of provisions relating to mine clearance work carried out under the direction of the Department of Peace-keeping Operations in the context of such operations. The Security Council might consider, when necessary, including mine clearance as part of the functions of United Nations peace-keeping operations in future. Such mine-clearance work is admittedly of a narrow scope. Experience and history reveal that the problems posed by mines remain long after the peace-keeping operations are concluded.”

    1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source

15. “The United Nations needs to ensure that no restrictions are applied by any State that would hinder or otherwise impede, in any manner, access to mine clearance technology. At the same time, all States, particularly those which have the required technology and equipment for mine clearance, should declare to the Department of Humanitarian Affairs the kind of assistance, both financial and technical, that they can provide to mine-infested countries and relevant United Nations programmes. It is indispensable for any serious United Nations programme to facilitate the access of mine-stricken nations to the machinery and technology necessary for speedy and effective mine clearance.”

    1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source

16. “We have succeeded in neutralizing more than one third of all mines and other unexploded devices laid in our country. However, lack of access to maps of minefields and to advanced equipment and technology have not only slowed down our efforts, but also have caused unacceptable casualties both among those involved in mine clearance operations and, more regrettably, among innocent civilians. It is indeed ironic that despite a world-wide campaign against anti-personnel land-mines in recent years, no serious attempt has been made to transfer newer mine-clearance technologies to mine-afflicted countries. Various types of equipment continue to be subject to discriminatory and unjustifiable export control regimes. We recognize a special role for the United Nations in this regard.”

    1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source

17. “For its part, and as an affected State, the Islamic Republic of Iran has actively participated in the work of competent bodies dealing with land-mines and in principle has supported any genuine initiative aimed at the prohibition of all types of land-mines without exception. My country appreciates the depth and magnitude of the many problems associated with mine clearance in post-conflict cases. During the Iran-Iraq war, nearly 16 million land-mines and other unexploded devices were laid in Iranian territory temporarily occupied in different stages of the war, covering more than 4 million hectares. Over the past six years, we have embarked upon a massive mine clearance operation in order to enable civilians displaced by the war to return to their homes and resume normal life.”

    1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source

18. “The Security Council is meeting today to discuss demining in the context of peace-keeping operations, a subject of paramount importance to the success of certain United Nations peace-keeping operations. The issue of land-mines, with their lethal nature and collateral effects, has focused the attention of the world community and caused it serious concern over the past several years. The world is shocked by the monumental number of mines which infest various countries in conflict and post-conflict phases, as well as by the horrendous consequences of their indiscriminate use. This issue defies the human intellect and demands comprehensive yet prompt solutions.”

    1996-08-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3689 (1996) · source

19. “The Council should also take effective measures to deal with Israeli terrorism. Finally, the Security Council should adopt the measures necessary to implement resolution 425 (1978). Any attempt to disregard or distort this resolution is tantamount to legitimizing the occupation and therefore detrimental to the credibility of the United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular.”

    1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source

20. “The Zionist regime, which has been deliberately targeting civilian population centres and economic installations in Lebanon, or those who, through their acquiescence and silence towards Zionist crimes or even blame of the victim rather than the aggressor, have in fact given Israel the green light to continue its barbarism? The dangerous dimensions of the Israeli crimes in Lebanon are so great that they require an urgent reaction from the Security Council to prevent further massacres by the Zionist regime in Lebanon. It is incumbent upon the Security Council to condemn in the strongest terms the continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon, which is the primary reason for the continuation of the crisis in that country, resulting in a high toll of civilian casualties.”

    1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source

21. “The crime committed by Israel today in southern Lebanon is, unfortunately, the natural consequence of the inaction of the Security Council. Had the Council avoided double standards and reacted promptly and resolutely against Israeli crimes a week ago, the Zionist regime would not have dared to commit further crimes of this magnitude with impunity. Today's barbaric act against a United Nations base in Lebanon has resulted in the martyrdom of more than 100 civilians sheltering in that base, including many women and children. Who is to blame?”

    1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source

22. “May I begin by expressing our sincere sympathy and condolences to the people and the Government of Lebanon and the bereaved families over the deaths of so many innocent civilians in southern Lebanon, who perished as a result of the deliberate attack of the Zionist army. Three days ago, the Security Council convened to discuss the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and its brutal bombardment of civilian targets in that country. During that meeting, my delegation elaborated on our position with regard to the issue before the Council and warned that, if the Security Council were not able or willing to take the necessary steps in response to violations of international law by the Zionist regime, the aggressor would be encouraged to continue its aggression.”

    1996-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3654 (1996) · source

23. “It is ironic that the occupying regime not only expects a general surrender and the submission of each and every people and group in the occupied lands, but also wishes to silence any voice speaking in moral support of the Lebanese people, who are struggling to free their homeland from foreign occupation.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

24. “It is incumbent upon the Security Council to adopt specific measures to deal with Israeli intransigence in its non-compliance with Security Council resolution 425 (1978). Israel's violation of international law is so enormous and vivid that a lack of an adequate and necessary response by the Council to these practices will only encourage the aggressor to continue its aggression. The Security Council should prevent this inaction from gaining ground, in order to save the lives of innocent Lebanese civilians and for the sake of its own credibility. Before concluding I wish to refer to the statement made by the representative of the Zionist regime, who, as usual, resorted to lies about my country. The Islamic Republic of Iran totally rejects these fabrications.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

25. “These Israeli measures, which are implemented under the barrel of a gun and which have inflicted untold hardship and sorrow on the Palestinian people, paralysing their lives in an unprecedented fashion, are in total violation of the rules and principles of international law, and should accordingly be condemned and should cease forthwith. The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the recent cowardly, though savage, attacks against defenceless civilians in Lebanon, and calls on the Security Council to condemn Israel's recent terrorist acts in Lebanon, which have caused tremendous suffering for a country whose sovereignty and territorial integrity have for a long time been violated by the Israeli occupation forces.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

26. “Who but Israeli ruling circles are responsible for the abysmal degradation of that Security Council resolution over these 18 long years. For 18 years, the Zionist regime has rejected outright the demands of the international community, with impunity. Another example of Israeli intransigence is the draconian measures it has imposed for more than a month against Palestinian people in the occupied territories. Palestinian people find themselves subject to a blockade of the occupied territories, including Al-Quds al-Sharif - closure, reoccupation, demolition of their houses, further expansion of illegal settlements, severe restrictions on the movement of persons and goods and the strangulation of people and their economy as a form of collective punishment.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

27. “The Israeli media blitz to disguise these acts of terrorism under the pretext of taking retaliatory measures does not withstand the most rudimentary tests, and, in fact, adds insult to injury. The victims of occupation and of the recent barbarism of the Israeli military, be they Lebanese or Palestinians, seem to be the sacrificial lambs of internal Zionist politics and rivalries. Southern Lebanon continues to be under Israeli occupation and aggression in flagrant violation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978), which inter alia, called upon Israel "immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory". (resolution 425 (1978), para. 2) Whatever happened to the authority and integrity of Security Council resolutions?”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

28. “It constitutes a prima facie example of aggression in accordance with General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 1974 - an aggression and transgression that clearly expose the brutal and unmalleable nature of the Zionist regime to all eyes that are open and willing to see. Regrettably, the eyes of certain States that support and, in practice, sustain Israel are either closed or unwilling to see. Israel's obstinacy in continuing its bombardment of innocent people in Lebanon, disregarding international outrage and diplomatic initiatives, clearly points to the fact that the Zionist leaders have a pre-planned agenda for the region and will not cease their military operation until their illegal objectives are achieved.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

29. “The recent acts of terrorism by an organized cabal of Zionist leaders have resulted in the killing and wounding of several hundred innocent civilians, forcing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, more every hour, and have inflicted great material damage in Lebanon. Even a Lebanese ambulance transporting women and children, and Beirut's power station, have not been immune from Israeli attacks and destruction. Israel's lawless action in Lebanon is a further grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and of the United Nations Charter.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source

30. “The Islamic Republic of Iran fully supports the convening of this urgent meeting of the Security Council at the request of the Government of Lebanon, to consider the continuing flagrant violation by Israel of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The last five days have seen an unprecedented escalation in these violations. We hope that today's deliberation under your leadership, Mr. President, will yield positive results. Israel's premeditated and unbridled aerial and artillery attacks over the past five days against many civilian quarters in towns and villages of Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, and its naval blockade of the port of Beirut are prime examples of acts of terrorism by Israeli policy makers, who all too readily and conveniently label others either as terrorists or as supporters of terrorists.”

    1996-04-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3653 (1996) · source