YouSaid · the spoken record

Touray

lines on the record: 153
first: 1998-04-29
most recent: 2023-07-25
sittings or episodes: 19
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 could further assist and give direction to the understanding of the problem and the adoption of effective strategies in strengthening the United Nations role on gender-based violence, data collection and other related matters. I cannot conclude my statement without taking this opportunity to thank the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone, a creation of both the Security Council and the General Assembly that was introduced in our peacebuilding architecture, for its leadership role in ensuring that the incidents that took place in Freetown on 13 and 16 March did not escalate to the point of disrupting the hard-earned peace that we have all tirelessly worked to sustain. I must also commend the recent intervention by UNIFEM.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The Sierra Leone delegation accordingly supports the call for the appointment of a special representative of the Secretary-General for women and peace and security, a call that was made most recently during the March 2009 International Colloquium for Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, Peace and Security, organized by the Presidents of our sister Republic of Liberia and Finland. This would drive the coordination of the system-wide response to sexual violence in armed conflict, especially in the areas of humanitarian assistance, data collection and reporting on sexual violence and information management. This, in the view of my delegation, would not only reinforce the United Nations multisectoral response to gender- based violence, but would immensely help to address the existing gaps in it.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“There is also a paramount need to improve the collection of data on sexual violence and to ensure accountability. There are many hands on deck. The United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), UNICEF and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are all involved in the process in their own special way, and there are also senior-level mission focal points made up of Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary- General, humanitarian coordinators and resident coordinators. As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil 19 the broth, and the need for effective coordination is ever present.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We still need the continued support and assistance of the international community to help us fully implement the provisions of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). More is still needed in the sphere of international assistance and support to States, particularly fragile ones like ours that are emerging from conflict, to enable them to fulfil all of the obligations imposed by these resolutions in terms of the prevention of and response to gender-based violence. Furthermore, from an international point of view, it is important that the prevention of and response to sexual violence be clearly and specifically reflected in peacekeeping mandates and mission directives and that personnel selected for peacekeeping operations and units be skilled in dealing with sexual violence.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Finally, gender-sensitive enlistment for the security sector, police, army and prison staff has been made a matter of Government policy. Laudable though these achievements may sound, there is a need for more political space to articulate the aspirations of women and to contain sexual violence in all its ramifications, particularly within the context of the cultural dimensions of issues affecting women and changing culturally ingrained practices. Barely seven years after the end of the civil war in Sierra Leone and almost 10 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), there is still a need for more action to improve our performance on matters of gender-based violence. Adequate performance is constrained largely by a lack of much-needed resources rather than a lack of political will.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Eleventh, an affirmative action programme has been adopted for the education of girls. It seeks to empower our women and girls so as to transform them into effective partners in addressing discriminatory practices; to increase their participation in decision- making, conflict prevention and peacebuilding processes; and to improve their status in society. Twelfth, the Human Rights Commission has been established to report on, monitor and address human rights issues and violations. Thirteenth, the Constitutional Review Commission of Sierra Leone has been established and tasked to consider discriminatory provisions in the 09-44986 Constitution, particularly those discriminating against women and on the basis of gender.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Ninth, a national committee was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs, bringing together all agencies working on gender-based violence, including UNICEF; the Rainbow Clinic Centre, a counselling and treatment clinic for raped and battered women; and other non-governmental organizations to ensure proper coordination. Since its establishment, the committee has been very effective in facilitating referrals to police, legal and medical practitioners, counsellors and trained health workers for the assessment and prosecution of cases of sexual violence. Tenth, structures have been put in place for the provision of remedies and reparation for victims of sexual violence. The process of identification, enlisting and registration is currently ongoing.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Sixth, we have endorsed and implemented relevant resolutions such as resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), including through the establishment, in all our district police headquarters, of family support units mandated specifically to deal with gender-based violence. Although poorly resourced and understaffed, they are in high demand. Seventh, a national policy on the enhancement of women through gender mainstreaming was adopted in 2001. Eighth, a Gender Ministry - although also poorly resourced - has been established.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Fourth, three gender acts, aimed at reinforcing women's rights and clamping down on sexual and domestic violence, were adopted. The gender acts modernized the law against rape, including marital rape; criminalized domestic violence; and provided protection for victims, especially women in rural areas. Wife-beating is now a criminal offence, women can now own property, and the idea of forcing young girls into marriage is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Fifth, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, a core international human rights instrument on discrimination against women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child have been ratified.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“It emphasized special attention to the needs of women and the importance of their inclusion in strategic decision-making positions so that they can play a central role in the country's reconstruction process. Second, the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission highlighted the pathetic plight of women during the conflict. It recommended 30 per cent representation for women in the decision- making process, as well as reparations for victims of sexual violence. Third, the Special Court for Sierra Leone was established to demonstrate that there can be no impunity for those who have committed acts against women and to address the heinous crimes - especially sexual violence against women - committed during the war, irrespective of assurances of amnesty for the perpetrators.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“As a State party to relevant international human rights instruments, we are quite conscious of our obligations, under international law, international humanitarian law and pertinent resolutions of this body, to protect our women and girls from all forms of violence, to punish the perpetrators and to provide reparation for the victims. In that regard, Sierra Leone has shown genuine political will and commitment towards meeting the needs and interests of women and girls and has taken appropriate measures to address gender-based violence, including the following. First, the Lome' Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the hostilities and paved the way for peace, was a major effort to ensure that the negotiations and their outcome would contribute to preventing or responding to sexual violence.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“However, with the help of the international community, our bilateral partners and regional and subregional organizations, the country is moving comparatively swiftly towards stability and peace. That is not to say, however, that the relics of the past are gone and done with, for traces of the past - although not many - remain with us in the aftermath of the war, and gender-based violence within domestic settings is not uncommon. Much has been accomplished in my country through measures taken to prevent sexual violence and protect civilians, to combat impunity for sexual violence, to address discrimination against our women and girls, and to provide assistance, remedies and reparation for victims of sexual Violence.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“He also outlines the responsibilities of States and other parties in relation to sexual violence in conflict and its aftermath, as well as the efforts of the United Nations to prevent and respond to sexual violence. Sierra Leone experienced one of the fiercest and bloodiest conflicts of the 19905, involving mass killings; the maiming, hacking and amputation of limbs; the targeting and terrorizing of civilians as a tactic and instrument of war; the plundering and pillaging of their property; and the subjection of our women to horrendous and despicable Violations of their human rights, including but not limited to rape, abduction, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and even forced labour and conscription.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In addition, I would be remiss if I failed to commend the Department of Peacekeeping Operations; United Nations special agencies, funds and programmes, including United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict; and all other stakeholders whose concerted efforts contributed to the production of the report. The Secretary-General, in the report under review, emphasizes the need for the implementation of resolution 1820 (2008) in the context of situations that are on the agenda of the Council, including the situation in Sierra Leone. He also describes key challenges that remain and the need to address them as a matter of urgency if progress is to be made in containing sexual violence.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Let me start by expressing my satisfaction and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this open debate on the use of sexual violence in armed conflict and its aftermath I also wish to sincerely congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of August and to wish you a successful tenure. I extend my thanks and appreciation to the members of the Council for having unanimously adopted resolution 1820 (2008), which mandated the submission of the report we are discussing today, as well as its precursor, resolution 1325 (2000). I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his very informative and enlightened report (S/2009/362) and to express my delegation's full support for it and its consequential recommendations to the Council.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“My Government supports the holding of the proposed special session of the Peacebuilding Commission, either in Freetown or in New York, in order to rally international support for the Agenda for Change and the United Nations Joint Vision.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“The biannual review of the Peacebuilding Commission in December 2008 reaffirmed the need for all parties - the Government of Sierra Leone, the Peacebuilding Commission, the United Nations, bilateral and multilateral partners and other relevant stakeholders - to remain focused and as dedicated as ever and to be promptly forthcoming in addressing their respective commitments. I should like to conclude by noting that, building on the meaningful gains already achieved, it is the avowed pledge of the Government of Sierra Leone to continue to work in collaboration with all our development partners to sustain the momentum by moving forward the Agenda for Change, together with the Joint Vision of the United Nations Family.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“My delegation urges the Peacebuilding Commission and all international and bilateral partners, including our traditional and non-traditional donors, to rally support behind the Agenda for Change and the United Nations Joint Vision. The Government is fully cognizant of the fact that the responsibility for consolidating the peace and bailing our people out of poverty lies primarily with it. Indeed, it is committed to the full implementation of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework as a necessary requirement for the promotion of peace, stability and sustainable development in the country, as well as the attainment of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“More than ever, Sierra Leone, like other members of the Union, requires greater international attention if the Mano River basin is to attain peace, security and stability, as well as meaningful growth and development. For our part, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma has, through his Agenda for Change, clearly and succinctly articulated his strategic vision for turning the country around. Furthermore, the Government, together with the Peacebuilding Commission, also endorses the supporting role of UNIPSIL on the ground and of the Joint Vision of the United Nations Family for Sierra Leone, formulated under the leadership of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Though internal revenue generation is improving, the Government's capacity to address the commitments contained in the Framework, including tackling other programmes aimed at achieving internationally agreed development goals and the Millennium Development Goals, remains grossly inadequate. The much-needed budget support to Government is waning. Such a situation exacerbates the risk of heightening the threats associated with increasing youth unemployment and the new wave of drug trafficking in the subregion. With the recent developments in the neighbouring sister countries and the members of the Mano River Union, security in the subregion is a cause for concern.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“More importantly, in addition to the important prosecutorial independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commission has demonstrated sufficient commitment and determination in the ongoing implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. We have not been alone in the process. Without partnership with the United Nations, our multilateral and bilateral partners, including the international financial institutions, such progress would not have been achieved. Despite the progress made thus far, the challenges facing the Government are daunting.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“A number of gender-related laws have been enacted to address problems of gender-based Violence and exclusions or disparities based on gender. The judiciary, police and military have all undergone significant reforms, which are currently paying beneficial dividends. Security and stability in the country have improved considerably. The climate is now conducive to investment, both in terms of the security situation and the improved conditions for doing business in the country. Stringent laws have been enacted to tackle corruption and the emerging threat of narcotics and drug trafficking in the subregion.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Except for the all important issue of reparations, other key aspects of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations are being implemented. The Human Rights Commission is fully operational in all four provincial headquarters, and its first report has been presented to parliament for consideration. The most important phase of the constitutional review process, namely, identifying the pitfalls and shortcomings of the 1991 constitution, has been completed, and steps are under way for the next stage of national consultation and possible amendments. However, we must not forget that addressing the political concerns of the populace and their basic socio-economic needs are inextricably linked and need to go hand in hand.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“UNIPSIL is effectively the fourth- generation phase of United Nations presence in Sierra Leone, which is a clear manifestation of the Government's cooperation and determination to make meaningful change and move the country forward from its dark recent past. The second biannual review of progress in the implementation of the Cooperation Framework was conducted on 15 December 2008, a few months after the operationalization of the integrated peacebuilding mission, UNIPSIL, in October. That review acknowledged the strides Sierra Leone has made since the end of the war in 2002. We have witnessed two highly acclaimed democratic electoral processes at both the national and local government levels, unparalleled in any post-conflict setting.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Michael von der Schulenburg, for the statement he has just delivered and to re-echo his call for a steady hand, patience and the need to avoid an undue rush, as peacebuilding needs to be nurtured and needs time. Sierra Leone is entering its eighth year of peace and stability and, by any yardstick, has been a success story of United Nations peacebuilding efforts. Despite that, there are still serious challenges to grapple with. We cannot afford to sacrifice the gains we have scored over the last eight years of peace in Sierra Leone out of inertia and self-satisfaction. The adoption of Security Council resolution 1829 (2008) establishing UNIPSIL was another significant step in the United Nations peacebuilding engagement in Sierra Leone.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“I would like to pay special tribute to the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, Ambassador Frank Majoor, and his dedicated team for their untiring efforts and sustained commitment to implementing the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework, particularly, during the two challenging formative years of the Peacebuilding Commission's engagement with Sierra Leone. My appreciation also goes to the Secretary- General for his very comprehensive report and observations on the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), contained in document S/2009/59. I also wish to thank the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Let me start by registering my delegation's sincere appreciation, Sir, for your having organized this debate, which in our View is a clear manifestation of the Council's commitment to monitoring and sustaining the momentum of the peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone. My warmest felicitations go to you on your assumption of the presidency for the month of February 2009. It is a pleasant coincidence to see you directing the affairs of the Council on a topic of this nature, given that you were the immediate outgoing Chair of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission. I assure you of my delegation's fullest support and cooperation during your tenure.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“The international community has expended a lot of resources, time and energy to help the Afghan factions out of this undesirable situation, but the factions remain stubborn. The belligerents must realize that the patience of the international community will soon run out. In this context, we take this opportunity to call on all the factions to lay down their arms and return to the negotiating table. We believe that with a firm commitment among the factions and with the assistance of the United Nations, a negotiated settlement accommodating the interests of all the Afghan factions can be reached. My delegation has studied the draft resolution before us. We believe that it is a very balanced one. It states in no uncertain terms the demands and position of the international community. We are in support of it and will vote in its favour.”
1998-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3921Resumption1 (1998) · source
“We join others in demanding that all parties to the conflict do everything possible to ensure the safe and dignified passage out of Afghanistan of the personnel of the Consulate-General and other Iranian nationals missing in Afghanistan. Another matter of grave concern to my delegation is the attacks on United Nations personnel. We condemn those acts and join others in calling on the Taliban to investigate them and bring those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice. We also demand that the parties to the conflict do everything possible to ensure the security of United Nations personnel and of international and other humanitarian workers. The war in Afghanistan is very fluid and for that reason we believe that there is no military solution to this extremely complex conflict.”
1998-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3921Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The situation in Afghanistan is of grave concern to my delegation. The recent re- emergence of hostilities in the northern region of the country poses a serious and growing threat to the already fragile peace and security situation in the region. Those offensives are further exacerbated by the increasingly ethnic and sectarian nature of the conflict, resulting in an increase in refugee flows, the forcible displacement of persons and wanton destruction, thus exacerbating the misery and sorrow of an already despondent society. My delegation was extremely disappointed when we learnt of the capture of the Consulate-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We vehemently condemn this act of blatant disregard for international law.”
1998-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3921Resumption1 (1998) · source
“The decision by the United Kingdom and the United States of America to go down this road must be cheered as a heroic move geared towards putting to rest a problem that has bedevilled us all for 10 years. It is a bending-over- backwards to accommodate an initiative which is far from ordinary. The Gambia, being one of the main advocates of the initiative, congratulates the Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of the United States of America for their understanding and cooperation in these difficult times. The time for justice has come. The time for making good on promises made in the past is also here. My delegation, having had friendly and fraternal ties with Libya, has no doubts that it is good at keeping promises. We have no doubt that it will comply with its obligations, as it has always done.”
1998-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3920 (1998) · source
“This initiative resulted in the proposal that a trial be held in a third country - in the Kingdom of the Netherlands - by Scottish judges and according to Scots law and procedure. The Libyan authorities have since indicated their acceptance of this proposal on several occasions. The latest was on 26 August 1998. The draft resolution under consideration today is a historic one. It is historic because it is setting the stage for the possibility of the resumption of normal life in Libya without sanctions and of opening the doors for Libya to regain its rightful place in the international community. It is also historic because for the first time in international legal affairs a court would sit out of its jurisdiction.”
1998-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3920 (1998) · source
“On numerous occasions in the Security Council, we have advocated a speedy resolution to the impasse that was created by the imposition of the sanctions. We have always emphasized that a solution agreeable to both parties would be mutually beneficial, as justice would be done for the bereaved persons and Libya would be relieved of the bite of the sanctions. In a bid to find a solution to this impasse, the Organization of African Unity, the League of Arab States and the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries came up with an initiative that would allay the fears of the Libyan authorities for a just and fair trial and would also ensure justice to the bereaved persons for the crimes done.”
1998-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3920 (1998) · source
“Almost 10 years ago, Pan Am flight 103 was brought down over Lockerbie, in Scotland, killing all 259 passengers and 11 other people. Since then the families of the deceased from this tragedy endured untold grief as they waited for justice to be meted out. Three years later, the Security Council came up with three resolutions requiring Libya to produce the two persons accused of the bombing of the Pan Am flight for trial in the United Kingdom or in the United States, failing which sanctions were imposed against Libya. Libya has been under excruciating sanctions for seven years. These sanctions have brought untold suffering to the Libyan people - especially to women and children - and have virtually crippled its aviation infrastructure. The Petrovsky report attests to this fact.”
1998-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3920 (1998) · source
“With this recognition, my delegation supports the Secretary-General's proposal to extend the mandate of UNMOT for a period of six months, until 15 November 1998, and thus we will vote in favour of the draft resolution before us.”
1998-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3879 (1998) · source
“While we wish to thank the international non-governmental organizations and the United Nations agencies for their interventions in these projects, we hope that the international community will respond to the resource-mobilization efforts of the World Bank not only to support humanitarian activities, but also to set the road for economic recovery and rebuilding of infrastructure. My delegation agrees with the assessment of the situation in Tajikistan, as amply described in the Secretary-General's report. We believe that things are far from bright, but at least there is more light at the end of the tunnel. The continued presence of UNMOT in Tajikistan for a little while longer is necessary for the peace process.”
1998-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3879 (1998) · source
“In that vein, we welcome the new timetable adopted by the Commission on National Reconciliation and hope that the parties will be committed to it. We recognize that quite a lot of post-conflict activities are required to turn the situation in Tajikistan around. In this context, we welcome the demobilization projects adopted by the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) and United Nations agencies. We wish to underscore that vocational training and start-up packages are essential for the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life.”
1998-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3879 (1998) · source
“We welcome the continued registration of United Tajik Opposition combatants. We are, however, disturbed by the huge discrepancy between the number of fighters registered and the number of weapons recovered. This clearly shows that a large number of registered fighters are still keeping their weapons. The recovery of these weapons is very important for the peace process. The reluctance of the fighters to take advantage of the amnesty law - a consequence of the delays in the peace process - is not a desirable situation. We hope that the Commission on National Reconciliation will review its processes with a View to enhancing its working methods. Some major concerns of my delegation are the delays in making the necessary constitutional and electoral reforms. We hope that the parties will give these key issues the priority they deserve.”
1998-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3879 (1998) · source
“The resumption of hostilities in March, April and May clearly shows that the peace situation in Tajikistan is not irreversible. We are encouraged by the fact that both sides are interested in continuing the peace process. It is therefore imperative that the parties translate their interest into commitments and work together to find a lasting solution to this disquieting conflictIn this context, the parties should work together towards building mutual confidence, as distrust only undermines the already rocky status quo. My delegation is very concerned about the lack of effective control by both sides over their forces. This state of affairs further deepens the fragility of the peace situation. Thus, the speedy demobilization and reorganization of the forces is a key step in the peace process.”
1998-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3879 (1998) · source
“I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his detailed report on the situation in Tajikistan. My delegation pays tribute to Mr. Merrem and to Brigadier-General Boleslaw Izydorczyk for the excellent work they did in that country. We also wish to congratulate Brigadier-General Tengku Ariffin Bin Tengku Mohammed on his new job. My delegation is seriously concerned about the lack of substantial progress in the peace situation in Tajikistan, which is mainly due to the mistrust that exists between the two parties. We strongly condemn the resumption of hostilities between the parties as evidenced by the recent clashes. While we welcome the new ceasefire arrangements and the exchange of prisoners, we believe that the parties should exercise restraint and do everything to ensure that the peace process is not jeopardized.”
1998-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3879 (1998) · source
“We note with satisfaction the successes registered by the Tribunal in improving its working procedures. We believe, however, that more could still be done in this regard, and we thus urge the members to reconsider their working procedures with a view to enhancing them further. The Government of the Gambia has a very strong commitment to the protection of fundamental rights. Thus, we will always support legitimate measures that have as their objective the protection of fundamental human rights. This draft resolution falls within this category. The Gambia will vote in favour of it.”
1998-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3878 (1998) · source
“We also understand that there are 54 public indictees who are not in custody. If all these people are to be brought to trial, it is obvious that the Tribunal cannot, under its existing arrangements, expeditiously conclude all the trials. We believe that the Tribunal needs additional judicial support in the form of a third Trial Chamber. The report of the President of the Tribunal makes a very compelling case for the establishment of a third Trial Chamber. We agree with the assessment of the situation. One important issue for consideration is that the matter impinges on the right of the accused person to be tried expeditiously, as guaranteed by the Statute of the Tribunal. If a third Trial Chamber is not established, this fundamental right will be violated. For these reasons, we support the establishment of a third Trial Chamber.”
1998-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3878 (1998) · source
“In 1991 the former Yugoslavia witnessed one of the most horrendous offences against international humanitarian law, to which the international community, through the Security Council, responded very fittingly by establishing in 1993 the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to prosecute the persons responsible for those crimes. The establishment of the Tribunal was and still is a necessary measure for the process of national reconciliation and the restoration of peace in the former Yugoslavia. The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia currently has on its case list 29 accused persons awaiting trial. This dramatic increase in the number of accused persons has rendered the Tribunal unable to expeditiously conclude the trials of all the accused persons.”
1998-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3878 (1998) · source
“As the present draft resolution is to ensure no delay in the trial of the accused persons, we believe that an improvement in the working methods of the Tribunal would be helpful. We therefore urge the members of the Tribunal to reconsider their working methods with a view to enhancing them. We believe that this draft resolution and the letter are very timely. The Gambia is pleased to be a sponsor of the draft resolution and will vote in its favour.”
1998-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3877 (1998) · source
“My delegation would, for these reasons, support the establishment of a third Trial Chamber in Rwanda, as provided for in the draft resolution. Under the draft resolution, the election of the judges for the third Trial Chamber would be conducted together with the election of the judges for the existing two Chambers. While the mandate of the newly elected judges for the third Trial Chamber would commence soon after their election, the mandate of the judges elected for the existing Chambers would commence on the expiry of the mandate of the present holders of those offices. This arrangement would ensure that we have only one election and also an early establishment of the third Trial Chamber. We believe that this is a very convenient and reasonable arrangement.”
1998-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3877 (1998) · source
“We believe in the old adage and time- honoured maxim that justice delayed is justice denied. The earlier the accused are tried, the better. We believe that the Rwandan people have no lesser expectations. In their journey towards national reconciliation, it is imperative that these trials be concluded with reasonable dispatch so that the people of Rwanda can put their grief behind them as they move forward. We believe that it is now necessary to increase the number of judges and to constitute a third Trial Chamber. In this way, the accused can be tried without delay and the expectations of the Rwandan people will not be disappointed. There is some economic wisdom in this move, as it would eventually result in financial saving.”
1998-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3877 (1998) · source
“We now understand that 20 people are presently detained in the Detention Facility in Arusha, 14 of whom are already indicted and awaiting trial. In a letter from the President of the Tribunal dated 1 August 1997, contained in document S/1997/812 addressed to the Secretary-General, the President of the Tribunal, Judge Kama, indicated that, with the Tribunal's present capacity, it would take at least 88 months to try the incarcerated suspects. Under the present arrangement, this would mean that some of the incarcerated persons would wait longer than duly necessary for their trials. This would be a violation of the fundamental right of the accused to be tried without undue delay. The Government of the Gambia values the fundamental rights of the person, particularly the rights of the accused.”
1998-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3877 (1998) · source
“The events in Rwanda in 1994 represented one of the most heinous offences against international humanitarian law. The international community responded very fittingly by establishing in the same year the International Tribunal for Rwanda to prosecute the persons responsible for those crimes. The establishment of this Tribunal was and is still a very necessary measure for the process of national reconciliation and the restoration of peace in Rwanda. In paragraph 7 of resolution 955 (1994) of November 1994 establishing the Tribunal, the Council expressly reserved the possibility of increasing the number of Trial Chambers should this become necessary. The International Tribunal for Rwanda has been functioning very smoothly since its inception.”
1998-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3877 (1998) · source
“As the mandate of MONUA is coming to an end, we support its extension so that the gains made so far will not be sacrificed. My delegation also supports the follow-on intervention recommended by the Secretary-General in paragraphs 41 to 44 of the report. Without these interventions, the successes of MONUA would be left in a very fragile state. This is not desirable, as the problems that may ensue may bring us back to square one. In that context, my delegation encourages the Secretary-General, as envisaged in paragraph 11 of the draft resolution, to provide additional proposals about the modalities for pursuing the vital peace-consolidating activities he recommended. We believe that the draft resolution points in the right direction. My delegation expresses its support for it and will vote in favour of it.”
1998-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3876 (1998) · source
“The draft resolution rightly condemns the increasing armed attacks on United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) personnel and property, on humanitarian workers and on members of the Angolan National Police. The request made to MONUA in paragraph 4 of the draft resolution to investigate this issue is also a step in the right direction. UNITA has consistently been indulging in a deliberate ploy to further delay the peace process. This is not beneficial to the peace process. Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the draft resolution are therefore very fitting. We must send a clear signal to UNITA that the international community is not prepared to accept any steps that will lead to the stagnation or reversal of the peace process. The achievements of the peace process are fragile and require further consolidation.”
1998-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3876 (1998) · source