YouSaid · the spoken record

Van Oosterom

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2013-08-19

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2019-10-29

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un-security-council

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1. “For example, we are working with UN-Women to support the Syrian Women's Initiative for Peace and Democracy to make their voices heard. The initiative of the women of Syria inspired many and offered a new window of hope for a political solution to the horrific conflict in Syria. We welcome further commitment of the Security Council to the full agenda of resolution 1325 (2000) as we try to do in the Netherlands. Our national Action Plan 1325 promotes civil society programming in support of women's political participation and leadership. We support women's rights organizations around the globe and we contribute to several United Nations trust funds, such as the United Nations Women's Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women.”

   2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source

2. “To recall what our French colleague said this morning, to withhold such services to victims of sexual violence is to add insult to injury. Women and girls are never only victims, though. We know about the resilience of many survivors. We also know that empowered women make the difference: they participate in decision-making and take up leadership roles, particularly on issues of conflict prevention, resolution, peacebuilding and reconstruction. We believe in the power of women as agents of peace and as representatives of communities living in conflict. As women are empowered, sexual violence, causes of gender inequality and accountability will more likely be addressed as integral parts of peace and reconstruction processes.”

   2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source

3. “The Netherlands therefore attaches great value to legitimate and professional justice systems. We therefore support rule of law programming in several countries on a bilateral basis. There is also the need for a clear role for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other tribunals. My country very much supports the broad jurisdiction of the ICC on the issue of conflict-related sexual violence. It has a very strong preventative effect. The report ofthe Secretary-General also shows that we need to do even more to optimize the protection of women and girls, who are the primary victims of sexual violence. Despite our collective efforts in that regard, women and girls will face the long-term consequences of such violence. They deserve and have the right to sexual and reproductive health, including safe abortion services.”

   2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source

4. “All of our police and military officer have received predeployment training on gender, human rights and international humanitarian law. We also offer regular training on gender issues to military personnel, diplomats and police, as well as to civilian experts and activists. We make civilian expertise on gender and combating sexual violence available to United Nations missions, for example to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With regard to justice, we welcome the focus Ms. Bangura and United Nations Action have put on issues of impunity and accountability around conflict- related sexual violence. National legal systems in conflict-affected countries can be weakened in the course of the conflict and in the reconstruction phase.”

   2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source

5. “It is a privilege to sit next to her and an honour to support her work. We agree with her that now is the time to focus on progressing from principles, goals and ambitions to concrete action, operational measures and practical tools. The Netherlands seeks to use such practical tools in all domains of our foreign policy: the promotion of peace, justice and development. When it comes to peace and security, we contribute civilian and military personnel to multilateral missions. Addressing gender issues and sexual violence in conflict is an integral part of our national preparation for such missions. For instance, we currently have a contingent deployed in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.”

   2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source

6. “My delegation welcomes this debate on the important report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2014/181). The fact that the report covers incidents of conflict-related sexual violence in over 20 countries confirms the urgency of our meeting today. We fully align ourselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. In the interests of time, I will deliver a shortened version of my speech; the full text is available. In the view of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, conflict-related sexual violence is not a stand-alone problem that can be solved in isolation. We need a fully integrated approach that addresses deeply rooted gender inequalities and works to empower women. We pay tribute to the work of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Bangura.”

   2014-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7160 (2014) · source

7. “In conclusion, the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations states: "We the peoples of the United Nations [are] determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war". Of course, that phrase is about our children and their children. Let us engage in that task, knowing that our children are the promise for a more peaceful future. The Kingdom of the Netherlands will continue to be a partner in that endeavour for peace, justice and development.”

   2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

8. “But if a State is unwilling or unable to do so, the International Criminal Court (ICC) should step in and investigate and prosecute violations and abuses against children in armed conflict that fall within its jurisdiction. The verdict of the ICC against Thomas Lubanga for recruiting and using child soldiers in hostilities was important in that context. For children who were the victims of armed conflict, it is important to see that justice is done, because impunity is not only denial of justice - it is denial of the truth. Fighting impunity is therefore a prerequisite for durable conflict resolution and stable and peaceful societies, which we all want for our children.”

   2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

9. “We strongly oppose such practices and, in line with resolution 1998 (2011), urge everyone to take steps both within their own legislation and military policies and doctrine, as well as internationally, to end the military use of schools and protect children's rights to safety and education. Schools, as we know, are protected under international humanitarian law. Nevertheless, as Valerie Amos has told us, in Syria they are used for military purposes. That must stop. My third point is if prevention and protection have not had sufficient results, prosecution and fighting impunity are called for. If crimes against children do occur, it is first and foremost the State concerned that should ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.”

   2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

10. “In that regard, the Netherlands is especially alarmed by widespread and deliberate attacks against schools, teachers and students as a tool of war. Nearly 50 million children and young people in conflict zones face enormous barriers to education every day, keeping them out of school and preventing them from reaching their true potential. That will affect the potential for growth and development of the country as a whole, long after peace agreements have been signed. My Government is also alarmed by the rise in the use of school buildings for military purposes, including as barracks, fighting positions, detention centres, interrogation or torture sites, and weapons depots.”

    2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

11. “The establishment of legal frameworks, strengthening governance and rule of law in countries, age verification in recruitment mechanisms and raising public awareness are some examples of concrete action. We therefore welcome the important report published by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack recently and the launch of the "Children, not soldiers" campaign. The full implementation of the action plans by parties in conflict, as listed in the annual report of the Secretary-General (S/2013/245), is called for. It is clear that children belong in schools, not in armies, as the Secretary-General so rightfully mentioned this morning. Secondly, together we should strengthen the protection of children in conflict.”

    2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

12. “Let me underline the importance of the "No lost generation" initiative and other efforts to alleviate some of the suffering of Syrian children and offer them a future. In view of the continued violence against children in conflict and the use of child soldiers in conflict, it is clear that more should be done by the international community. Let me address three issues: prevention, protection and prosecution. First of all, we must strengthen the prevention of conflicts and the prevention of the use of child soldiers in conflict. The further focusing of our common international norms in resolution 2143 (2014), adopted today, is of great importance to that effect.”

    2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

13. “The Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Luxemburg for its leadership on this issue and for organizing this important debate. Also, please allow me to commend the work of both Special Representative Leila Zerrougui and UNICEF in promoting and protecting the rights of children affected by armed conflict. Since the adoption of resolution 1261 (1999), thousands of children have been killed in conflicts and many more have been left disabled, homeless or separated from their parents. The civil war in Syria stands out for its catastrophic scope and human cost. Over 10,000 children have been killed and 3 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance.”

    2014-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7129 (2014) · source

14. “To conclude, let me underline the relevance of the rule of law for the people that we represent here at the United Nations. As the Dutch philosopher Spinoza, who lived some 350 years ago, said, the goal of the State is actually freedom. For citizens worldwide, the rule of law, safety and justice are crucial to guarantee that freedom, to achieve lasting prosperity and to prevent violence and conflict. Country leadership and ownership are essential, and where needed, the international community should stand ready with coordinated and long-term assistance. The Netherlands is and will continue to be a partner for peace, justice and development to both the United Nations and its Member States in that respect.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

15. “More generally, we believe that the Security Council mandates for peacekeeping operations should include provisions on the rule of law. To ensure growth and development, the rule of law is especially essential for States coming out of conflict. We need to address the causes of conflict and fragility so as to break the cycle and make development possible. However, that works only if a coordinated and comprehensive strategy is in place early on, one to which bilateral and multilateral actors are truly committed. National ownership and vision must guide it in order to meet expectations and to maintain the momentum and credibility of the process. There can be no lasting peace without justice, accountability and reconciliation.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

16. “The Declaration that was adopted at that meeting (General Assembly resolution 67/1) requests greater coordination and coherence among the United Nations entities and with donors and recipients with the aim of improving the effectiveness of rule-of-law capacity- building activities in countries. The Netherlands fully agrees with that statement. We therefore support United Nations engagement on the rule of law through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Peacebuilding Fund. We support the decision of the Secretary-General to appoint DPKO and UNDP as the focal point for police, justice and corrections activities. We urge all involved to continue strengthening the implementation of that initiative, as requested by United Nations missions and offices in the field.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

17. “That can be achieved only through the acceptance, involvement and participation of citizens and communities. Women, especially, are drivers of development. Countries without a functioning system that guarantees the rule of law will be unable to reach their development goals. Bilateral efforts must complement multilateral efforts. One of the four pillars of the Dutch development cooperation policy is security and the rule of law. I am proud to say that we have very active bilateral cooperation programmes with both Uganda and with Rwanda in this field. The third point is that we need a comprehensive approach. Let me recall the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels, which took place in September 2012. It was the first United Nations summit of its kind.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

18. “In general, the interaction between this Council and the International Criminal Court must be improved. More generally, the international legal order will be strengthened if all States Members of the United Nations accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. My second point is that in our view, the rule of law is essential for sustainable development. Security and the rule of law are important development outcomes in their own right. They are also critical building blocks for sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. Therefore, we want to see the rule of law and justice for all included in the post-2015 framework. Peace and inclusive and effective institutions require the leadership and ownership of the countries involved, supported by the United Nations upon request.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

19. “Timmermans, has said, in Europe we have traded the rule of the strongest for the rule of law. I would like to make three specific points. First, for the Netherlands, international law and the legal order are crucial. International legal institutions, such as the various courts and tribunals in The Hague, make a positive contribution to preventing conflicts, to strengthening the rule of law and to combating impunity by holding to account those who have perpetrated mass-atrocity crimes. International efforts should be complementary to efforts under national law. States have a fundamental responsibility to pursue the rule of law towards everyone within their jurisdiction. The Netherlands strongly believes that the Security Council should refer the current mass atrocities in Syria to the International Criminal Court.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

20. “I thank you, Madam President, for organizing this important debate on the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security. The concept note prepared by Lithuania (S/2014/75, annex) explores in an excellent way the challenges and opportunities in this field. My country aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union, and my full statement is available. In our view, respect for the rule of law is an essential condition for peace and for lasting economic development. It is inextricably linked to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. As an open society and an open economy, the Netherlands depends on a strong international order. Our Constitution even obligates our Government to promote the international legal order, and as my Minister, Mr.”

    2014-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7113 (2014) · source

21. “We do so with the conviction that, even though the world at this moment is unable to stop the tragedy, the foundation must be laid for bringing the perpetrators of the atrocities in Syria to justice when sufficient stability returns to Syria. The Council could more consistently use its ability to impose sanctions, or refer a situation to the ICC. That would send a strong signal to perpetrators. Together we can bring the concept of the protection of civilians into practice. In our view, the Council's Expert Group on the Protection of Civilians should intensify its work and its interaction with rest of the membership. Protecting civilians in armed conflict is a fundamental objective that we must all work tirelessly to achieve together, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands stands ready to be a part of that effort.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

22. “It is crucial that the Security Council adopt the draft resolution on humanitarian access in Syria. We are gravely concerned about the situation in Homs and call for access on the part of humanitarian organizations to all besieged areas in Syria. Furthermore, my Government supports initiatives aimed at voluntary restraint in the use of the veto by the permanent members of the Council in situations of mass atrocities. I now come to my last point: accountability. The perpetrators of crimes must of course not go unpunished, and accountability is also crucial in view ofthe preventative effect it has. In our View, the Council should refer Syria and the crimes perpetrated there to the International Criminal Court (ICC). In anticipation of that, the Netherlands supports the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre in The Hague.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

23. “Secondly, peacekeeping mandates, as has been stated by other speakers, must be clear on the protection of civilians, and implementation must be a priority. New concepts, such as civilian-harm tracking, the appointment of civilian-harm mitigation advisers and ways to make amends, are being tested, and we believe that the results warrant further assessment and use. Peacekeeping missions must be better prepared and outfitted for that part of their mandate, and we must all chip in. The Netherlands is sending a peacekeeping unit to Mali, and we deploy experts in the protection of civilians and sexual and gender-based violence in various United Nations missions. Thirdly, the Security Council should act decisively when civilians are at risk. In South Sudan, the Council was united and swift.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

24. “My Government fully supports the initiative of the United Nations under the action plan entitled "Rights up front", which of course is also closely linked to the responsibility to protect. We believe that interaction between the countries in the Security Council and other United Nations States Members should be improved so as to strengthen early warning and early response. When it comes to protection, international humanitarian law should be respected by all parties to a conflict. That is why, in January in Kenya, the Netherlands organized a training course for military and civilian representatives from 11 African countries on gender awareness and the prevention of sexual violence in peacekeeping.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

25. “On prevention, it is obvious that the best way to protect civilians in any situation is to prevent a conflict from happening. The means of the pacific settlement of conflict, as defined in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, are crucial. Therefore, the Netherlands supports the United Nations as a global actor in the field of mediation. When it comes to the judicial settlement of conflicts, the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which are both housed in the Peace Palace in The Hague, are global icons of the pursuit of peace by means of the law and of conflict prevention. Another crucial element is early warning.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

26. “The responsibility to protect is focused on four specific crimes: genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, in conflict and non-conflict situations. The protection of civilians is different in scope, as it aims to protect the general safety, dignity and integrity of all human beings in conflict situations. At the same time, the two concepts are also closely related, as they share a similar normative foundation: the protection ofindividuals is a primary responsibility of the State, and prevention and early warning are key to both concepts. The international community plays a supportive role in both principles. I would like to focus my comments today on the protection of civilians on three issues, namely, prevention, protection and accountability.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

27. “I would like to express our appreciation and respect for the historic Lithuanian presidency of the Security Council. The Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union. This debate is timely and important. The legal basis for the protection of civilians in armed conflict is of course strong, but a lack of clarity surrounds the concept and its operationalization in practice, as Lithuania mentioned in its excellent note for this debate (S/2014/74, annex). In our View, a close relationship exists between the two concepts of the responsibility to protect and the protection of civilians in conflict situations. Conceptually, the responsibility to protect and the protection of civilians are distinct.”

    2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source

28. “Women are crucial to the prevention of conflicts, to protection during conflicts and to reconciliation after conflicts. Therefore my Government has worked closely with UN-Women in recent months so as to have a group of Syrian women invited to Geneva and to New York. We thank the Security Council for having received them. Allow me to conclude by reminding all of us that the tools for lasting peace exist. The burden is upon us to use them effectively. May our work be guided by the wise words of Baruch Spinoza, who said, "Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, for confidence, for justice". Let us work towards a world in which we are partners in bringing about peace, justice and development. It is the ambition of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to be a partner in that endeavour.”

    2014-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7105 (2014) · source

29. “Prosecution also has a crucial preventative effect. Mr. President, as you stated, the narrative of a conflict is important for reconciliation and resolution. It is crucial that objective data and proof be conserved, both during and after conflicts. The Netherlands, by hosting and funding the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, is doing exactly that in the case of the current Syria crisis. The conservation of the records of the international tribunals is equally important, as a point of reference for the origins ofpast wrongs and future reconciliation. The Dutch National Archives serve as the depository for the Nuremberg Tribunal and the Special Court for Sierra Leone. As our colleague from Namibia said, in all phases of conflict, before, during or after, the position of women deserves specific attention.”

    2014-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7105 (2014) · source

30. “When conflicts do occur, the United Nations must make sure, and let me here echo Deputy Secretary- General Jan Eliasson, that we have the reporting and that we have the type of people who can do the work on the ground on human rights and on the political side. Mr. President, accurate reporting by the United Nations is crucial to accountability and reconciliation, as you mentioned in the concept note (S/2014/30, annex). I would like also to reiterate that accountability is a condition for durable reconciliation and peace. Mass atrocities and international crimes should never go unpunished, regardless of whom the perpetrator is. A direct link exists between prevention, protection and prosecution, as my Minister, Mr. Timmermans, made clear during the 10-year celebration of the International Criminal Court.”

    2014-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7105 (2014) · source

31. “Another crucial element of prevention is early warning of conflicts. My Government highly values the initiative of the United Nations under the "Rights up front" action plan, which is very closely linked to the very important concept of the responsibility to protect, which we wholeheartedly support. The United Nations has clearly demonstrated the close link between peace, development and human rights. Human rights violations function as an early-warning signal of potential conflicts, and the Security Council should act accordingly. We believe, and I would like to echo my New Zealand colleague in saying, that there should be better interaction between the countries on the Council and those that are not on the Council - that there is room for improvement.”

    2014-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7105 (2014) · source

32. “Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations is crystal-clear to that effect and gives concrete options. It is encouraging to see that these peaceful settlement mechanisms are being used more and more often. Let me give two examples. The Netherlands strongly supports the United Nations as a global actor in the field of mediation, including through our substantial funding for the Department of Political Affairs, and Jeff Feltman this morning said important words to that effect. When it comes to thejudicial settlement ofconflicts, the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, both housed in the Peace Palace, are global symbols of the pursuit of peace by means of law. Last year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Peace Palace, and The Hague, as we know, has been labelled the legal capital of the world.”

    2014-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7105 (2014) · source

33. “Thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate. The Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made earlier by the observer of the European Union. In 1992, I saw personally the horrible results of war when I visited Beirut from my posting in Damascus. I saw a city destroyed, and I saw the lives of people damaged. At that time, I realized that there is one key lesson from war: that we have to do our utmost to prevent it and that the search for peace is a common moral imperative. Here I will address the issues of prevention, accountability and reconciliation. When it comes to prevention, strengthening the international legal order is crucial. A stronger international legal order reduces the chances of conflict and is vital for the peaceful settlement of conflicts.”

    2014-01-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7105 (2014) · source

34. “We offer our full support and cooperation to the global review on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) that UN Women is currently undertaking. In that context, we are pleased to announce that, in late 2014, the Netherlands will host an international conference on lessons learned. As I have said, the Kingdom of the Netherlands wants to be a partner for peace,justice and development. The role of women is crucial in all three dimensions.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

35. “We welcome and support the recommendation of the Secretary-General to ensure the full range of services to victims of rape, including access to services for the safe termination of pregnancies resulting from rape, without discrimination and in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law. The prevention of, and protection from, sexual violence is an issue that continues to demand our full attention. I am proud to announce that the Netherlands recently increased its contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Elimination of Violence against Women by $2 million, bringing it to a total of more than $8 million. Fifthly and lastly, we stand ready to share experiences and improve on our joint implementation of the women and peace and security agenda.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

36. “In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, my Government is helping to establish a gender-sensitive judicial system, including by training women to become lawyers themselves. Fourthly, we care about prevention and the protection of victims of sexual violence in conflict. The Netherlands welcomes the continued high-level attention to the role of women in conflict situations. In June, the Council adopted resolution 2106 (2013); other international actors, such as the Group of Eight, have also shown real commitment to the prevention and prosecution of sexual Violence in conflict. For my Government, that is a crucial part of the 1325 agenda.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

37. “We also pay tribute to Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Mary Robinson's outreach to women early on in her mandate, as our Irish colleague briefly mentioned a moment ago. Thirdly, we support legal systems based on equality. We need a gender-sensitive approach to the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict situations. Women and girls should have equal access to fair and transparent justice services and they should be able to influence justice policies and institutions in their country. In that respect, we also acknowledge the important contribution of the International Criminal Court and other special courts and tribunals in addressing gender-based and sexual violence in specific. As the focus of today's debate is on the importance of the rule of law and justice, let me highlight an example.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

38. “Recognizing that fact, the Netherlands has therefore established a funding mechanism called "Women on the Frontline" for women's organizations in countries in transition in the Middle East and North Africa. We aim to support them with organizational and capacity development. Our aim is clear f women should be in a position to make their voices heard, demand their rights and contribute to the development of their countries. We also welcome efforts by United Nations mediators to include women in peace and transition processes. Yemen is an inspiring example, where, against all odds, women are participating in the National Dialogue and are claiming their role in the next phases of transition.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

39. “We encourage the Security Council to remain committed to the full agenda of resolution 1325 (2000), including the meaningful participation of women in all peace negotiations, security sector reform and decision-making related to conflict resolution and post- conflict rebuilding. We call upon the Security Council to more systematically implement the women and peace and security agenda. Secondly, we support the women's agenda in countries in conflict or transition. In his report, the Secretary-General finds that deficits remain in opportunities for women to exercise leadership, with shortfalls existing in the resources provided to support women and strengthen their organizational capacities.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

40. “In our national action plan based on guidelines set forth in resolution 1325 (2000), as well as in our wider human rights and gender equality policies, we have chosen to focus on the role of women as political actors in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and recovery. We believe in the power of women as agents for peace and as representatives of communities living in conflict. During the recent opening week of the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franciscus Timmermans, hosted an event with a group of Syrian women. He heard their recommendations and opened doors for them here in New York. Their stories inspired many and offered new hope for a solution to the horrific conflict in Syria. We stand ready to further support Syrian women's contributions to that end.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

41. “My Government welcomes today's debate and the report of the Secretary-General on women and peace and security (S/2013/525). We celebrate this year the thirteenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), and we welcome today's important resolution 2122 (2013), which we sponsored. The resolution will advance today's agenda relating to women and peace and security. We take this opportunity to make a few remarks in our national capacity, while we fully endorse the statement made by the observer of the European Union earlier. We attach great importance to today's theme, which is close to our mission statement - "The Kingdom of the Netherlands, your partner for peace, justice and development". Let me highlight five points. First of all, the Government of the Netherlands sees women as leaders.”

    2013-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7044 (2013) · source

42. “Let us work closely together in applying those three aspects in a comprehensive approach. Together we can achieve freedom from fear for civilians in areas of conflict, and let our common endeavours be inspired by the view across the East River of the Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

43. “We renew our call on the Syrian authorities to allow full and unfettered access to the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Netherlands is honoured to host the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre in The Hague. That important institution is funded by more than 40 States and organizations. It takes a non-partisan approach, reaches out to many Syrian individuals, communities and organizations and works closely with many international actors. Such data-gathering creates a basis for accountability and is therefore crucial long-term work for the protection of civilians. Finally, in specific cases, the International Criminal Court can bring justice to civilians harmed by armed conflict. To sum up, the protection of civilians is closely related to prevention and prosecution.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

44. “Information-gathering during conflicts is therefore an essential element of prevention, since it creates a basis for prosecution. Statistics and data on lives lost, women raped, children killed and schools burned make for horrible reading, but they also create a basis for accountability and for bringing perpetrators to justice, either at the national or international level. For that reason, the Netherlands is co-funding a centre for civilians in armed conflict, aimed at developing guidelines for peacekeepers in the field on preventing harm to civilians and setting up civilian-harm tracking mechanisms in Mali. I would also like to reiterate the concern voiced by the observer of the European Union about the situation in Syria. Those responsible for the crimes committed in that country should be held accountable and brought before a court.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

45. “In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender- based violence in areas of conflict. The Netherlands continues to champion the global principle of the responsibility to protect, and we call on all Member States to support that worthy cause. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on the subject for 2013 (S/2013/399). prrevention and protection fail, accountability and prosecution shouldcome intoplay.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

46. “More States must support the international mechanisms and institutions that offer protection to civilians. With the knowledge that their acts will not go unpunished, hopefully those capable of the worst crimes will be deterred from committing atrocities. If prevention fails, we must put the protection of civilians in armed conflict into practice. That is the duty of all parties involved, primarily the State and the warring factions, but also of the peacekeeping forces. Peacekeeping operations should focus more on the situation of civilians in armed conflicts, and Security Council resolutions that establish mandates for peacekeeping operations should reflect that moral imperative. We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

47. “As my Minister recently said, the promotion of the international legal order is enshrined in the Dutch Constitution. Therefore, Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations. on the pacific settlement of disputes, is paramount for us. Next week, we will celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Peace Palace in The Hague, the legal capital of the world. We will then commemorate the significant ways in which the International Court of Justice contributes to international peace and stability through the peaceful settlement of conflicts. In our view, the implementation of international human rights instruments, both legal and other, must be strengthened. We welcome the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. To make prevention truly effective, national judicial institutions should be strong enough to have a preventive effect.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

48. “In Roosevelt Park, which is visible from the delegates' lounge down the hall, I saw the famous "four freedoms" speech of President Roosevelt's memorial. President Roosevelt at the time looked forward to a world based on four crucial freedoms, including the freedom of speech, of worship and freedom from want. Importantly for today, the fourth freedom was freedom from fear, anywhere in the world. That vision should inspire our deliberations today. The essence of the protection of civilians in armed conflicts is that it should lead to freedom from fear for the civilians involved. My Government sees three key elements in realizing that ambition, namely, prevention, protection and prosecution. Let me begin with prevention. For my Government, the international rule of law is the basis for international relations.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source

49. “Allow me to express my Government's appreciation to the Argentine presidency for putting the protection of civilians in armed conflict on the agenda for this open debate. Those caught up in conflicts need our attention. They need the attention of our Governments, and they need the attention of the United Nations. I align myself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union and thank His Excellency the Secretary-General and the representatives of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and International Committee of the Red Cross for their valuable briefings. Yesterday I spent some time on Roosevelt Island, across the water from the United Nations Building.”

    2013-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7019 (2013) · source