YouSaid · the spoken record

Viinanen

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140
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2009-04-21
most recent
2012-10-16
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20
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un-security-council

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  1. “All of those provisions together build a long- awaited mechanism for accountability for sexual violence, and we congratulate the Council for its decision. Investigating and prosecuting all acts of conflict- related sexual violence are both legal obligations and powerful deterrents. This includes holding commanders accountable for ordering, condoning or failing to prevent acts of sexual violence committed by troops under their control. We must find ways to strengthen national judicial systems and processes, including through the deployment of the teams of experts on the rule of law. In some instances it may be necessary to refer cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC). We also encourage the Council to use other mechanisms at its disposal, such as fact-finding commissions and commissions of inquiry.”

    2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source

  2. “It is also of crucial importance that the information gathered reaches the Council and its sanctions committees in a timely manner. In that regard, we welcome the intention of the Council to ensure the flow of information from the field to the Security Council and to take action based on that information. Monitoring, reporting and sanctions are not ends in themselves. Their aim is to change behaviour and promote adherence to national and international law. We were therefore particularly happy to note that resolution 1960 (2010) also endorses the Secretary- General's proposal for a dialogue with parties to armed conflict, where verified behavioural change will lead to delisting, while sanctions will be applied against persistent violators.”

    2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source

  3. “Widespread impunity in conflict situations has led to a culture of impunity and the "normalization" of sexual violence after the conflict has ended. Better monitoring and reporting, effective measures against impunity and comprehensive reparations for victims all contribute to prevention, and that is why I am focusing on these aspects today. We fully support the Secretary-General's recommendations to establish monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence, including the listing of those parties who commit sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. We further support the Secretary-General's call for a coherent and coordinated approach at the field level. We are therefore very pleased that the resolution adopted by the Council today endorses those recommendations in full.”

    2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source

  4. “The Nordic countries fully support the resolutions and the Council's work. Let me also thank and give further encouragement to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Margot Wallstrom and to United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. Special Representative Wallstrom's briefing to the Council and the insightful report of the Secretary- General (8/2010/604) show that all possible synergies and joint efforts are needed for the United Nations to support national Governments in their efforts to fulfil their responsibilities to prevent and effectively respond to sexual violence. Preventing sexual violence should be our highest priority. Unfortunately, in many conflict situations, national Governments and the United Nations alike have failed to protect civilians from violence.”

    2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source

  5. “I have the honour to address the Council on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. At the outset, let me thank the United States for leading the Council's work in its efforts to address the scourge of sexual violence in conflict. Sexual violence is a grave violation of human rights and a threat to the health and lives of the victims and of their communities. And let me be clear: sexual violence is a serious impediment to peace, security and development. Resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) - the latter adopted today - complement in important and concrete ways the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security by recognizing sexual violence as a security issue and a possible war crime and in adding provisions on protection, monitoring and enforcement tools.”

    2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source

  6. “Speaking here in the Security Council, the Nordic countries would like to highlight the report's observations that there is potential to create a new dynamic between a more forthcoming Security Council and a better performing PBC. In particular, we support the recommendations that the Council benefit from PBC advice at an early stage in the framing of peacekeeping mandates, when mandates are renewed, and as drawdown approaches. We look forward to discussing the report in more detail at a future date and guarantee that the Nordic countries will remain committed partners in making the PBC and the United Nations peacebuilding architecture a success.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  7. “Finally, I would like to conclude by commending the excellent work of the three facilitators of this year's review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. The consultations showed that we may not have come as far as we had hoped. Nevertheless, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), the PBF and the Peacebuilding Support Office have to some extent helped to fill what the Secretary-General in 2005 called a "gaping hole" in the United Nations machinery. We welcome the facilitators' report (S/2010/393, annex) and look forward to seeing continued strong leadership from the Secretary-General in taking the peacebuilding reform processes forward.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  8. “The Secretary-General's action plan on ensuring the participation of women in peacebuilding offers a good example of a system-wide strategy. We welcome the establishment of UN Women and congratulate Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Under- Secretary-General and Executive Director. We pledge our full support to Ms. Bachelet and hope that UN Women will have a leading role in the area of women, peace and security. The full collaboration of all relevant United Nations actors - such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs and the Development Operations Coordination Office - will be fundamental to ensuring the implementation of a system-wide approach.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  9. “A coherent early response requires clearly defined roles and strong partnerships from the United Nations and other international actors. A lot has been achieved in the field of leadership and accountability and in developing tools for integrated strategic frameworks. Nevertheless, further efforts are needed, especially regarding partnerships with international financial institutions. The ongoing review of civilian capacities is a key component of reforming United Nations support to countries emerging from conflict. We are encouraged by the breadth and depth of the review, and look forward to the upcoming report. Its recommendations are needed to make sure that the international community can deploy the right type of support and expertise at the right time. The Nordic countries remain committed to making the review a success.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  10. “We congratulate the Secretary-General on committing the United Nations system to ensuring that at least 15 per cent of United Nations-managed funds in support of peacebuilding are dedicated to projects whose principal objective is to address women's specific needs, advance gender equality or empower women. As donors, we are happy that the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is already employing a gender marker and that Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery of the United Nations Development Programme is already exceeding the target of 15 per cent. However, in all United Nations post-conflict multi-donor trust funds, the proportion is far behind the target. We encourage the United Nations to work towards the target of 15 per cent.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  11. “We believe that such measures can be effective and justified in ensuring more legitimate State institutions, thus leading to a more durable peace. Timely, flexible and predictable funding is necessary to successful post-conflict State-building. Steps have been taken during the past 12 months to shape the Peacebuilding Fund based on the new terms of reference. Considerable work has also been undertaken in the context of the International Network on Conflict and Fragility of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The success of this challenging work, however, will largely depend on the cooperation of donors, partner countries, the United Nations and other international organizations and funds.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  12. “Women need to be included in all phases of peace processes and in post- conflict governance institutions. Outside actors cannot dictate the composition of the negotiating delegations, but there is a lot that can be done. Peace mediators and their supporting teams can ensure that sufficient gender expertise is provided to the parties; they can also organize parallel consultations with women's groups if they do not have a seat at the table. Special measures might also be needed to support women's representation in the governance institutions that emerge after a conflict. The United Nations often acts as the adviser in crucial decisions, such as the composition of constituent assemblies or the choice of electoral system, including possibilities for quotas or preferential treatment.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  13. “The Nordic countries fully support its clear recommendations and comprehensive approach, and stand ready to do their part in fulfilling these measures. The Nordic countries believe that the following recommendations deserve particular attention: first, inclusive participation as a key to legitimate and sustainable peace; secondly, adequate and timely financing of the post-conflict needs of men and women alike; and thirdly, improving the response of the system as a whole in the immediate aftermath of a conflict. As the Secretary-General notes in his report, rebuilding after a conflict offers an opportunity to create a virtuous cycle, starting from more inclusive peace processes. The report also draws an important link between women's participation and the wider question of gender equality.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  14. “1 have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. I would like to begin by thanking the Ugandan presidency and the Council for taking these issues into consideration together and for the briefings we have heard this morning. This gives the Council an excellent opportunity to discuss peacebuilding comprehensively. In his report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386), the Secretary- General outlines ambitious but vital goals for the United Nations in becoming more effective in its support for post-conflict countries. We welcome his progress report, and the steps taken so far in its implementation. We also congratulate the Secretary- General on having delivered a strategic action plan on the participation of women in peacebuilding.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396Resumption1 (2010) · source

  15. “Speaking here in the Security Council, the Nordic countries would like to highlight the report's observations that there is potential to create a new dynamic between a more forthcoming Security Council and a better performing PBC. In particular, we support the recommendations that the Council benefit from PBC advice at an early stage in the framing of peacekeeping mandates, when mandates are renewed, and as drawdown approaches. We look forward to discussing the report in more detail at a future date and guarantee that the Nordic countries will remain committed partners in making the PBC and the United Nations peacebuilding architecture a success.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  16. “Finally, I would like to conclude by commending the excellent work of the three facilitators of this year's review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. The consultations showed that we may not have come as far as we had hoped. Nevertheless, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), the PBF and the Peacebuilding Support Office have to some extent helped to fill what the Secretary-General in 2005 called a "gaping hole" in the United Nations machinery. We welcome the facilitators' report (S/2010/393, annex) and look forward to seeing continued strong leadership from the Secretary-General in taking the peacebuilding reform processes forward.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  17. “The Secretary-General's action plan on ensuring the participation of women in peacebuilding offers a good example of a system-wide strategy. We welcome the establishment of UN Women and congratulate Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as Under- Secretary-General and Executive Director. We pledge our full support to Ms. Bachelet and hope that UN Women will have a leading role in the area of women, peace and security. The full collaboration of all relevant United Nations actors - such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Political Affairs and the Development Operations Coordination Office - will be fundamental to ensuring the implementation of a system-wide approach.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  18. “A coherent early response requires clearly defined roles and strong partnerships from the United Nations and other international actors. A lot has been achieved in the field of leadership and accountability and in developing tools for integrated strategic frameworks. Nevertheless, further efforts are needed, especially regarding partnerships with international financial institutions. The ongoing review of civilian capacities is a key component of reforming United Nations support to countries emerging from conflict. We are encouraged by the breadth and depth of the review, and look forward to the upcoming report. Its recommendations are needed to make sure that the international community can deploy the right type of support and expertise at the right time. The Nordic countries remain committed to making the review a success.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  19. “We congratulate the Secretary-General on committing the United Nations system to ensuring that at least 15 per cent of United Nations-managed funds in support of peacebuilding are dedicated to projects whose principal objective is to address women's specific needs, advance gender equality or empower women. As donors, we are happy that the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is already employing a gender marker and that Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery of the United Nations Development Programme is already exceeding the target of 15 per cent. However, in all United Nations post-conflict multi-donor trust funds, the proportion is far behind the target. We encourage the United Nations to work towards the target of 15 per cent.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  20. “We believe that such measures can be effective and justified in ensuring more legitimate State institutions, thus leading to a more durable peace. Timely, flexible and predictable funding is necessary to successful post-conflict State-building. Steps have been taken during the past 12 months to shape the Peacebuilding Fund based on the new terms of reference. Considerable work has also been undertaken in the context of the International Network on Conflict and Fragility of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The success of this challenging work, however, will largely depend on the cooperation of donors, partner countries, the United Nations and other international organizations and funds.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  21. “Women need to be included in all phases of peace processes and in post- conflict governance institutions. Outside actors cannot dictate the composition of the negotiating delegations, but there is a lot that can be done. Peace mediators and their supporting teams can ensure that sufficient gender expertise is provided to the parties; they can also organize parallel consultations with women's groups if they do not have a seat at the table. Special measures might also be needed to support women's representation in the governance institutions that emerge after a conflict. The United Nations often acts as the adviser in crucial decisions, such as the composition of constituent assemblies or the choice of electoral system, including possibilities for quotas or preferential treatment.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  22. “The Nordic countries fully support its clear recommendations and comprehensive approach, and stand ready to do their part in fulfilling these measures. The Nordic countries believe that the following recommendations deserve particular attention: first, inclusive participation as a key to legitimate and sustainable peace; secondly, adequate and timely financing of the post-conflict needs of men and women alike; and thirdly, improving the response of the system as a whole in the immediate aftermath of a conflict. As the Secretary-General notes in his report, rebuilding after a conflict offers an opportunity to create a virtuous cycle, starting from more inclusive peace processes. The report also draws an important link between women's participation and the wider question of gender equality.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  23. “1 have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. I would like to begin by thanking the Ugandan presidency and the Council for taking these issues into consideration together and for the briefings we have heard this morning. This gives the Council an excellent opportunity to discuss peacebuilding comprehensively. In his report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2010/386), the Secretary- General outlines ambitious but vital goals for the United Nations in becoming more effective in its support for post-conflict countries. We welcome his progress report, and the steps taken so far in its implementation. We also congratulate the Secretary- General on having delivered a strategic action plan on the participation of women in peacebuilding.”

    2010-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6396 (2010) · source

  24. “Kimberly Prost as Ombudsperson of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee. We call upon the Security Council to continue its work in that regard. Finally, we have come a long way in strengthening the rule of law. The Security Council has been instrumental in the fight against impunity and has taken remarkable steps in ensuring that due process guarantees are also in place in its own functioning. We should, however, tirelessly look at new ways to integrate the wider notion of the rule of law into the Security Council's agenda and in its daily decisions in the maintenance of international peace and security. In that regard, we welcome the follow-up report on the rule of law and transitional justice requested in the draft presidential statement to be adopted today.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  25. “In Afghanistan, for example, Finland actively participates in the work of the European Union Police Mission and has been keen to ensure that gender aspects and wider human rights concerns are fully taken into account. In order to complement the work undertaken by the Mission, Finland has a bilateral programme aimed at strengthening cooperation between Afghan police and prosecutors. As I noted in the beginning, the concept paper covered a wide range of issues. We would need many debates of this kind to discuss all of them in detail. For example, the use of targeted sanctions by the Security Council raises important questions concerning guarantees of due process and the rule of law. Finland welcomes the progress achieved in this area, in particular resolution 1904 (2009) and the recent appointment of Ms.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  26. “Finland has been a strong advocate of strengthening United Nations resources for supporting national rule of law authorities in the immediate aftermath of a conflict, as well as in the later stages of development. We are pleased that the Standing Police Capacity of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations is now complemented with justice and corrections professionals who are ready to deploy at short notice. We also hope that the rule of law team foreseen in resolution 1888 (2009), which is aimed at helping national authorities to respond to acute situations of sexual violence, will shortly become operational. Finland implements that comprehensive approach in its own crisis management and development activities.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  27. “Most important for the future of a society recovering from war, the ground rules that broke down during the war must be re-established: equal rights for all citizens, mechanisms for protecting and promoting 10-4285] those rights and for settling different interests by peaceful means. This brings me to my second point, that strengthening the rule of law at the national level is the most effective way to bring about a more just society and to prevent a relapse into conflict. Reform of the rule of law and security institutions is essential to rebuilding the people's trust in Government. This has to start even before a conflict ends. The rule of law, as narrowly defined, has to be seen as encompassing every link in the chain, from police to justice institutions to the enforcement of sentences.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  28. “That is why the system has been instrumental in strengthening the rule of law at the national level. However, as Judge Patrick Robinson, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, stated recently to the Council (see S/PV.6342), in order to contribute to lasting peace, justice must be not only retributive, but also restorative. For victims of a conflict or long-lasting social exclusion, it can be more important to have the opportunity to tell their story on an equal footing with other members of society or to hear official recognition of wrongs committed. An essential element of restorative justice is that the voices of the victims and their communities are heard. We must not overlook traditional dispute resolution mechanisms.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  29. “Justice can also take many different forms, but it is ultimately about inclusion. Impunity violates fundamental notions of justice, which is why it is important to see justice taking place in the form of a trial and sentences being handed down. In some cases, reparations may even be awarded. Here, I would like to emphasize the importance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the evolution of international criminal justice. In Finland's view, the ICC and the Rome Statute system clearly demonstrate that impunity for the most serious crimes is no longer an acceptable option. We must also remember that the ICC is a court of last resort. The system created through the Rome Statute is based on complementarity. The States have primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute nationally the most serious crimes of international concern.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  30. “In trying to bring a conflict to an end, the parties around the table are traditionally those who also have the means to destroy a peace agreement - the warring parties, those who carried out or commanded armed violence or financed it for their own benefit. Reaching a peace agreement is the first step towards ending the violence. The next steps towards a positive, sustainable peace cannot be taken without a holistic approach, and a much more inclusive group of people: women who sustained communities while men were fighting, political parties that did not engage in violence but have a legitimate interest in how the country should be run, those who had to flee, and those who were victims of violence. There must be inclusive ownership of a peace agreement and reconstruction plans if the peace is to stick and not unfold into a new conflict.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  31. “Finland, of course, fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union to be made shortly. The concept paper (S/2010/322) you have provided, Mr. President, outlines a wide range of issues for discussion today. I would like to concentrate my remarks on two aspects that we feel are particularly central to fostering the rule of law: the relationship between justice and sustainable peace, and strengthening the rule of law at the national level. It has become almost a slogan to say that there is no sustainable peace without justice. I would like to break this argument into two parts and ask: What makes peace sustainable, and what do we mean by justice in the aftermath of the breakdown of the rule of law during a conflict?”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  32. “At the outset, let me congratulate Mexico on taking up the topic of strengthening the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security. Enhancing the rule of law is a pertinent part of the work of the Security Council in several ways. Injustice and a weak rule of law can be consequences of conflict, but they are also often underlying reasons why conflicts persist or break out in the first place. Sustainable peace is built on a foundation of justice and the strong rule of law. We are therefore encouraged to see that the Security Council is discussing the Secretary-General's report of December 2006 (S/2006/980). This topic should remain high on the Council's agenda. I would also like to thank Deputy Secretary- General Migiro and Under-Secretary-General O'Brien for their contributions to our debate today.”

    2010-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6347Resumption1 (2010) · source

  33. “In this regard we have been encouraged to hear that the Special Representative was recently invited to brief the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we hope that the Security Council will decide to make this a regular practice. Lastly, the fight against impunity, including through our continuing support for the International Criminal Court, is of course both a preventive and a responsive measure to combat grave violations against children.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  34. “The Nordic countries believe it is time for the Security Council to step up its response against these persistent violators. It should also consider more effective measures in response to grave violations in general. We support the proposals of the Secretary-General to include child recruitment and its use in the mandate of all sanctions committees, to improve the flow of information between the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and the sanctions committees and to invite the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict to regularly brief the sanctions committees.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  35. “Several Nordic countries actively support the Afghan National Police as part of the effort to enhance the human rights and security situation in the country. We are encouraged by the steps taken so far by the Afghan Government to address the issue of recruitment of children, and we stand ready to support the Afghan National Police to that end. Unfortunately, there are also cases where the Security Council does not lack information but where the violations continue nonetheless. The Nordic countries express great concern that parties continue to commit grave violations, and we appreciate that for the first time the Secretary-General's report has a separate list of persistent violators: those parties to a conflict who have been listed for grave violations against children for five or more consecutive years.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  36. “We welcome the fact that in the course of last year the development of and agreement to action plans by three non-State armed groups has led to the demobilization of several thousand child soldiers. These action plans are a strong example of why allowing contacts between the United Nations and non-State actors for the purposes of addressing grave violations of children's rights is so crucial. We join the call of the Secretary-General on all Governments concerned to allow the United Nations to work with non-State actors for effective protection of children. The presence of the Afghan National Police on the list in annex I of the report of the Secretary- General represents a special case for the Nordic countries.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  37. “We are encouraged by the good cooperation between UNICEF and the Office of the Special Representative. We would like to see a similar close relationship develop with actors working on women and peace and security, in particular the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. We also support the involvement of child protection specialists in the preparation and planning of peacebuilding and peacekeeping missions, as well as systematic inclusion of Child Protection Advisers in all peacekeeping operations and political and peacebuilding missions. Information on grave violations is not collected and verified for the sake of having the information but for action to be taken in response, in order to make a difference to children's lives.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  38. “The Nordic countries support what the Secretary-General in his report calls a conservative approach taken this year in determining the parties to be listed for these violations and the self-critical approach in acknowledging the difficulties in information collection. For us, this demonstrates that the Office of the Special Representative, the country task forces and all relevant United Nations and non-United Nations partners are guided by very high standards of accuracy and verification, despite the often complex situations on the ground. Nordic countries - both Governments and civil society - have been committed supporters of UNICEF since its establishment. UNICEF leads the work of the existing 14 monitoring and reporting mechanisms on the ground.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  39. “The first is strengthening the capacity of the United Nations system to gather information to ensure that the Council gets timely, accurate and verified information from complex situations on the ground. The second is allowing the United Nations to work with non-State actors in addressing grave violations against children to ensure that action is taken when violations have been reported. The third is how to take decisive action in cases where violations persist despite repeated condemnations. The Nordic countries appreciate the fact that, for the first time, the report of the Secretary-General (S/2010/ 181) lists parties that have committed either sexual violence or killed or maimed children. The capacity needed for gathering, verifying and analysing the information on these crimes is recognized in the report.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  40. “We would also like to take this opportunity to commend UNICEF for its worldwide efforts to ensure the protection of all children, including through its leadership of the monitoring and reporting mechanisms. At the same time, we have to note that the positive developments have less to do with the efforts of the international community than with the fact that certain armed conflicts in which the use of child soldiers had persisted have come to an end. It is particularly disheartening that human rights violations against children are repeated when new crises and armed conflicts flare up. We need to address the root causes of such violations and put an end to human rights abuses. I wish to focus my remarks today on three issues that the Secretary-General has emphasized in his recommendations to the Council.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  41. “I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Nordic countries are heartened that, during the past few years, the number of conflicts in which child soldiers have been used has decreased. International attention and efforts to eliminate the use of child soldiers and alleviate the suffering of children in situations of armed conflict have intensified. This is largely due to the excellent work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy. We would like to reiterate our deep appreciation for her tireless efforts to call perpetrators to account and to further develop the international mechanisms to bring an end to this scourge.”

    2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source

  42. “Finally, the Nordic countries continue to emphasize the ongoing reform of the Council's working methods and procedures, so that it can fulfil its task in a more transparent, inclusive and participatory manner. At the same time, the yardstick of success cannot be openness and transparency per se, but the extent to which they improve the Council's ability to fulfil its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  43. “Its purpose is to give the new members an in-depth orientation and familiarization with the practices, procedures and working methods of the Council in order to help them to be ready from day one of their term. Reports of the workshops have been distributed as official documents of the Security Council in the hope that they will contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of the work of the Council. The first time the Security Council's working methods were the topic of an open debate was in 1994 (see S/PV.3483). The second was in 2008, during the Belgian presidency (see S/PV.5968). As today's debate has illustrated, the topic is too important for an ad hoc approach. The Nordic countries would therefore like to suggest that the Council consider holding open debates on Security Council working methods on an annual basis.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  44. “We wish to emphasize our continued support for the practice of inviting Commission Chairs to brief the Council on a regular basis. There is still scope for increased cooperation and we see the current review of the Peacebuilding Commission as an opportunity to promote this important relationship. The concept paper in document S/2010/ 165 highlights the challenges associated with the short time period between the election of non-permanent members and the beginning of their term. The annual workshop organized in Doral Arrowwood, sponsored by Finland, aims at addressing this problem, which is particularly relevant for smaller delegations.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  45. “A number of the recommendations aim to improve the interaction among the Council, the Secretariat and troop- and police-contributing countries. We warmly welcome those proposals. I would like to express my appreciation to Japan for organizing five meetings with troop-contributing countries last year during its chairmanship of the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations. The meetings provided a good opportunity for the Council to get input from those countries on various aspects of peacekeeping. We hope that this practice will continue. I would also like to highlight the importance of promoting the relationship between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission in order to guarantee smooth transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  46. “We welcome the past years' initiatives aiming to improve the interaction between the Council and troop- and police-contributing countries. Troop- and police- contributing countries should be better engaged in all stages of decision-making regarding peacekeeping operations, starting with the planning of the mandates. This would also be crucial for potential troop- contributors. Furthermore, the existing practice of informal consultations between the Council and troop- contributing countries could be used more extensively and efficiently. In this regard, I want to mention the New Horizon initiative of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which aims to develop United Nations peacekeeping activities.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  47. “The establishment of the office of the ombudsperson, as called for in resolution 1904 (2009), will mark an important milestone in further enhancing the transparency of the procedures of the Committee and in strengthening the due process rights of listed individuals and entities. We are pleased to see that the ombudsman institution - an idea originally introduced by one of the Nordic countries - is now becoming a reality. Given the importance of the mandate, the Nordic countries now look forward to the swift appointment of the ombudsperson. Once fully implemented, resolution 1904 (2009) will represent an important step forward. The Nordic countries, however, believe that the procedures for listing and de-listing need to be kept under constant review and that the Council needs to remain open to further procedural improvements in the regime.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  48. “The improvements to the Council website and webcasts of the Council's meetings provided by the Secretariat also warrant mention. The Nordic countries welcome the significant progress achieved in enhancing the transparency and fairness of the listing and de-listing procedures of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). Resolution 1904 (2009) and previous resolutions on the issue have added transparency and clarity to the procedures of the Committee by introducing a number of important innovations, such as periodic review of all the names on the 1267 list and the obligation to add narrative summaries of reasons for their listing.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  49. “The Nordic countries attach great importance to these discussions and commend Council members for upholding this practice. We believe, however, that there is scope for improving the quality of these debates. First, we would like to welcome consultation with non-member States in the process of drafting the concept papers for these debates. We also welcome an increased focus on how the thematic debates can become more action-oriented and can feed into future Council decisions on the topic, making sure that key provisions of the thematic resolutions are incorporated into country-specific resolutions. In that context, I would like to commend the work of the independent not-for-profit organization Security Council Report, which has significantly increased transparency with its reporting.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source

  50. “We think it is crucial that all Member States receive enough information about the Council's work. This is especially vital for small States, which rarely have the opportunity to serve as members of the Council. That is why we underscore the regularity and quality of briefings to non-members of the Council. It has been agreed previously by the members of the Council that interactive wrap-up sessions at the end of each presidency would be a useful tool for increasing openness and the availability of information. Such sessions provide an opportunity for assessing the Council's work and discussing lessons learned. This practice has unfortunately been discontinued, and the Nordic countries wish to encourage Council members to take it up again. Regular open debates have increased the openness of the Council.”

    2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300 (2010) · source