YouSaid · the spoken record

Vilovie

lines on the record: 428
first: 2008-06-24
most recent: 2013-06-24
sittings or episodes: 54
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

“Allow me first to extend our welcome to His Excellency Mr. Nikola Spirie, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thank him for his statement. We also wish to welcome the High Representative and Special Representative of the European Union (EU), His Excellency Mr. Valentin Inzko, and to thank him for his briefing today, his first in his new role. I wish to assure him of Croatia's full support in his new position and wish him every success in fulfilling his mandate. Croatia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union. Here, I wish to make some additional comments.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“We look forward to the comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), and we hope that early next year, following the completion of the review, we will have a clear picture of the risks and threats that await us on the path towards the fullest possible implementation of the resolution, as well as the ways and means to address them. We are ready to take part in this important process, which should eventually result in new and inventive approaches to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Finally, as we expressed in the joint statement, we welcome closer interaction between the Committees and their expert groups, and we appreciate the support and assistance provided by the experts to the Committees in our joint action against terrorism.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Keeping in mind the important assistance function entrusted to the Committee under resolution 1810 (2008), we salute the Committee's intensification of its efforts to develop its clearing-house function for channelling assistance in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) through matching, as appropriate, assistance requests with available offers for assistance. We welcome the establishment of the four working groups, assigned with the principal task of ensuring the effective implementation of the programme of work, and we express our readiness to contribute actively to their activities.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“We see this as a good opportunity for the Council to consider past achievements and to provide guidance to CTED on how to more effectively deliver on its mandate. We welcome the adoption by the 1540 Committee of its annual programme of work, as well as its continuous efforts to actively engage all States in the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) through continuing dialogue and participation in numerous outreach events. At the same time, we deem of particular importance the continuation of productive cooperation between the Committee and other international bodies and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“We commend the proactive approach by CTED in facilitating technical assistance, especially by nurturing closer contacts with potential donors. We look forward to receiving the revised version of the survey of implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), with priority recommendations for the Committee's future actions. The revised survey should be based on more fine-tuned assessments of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) as a result of the stock-taking exercise and the work of the five technical groups in CTED. We also recognize the importance of the technical guide that is currently under consideration in the Committee. As we speak, the Committee has conducted an interim review of CTED and should soon submit a report to the Council.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“This review of the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by all Member States should enable the Committee and CTED to understand in greater detail the progress and the remaining shortfalls in counter-terrorism measures employed by countries around the world. Continued cooperation by Member States is vital if we want the Committee to conclude the stock-taking exercise expeditiously. In the same vein, we expect the Committee to adopt the remaining two Preliminary Implementation Assessments as soon as possible. We are pleased to see the positive effects of the revised organizational plan of CTED, which introduced a more flexible approach to controversies, particularly by engaging in shorter, focused visits, in regional visits and in visits to developed countries.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“In this respect, we believe that the Committee must continue to ensure that fair and clear procedures are strengthened in order to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the regime. We agree with the Chairmen that further steps in this regard may be included in the new resolution to be adopted by the end of 2009. Croatia attaches great importance to the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and highly values the assistance provided to it by the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED). We support the ongoing activities in the Committee, with particular emphasis on the stock-taking exercise.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“We welcome the adoption this past December of the revised guidelines, which allowed the Committee to move forward. The review of all names on the list is currently a priority in the work of the Committee. We believe that it is necessary for all Member States involved to assume their share of responsibility to do a proper review and to ensure that this process is concluded before the deadline set by the Council. In this context, we fully support the intention of the Chairman to regularly update Member States on the progress in the review process. The implementation of the Al-Qaida and Taliban sanctions regime, particularly the listing and de-listing procedures, is increasingly subject to challenges in national and regional courts.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Furthermore, we will continue to reiterate that all measures undertaken to prevent and combat terrorism must comply with our obligations under international law, in particular human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law. Regarding the 1267 Committee, we would like to emphasize the need for further improvements to the consolidated list in order to increase its legitimacy and ensure that it accurately reflects the continuous threat that Al-Qaida and the Taliban pose to international peace and security. The list needs to be regularly updated if we want to retain the effectiveness of the 1267 sanctions regime. The adoption of resolution 1822 (2008) represented a significant step in the evolution of this targeted sanctions regime and contains important due process innovations.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“At the outset, I would like to express our gratitude to Ambassadors Mayr-Harting, Lacroix and Urbina for today's briefing on behalf of the Security Council Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004). Croatia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the Czech presidency of the European Union. Croatia supports the work of the three Security Council Committees, which constitute essential elements of the United Nations counter-terrorism and non-proliferation structure. Croatia also supports the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We are committed to working with the counter-terrorism bodies of the United Nations system in a coordinated way.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Only by combining our efforts can we hope to reach the common goal of a world where children are neither victims nor targets in armed conflict.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“It could also authorize relevant United Nations personnel to enter into a dialogue with armed forces and groups in order to verify the implementation of time-bound action plans and could request the Secretary-General to include information on the implementation of all requests made in the conclusions of the Security Council Working Group. Moreover, Croatia believes that the Security Council should consider referring individual cases of grave violations against children in armed conflict to the International Criminal Court, especially where national systems fail to address these cases. Finally, allow me to express our gratitude to all stakeholders who have been working on the protection of children.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“We are alarmed about the numerous incidents where humanitarian workers have been killed, abducted, beaten or threatened. Such acts, as well as the looting of aid convoys, deny children life-saving humanitarian assistance and must be stopped. In order to ensure the protection of children in armed conflict, the Security Council can show its commitment through the possible adoption of a new resolution on children and armed conflict. This new resolution could give the Council an opportunity to expand the trigger of the monitoring and reporting mechanism to include rape and other grave sexual violence against children.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“We would, however, like to emphasize that children in situations of armed conflict are particularly vulnerable, and that intentional acts of rape and sexual violence carry with them long- term repercussions both for the individual children and for the societies they live in. Croatia is appalled by the fact that children represent one third of those brutalized by rape. Croatia is also deeply concerned about UNESCO's finding that the number of attacks on schools, students and teachers increased sixfold between 2003 and 2006. These deliberate acts, together with many reported incidents involving the throwing of acid on girl's faces, aim to strip children of their education, leaving them even more vulnerable to future violations.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“Croatia therefore welcomes the recommendation of the Secretary-General that the Security Council expand the criteria for the annexes of his reports to include parties that commit rape and other grave sexual violence against children in armed conflict, without prejudice to the possibility of further expanding the criteria in the future to include other violations. An atmosphere of impunity and lack of accountability will allow perpetrators to continue hurting children in various ways. Without any real repercussions or the threat of targeted measures from the Security Council, perpetrators have no reason to stop their acts. Croatia understands that all grave violations need equal attention in the Council.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“In other words, if parties to a conflict commit one of the five grave violations against children other than the recruitment or use of children, they will not be listed in the report and the Security Council will not have the opportunity to act. In practice, that means that the Security Council will not request anything from those parties in a conflict area where children are being raped, where schools and hospitals are being attacked, where children are being deliberately killed or maimed and where the abduction of children is ongoing.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“As a member of the Security Council and its Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, Croatia has had the opportunity to witness the importance of the monitoring and reporting mechanism. The mechanism requires the Council to react to situations where recruitment and use of children take place. By listing in the annexes of his reports parties to armed conflict that recruit and use children, the Secretary-General gives the Security Council and its Working Group an opportunity to use a variety of tools in response to those violations. However, this mechanism is triggered only if the recruitment and use of child soldiers occurs.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“Before beginning my presentation I too would like personally to thank Grace Akallo for being with us today and sharing her touching story. I assure her that her moving words and her personal history will further guide us in our deliberations. At the outset, allow me to thank the Security Council presidency, the delegation of Mexico, for organizing this open debate. Croatia welcomes the report of the Secretary-General (S/2009/158) and commends the important work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, and of the many non-governmental organizations working in the field. Their contribution is of tremendous importance, since it gives voice to the individual children who are or will become victims of these grave violations.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“Finally, at all times, we should remain mindful of the fact that the very nature of mediation is such that it commands a degree of discretion and flexibility. A successful mediation process should be able to strike the right balance between public and quiet diplomacy. We believe that the draft text of the presidential statement we are to adopt today reflects the main messages of this debate, and it has our support. In that respect, let me express our gratitude to the delegation of Burkina Faso for the efforts made in its preparation. We see efforts to enhance mediation and its support activities as part and parcel of the wider effort to strengthen the ability of the United Nations to play its role to the fullest extent in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, in an integrated and coherent manner.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The Council is often critically placed to respond during the decisive - and usually very short - window of opportunity before a dispute escalates into conflict. It is well placed to address failures in implementation and the problem of spoilers. That being said, we should acknowledge that, while they are certainly well placed, neither the Council nor the United Nations has a monopoly on mediation. That is why coordination and complementarity of efforts are crucial, both at the system-wide level and in the context of cooperation with regional and subregional organizations. Ultimately, the responsibility for the peaceful settlement of disputes lies with the parties. That is why building national and local capacity is crucial and should be adequately reflected in the mandates defined by the Security Council.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The establishment of the Mediation Support Unit within the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), in response to a growing demand for United Nations mediation services, should be the platform on which we are building in developing capacity at the national, regional and United Nations levels and in professionalizing mediation support. When addressing the role of the Security Council in that context, we should focus on enhancing coordination and the strategic leadership of the Council, particularly in situations involving a multiplicity of actors and mediation issues. The Security Council has unique leverage derived from its international legitimacy and moral authority, which should be used prudently.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“The report highlights a number of factors that determine the success of mediation, from deciding on the timing, selecting the right mediator and lead actor, defining the structure of the mediation and identifying all relevant interlocutors to issues of gender balance, managing the spoilers and monitoring the implementation of the negotiated outcome. All those factors need to be taken into account and, often, cultivated at the system-wide level. Croatia supports the Secretary-General's recommendations aimed at capacity-building and addressing the inadequacies that have been identified regarding the ability of the United Nations to carry out mediation.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“We should not forget that Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations offers an array of other tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes, namely negotiation, enquiry, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of the parties' choice. Since every dispute is different, a differentiated, flexible and tailor-made approach is preferable. As a politically oriented tool, mediation has a strategic place in conflict prevention and resolution. However, that does not diminish the value of other instruments, which should be used judiciously, sometimes in combination with one another, and in a manner that respects the wider normative standards of the United Nations and promotes the international rule of law.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“While we align ourselves with the statement of the European Union to be delivered later, permit me to add some further remarks. As the report notes, the peaceful settlement of disputes should be seen as one facet of the sovereign responsibility of States. Mediation has rightly been recognized as an efficient and strikingly cost-effective tool that the Security Council has at its disposal in addressing threats to international peace and security. As it is often political issues that lie at the heart of crises, the importance of early engagement in preventive diplomacy - including mediation - is even more significant during this period, in which United Nations-mandated peacekeeping operations have experienced unprecedented demand and strain.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Allow me to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate and by thanking the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Pascoe, for introducing the Secretary-General's report, which focused our attention on one aspect of the Council's activity that, while frequently present in our discussions, has thus far received relatively little attention on its own merits. Croatia believes this is a topic that deserves the attention of the Security Council, to be approached in a coherent and coordinated manner. We are grateful for the Secretary-General's report, which extensively examines the challenges facing the United Nations and its partners in providing mediation services in both inter- and intra-State conflicts at all stages of the conflict cycle.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Our experience with the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium is a telling example of how a peacekeeping operation, when acting in full compliance with all the aforementioned criteria, can achieve excellent results. In conclusion, let me add that Croatia now contributes to 13 United Nations peacekeeping operations and intends to continue to add its specific experiences and expertise to United Nations peacekeeping operations in the years to come.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“Croatia would like to stress that, while the United Nations has clearly defined criteria for monitoring the implementation of DPKO mandates, it is important that these criteria not be open to political interpretation, and that, once adopted, they be strictly upheld. It is our belief that this last issue, especially the question of assessing benchmarks, opens the possibility for closer cooperation and additional information exchange between the Secretariat and the Member States. It is precisely the strict implementation of the aforementioned criteria that led us to different evaluations of the success or lack of success of the missions that were active in our own country.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“From our individual perspective, we would also add to the aforementioned recommendations that it is important to involve domestic resources whenever possible, but without exacerbating existing political tensions. This can help to improve the effectiveness of an operation at minimal expense and help to secure a unique perspective towards the conflict not otherwise available to outsiders. The value of this approach lies in the possibility to develop the capacities necessary for reconstruction and the establishment of a national administration to govern the country after the departure of the international community. It can also have the added benefit of having the local population better accept the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and its forces.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“As a representative of a country that, within a short period of time, hosted a number of United Nations peacekeeping missions and consequently had the opportunity to experience the performance of each of them first-hand, I would like to draw the attention of members to the following recommendations. First, we need to ensure a clear and achievable mandate. Secondly, we need to provide, before the establishment of the mission, the resources necessary for the full execution of the mission's mandate. Thirdly, forces must be appropriately equipped and have the capacity, if mandated, to confront violence. Lastly, we need to ensure political and resource backing from Member States, as well as adequate staffing.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“Finally, in further discussions of the challenges confronting peacekeeping operations, the Security Council needs to carefully examine the question of whether resources are being properly allocated or whether room exists for reallocating resources by downsizing some old missions or closing them altogether. The answer to that question will have significant influence on the future of United Nations peacekeeping. All of that said, it is impossible not to refer briefly to the Brahimi report (S/2000/809) and some of its main recommendations. Although it does not answer all of our questions, the report clearly contains guidelines that, even almost 10 years after they were developed, need to be taken into consideration.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“In order to share the burden imposed by peacekeeping operations, the United Nations should strengthen its cooperation with regional organizations, as well as improve cooperation between its agencies and other international agencies active on the ground. Since the majority of United Nations peacekeeping operations take place in Africa, we believe that cooperation among the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States is particularly important. However, one should not lose sight of the fact that those organizations lack precisely what peacekeeping operations need: qualified personnel and resources for peacekeeping activities. Nonetheless, active cooperation and support in building the capacity of regional organizations would have enormous long-term benefits.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that peacekeeping operations are not intended primarily to engage in reconstruction or to rebuild a country in which they are deployed, as other specialized organizations and institutions can carry out such activities more efficiently and less expensively. It is becoming self-evident that the capability of many traditional troop-contributing countries to contribute troops to peacekeeping operations has been significantly diminished. On the other hand, new contributors often lack the infrastructure, equipment and training necessary for the effective integration of their troops into more complex missions.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“Croatia fully supports the standpoint of the United Nations according to which lasting peace and security can be solidly built only through three interlinked and firmly grounded basic pillars: security, development and the protection of human rights. It is obvious that, when we address peacekeeping operations in their new, three-pillar context, the civilian and police components of such operations are becoming increasingly important. We are of the opinion that it is extremely important that States provide qualified civilian and police personnel to engage in those tasks. We reaffirm our readiness to contribute to the establishment of permanent rosters of civilian experts experienced in post-conflict stabilization, who can be deployed to a conflict area on short notice immediately after the establishment of a ceasefire.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“Similarly, we deem it appropriate that the Council, in an adequate manner and at an appropriate time, include other States - especially troop- contributing countries or States that offer other significant contributions to a peacekeeping operation - in the process of information exchange and decision- making. In addition, we think that the potential of preventive measures and diplomacy within the United Nations system should be further explored and strengthened. Moreover, it is important to stress that the United Nations, unlike some military alliances, does not strive to resolve a conflict first and foremost by military means, but rather seeks to address its root causes, measuring, inter alia, the level of security by the level of improvement in everyday life for the affected population.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“In our opinion, the basic precondition for reaching a well-founded decision on establishing apeacekeeping operation and sending it to a certain area - and, equally, on any changes to its mandate and on the final closure of a mission - is to have timely and current information regarding the situation on the ground, as well as accompanying military and political analysis of the conflict. In that context, we are of the view that the information available to the Council through various mechanisms is adequate, although more needs to be done with regard to the quality of the information received.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“Today, it seems that those efforts have reached their peak, with more than 112,000 personnel engaged in current peacekeeping operations, while the annual budget for those missions is three times the size of the annualized regular budget of the United Nations. It is fair to say that that enormous jump in the size of the peacekeeping budget was a consequence not only of the rising number of peacekeeping operations, but also of the considerable change in their nature from simple military operations to multidimensional, integrated military-civilian projects.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“I wish also to express my gratitude to Under-Secretary-General Le Roy, Under-Secretary-General Malcorra and Special Representative Annabi for their valuable briefings today. My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered later by the representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union. The world landscape has changed markedly in recent years. The nature of contemporary conflicts has been increasingly shifted from the inter-State to the intra-State level. As a result, we are witnessing new challenges and threats to international peace and security. In reacting to those challenges, the Security Council has, since the beginning of the 1990s, increasingly resorted to peacekeeping operations as a basic instrument at the disposal of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“First of all, I should like to pay tribute to Ambassador Butagira for his five years with the United Nations and, in particular, for his time working with us here in the Council. I would like to commend the French presidency of the Security Council and the United Kingdom delegation for the initiative to convene of this important and timely meeting regarding an issue of great importance, not only for the States members of the Council, but also for the entire membership of the United Nations. Although the issue of peacekeeping operations has, understandably, been a focus of this body for many years - and with noteworthy results - we find it appropriate, particularly at this moment, to engage in a thorough discussion of some of its key elements on the basis of the non-paper prepared by France and the United Kingdom.”
2009-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6075 (2009) · source
“Croatia reiterates its continued commitment to the protection of civilians and looks forward to working with Council members and the international community to greatly improve their situation worldwide.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for all its efforts in compiling the latest text in consultation with the Council. It represents an important catalogue of Council precedents on key issues, which will allow the Council to be more systematic in its approach to integrating the protection of civilians into all relevant aspects of its work. Given the current trends in contemporary conflicts, Croatia would like to see the aide-memoire updated on a more regular basis. Finally, in line with the EU's position, Croatia supports the establishment of an informal expert group on the protection of civilians.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“We urge all humanitarian personnel on the ground to adhere to the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. As a strong supporter of the Oslo process from its inception, Croatia joined other signatories in signing the Convention on Cluster Munitions in December. The conclusion of a legally binding international instrument that prohibits the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions represents an important step towards enhancing the security of civilians in conflicts in many regions worldwide. In conclusion, Croatia views the latest updated version of the aide-memoire to be annexed to the draft presidential statement as a welcome step.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“As part of this systematic response, Croatia further believes that, in line with the Secretary-General's recommendation, the Council should dispatch more missions to assess situations in which sexual violence is being used as a tactic of war. Alongside the protection of civilians, another critical humanitarian challenge continues to be that of access of humanitarian assistance. The interests of civilian populations must be placed first, especially by guaranteeing unhindered access to humanitarian assistance and supplies. Croatia is also deeply concerned by the continued dangers and security risks faced by humanitarian personnel at the field level as they operate in increasingly complex situations. Croatia commends the courage and commitment of those who work under great personal risk, especially locally recruited staff.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“We learned from the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, in an earlier debate this past October, that some important progress has been achieved in mainstreaming a gender perspective into the overall peace and security architecture. Indeed, the Council's thematic debates and discussions of country-specific conflict situations on its agenda that have addressed the protection of women and children have produced positive results. The watershed recognition in resolution 1820 (2008) of all sexual violence against civilians as a security threat and the need for a systematic response has created important momentum towards the protection of civilians, which we must be careful not to lose in the ensuing work of the Council.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“For its part, Croatia believes that the International Criminal Court has a key part to play when States fail to uphold these inherent responsibilities. It is our conviction that the obligation to cooperate with the Court, arising both from the Rome Statute and from decisions of the Security Council, must be strictly adhered to. Furthermore, the full implementation of smart sanctions and other targeted measures by the Security Council with respect to individuals or parties to conflict carrying out widespread or systematic violations of international humanitarian or human rights law, including sexual violence, should not be overlooked.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Only when the Council's intent is translated into clear and actionable guidelines can protection-oriented initiatives on the ground be fully achieved by adequately trained personnel armed with the requisite resources. While the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the State, world leaders at the 2005 World Summit recognized the responsibility we all share to protect vulnerable communities from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The international community has already demonstrated its preparedness to take collective action when national authorities manifestly fail to investigate, prosecute and adequately punish violations of international humanitarian law. We should not be seen wanting in translating these words into action.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Although this Council has established a broad framework of thematic resolutions on this issue, greater systematic follow-up by the Council is required. In particular, Croatia advocates the need for a more consistent approach at the country-specific level. Even in cases where mandates include measures for civilian protection and respect for international humanitarian law, such as, most notably, in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the results have been very mixed to date. This failure to effectively implement these measures is often attributed to the absence of a systemic understanding of what types of activities fall under the umbrella of protection within peacekeeping mandates.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“As we recently learned from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, conflicts remain the major cause of the increasing number of refugees and internally displaced persons in the world. Their conditions are often exacerbated by serious security problems and grave breaches of international humanitarian law by combatants in the conduct of hostilities, which are often characterized by sexual violence and impeded humanitarian access. Croatia places great importance on the security situation in and around refugee camps. Given that, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Sudan, such places remain the primary recruiting ground for child soldiers, more efforts are needed to mainstream child protection advisers in both Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Political Affairs missions.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Situations of particular concern are those that continue to be characterized by indiscriminate violence and attacks against women and children. The increased use of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict, including as a tactic of war, demand more effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). The struggle against impunity is an integral element of the protection of civilians, and we must ensure that the policy of zero tolerance towards sexual violence and abuse becomes a reality in all aspects of the Council's work. This calls for robust efforts on the part of United Nations country-specific mandates to overturn the pervading sense of impunity in countries like Cote d'Ivoire and the Sudan.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“Yet, 60 years on, civilians continue to account for the majority of victims of actions by parties to armed conflicts and are often deliberately targeted and subjected to appalling human rights violations in contemporary conflicts worldwide. In this regard, Croatia shares the deep concern for the suffering of civilians in many areas around the world, from the conflict areas of the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the current situation in and around Gaza to the ongoing humanitarian crises in Myanmar and Zimbabwe. In the case of Gaza, we continue to appeal to all parties to exercise maximum restraint in avoiding civilian casualties and to put the interests of civilian populations first, especially by guaranteeing unhindered access to humanitarian assistance and supplies and full respect of resolution 1860 (2009).”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source
“At the outset, I wish to express our gratitude to the French presidency for the opportunity to discuss in the Security Council the important issue of the protection of civilians during armed conflict. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. John Holmes, for his very comprehensive briefing. Croatia associates itself with the statement of the European Union to be delivered later by the representative of the Czech Republic. In the light of the forthcoming sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions, which lie at the core of international humanitarian law, this debate comes at a timely juncture.”
2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066 (2009) · source