YouSaid · the spoken record

Vitrenko

lines on the record: 354
first: 2011-01-21
most recent: 2022-01-25
sittings or episodes: 61
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

“We have also witnessed further disturbing developments with regard to property issues, hate speech implying ethnic cleansing, incidents involving travellers from Kosovo, resistance to the process of peaceful returns, as well as the resolution of the Kosovo Assembly calling for the suspension of the European Union-facilitated dialogue. My delegation is frustrated by the reported obstruction of returns, particularly in Istok. During the first visit of the Security Council to Kosovo in 2000, in which Ukraine participated, Istok was presented as a prospective area for Serbs' returns. Seventeen years later, nothing has changed, and those who oppose returns are using same old arguments.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“We consider such an approach to establish facts on the ground as having the potential to lead to heightened tensions in the region. We are worried that an attempted conversion of the Kosovo Security Force into a Kosovo army, coupled with rising ethno-nationalist sentiments, could be an explosive cocktail. That definitely does not contribute to confidence-building both among communities inside Kosovo and between Belgrade and Pristina. We commend the quick reaction by the NATO and the United States to that development and welcome the decision by Kosovo institutions to withdraw that initiative.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“Ijoin others in thanking Mr. Tanin, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) for his briefing. I also express my gratitude to Her Excellency Ms. Nela Kuburovie, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Serbia, and Ms. Vlora Citaku, for their respective statements. Unfortunately, the negative sequence of events that have caused instability and could generate further tensions in Kosovo continued during the reporting period. Ukraine regrets that, despite the concerns expressed by Security Council members during their discussion in February (see S/PV.7891), Kosovo institutions attempted to move ahead on transforming the Kosovo Security Force into an armed force.”
2017-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7940 (2017) · source
“The prevailing environment of impunity abets the violators, allowing them to feel free to do whatever they want. We join the States participating in the OSCE and its Special Monitoring Mission in resolutely condemning that incident, and we demand a swift and unequivocal response. If such things happen to international observers, one can only imagine the extent of lawlessness and abuse committed against ordinary residents of the territories under the control of the illegal armed groups and their Russian sponsors. The road to eliminating sexual violence is long and thorny. Still, we believe that the world can change - and has changed - the way in which that crime is perceived and understood, the manner in which we respond to it, as well as how we treat and support survivors.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“I wish to briefly quote an excerpt from the relevant OSCE report. "The [Mission] continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere, including in an incident in which an armed man sexually harassed a female patrol member A man armed with an assault rifle (AK-47) sexually harassed a female patrol member and threatened to stop the patrol from moving east until his demands were met." We are appalled by the fact that there has been no reaction whatsoever to that disgusting incident on the part of the militants' leaders and sponsors. That reflects their general approach to abuses. No reaction to the shooting down of OSCE unmanned vehicles; no reaction to restrictions on the OSCE's freedom of movement; and now - sexual harassment of OSCE personnel.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“I would also like to inform the Council that we have invited, and look forward to the visit to Ukraine next month of, a UN-Women delegation headed by Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka. Moreover, we reiterate our call to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to monitor the situation in Ukraine's conflict-affected areas within her mandated activities. But what about Russia and the terrorists it controls and sponsors in my country? The recent case of the sexual harassment of a female patrol member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine in the non-Government-controlled area of the Donetsk region, as reported by the Mission on 6 May, is unfortunately illustrative of the problem.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Performing sex acts is also often an explicit condition for being set free. The report includes specific recommendations to the Government of Ukraine, illegal armed groups and the Russian Federation, as well as the international community, aimed at preventing sexual violence, improving response and ensuring justice for survivors. Ukrainian authorities are committed to act upon those recommendations. For one, we are ready to enhance cooperation in that area with the appropriate international organizations and mechanisms, first of all with the United Nations. We will also make full use of our national human rights strategy and its action plan, as well as of the national plan on women and peace and security. The adoption of all of those documents was highly praised by the OHCHR.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Children born of rape need particular attention. We must also support men and boys who have suffered sexual violence and live with life-long traumas. The needs of survivors should therefore be addressed across legal, psychological, social, medical and other vital spheres. Unfortunately, Ukraine is also affected by conflict as a result of the ongoing Russian aggression. Among other serious consequences, we have seen an increase in cases of sexual violence. That has been reported in particular in the 37-page thematic report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine, which I have here. According to the report, in the territory controlled by armed groups supported by Russia, sexual violence is used to compel people in detention to hand over property.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“What is also badly needed is a fully integrated approach aimed at addressing deeply rooted gender inequalities, as sexual violence in conflict and post- conflict situations is reflective of broader, unequal gender relations in the societies concerned. In violent conflict, rape is frequently used to harm, humiliate and shame. As already noted, sexual violence is unique in that it often stigmatizes the victim, rather than the perpetrator of the outrage. Owing to that and other factors, such crimes remain significantly underreported. It is known, thanks to the United Nations, that for each rape reported in connection with conflict, 10 to 20 cases will likely remain undocumented. We should work to break that shameful trend. Social- and economic-reintegration support for the victims is imperative.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“We also strongly believe that accountability for sexual violence in conflict is needed not only in order to meet the demand forjustice, but also to help societies in breaking the cycles of conflict. Perpetrators of sexual violence must, without any regard for their affiliation or rank, be brought to account. In situations where the justice sector is ill- functioning, survivors who have gone through the trauma of sexual assault too often face additional risks, such as rejection by their families and communities, double victimization by State authorities, limited access to health services and so on. The list, unfortunately, is too long. We must not let them experience all of that.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Yet, as the Secretary-General's recent thematic report (S/2017/249) states, their scope remains at an alarming level. The pervasive nature of this horrible phenomenon makes it imperative for us, the international community, to double down on fighting the scourge. Designing prevention policies, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and providing adequate support and rehabilitation for victims must be part and parcel of any conflict-resolution endeavour. In that light Ukraine, as the country that pioneered the issue of prevention and initiated the relevant process in the Human Rights Council, fully supports the Secretary-General's approach that "[t]he prevention of sexual violence is an integral part of wider conflict prevention" (S/2017/249, para. 4).”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Ukraine also reiterates its full support for that important mandate and the work of the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict. Ukraine also reaffirms its firm backing of the zero-tolerance policy regarding all forms of sexual violence and stands in solidarity with the victims and survivors of such crimes. While my delegation aligns itself with the statement of the European Union to be delivered later today, I would like to make a number of points in my national capacity. In conflicts around the world women and girls, as well as men and boys, are subjected to horrendous acts of sexual violence. Those acts - rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and sexual torture - constitute abhorrent violations of human rights and human dignity.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Ukraine appreciates Uruguay's initiative in holding this very important open debate. We also appreciate the fact that you, Sir, are presiding over the debate, and we welcome you back to the United Nations. We would also like to thank Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed for her introduction. We are equally grateful to the other two briefers for their valuable insights, especially the civil- society perspective. I am also pleased to recognize the participation of the Minister for Defence of Sweden. I take this opportunity to congratulate Pramila Patten on her appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. We wish her every success.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“It is also an effective tool for preventing future crimes. We therefore join the call on all States to provide full cooperation with the Court without exceptions or preconditions, which would greatly contribute to strengthening international peace and security.”
2017-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7934 (2017) · source
“Justice needs to be done not only for crimes committed by the previous regime; impunity must also be ended for crimes committed by groups aligned with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and by other extremists and militias. In this context, the international community must continue to support the Libyan Government of National Accord in its efforts to restore law and order in the country. A comprehensive and lasting resolution of the Libyan crisis will come only through a broad-based political settlement, with the full commitment of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord, the House of Representatives, the High Council of State and other Libyan actors. In conclusion, I would like to stress that the ICC is not just a venue for delivering justice for the victims.”
2017-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7934 (2017) · source
“Under these circumstances, we fully support the remote monitoring and investigations of crimes committed in different parts of Libya that the Office of the Prosecutor is carrying out through the gathering of information from reliable sources. Still, much more could be done to ensure accountability ifICC personnel were able to work directly in Libya. We welcome active cooperation between Ms. Bensouda's Office and the Libyan Prosecutor-General's Office on this and other issues. We are also grateful to the Prosecutor for providing additional information about the cases against Saif Al-Islam Al-Qadhafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi. In this regard, we urge the Libyan authorities to facilitate the transfer of Mr. Al-Qadhafi to the Court without further delay.”
2017-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7934 (2017) · source
“Rather, the situation was referred to the ICC Prosecutor for a concrete purpose - to deliver justice. In this regard, we would like to echo Ms. Bensouda's point that effective investigations and prosecutions can be achieved only with cooperation from States and other actors. It is worth recalling that in resolution 1970 (2011), the Council urged all States, including non-parties to the Rome Statute, as well as concerned regional and other international organizations, to cooperate fully with the Court and the Prosecutor. Yet it is not just non-cooperation and delays in responses to the ICC requests for assistance that impede investigations in existing and new cases, but also the climate of insecurity and impunity that continues to stand in the way of investigative activities in the country.”
2017-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7934 (2017) · source
“A telling example of this type of unlawful practice is the detention of four Ukrainians who have been kept in custody since August 2011 without any official arrest warrant having been issued. My delegation strongly believes that such an unacceptable situation should not be allowed to continue. The Libyan law onjustice in the transitional period requires that the detainees, who are civilians, be transferred to civilian authorities. We believe that the difficult security situation cannot be an excuse either for non-cooperation with the ICC or for letting serious crimes be committed during hostilities. Six years ago, the Security Council adopted resolution 1970 (2011), not for the sake of holding regular briefings or repeating the mantra that perpetrators of crimes against humanity in Libya have to be held accountable.”
2017-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7934 (2017) · source
“I would like to thank the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms. Fatou Bensouda, for her important update on her Office's activity. We appreciate the way she is carrying out her mandate and fully support her in it. I would like to start with the situation in Libya, which, as we just heard, is still extremely difficult, with an ongoing political deadlock and an escalation of tensions. We are dismayed that many warring parties continue to commit serious crimes and grave violations of human rights, including executions, killings, abductions, torture, unlawful detentions, desecration of corpses, and so on. The practice of imprisonment without trial for an indefinite period of time, which is outside the legal fold, continues to be widespread.”
2017-05-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7934 (2017) · source
“We call on the Government to provide all the necessary assistance, including by accelerating customs clearances and granting visas for participating units. Lastly, I want to stress that an inclusive political dialogue is the only way to settle the conflict in South Sudan. It is important that external actors, in particular those in the region, exercise leverage to encourage the parties to sit around the negotiating table. It is also crucial to ensure that the region and the United Nations speak with one voice and send coordinated messages.”
2017-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7930 (2017) · source
“We cannot stress enough that freedom of movement for UNMISS and humanitarian organizations is not a privilege to be granted or taken away on a whim but rather a right, on which their ability to carry out their mandated tasks depends. Given the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, including where it has been the result of the rise of militias, UNMISS should be ready to respond to any scenario. In that regard, Ukraine, as one of the countries contributing troops and police to the Mission, welcomes the significant efforts that have been made to enhance its ability to protect civilians, improve its planning ofits response to crisis situations and increase the safety and security of its staff. We also look forward to the start of the regional protection force's operations in South Sudan, as envisaged in resolution 2304 (2016).”
2017-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7930 (2017) · source
“We are particularly disappointed that despite the Government's numerous promises, its forces have continued their restrictions - which are in fact systematic - on UNMISS's movements and their interference with UNMISS's implementation of its mandate. The Mission's ability to implement its mandated tasks therefore remains extremely limited. It should be recalled that the Transitional Government of National Unity is required to fulfil its commitments both under the joint communique of 4 September 2016, signed last year during the Security Council's visit to Juba, and under the status-of-forces agreement. UNMISS and the humanitarian actors must have unhindered access to the affected areas if they are to help those in need, especially in Wau.”
2017-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7930 (2017) · source
“Ukraine firmly condemns the fighting and calls on the parties to conduct a comprehensive investigation designed to ensure that those responsible for killings, violating international humanitarian law and undermining peace are held accountable. We continue to believe that if we are to change the logic of the deplorable developments in South Sudan, it is crucial to put more pressure on the parties to end their hostilities and to create conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian aid. That brings me to my second point, which is about the obstacles that have been put in the way of the freedom of movement of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).”
2017-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7930 (2017) · source
“I want to welcome Special Representative Shearer to the Security Council today and to assure him of Ukraine's full support to his and his team. I also thank Ambassador Ciss for his briefing. We appreciate Senegal's leadership of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan. My delegation is extremely concerned about the continuing deterioration of the security situation in Wau and the other areas of South Sudan where fighting is taking place between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition and their allied militias. It is alarming that these armed clashes continue to result in civilian casualties, significant displacement and food shortages.”
2017-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7930 (2017) · source
“Perhaps, that is because it is one of the youngest Members of the United Nations and, unlike Ukraine, it did not draft the Charter. The meeting rose at 5.25 pm.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“Today's assertions by the representative of the Russian Federation on the situation in Ukraine suggests that all States Members of the United Nations should carefully read all of the reports by the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine that we mentioned in our statement. Read them in their entirety and do not resort to cherry-picking and manipulating them as the Russian Federation continues to do. In conclusion, while rejecting each and every point made by the Russian delegation on Ukraine, I must still acknowledge that there is hardly any better illustration than the Russian delegation's intervention on how dramatically the Russian Federation departed from the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“Once again, the Russian delegation referred to Crimea as if it were its own, in outright contravention of General Assembly resolution 68/262, thereby directly insulting at least 100 States Members of the United Nations that voted in its favour, as well as resolution 71/205, which was loud and clear in recognizing Russia as the occupying Power in Crimea. Today, I listened carefully to the Russian representative and heard no intention whatsoever to cooperate with the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Ifthe situation is as rosy as it is presented by the Russian delegation, why is the Russian Federation so afraid of allowing the Monitoring Mission to enter the peninsula?”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“As the Secretary-General's latest report (S/2017/27l) notes, despite the adoption of resolution 2295 (2016), none of the additional authorized military and police personnel and none ofthe additional military assets authored has been deployed. The Mission will not be able to effectively carry out its mandate unless the capability gaps are addressed. As an active United Nations troop- and police- contributing country, in particular in Africa, Ukraine is exploring ways of doing its share to this end.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7917 (2017) · source
“The ultimate goal of these efforts should be the comprehensive reform of national institutions, which will help to address the root causes of the conflict and bring real peace dividends to the Malian people. This leads me to my third and last point. We believe that sustainable peace in Mali cannot be achieved without the support of MINUSMA. Ukraine commends the courage and dedication of the men and women of the Mission, who continue to operate under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions. Given the fact that MINUSMA remains the primary target of terrorist attacks, we are convinced that particular attention should be paid to the enhancement of the safety and security of its personnel. Another issue of concern is the significant gap in MINUSMA capabilities.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7917 (2017) · source
“We also support the initiative of the Group of Five for the Sahel countries to establish a regional force, which will contribute to fighting the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in Mali and the region. My second point concerns the political process. As the transitional period comes to an end, progress on the political track has remained limited. We believe that the parties should redouble their efforts to complete the installation of the interim administrations in the north and to engage in inclusive national consultations aimed at resolving existing differences in light of the upcoming constitutional review and its referendum.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7917 (2017) · source
“First, my delegation is extremely concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Mali. The scale of terrorist attacks in central and northern parts of Mali has reached an unprecedented level, turning MINUSMA into one of the most dangerous peacekeeping missions in the world. This underlines the urgent need for the parties to uphold their commitments in the security sector. The launch of mixed patrols in Gao is a long- awaited and positive step forward. We should encourage the Government of Mali and the signatory armed groups to expedite the work of launching the mixed patrols in Kidal and Timbuktu, too. The redeployment of Malian the defence and security forces throughout the country is equally crucial for taking control of security.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7917 (2017) · source
“I want to start by congratulating Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix on assuming the office of Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations. (Spoke in French) I thank him for his very clear detailed briefing. (Spoke in English) I also want to join in your words of condolence, Madam, to the French delegation. The memories of Council members are still fresh from visiting the headquarters of Operation Barkhane in N'Djamena as part of their journey to the Lake Chad basin, where we were able to fully appreciate the role played by the Operation's soldiers in the region, and in Mali in particular. Allow me to highlight three points: the security situation, the political process and the activities of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7917 (2017) · source
“It is disconcerting to see Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula continue to demonstrate its ability to expand its operational support base in Yemen and exploit the deep lines of division in war-torn Yemeni society. We must work collectively to prevent that from happening.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“We call for such attacks to cease immediately and urge that the necessary steps to be taken to de-escalate the situation. In that regard, it is vital that any further weapon shipments to the Houthi-Saleh forces be blocked if we are to prevent escalation of the conflict. Delivering ever more sophisticated weaponry to the Houthi fighters is not going to help the situation. Achieving a negotiated political solution to the conflict in Yemen continues to be complicated. We reiterate our support to Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in his pursuit of such a solution, and we welcome his recent efforts to revive the talks, as well as Jordan's contribution to them. Without meaningful dialogue, the results may be disastrous, and the only party to benefit from that would be the terrorist groups that are increasingly active in Yemen.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“However, we deplore the fact that Mr. O'Brien was prevented from visiting Taiz, and echo his call to all the parties to the conflict to accept their responsibilities under international humanitarian and human rights law, including guaranteeing sustainable, full and unimpeded humanitarian access. Ukraine remains convinced of the urgent need to put an end to the violence in Yemen and reach a sustainable political solution to the conflict. In that context, we are increasingly concerned about the surge in rocket attacks launched by Houthi forces in Yemen on targets located within Saudi Arabian territory and on maritime vessels operating near Bab Al-Mandeb. Keeping that important shipping passage safe and secure is of paramount importance. The Al-Houthi- Saleh forces have also increased their use of ballistic missiles.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“I would first like to thank Under-Secretary-General O'Brien for his faithful and striking account of the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the three countries he just visited. For the sake of brevity and the President's call for concision, I will focus on the situation in Yemen, while also touching on some political and security issues, which, as has been rightly noted by Mr. O'Brien and reinforced by Egypt and other delegations, directly affect the humanitarian issues in all three of these countries. Like other speakers, we are concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen and urge all the parties to ensure the sustainable delivery of humanitarian supplies, without which millions of Yemenis are at risk of famine and death. We welcome the first humanitarian truck's delivery of vital medical equipment to Taiz city.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7897 (2017) · source
“I want to emphasize that, in the light of recent developments, we must step up the diplomatic pressure and the political initiatives supporting it if we are to resolve the political crisis. The adoption of today's resolution is an integral part of those efforts to ensure peace in the Gambia and implement the election results. In conclusion, we believe that right now the most critical immediate task is to convince Gambia's military and security actors to remain calm and refrain from any action that could lead to the deterioration of the country's human rights, security and humanitarian situation.”
2017-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7866 (2017) · source
“In that regard, we commend the efforts of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and of Nigeria's President Buhari, as the ECOWAS mediator in The Gambia, Ghana's former President Manama and other regional leaders who have worked to resolve this impasse. We would also like to pay tribute to the role played by Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, and to thank the delegation of Senegal for its proactive efforts on the issue. It is regrettable, however, that despite the clearly expressed will of the Gambian people and intensive efforts on the part of the international community, including the Security Council, to achieve a peaceful transition of power, the situation has deteriorated to the point that a Council resolution is needed.”
2017-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7866 (2017) · source
“Mr. Vitrenko (Ukraine) (spoke in French): Ukraine welcomes the Security Council's unanimous adoption today of resolution 2337 (2017). My delegation would also like to congratulate Mr. Adama Barrow, who was inaugurated today as the new President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia. We hope he will soon be able to return to his country in order to complete the transition of power and begin fulfilling his duties so as to ensure peace and stability in the Gambia. Since the announcement of the results of the presidential elections of 1 December, the international community has been working hard to convince the outgoing President to respect his country's Constitution.”
2017-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7866 (2017) · source
“I hope that in future debates the list of problems that I mentioned today will be much shorter, as some of them will have already been addressed by the Afghan Government.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The implementation of the national action plan on women and peace and security is also of paramount importance for ensuring a stable future for the country through the suspension of gender-based violence and the elevation of women as full and equal partners. Moreover, the deteriorating displacement crisis in Afghanistan requires urgent attention. The Afghan authorities should address the needs of internally displaced persons and returnees, including by urgently scaling up humanitarian aid to provide them access to basic services and support their sustainable reintegration. Without any doubt, there are numerous obstacles that make it difficult for Afghanistan to resolve on their own most of the challenges I have mentioned. That is why the international community has to continue assisting the country, which is in need.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Although the Government announced a national policy to mitigate civilian casualties, the number of collateral victims, especially among women and children, is still growing. And the causes, in particular the indiscriminate shelling and bombing, are attributable to both parties in the conflict. Beyond any doubt, fighting the terrorist threat is a top priority. Yet it can hardly be seen as a victory when the number of neutralized terrorists equals the number of civilians who have lost their lives in the course of the counter-terrorist operations concerned. We urge the Afghan Government to ensure that all such violations of international humanitarian law are thoroughly investigated, with the support of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and that the victims and their families are provided with the appropriate remedies.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Regional cooperation should also focus on finding ways to effectively disrupt the Taliban and other terrorist groups' financing by suppressing the narcotics trade. With regard to the latter, the recent findings of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which are contained in its Afghanistan Opium Survey 2016, are alarming. Regardless of national and international efforts to combat the narcotics threat, the total area of opium poppy cultivation has further increased, coinciding with a major decrease in activities aimed at eradicating it. What is also extremely worrying is that, according to reports, farmers continue to resist such suppression operations by directly attacking eradication teams, even within the Government-controlled areas. The protection ofcivilians in Afghanistan continues to be an increasingly complex challenge.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“We find it unacceptable that, six months after his appointment, the new leader of the Taliban is still not included on the United Nations sanctions list. In that regard, we support the relevant call just made by the delegation of Afghanistan. Ukraine believes that the sanctions are an effective tool in persuading terrorists to renounce their aggression against the Afghan nation and earnestly participate in peace negotiations. Their removal from the list should be possible only when their deeds match their words. That means the disarmament of combat units, the restoration of peace, and non-interference in the functioning of public institutions, as was the case with the Hezb-i Islami (Gulbuddin).”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“In that regard, we see the need for the Quadrilateral Coordination Group to find common ground with representatives of the Taliban's moderate wing. In this Chamber, we have often heard statements to the effect that the national reconciliation process must be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. At the same time, we have seen continued attempts behind the back of the Government of Afghanistan to negotiate with the Taliban and even to grant the terrorists safe haven, train them and provide them military assistance. In that light, calls to lift the Security Council sanctions on the Taliban leadership as an incentive to bring it back to the negotiations table appear rather unconvincing, to say the least. That is particularly revelatory when such calls echo similar demands by the same terrorist organization.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Rivalry among high-level Afghan officials and political tensions between the parliamentary and legislative branches, as well as another postponement of long-awaited parliamentary elections, directly affect the country's ability to adequately promote good governance, the rule of law, anti-corruption measures and human rights. We believe that it is high time for all Afghan stakeholders to demonstrate real unity in their efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive peace and national reconciliation. However, the prospects for those endeavours remain dim. The repeated flat refusal of the Taliban leaders to negotiate has undercut attempts of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group on the Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Process to create an environment conducive to a peace process.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, a peace deal that was signed with one of moderate armed factions, Hezb-i Islami (Gulbuddin), became a useful contribution to the restoration of normalcy and the reconciliation in the territories under that group's control. Fourthly, regional cooperation was strengthened by investment and infrastructure projects that laid the foundation for improving Afghanistan's trade capacities and building a business-friendly environment. Fifthly, efforts were redoubled to counter narcotics trafficking and production, in particular by promoting saffron as a substitute crop for poppies. Despite those developments, much remains to be done.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“Ukraine aligns itselfwith the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. Meanwhile, I would like to make a few points in my national capacity. Three months ago, the Council discussed the situation in Afghanistan (see S/PV.7771) and adopted presidential statement S/PRST/2016/14, in support of the country's security, economic and development challenges. Has it had a positive impact on the ground? To a certain degree, it has. First, some encouraging progress has been achieved in countering corruption and deterring the terrorist threat. Secondly, the Brussels Conference, held in October, secured pledges in support of Afghanistan's State-building and socioeconomic development.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“In the world's history, humankind has suffered from various disasters, wars, epidemics and other challenges. Still, we have always managed to overcome them. By being united, therefore, we will eliminate the terrorism threat once and for all. Frankly speaking, mutual legal assistance reform in counter-terrorism- related cases will not be easy, but there is an urgent need to make inter-State cooperation more agile and efficient. That is why we considered your initiative, Mr. President, and this discussion particularly topical and timely. We are confident that today's resolution will help us to achieve that goal.”
2016-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7831 (2016) · source
“Therefore,establishingamechanismforcross-border collaboration between judicial and law enforcement agencies, including by appointing liaison officers and conducting joint investigations in terrorism cases, facilitating the wider use of investigative international databases and providing access to them for competent national authorities, and facilitating inter-agency collaboration are all of paramount importance. In that vein, we also support the establishment of direct global communication platforms for competent authorities, such as the recently introduced point-of- contact network set out in the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, or the INTERPOL I-24/7 police information exchange system.”
2016-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7831 (2016) · source