YouSaid · the spoken record

Yelchenko

lines on the record: 1,640
first: 1997-12-19
most recent: 2019-07-16
sittings or episodes: 226
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 recognize that the recent Haitian elections passed with few incidents, thanks largely to MINUSTAH, the Haitian National Police and the Provisional Electoral Council. While the security situation in that Caribbean country is not perfect, solid progress has been made over the past few years. That is why Ukraine welcomes the Secretary- General's recommendations concerning the MINUSTAH mandate. We share the opinion that the time has come to end MINUSTAH's mission and to replace it with a reduced presence that will focus on strengthening rule-of-law institutions, supporting and developing the National Police and engaging in human rights monitoring and reporting.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“All political forces and all sectors of Haitian society should be actively engaged in this important endeavour. Broader unity is indispensable to achieving such goals as strengthening national human rights institutions and respect for human rights, combating criminality and sexual and gender-based violence, ending impunity and ensuring accountability. The return to constitutional order should enable Haiti, with the help of the international community, to address the urgent socioeconomic and humanitarian needs that have been aggravated by cholera and Hurricane Matthew. Ukraine commends the important role MINUSTAH played in ensuring stability and security in Haiti. Its contribution to strengthening the capacity of the Haitian National Police is particularly important.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“We welcome the renewal of the National Assembly, the formation of a new Government and the adoption of a governmental programme built around priorities in security, justice, energy, education, health, agriculture and decentralization. We congratulate the Haitian people who, while facing many political, economic and social challenges, have managed to bring the country back to constitutional order. The full restoration of Haiti's democratic institutions will help the country to move forward and to build one Haiti for all Haitians, as President Moise stated in his inaugural speech. We underline that the efforts of all political stakeholders should be focused on ensuring stability and security as a crucial elements of democratic consolidation.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“Ijoin our colleagues in expressing our solidarity with Egypt and mourning all those who were senselessly killed in recent barbaric terrorist acts. It is indeed sad that we so often have to start our statements in the Chamber by expressing condolences, but we do have to stand together in addressing this evil. I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honore, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), for her briefing on the situation in the country. Ukraine welcomes the fact that the long period of institutional instability in Haiti is finally over. We commend the Haitian authorities, in particular the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council and the Haitian National Police (HNP), on the positive steps taken to restore democratic institutions.”
2017-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7920 (2017) · source
“When the United Nations is found wanting, opportunistic and unscrupulous types will always rush in to explore opened weaknesses in order to achieve their own political or other goals, thus creating more demand for a just and adequate response. If the United Nations persists in inaction, sooner or later the response will come from outside the United Nations system. Therefore, obstructionists whose identities are well known have only themselves to blame for events not playing out according to their desired scenarios.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“The international community can ill-afford a dysfunctional Security Council. A failure by this body to discharge its duties in an objective manner, to stand up for what is right, to ensure accountability for violators of international law, undermines its moral standing. Moreover, when the time and energy of its members are expended in attempts to achieve unity and consensus by basically shielding the perpetrators of the most vicious of crimes from responsibility, it destroys its credibility. I call on all members of the Security Council to remember that its main task is not to achieve consensus on any given issue at any cost, but to work diligently and responsibly to maintain international peace and security.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“I call on the Russian delegation to stop mocking the Security Council and stop calling others paranoiacs. Rather, they should look at themselves. Ukraine continues to believe that the final settlement of the Syrian conflict can be achieved only through a political solution. In the light of the recent escalation, the only way forward is a reinvigorated political process, a reanimation of the ceasefire and a true commitment to a genuine political transition based on Geneva communique (S/2012/522, annex) and resolution 2254 (2015). We therefore urge the Syrian regime and its backers to think carefully before embarking upon an escalated level once again, and instead read the situation correctly in a way that would give peace a chance. The events of this week sent a clear signal to all of us.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“As my delegation stated in this Chamberjust two days ago (see S/PV.7915), endless talks cannot be the substitute for concrete action. We also reject the assertion by the Russian Federation that the United States action constitutes an act of aggression. The Russian side has lost the moral high ground in such claims after its invasion of Georgia, its occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea and after launching armed aggression against my country in the Donbass region, which continues until this day. The deafening sound of salvos of Russian Grad missiles and artillery shells pounding Ukraine's territory and bringing death and destruction render hollow all Kremlin statements on the subject of respect for international law. At the very least, the Russians are utterly hypocritical.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“Furthermore, the draft resolution suggests that the key focus of the international response to the use of weapons of mass destruction against civilians, instead of promoting the prompt identification and bringing to justice of the perpetrators and the taking of steps to prevent future attacks, should be limited to considering the composition of the personnel investigating team based on the principle of a broad-based and balanced geographical distribution. Is this a terribly important issue? No: it is not serious. Such an approach is aimed at postponing practical investigations. We therefore see it as a shameless attempt to undermine the credibility of the Security Council. When the United Nations is unable to take action, the resulting void is filled.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“Ukraine does not consider the draft resolution proposed by the Russian delegation to be either adequate to the circumstances or a proper reaction by the international community to the horrible mass murder of people in Idlib province. Given the brutal facts on the ground, it is actually adding insult to injury. We cannot accept a reference to this crime as "the alleged incident with chemical weapons" or "reportedly causing large-scale loss oflife". Really? An "incident"? A "reported loss oflife"? Does the Russian delegation not watch television? Or maybe it means to assert that what is in that horrible footage from the country was staged.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“For all intents and purposes, it was practically held hostage by one delegation that abused its status as a permanent member and practiced the approach of "my way or no way". The Council's efforts to address the Syrian crisis have been blocked by Russia's use of the veto on seven occasions - that is, seven immobilizing vetoes and the pairs of thousands of Syrian children's eyes who will never see the light of day again. All means were employed to obstruct any meaningful action by the Council: obfuscation, distractions, diversions, outright lies and even bullying. As a result, despite the best efforts of its members on numerous occasions, the Security Council was not able to deliver because of the intransigence of the Russian delegation.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“The Syrian regime's sponsors and advocates also bear responsibility for the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Syria and the subsequent deaths and suffering among Syria's civilian population. The United States actions must be supported to prevent the regime from committing any further war crimes, including against the civilian population. Ukraine considers the United States missile strike against a military target, namely, the airbase from which an air strike to deploy chemical weapons was launched against Khan Shaykhun on 4 April, to be an appropriate and proportionate response. It is a clear signal that the use of WMDs will no longer be tolerated. Yesterday's events were long overdue. For years, the Council was paralysed with regard to many important international security issues, including the Syrian issue.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“We were also shocked by the terrorist act in Stockholm and express our solidarity with and condolences to Sweden. First of all, I would like to stress that we came here not to discuss yesterday's strike by the United States but the consequences of the terrible and deadly chemical-weapons attack of last Tuesday. I would also like to draw the attention of my colleagues to the statement issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine that indicates, inter alia, that any use of chemical weapons is an outrageous violation of international law and constitutes a war crime; the perpetrators of such acts have to be held accountable; and impunity for a violator of international law in the use of chemical weapons leads to further crimes. The chronic blocking of the work of the Security Council by Russia is unacceptable.”
2017-04-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7919 (2017) · source
“If there is a conclusion from the open debate on conflicts in Europe organized by the Ukrainian presidency in February (see S/PV.7886) from which the Council should benefit, it is that kind of interaction is more important today than ever before for cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union and NATO. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm the commitment of Ukraine to strengthening United Nations peacekeeping operations, and accordingly its readiness to work constructively with all parties involved.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Last but not least, over the past decade, the role of the relevant regional arrangements in promoting peace and security has only expanded. The engagement of the Economic Community of West African States in the Gambian post-electoral crisis is the most recent case in point. The United Nations should therefore build and enhance its strategic partnership with regional organizations by working in concert with them and using the comparative advantage of each actor in peacekeeping and conflict management.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Missing such opportunities means missing chances for peace, as has happened far too often in the past when the United Nations was ill-equipped to carry out difficult mandates. One more issue that we should not overlook is overreliance on United Nations mission support. However, in that regard as well, we have to implement a long-term approach. In some cases, host countries are becoming dependent upon a United Nations presence, while in others missions's long-lasting life cycles might be a sign of their indispensable role as a local and regional factor in security issues. We share the vision that our main goal should be to ensure that every United Nations mission is a success story rather than an endless process with no light at the end of the tunnel.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Many of those issues were reflected in the report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (see S/2015/446) and the report of the Expert Panel on Technology and Innovation in United Nations Peacekeeping in 2015. However, besides the introduction of unmanned aircraft in two missions and surveillance balloons in one capital, not much has been implemented since then. Soldiers with binoculars remain. It would seem appropriate to request of the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the Panels' recommendations and prepare a study on the comparative cost effectiveness of digital vis-a-vis traditional peacekeeping. We are confident that the United Nations could benefit immensely from a plethora of technologies to assist peace operations.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“I would not be divulging a big secret ifI said that sometimes United Nations peacekeepers are underequipped and poorly informed, and therefore may refrain from intervening even in the face of terrible atrocities. As the world's technological revolution continues, the cliche image ofa typical United Nations peacekeeper remains that of a soldier in a blue helmet with binoculars. It is high time to transition from traditional peacekeeping to smart, cost-effective peacekeeping by introducing modern technology, from data-gathering to remote observation and non-lethal weapons. That could be of great help with regard to the protection of civilians and, indeed, the entire scope ofpeacekeeping mandates.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“We have witnessed a success story in the steady restoration of peace in Cote d'lvoire. Ukraine is proud to be among those troop-contributing countries that have actively contributed to this endeavour by supporting the United Nations operation in that country. In that regard, one can clearly see how success is achieved through carefully gauging the nature and strength of United Nations involvement against progress in consolidating stability and peace. We also believe the same approach should be applied to Liberia, which is already on its way forward, assuming full responsibility for its security from the United Nations Mission in Liberia. Speaking of the right toolbox, United Nations peacekeeping today is trying to address challenges of the twenty-first century using tools from the twentieth century.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“We believe that missions should be provided with clear, coherent, achievable and, at the same time, resilient mandates sufficient to ensure the security and safety of civilians, including stopping illegal inflows of weapons and mercenaries. Taking into account that the security situation on the ground in conflict areas can change swiftly and dramatically, such mandates should include provisions enabling peacekeeping operations to use force in circumstances of direct threat to its personnel or civilians, including terrorist threats. The Security Council as the one and only United Nations peacekeeping-operations-mandating body should be up to this task. Another crucial aspect is the timely transition from peacekeeping operations to other forms of United Nations presence.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Performance in this area is often decisive for the success and legitimacy of a peace process. Therefore, even in situations when political negotiations are in a stalemate, peacekeeping operations continue to play an important stabilizing role and should be provided with adequate technical, human and financial resources. If a peacekeeping operation loses the trust ofa local population, the political process has minimal chances of succeeding. In that regard, we fully agree with the need to identify the missions that are in need of structural reform and to thoroughly consider every mission's mandate and monitor the efficiency of its implementation, with a focus on the protection of civilians and achieving a political solution.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“United Nations peacekeeping operations are merely one of the tools to achieve adequate conditions on the ground for advancing a respective peace process. Peacekeeping operations are a tool, and not a solution, for conflicts. Yet sustainable de-escalation and progress in peaceful settlement and peacebuilding, including holding elections, are not possible without a robust international security presence capable of ensuring and monitoring implementation of all security- related provisions until the legitimate security sector and law-enforcement institutions are established or restored. That is why today United Nations peacekeepers are expected to deliver more. That is why the task of protecting civilians has evolved into an integral part of United Nations peacekeeping.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Over the years, peace operations have proved to be an adaptive instrument and contributed to the resolution of numerous conflicts. A number of United Nations peacekeeping success stories have contributed to an increase in demand for United Nations peacekeeping operations, leading to their significant expansion in size, geography, budget and resources as well as in mandates. Following the report (see S/2015/446) of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, various aspects of peacekeeping operations have been extensively debated both by the General Assembly and the Security Council. We fully share the view that lasting peace is achieved not through military but political solutions.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“I wish to thank you, Madam President, for the timely initiative and the opportunity to have a fruitful discussion on the flagship United Nations activity, namely, its peacekeeping operations. We also commend the Secretary-General for continuing the practice of personal briefings to the Security Council on various critical issues of international peace and security. It is common wisdom that these days the world is an increasingly dangerous place to live in, warranting more and not less engagement of the United Nations in the area of peace and security. Ukraine, as an active troop- and police-contributor and a country where a foreign-led armed conflict continues to rage, views the issue of maintaining peace and conflict prevention as the most important task of the Organization.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“On the other hand, such a visit will demonstrate the Council's full commitment to long-lasting peace in Colombia. We hope that the Colombian experience of engaging the United Nations as the international component of the tripartite mechanism will become an illustrative success story for the region and beyond.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“In that regard, we take positive note of the recent legislation, including the amnesty law passed last December and the law establishing the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparations and Non-repetition, approved by Congress on 13 March. We commend international efforts in support of implementation of the Peace Agreement, in particular those States Members of the United Nations that have provided observers for the United Nations Mission, as well as the role played by the guarantors and supporting countries during the peace process. The Security Council should continue to back parties as they advance in implementing the provisions of the Final Peace Agreement. We look forward to the Security Council's visit to Colombia next month so as to better appreciate the aspirations and concerns of the parties.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“Broader unity around the Peace Agreement is indispensable to achieving the Agreement's goals with regard to ceasefire and the laying down of arms, as well as rural reform, combating illicit drugs and expanding political participation. While moving ahead with the peace process in all its complexity, it is also important to keep in focus the needs and best interests of children affected by conflict, as well as a gender perspective. The cases of violence against human rights defenders mentioned in the Secretary-General's recent report (S/2017/252) are of concern. We believe that the end of impunity is crucial to ensuring comprehensive peace in the country.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“In February, we observed historic images as thousands of members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias the Colombia moved into transition zones where they are starting their reintegration into new lives. Moving nearly 7,000 fighters to such zones was not an easy task; indeed, it constitutes an example of the real commitment of the parties to tackling outstanding difficulties head-on. In the light of that, we encourage the parties to maintain their positive cooperation and momentum for the benefit of all Colombians. All political forces and all sectors of Colombian society should be actively engaged in this crucial endeavour.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating flood and landslide in Mocoa, which left hundreds of people dead, injured or missing. I thank Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Mission in Colombia, Mr. Jean Arnault, for his update. Ukraine reiterates its support for Colombia's efforts in implementing the Final Peace Agreement in accordance with resolutions 2261 (2016) and 2307 (2016). We recognize the challenges the country faces in making the transition from a conflict to a post- conflict environment. It is now essential that the open dialogue that led to the Agreement continue.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7916 (2017) · source
“Proceeding from the Council's common position that the use of chemical weapons is a flagrant violation of international law, we believe it should act resolutely and without any delay. In that regard, Ukraine supports the draft resolution presented by the United States, the United Kingdom and France, as a balanced and focused document that introduces specific actions. We hope that this important document will be adopted by the Council today. That is the least we can do to ensure that the Idlib attack is not ignored.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7915 (2017) · source
“Under the circumstances, repeating the usual mantras of "Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigation", "Joint Investigative Mechanism involvement", "need for the host Government's full cooperation" and so on sounds hollow and, frankly, is an affront to the people of Syria. Moreover, the Council's failure to act on the issue will create the false perception that perpetrators of that crime can hide behind the wall of lies and falsification - the hybrid wall constructed by the Al-Assad regime and secured by the Russian veto. That wall must be knocked down. My only question today is this, Where is the limit to our collective tolerance, which appears to have no boundaries? And as a follow up: How many more Idlibs will it take to finally move on this issue?”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7915 (2017) · source
“Vivid images of the victims who were exposed to the poisonous gas in Idlib yesterday serve as a loud and clear wake-up call for the whole international community. They are a stark reminder to all of us in the Chamber that there is a price to be paid for any failure to act. Those innocent civilians in Idlib paid the ultimate price because the Council could not get its act together on the Syrian chemical weapons issue. Those children whose pictures we saw yesterday fight for breath and battle suffocation because of fateful decisions made in distant capitals by people preoccupied by their own grand agendas.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7915 (2017) · source
“A real Pandora's box was opened in 2012 and, to date, we continue to witness the grave consequences of the Syrian Government's actions and decisions, or rather the lack of them, from five years ago. The genie is out of the bottle but the international community is still undecided about what to do about it, despite the consensus that the use of chemical weapons is unjustifiable and cannot be tolerated. The international community, including the Security Council, has been very prolific and eloquent in expressing concern and condemning the use of toxic chemicals as weapons, but that is as far as it goes. There is an astounding lack of concrete actions, and therefore the gap between talking the talk and walking the walk is only growing.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7915 (2017) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank the United Kingdom and France for requesting today's meeting, and the presidency for promptly convening it. At the outset, let me recall the statement by the Foreign Minister of Ukraine issued today on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, which reiterates, inter alia, that the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances is a blatant violation of international law and must be strongly condemned, and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable. There appears to be no end to the incessant flow of reports from Syria regarding the use of toxic chemicals as weapons.”
2017-04-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7915 (2017) · source
“Meanwhile, we are concerned by continued restrictions and impediments to UNAMID's work, which include delays in the clearance of containers with equipment and supplies for the mission, as well as denial of access into some parts of Darfur. We call on the Government of the Sudan to remove these restrictions in line with its obligations under the status- of-forces agreement. Finally, as Chair of the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005), concerning the Sudan, I remain committed to continuing to engage closely with the Government of the Sudan on issues within my mandate. I recognize the positive and constructive role in that regard played by the delegation of the Sudan in New York.”
2017-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7912 (2017) · source
“We urge the Sudanese Government and the opposition parties to continue to implement the recommendations of the National Dialogue. Ukraine also looks forward to the resumption of talks facilitated by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel. My third, and last, point is on the African Union-United Nations (UNAMID). Given that the situation in Darfur has evolved since 2015, we believe that the current mandate and tasks of UNAMID deserve close consideration. We look forward to the conclusions of the strategic review that was conducted by the joint African Union-United Nations team last month. The key priority in that regard should be to ensure the gradual transfer of tasks from UNAMID to the United Nations country team in the framework of peacebuilding efforts in Darfur.”
2017-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7912 (2017) · source
“In that vein, we expect that all parties will continue to undertake genuine efforts aimed at preserving the positive momentum with a View to resolving critical issues related to the safe return of internally displaced persons and the renewal of peace talks. That brings me to my second point, on the political process. There has been Visible progress on the political track. The endorsement of amendments to the Constitution and the establishment of the Government of National Reconciliation and the post of Prime Minister, as well as the separation of the posts of Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice, are steps in the right direction. My delegation also notes the positive engagement by the Government and the Sudan Liberation Movement-North, which resulted in the mutual release of respective prisoners of war.”
2017-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7912 (2017) · source
“First, Ukraine welcomes the fact that the security situation in most parts of Darfur remained stable over recent months. Although no major fighting between Government forces and rebel groups has been observed as of late, attacks against internally displaced persons committed by armed militias continue to occur and must be halted immediately. We hope that the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Government of the Sudan and the non-signatory movements to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur will continue to hold. We also call on the Abdul Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement Army to refrain from military activity and to join the peace talks.”
2017-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7912 (2017) · source
“I wish to offer my best wishes to you, Madam Presidenet, as you take on the crucial role of Security Council President. I would also like to convey my very special thanks to Ambassador Rycroft and his team for the excellent way they conducted business doing the eventful month of March. I would also like to express my condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack that took place yesterday in Saint Petersburg. I join others in congratulating Mr. Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo on his appointment as Joint Special Representative for Darfur. Ukraine fully supports his efforts aimed at advancing the achievement of peace in the Sudan. In the light of the information presented during Mr. Mamabolo's briefing, my delegation wishes to highlight the following points.”
2017-04-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7912 (2017) · source
“Finally, since this is the last day of the United Kingdom presidency, I would like to sincerely congratulate you, Sir, for a very successful and productive month characterized by a masterful British touch.”
2017-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7910 (2017) · source
“It may take a year for the long-awaited peace and stability to appear on the horizon. We therefore call on all national stakeholders to spare no effort in swiftly implementing the agreement of the 31 December 2016 without any preconditions. I cannot but join others in expressing our deep condolences to the families of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan of the United Nations group of experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as we11 as to the United States and Sweden. The world and the United Nations lost two brave and decent people who, while risking their own lives, tried to bring peace and stability to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No effort should be spared to hold accountable those responsible for that outrage.”
2017-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7910 (2017) · source
“Ukraine supported and co-sponsored resolution 2348 (2017) because, in our view, it will pave the way for further stabilization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, the Security Council adopted a document that is intended for the first time to privatize tasks of MONUSCO primarily for the protection of civilians and support for the implementation ofthe agreement of 31 December 2016. We hope that that approach will help the Mission to address existing challenges in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a more efficient and effective manner. The years 1970, 1977, 1984, 2006 and 2011 marked the previous elections held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We hope that in 2017 the people of that country will again have a chance to choose their Head of State and determine their future in a free and fair manner.”
2017-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7910 (2017) · source
“We commend in particular the recent decision of the International Criminal Court that, for the first time, convicted a war criminal for intentionally directing attacks against religious buildings and historic monuments. Last but not least, the proposed report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2347 (2017) should provide us with an opportunity to comprehensively examine the problem and assess its gravity and scale based on information provided by Member States to develop concrete recommendations and durable solutions. We are ready to contribute to that process.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“Thirdly, establishing inventories of cultural property and other items of historical, cultural and religious importance that have been illegally transferred from areas of armed conflict, notably from territories under foreign occupation, would be particularly useful for ensuring their future safe return to their countries of origin. Fourthly, there is the matter of bringing to justice the perpetrators of crimes related to cultural property. In that regard, we welcome the respective efforts of all national and international jurisdictions and call for close cooperation between law enforcement and customs agencies in investigations, prosecutions, seizures and confiscations, as well as the return, restitution or repatriation of trafficked cultural property.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“We hope that today's resolution will reinforce bilateral, subregional and regional cooperation in support of the respective efforts of UNESCO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL, the World Customs Organization and other relevant international entities to protect cultural property, which constitutes our common treasure. We would like to point out several important elements of resolution 2347 (2017), the first of which concerns the primary responsibility of States to protect their cultural property. Failure to achieve that goal is the result not of a lack of existing international instruments, but rather of States' will to abide by their commitments and obligations. Secondly, there is the initiative to establish in-country safe zones for the preservation of moveable cultural property threatened by conflicts.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“As confirmed by numerous reports of the Secretary-General, UNESCO and other relevant United Nations agencies, it has become a widespread practice, thereby improving the ability of those groups to continue to commit terrorist acts. It is high time to take decisive actions to break that vicious cycle. That is why resolution 2347 (2017) is so important. We commend the activities of UNESCO as a key player in the area of the protection and recovery of cultural heritage worldwide. Ukraine fully supports the Unite for Heritage campaign, as well as the draft action plan on the implementation Strategy for Reinforcing UNESC's Action for the Protection of Culture and the Promotion of Cultural Pluralism in the Event of Armed Conflict. We thank Director-General Bokova for her personal commitment and dedication.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“As a result of such cultural genocide, future generations are robbed of the opportunity to admire the beauty of, inter alia, the temples in Palmyra and the sculptures in Al-Raqqa in Syria; the ancient cities of Nimrud and Hatra, as well as the renowned historic mosques and libraries of Mosul in Iraq; the Sufi shrines outside of Tripoli in Libya; the unique architecture of Timbuktu in Mali; and the statues of the Buddha carved into the Bamiyan cliffs in Afghanistan. In targeting cultural heritage, terrorists not only draw attention to their activities and intimidate Governments, as well as the public. They also attempt to rewrite history and erase entire chapters from the collective memory of people. Moreover, they actively traffick in cultural property that is illicitly excavated or looted to fund their atrocities.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“Regrettably, the topic of today's discussion is also relevant to the situation in my own country as parts of its cultural heritage are being destroyed, looted, illicitly excavated and subsequently trafficked out of Ukraine - including, in particular, to the Russian Federation - all of which has resulted from the attempted annexation of Crimea and Russia's military intervention in Donbas. Yet States are not the only perpetrators of crimes related to cultural property. There is a growing trend of such offences being committed by non-State actors, including criminal and armed and terrorist groups. Striking examples of the deliberate and systematic destruction of our common heritage by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaida, the Taliban and their affiliates have been witnessed by the entire international community.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“Since then, the international community has developed a wide framework of rules and procedures to protect cultural property from harm. The core elements of the respective regime are the Second Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the Additional Protocols of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. However, cultural property continues to be the object of destruction, looting and trafficking. In the aftermath of recent conflicts in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the numerous barbaric acts committed against our very civilization still loom fresh in our mind.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source
“He said: "Close your eyes and imagine Paris without Notre Dame... Giza without the pyramids... Peking without the Forbidden City, New York without the Statue of Liberty, Moscow without Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral". The international community has a special responsibility to safeguard objects of cultural heritage that represent our nations' identities and have long become an integral part of humankind's history. During the time of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Emer de Vattel, the principle of making the distinction between military and civilian property, as well as that of respecting sites and places of worship and cultural significance, became one of the foundational elements of customary international humanitarian law.”
2017-03-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7907 (2017) · source