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

“However, after nearly three weeks, we do not see substantial changes in the country, neither on the battlefield nor in the political domain. I believe that the Syrian government forces' offensive in Wadi Barada and eastern Ghouta is the main impediment to the resumption of talks. To make the ceasefire work, a necessary level of confidence and trust, which is clearly missing now after so many years of conflict in Syria, should be built up among the parties. The establishment of a credible multiparty monitoring mechanism with the participation of the United Nations is a key requirement for any viable ceasefire to work. Unfortunately, so far, the monitoring mechanism embedded in the 29 December ceasefire agreements exists only on paper.”
2017-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7863 (2017) · source
“The Syrian conflict is probably the greatest regional challenge - and one of the largest global challenges - the world is facing as we enter the year 2017. We look forward with hope towards the resumption of the intra-Syrian political talks scheduled to take place next month in Geneva. However, there are still plenty of reasons to remain sceptical about the prospects for these talks. The underlying cause for this scepticism is the fact that Damascus is moving with all deliberate speed to impose a military solution in Syria, ignoring its commitments to the political track and implementing a kneel-or-die type of strategy. By adopting resolution 2336 (2016), the Security Council gave a generous credit of trust to the Russian Federation and its ability to deliver results after the announcement of the nationwide ceasefire in Syria.”
2017-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7863 (2017) · source
“We believe that the French initiative and the recently-concluded international conference in Paris remain an important element in the international efforts to give peace a chance. Nevertheless, it is obvious that any international effort aimed at encouraging the negotiation process cannot succeed without direct dialogue between the parties to the conflict, the Israeli and Palestinian sides, and a genuine adherence to their commitments. Ukraine reiterates its position that Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement lies within the framework of the unconditional fulfilment by the parties of the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles, including land for peace, the road map, the agreements previously reached by the parties and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.”
2017-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7863 (2017) · source
“I want to make it crystal clear that absolutely no terrorist act can be justified, and we strongly condemn any attempts to glorify such acts. Perpetrators must be brought to justice, as should instigators and sponsors of terrorism. At the same time, both sides must demonstrate genuine restraint and refrain from the use of force that could only stir up violence and lead to increased casualties. This is a very bad time in the region to do things that can play into extremists hands. Diplomatic efforts must be redoubled to contain and de-escalate the latest wave of violence and unlock Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Ukraine welcomes any international effort aimed at bringing new dynamics to the Middle East settlement process or at finding opportunities for the resumption of negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides.”
2017-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7863 (2017) · source
“I think you, Sir, for convening today's open debate. I also appreciate the briefing by Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, which was very useful. The Middle East peace process remains at the core of any efforts aimed at restoring regional stability. Ukraine consistently supports the Middle East peace process and the principle of a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine coexisting in peace and security. In this regard, we are outraged by the latest wave of attacks and widespread violence. Ukraine strongly condemns the terrorist attack in East Jerusalem on 8 January, which is another stark reminder of how dangerous the situation has become. Preserving the current status quo and doing nothing will only lead to further deterioration of the volatile security environment for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
2017-01-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7863 (2017) · source
“In that regard, we commend the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force and other actors that are fighting that terrorist group. But the countries of the region need additional support from the international community in order to rise to that challenge. In our opinion, the Council would do well to engage in a serious discussion on how to strengthen the use of existing sanctions mechanisms against Boko Haram's members and its affiliates. Relevant inputs and initiatives from the region would contribute greatly to the Council's work on that subject. Additionally, improving socioeconomic conditions has to be the top priority, if any progress is to be made in alleviating the immense suffering of people in the Lake Chad basin region.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7861 (2017) · source
“First of all, how can the Security Council effectively react to the crisis, apart from expressing its deep concerns and calling for more international awareness? Such actions no longer impress anyone. Instead, we have to find a proper role for the Security Council to play. First of all, the Council has to be fully aware that a constantly deteriorating humanitarian crisis can evolve into a full-blown threat to peace and security in the region. An already apparent constraint with security implications lies in the fact that, owing to dwindling economic resources and the resulting strains on State budgets, regional Governments are struggling in their efforts to eradicate Boko Haram, which poses an undeniable and serious security threat.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7861 (2017) · source
“I would also like to thank all of today's briefers for their important input. As we have all heard from the briefers, the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad basin region is truly one of the most neglected in the world. So far, the international community has not had much success in resolving the multifaceted problems of the region - not for lack of trying, but because of a lack of understanding of how to deal with all of them at once. Extreme poverty, severe food insecurity and malnutrition, weak governance, climate change, particularly desertification, and the destructive activities of Boko Haram - all of those factors contribute to the disastrous situation. In that regard, we have a few points to make.”
2017-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7861 (2017) · source
“With that in mind, Ukraine voted in favour of the resolution. We are fully conscious that it does not represent a solution in itself. However, we are convinced that the arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions would reduce the ability of the parties to continue fuelling the conflict in South Sudan. It would help to silence the already procured military equipment and stop the spending of desperately needed financial resources on new weaponry. The arms embargo is not a punishment, but a prerequisite and a tool for peace. We regret that the Council was not able to use it.”
2016-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7850 (2016) · source
“To give just one example - the town of Yei in the south-west was once considered one of the safest places in South Sudan, but not any more. Once bustling streets are now deserted, schools and hospitals closed, and stores and markets looted. Government soldiers patrol neighbourhoods with Kalashnikovs in their hands. No-go zones are controlled by rebels. More than half of the town's population has fled, and those who remain live in a fear of being murdered, raped, arrested or disappeared. Is that something that the international community chooses to tolerate in the twenty-first century? Are we ready to ignore yet another looming human tragedy that, if not stopped, can lead to irreparable consequences. The answer is obvious. We must not let the South Sudanese people share the grief of Srebrenica, Rwanda or Aleppo.”
2016-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7850 (2016) · source
“The issue of the arms embargo in South Sudan has been the subject of intense debate in recent months. While it is a matter of urgency, some delegations continuously advocate second-chance diplomacy. Ukraine is all in favour of using diplomacy as the primary path towards the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan. However, we have a couple of simple questions. How many more second chances should the parties in South Sudan be given to stop the deliberate killing of civilians, the rape ofwomen and girls, and the incitement to ethnic violence? How many more towns and villages must be burnt before the Council reaches a consensus on further action? South Sudan is on the verge of chaos. The conflict has touched almost every South Sudanese family, ruining hopes for a peaceful future.”
2016-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7850 (2016) · source
“The attack near the Austrian Hospice guest house in the Old City is yet another reminder to all of us of the urgent need for action. We remain convinced that the establishment of a stable, peaceful and democratic Palestinian State is in Israel's long-term security interests. However, the ongoing process of settlement expansion and the legalization of outposts do not contribute to the already moribund peace process, and must be stopped. Settlement construction in the West Bank and the two- State solution are two paths going in opposite directions.”
2016-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7839 (2016) · source
“Ukraine welcomes any international effort aimed at bringing a new dynamic to the Middle East settlement and seeking opportunities for the resumption of negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides. We therefore appreciate the ongoing efforts of France to unblock the Middle East peace process. We still hope that the Palestinian and Israeli authorities will respond positively to the invitation to hold an international conference in January next year in Paris and will sit at the negotiating table in order to try to revive prospects for a peace settlement. Yet again, we have to signal our strong concern over the continuous recurrence of violence in Gaza and the West Bank. The incident that occurred this week, on 14 December, left two Israeli police officers wounded and a young Palestinian man dead.”
2016-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7839 (2016) · source
“We appreciate the Secretary-General's active stand on the issue, and we share the understanding of many States represented in the Chamber that the status quo in the Middle East leads only to further instability and makes the prospects of a two-State solution increasingly remote. Therefore, only proactive diplomatic efforts, including on the part of the Council, combined with a common desire of both sides to the conflict, can lay the groundwork for restarting the political process and moving away from the ongoing deadlock in the Middle East peace process. We cannot allow the hopes for peace on both sides to vanish completely. So many decades without real peace are inadmissible.”
2016-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7839 (2016) · source
“I am sure that the day will come when the Syrian regime and its accomplices will be sitting in a different chamber under different circumstances, facing a trial on all that they have done. We call once again- I hope in a voice ofunity- for imposing a sustainable ceasefire in Aleppo to allow the safe evacuation of the vulnerable and the wounded from the rubble of Aleppo. We underline yet again the obligation of all parties on the ground to protect civilians and abide by international humanitarian law and human rights law.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7834 (2016) · source
“That raises the question: What are the real priorities of Damascus and its allies? When will the same amount of dedication go into fighting against ISIL's forces as is expended against the opposition forces? It is clear now that both the Syrian regime and Russia have chosen to resolve the Syrian conflict militarily. I cannot remember how many times my delegation has repeated that. Instead of a cessation of hostilities in Aleppo, Russia and the Syrian regime are using a Grozny- style scorched-earth policy. They have to face justice for their crimes, and for what will come afterwards in terms of the grave consequences of such brutality. Words do not suffice to describe the magnitude of the crimes committed in Aleppo. History will be the judge.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7834 (2016) · source
“We find that the words of Jan Egeland go straight to the point: "Syrian and Russian Governments must be held responsible for the atrocities committed by militias loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad in Aleppo". Is that fake too, simply because it has not been confirmed by the Russian military - who are of course the most trusted people in the world? Besides the unimaginable suffering of the people fleeing the ongoing onslought in Aleppo, we also must keep in mind disturbing developments around Palmyra, where the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is again trying to reassert its presence. An ugly picture emerges. While opposition forces are being persistently and mercilessly pounded by the full military might assembled by Bashar Al-Assad, with the help of his allies, Da'esh meets close to no opposition on its way to retake Palmyra.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7834 (2016) · source
“The fact that the Syrian army has already killed half a million of its own people is indeed a big deterrent. Things could not possibly look uglier. The worst part is that it is not as if no one had seen this coming, or could not have stopped it. It was crystal clear from the very beginning what the Syrian regime forces and militias would do to the residents of Aleppo once they captured the city. It was crystal clear from the very beginning that sectarian violence and slaughter would take place. That is why in the past two months members of the Security Council twice attempted to avert such a course of events. But all of those efforts were shattered by the irresponsible position of one ofthe permanent members ofthe Council, namely, the Russian Federation.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7834 (2016) · source
“Ukraine is appalled by the reports of mass atrocities and manhunt campaigns launched by the Syrian regime and its partners in crime. Just listen to those Syrians trapped in Aleppo who cry out, "We are all praying for rain. When it rains the planes cannot fly and the bombardment stops for a short while." Is that fake, according to the Russian Ambassador? People seeking refuge are flooding into the area that is still outside of the regime's control. Thousands are cramming onto a piece of land of about six square kilometres. People arrive with three or four children in tow, fleeing the looming carnage. The Syrian regime says that it has opened a corridor for the people towards so-called safety. But local civilians prefer to face bombs and harsh conditions rather than the welcoming hands of the Government.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7834 (2016) · source
“We call on the Government of the Sudan to provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor. Irrespective of being party or non-party to the Rome Statute, all Member States should consolidate their efforts to ensure accountability and prevent grave crimes in Darfur and elsewhere from happening. Non-cooperation with the ICC in such situations is a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. Our common failure to bring to justice those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights can stimulate violence in the rest of the world. Finally, in such turbulent times for the authority and activities of the ICC in Africa, Ukraine would like to express its full support to the work of the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC on this case, as well as other important cases.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7833 (2016) · source
“In particular, in an official capacity as a Head of State or Government, a member of a Government or Parliament, an elected representative or a Government official shall in no case exempt a person from criminal responsibility under the Statute. It is well known that the Court does not possess any enforcement mechanism and can fulfill its mandate only in cooperation with States. Resolution 1593 (2005) includes a clear requirement for the Government of the Sudan to fully cooperate and provide any assistance to the Court. Yet the reality is that the Government of the Sudan has not responded to requests from the Court. The Court often gets those requests back unopened. Ukraine considers such a stance inappropriate and disrespectful to the Court.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7833 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ms. Fatou Bensouda, for the updates on her Office's activities since June. Ukraine remains deeply concerned about serious violations of international humanitarian law, indiscriminate killings and other crimes committed in Darfur. Gender-based violence, including ethnically motivated sexual crimes, continues to take place in Darfur as signalled by the relevant report of the Secretary-General. In our view, that warrants the special attention of the Security Council. Unfortunately, like previous reports, this report still notes that States have failed to arrest people sought after by the Court. Article 27, paragraph 1, of the Rome Statute provides that the Statute shall apply equally to all persons without any distinction based on official capacity.”
2016-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7833 (2016) · source
“It is important that the international community acts decisively and jointly to find the balance between promoting dialogue with Pyongyang and pressing for accountability, due to its numerous blatant violations of international law. Left unaccountable, totalitarian regimes perceive themselves as invincible and challenge their neighbours and international order. If the Council is serious about conflict prevention, it should act early and swiftly. Peace and stability in the region depend on it.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“The evolving militarization has already adversely affected and continues to undermine the socioeconomic situation. It has produced a downward spiral and steady deterioration in which the quality of the lives of ordinary citizens, who regularly suffer from food shortages and even hunger. What justification can there be for wasting precious and limited resources on military programmes at the expense of the livelihood of the people who are literally held hostage by the grand ambitions of a few power- and attention-hungry individuals? Would any adequate Government choose a path of recklessly endangering international peace and security over its direct responsibility to ensure that its own people do not suffer from malnutrition?”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Ukraine therefore supports the decision of the Third Committee on the need to take appropriate action to ensure accountability, including through the consideration of referral of the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the International Criminal Court and of the further development of sanctions in order to target effectively those who appear to be most responsible for human rights violations. This year has been unprecedented in terms of increased tensions on the Korean peninsula, due to the extremely irresponsible and provocative policy of Pyongyang. We express our grave concern over the impact of diverting resources to advance nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programmes on the humanitarian situation in the country.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“We share the sense of importance and urgency for North Korea to engage with the international human rights system, including by ensuring safe and unfettered access to the territory of the country for United Nations monitoring mechanisms, in particular the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as well as for the Group of Independent Experts on Issues of Accountability for Human Rights Violations, including crimes against humanity. Can the international community tolerate the continuation of flagrant human rights violations in the twenty-first century? The answer seems obvious.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“And yet, no tangible progress on the issue can be reported so far. The last time the Council considered the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was on 10 December 2015 (see S/PV.7575). Since then, that matter has been raised in the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Has the human rights situation improved? The long but not exhaustive list of violations that cause immeasurable suffering to the people in North Korea, and remain a fact of life over there, include torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments or punishments; rape, extrajudicial and arbitrary detention and public executions; the absence of due process and the rule of law, the imposition of the death penalty for political and religious reasons; and collective punishments that have lasted as long as three generations.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“Therefore, the human rights and humanitarian situation must remain high on the international agenda and be regularly discussed, including in all three principal organs of the United Nations that deal with human rights, namely, the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and the Security Council. Ukraine welcomes the steps undertaken by the international community in the past few years to convince the Government in Pyongyang to change its course of widespread and systematic human rights violations. We strongly support the conclusions and recommendations of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as well as the establishment of the High Commission for Human Rights office in Seoul one year ago for monitoring and reporting on the situation on the ground.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“In that paragraph, the Council reiterates its deep concern at the grave hardship that the people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are subjected to, and condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for pursing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles instead of the welfare of its people. The latest report of the Secretary-General (A/71/439) clearly indicates that there has been no tangible improvement in the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea since the report of the commission of inquiry (A/HRC/25/63) was published in 2014.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“I thank Deputy Secretary- General Jan Eliasson and Assistant Secretary-General Andrew Gilmour for their sound introductions to our debate. My delegation believes that gross and flagrant human rights violations are the flip side of the nuclear ambitions and aggressive policy of Pyongyang, and therefore represent a threat to international peace and security. In that light, I recall paragraph 45 of resolution 2321 (2016), unanimously adopted on 30 November in response to the fifth nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”
2016-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7830 (2016) · source
“We welcome the active work of the Mechanism with respect to preparations to take over responsibilities for all remaining aspects of the ICTY's functions after its closure next year, including preservation of the archives. We cannot afford the luxury of forgetting the lessons of history that were learned at a staggering cost in human lives. Otherwise, joint efforts to prevent horrible crimes in future will be doomed to failure. To conclude, I would like once again to stress the necessity of cooperation with international criminal tribunals to ensure their effective functioning. We urge all States to cooperate with the ICTY and the Mechanism and to respect their mandates in full compliance with their obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2016-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7829 (2016) · source
“On a different note, my delegation welcomes the project of holding a series of legacy and closing events under the rubric "ICTY legacy dialogues", which has been developed by the Tribunal to summarize best practices from over 20 years of its work and bolster transitional justice efforts in the region. We would also like to mention another positive effort aimed at gathering the Tribunal's knowledge and expertise in a single location by creating the first ICTY Information Centre, to be located in the Sarajevo City Hall in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With respect to the Mechanism, my delegation commends its judicial activities and the issuance of more than 800 orders and decisions since its establishment, as well as the ongoing efforts of the Residual Mechanism to reduce costs and improve procedures and operations.”
2016-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7829 (2016) · source
“The international community must come together in its strong support for the work of the criminal tribunals in order to protect the right to justice of all victims of mass atrocities. The second problematic issue noted by the President of ICTY is staff attrition. We are concerned about this problem and acknowledge the efforts the Office of the President and the Registrar to address it. Taking into consideration the potential exodus of highly experienced experts while the ICTY's mandate is approaching its end, we need lend our support to the proposals to strengthen the Tribunal's resources in order to address this administrative challenge.”
2016-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7829 (2016) · source
“In this regard, we would like to underline that there can be no justification for refraining from cooperation and we urge the Government of Serbia to return to the path of full compliance with its obligations. The ICTY, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and other international criminal courts, including the International Criminal Court, were created to ensure global justice and responsibility for grave international crimes. With this in mind, we are particularly concerned about the recent trend to suspend or reduce cooperation with international criminal tribunals. We are also seeing instances of States deciding to withdraw from treaties they had previously signed. We regret these decisions and consider them to be a step back, undermining prevention efforts and due prosecution of the most serious crimes.”
2016-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7829 (2016) · source
“Today, as we are in the final stage of the ICTY's work, we should pay special attention to existing problems and challenges that the Tribunal continues to face, while acknowledging its well-known achievements in combating impunity and its contribution to international criminal justice and the rule of law. First, I would like to raise the issue of cooperation with the Tribunal. According to article 29 of the ICTY statute, cooperation and judicial assistance is one of the preconditions for the successful fulfilment of the Tribunal's mandate. Unfortunately, for over 22 months, Serbia has failed to act to execute the Tribunal's arrest warrants for three Serbian indictees.”
2016-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7829 (2016) · source
“Welcoming the progress reflected in the recent reports of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) (see S/2016/670) and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (see S/2016/669), my delegation considers today's meeting and the forthcoming adoption of a resolution reappointing the ICTY judges and Prosecutor to be of utmost importance, in the light of the planned closure of the Tribunal in 2017. In this regard, I would like to commend the measures and efforts undertaken by the President of the Tribunal to ensure the timely conclusion of all cases before the ICTY.”
2016-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7829 (2016) · source
“In November, the United Nations peacekeeping Facebook page posted information about the excavation of an armoured fighting vehicle operated by Malaysian peacekeepers stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the early 1960s. The vehicle, inaugurated as a memorial to the first peacekeeping operation, was termed "a tangible symbol of the history ofpeacekeepers in the Congo". Below that post, someone wrote, "We do not need memorial pictures for a truck or tank. We need food, water, new shelter or a cruise ship to temporarily house these people in desperate need." To me, it is a sobering reminder of the fact that in more than six decades, the United Nations presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo still has not fully succeeded in stabilizing that country. We should not let history repeat itself.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7826 (2016) · source
“Respect for human rights, particularly the freedom of assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, and equitable access to the media are of paramount importance for creating an environment conducive to the holding of future elections. We call on all political actors to continue working in a spirit of compromise to reach a swift and consensual resolution of the current political crisis and prevent further destabilization of the country after 19 December. We expect that this message, as well as today's statement by the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/2016/18), will be heard by all parties concerned. The perpetual cycle of violence has to be broken; otherwise, our efforts will suffer the fate of the infamous rock of Sisyphus. In conclusion, I want to recall a recent example that struck me deeply.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7826 (2016) · source
“There is no other way to address this already complicated situation. If the situation descends into Violence, there will be no winners, only losers. Ukraine calls on all national stakeholders to continue the dialogue and find common ground for a nationwide compromise as soon as possible. The deaths of protesters during the 19 and 20 September clashes this year are still fresh in our memory. Thus, considering the information that is incoming about preparations for public protests after 19 December, as was announced by some opposition parties, we call for maximum restraint and urge the Government to refrain from responding to provocative acts with force, which would only aggravate the fragile situation.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7826 (2016) · source
“We are grateful to you, Mr. President, and to the briefers. Just recently, the Council had an important occasion and a prime opportunity to deliver our concerns directly to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila. The political agreement of 18 October 2016 can be seen as an indication ofpolitical will among a large part of the national stakeholders to prevent the destabilization of the country. At the same time, it is, in our opinion, only a starting point in the long process of resolving accumulated disagreements and problems among all political actors. Therefore, the continuation of an inclusive dialogue among all national stakeholders in order to hold free, fair and credible, inclusive and transparent elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should be the next, obvious step.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7826 (2016) · source
“For the first time in the Security Council, I was very glad to hear the Russian Federation make a comparison between Syria and Ukraine because that is the issue that we have tried to raise here in the Council since we joined. The methods used by the Russian Federation and its proxies in Donbas are exactly the same as those being used in Syria. First they intervene and then play the role of mediator.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7825 (2016) · source
“We once again stress the urgent need for the United Nations to look into the alarming reports of the extensive use of incendiary weapons as well as of other indiscriminate weapons, including bunker-buster bombs. We firmly insist that those responsible for committing crimes against humanity, war crimes and other grave violations of international humanitarian law should be brought to account. I am sure that they will. Let us also convey once again a clear message to those planning a retake of eastern Aleppo. The idea that a regime victory would lead to an enforced stability in Syria is a dangerous fantasy. What we are witnessing is turning Aleppo into another Grozny, and a Grozny scenario in Syria is possible but will never be sustainable; there is no military solution to this conflict.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7825 (2016) · source
“It is a terrible shame to talk about procedures as if they are more important than the principles of the Organization and the Security Council, let alone the wasted lives of increasing numbers of innocent people in Aleppo. If the draft resolution had seen the light of day and were adopted, it would have been a small yet meaningful step towards exercising the collective responsibility of the Council. It would have helped to prevent what has already become one of the gravest humanitarian tragedies of modern times. It is utterly frustrating that the counter-terrorism narrative will continue to be used by Russia as an alibi for bombardments of opposition forces and civilians in Aleppo and elsewhere. History will hold accountable those who did not let the Council discharge its duties.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7825 (2016) · source
“Ukraine commends the dedicated efforts of the delegations of Spain, New Zealand and Egypt. Ukraine voted in favour of the draft resolution (S/2016/1026), since we wholeheartedly hoped that it would have served the purpose of breaking the dangerous pattern of escalation in Syria and contribute to easing the continued intense suffering inflicted on the Syrian people. The draft resolution presented a rare ifpale glimmer ofhope in the otherwise gloomy environment around the Syrian issue in the Security Council. It is exactly for that reason that we are extremely dismayed, but not surprised, by the fact that all these efforts were, in the end, derailed once again by the Russian Federation.”
2016-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7825 (2016) · source
“Damascus and its allies are using the current escalation to support their long-term strategy to render the city uninhabitable and to depopulate its opposition-controlled districts. Reducing Aleppo to ashes and then calling for political talks is not an option, or maybe it is according to the Syrian and Russian military. Al-Assad and Russia have gotten one step closer to turning Aleppo into another Grozny. The world should not sit idly by and let that happen. We call on Russia and the Syrian regime to respect the agreed obligations, including the cessation of hostilities, particularly in Aleppo, and to secure the possibility of providing humanitarian aid to the besieged areas. The world wonders how many more meetings of the Council need to be convened to achieve such a simple and humane goal.”
2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7822 (2016) · source
“Al-Qaida will benefit immensely by acquiring much stronger capabilities for recruiting new members in Syria among those wishing to continue resistance against the Al-Assad regime and those who are discouraged by the continuing absence of a political solution. The international campaign to eradicate Da'esh will also suffer a huge blow. We are further dismayed by the fact that, instead of choosing to go along with the Special Envoy's initiative for Aleppo, the regime forces and its allies are pursuing the path of military offenses and the annihilation of their opponents. In our opinion, that proves one thing - our problem is not a lack of strong and well- thought-out initiatives and resolutions, but rather a lack of commitment, monitoring, accountability and implementation. Aleppo is the bifurcation point of the Syrian conflict.”
2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7822 (2016) · source
“They were hit by air strikes while trying to escape eastern Aleppo on foot; they were ordinary civilians, not terrorists. The military operation in Aleppo is not about countering the terrorist threat, but about crushing the opposition to the Syrian regime. It is about gaining ground. The control of territory and the reanimation of the Syrian regime are the primary aims of those who invest military, financial and diplomatic assets and manpower in supporting the lifeline of the brutal dictatorship. But in fact, the only result of the ongoing operation to retake Aleppo will be the strengthening of the terrorist groups inside Syria and throughout the wider region.”
2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7822 (2016) · source
“I thank the delegations of the United Kingdom and France for initiating this emergency meeting, and the Senegalese presidency for organizing it. Let me also express thanks to our briefers for their remarkable yet sobering perspectives on the latest developments in Syria. Emboldened by the military momentum and the full-fledged support it receives from its backers, the Syrian regime shows no mercy and appears to be ready to sink the whole of Syria into bloodshed of a magnitude yet unseen, which is something that we have warned the Security Council about since we joined it 11 months ago. According to the media and independent sources, just yesterday the Syrian military committed a horrible massacre in the neighbourhood of Bab Al-Nairab, which claimed the lives of 25 civilians, of which most were women and children.”
2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7822 (2016) · source
“I would like to stress that the resolution was adopted in response to the fifth and largest nuclear explosive test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 9 September, which constituted a blatant violation of its international obligations, including under relevant Security Council resolutions. Ukraine has always been committed to effective multilateral action against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Our collective decision today represents a historic step that clearly demonstrates the Council's consolidated and firm stance to respond decisively to an existing threat to the global non-proliferation regime. Ukraine is honoured to co-sponsor the resolution, which we all hope will contribute to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”
2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source
“I thank the Secretary- General for his presence and for his strong position on the issue at hand. Ukraine welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2321 (2016) and commends the efforts of those delegations that were involved in drafting and submitting the text. We consider the resolution to be a comprehensive and balanced document that, on the one hand, strengthens the existing regime and reinforces it with additional sectoral and targeted sanctions, and, on the other, confirms the Council's openness to dialogue on a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the situation on the Korean peninsula and its intention to avoid affecting the North Korean population.”
2016-11-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7821 (2016) · source