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

“The recent extension of the Mission's mandate underscored the importance of UNSOM. activities in support of the work of the Federal Government of Somalia. Ukraine strongly condemns the recent suicide bombings in the city of Gaalkacyo and the suicide car bombing at the Banadir regional administration headquarters in Mogadishu, which took the lives of 14 people, including two children. Recalling the Al-Shabaab attack in March on the coastal village of Garad, on the shores of Puntland, which included large numbers of children among the Al-Shabaab militants, we want to express our deep concern about the recruitment of children and their use in armed conflicts, along with other violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated against children in conflict situations.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“I would first of all like to warmly welcome the president of Somalia his Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. We also extend our appreciation to both briefers. My delegation commends the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia and other parties involved in close cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia. We welcome the progress achieved in the areas of State-building, good governance and restoring peace security and economic growth, which are crucially important in the light of upcoming parliamentary elections. We especially praise the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia in ensuring security in the country and their significance for the further establishment of peace and reconciliation.”
2016-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7674 (2016) · source
“It benefits from existing conflicts and continues to destabilize countries across the Middle East. We must address the root causes that led to this challenge in the first place. Therefore, to prevent the further spread of violent extremism, we need to work harder to resolve the unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in this part of the world. The recent refugee crisis in Europe is yet another reminder of the fact that we cannot turn a blind eye to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen. I hope that the tireless efforts of the wider international community and the Council will yield results and that the vicious circle of violence in the Middle East will finally be broken.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“On Yemen, we are cautiously optimistic and encouraged by the fact that the United Nations-brokered ceasefire that started on 10 April is holding, despite minor violations. This certainly creates a conducive environment for the talks in Kuwait, which were to start today but were postponed, as we have just learned with regret. The lack of meaningful dialogue during this round of talks could have disastrous results. The only ones to benefit from this would be terrorist groups, which are increasingly active in Yemen. Therefore we believe that it is also important that this opportunity be taken to intensify efforts to drive back Da'esh and Al-Qaida in Yemen. The rapidly evolving threat of violent extremism cannot be contained within the boundaries of any region.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“We are convinced that the final point of destination of the Syrian political process is the establishment of a credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance transition body, followed by a new constitution and elections. At present, we are at a critical juncture in the efforts to reach a long-overdue settlement in Syria. The ongoing second round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva is cause for hope, but at the same time it underscores the challenges that lay ahead. Where are we after the two rounds of talks? Unfortunately, there have been no profound changes in the situation. We see the Syrian regime continuing its obstructive approach to each of the three pillars of the settlement of the current Syrian crisis: the cessation of hostilities, a political transition and humanitarian access.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“In this light, we believe that the French initiative to convene an international conference aimed at recreating the momentum for the resumption of talks deserves serious consideration. I can also assure the Council that Ukraine remains steadfast in its support for any effort to restore the hope that a two-State solution can be achieved through negotiations. Speaking of wider Middle East regional security, we cannot but underscore the importance of the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. The Syrian crisis is probably the gravest regional crisis and one of the biggest security challenges the world has faced recently.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“Everybody seems to share a common vision that there is no alternative to the peace process. Ukraine, which supports the efforts of the Quartet and regional countries aimed at achieving a settlement of the conflict, favours the early resumption of direct Israeli- Palestinian negotiations. We believe that direct talks between the parties are the best way to achieve a peaceful solution, as no unilateral steps will solve the key problems facing the peace process. At the same time, it is quite obvious that it is not enough just to demand action from the Israeli and the Palestinian sides. Ultimate success will depend on a genuine commitment by all interested parties. Diplomatic efforts must be redoubled so as to contain and de-escalate the latest wave of violence and unlock Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“On the other hand, we fully understand the aspirations of the people of Israel to live in peace within secure borders. Therefore, the inability of the Palestinian authorities to prevent the acts of violence regularly perpetrated against Israeli citizens is of serious concern. Let me stress our conviction that palpable progress in the peace process can be achieved only through mutual compromises and concessions reached at the negotiation table. We firmly believe that only a negotiated settlement leading to an Israeli and a Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security is realistic. For the Israelis, it would mean a life free from violence and the daily fear of terror, and for the Palestinians, finally, a chance to live freely in a State of their own.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“Another terrible reminder of that is the recent attack against the Israeli bus in Jerusalem, which we condemn in the strongest terms. It is obvious that absolutely no terrorist act can be justified. Yet we strongly believe that all sides must demonstrate genuine restraint and to refrain from the disproportionate use of force, which can only stir up violence and lead to increased casualties. All of that plays into the hands of extremists, who are trying to undermine the fragile prospects for peace. We are 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 could undermine the efforts of the international community to achieve tangible progress in the peace process.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“I wish to thank the Chinese presidency for convening this open debate. We fully agree with the importance of a regular review of the situation in the Middle East by the Security Council. I also would like to express our solidarity with Ecuador and Japan, which suffered major earthquakes over the past two days. 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 that regard, we are deeply concerned about the latest wave of attacks and widespread violence that has been seen since September 2015 and has resulted in numerous casualties. The rising death toll among civilians cannot, and should not, be tolerated; it serves as irrefutable proof that the status quo is just not sustainable.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“Ukraine strongly believes that one of the most important aspects of countering international terrorism is to commemorate its victims. Unless it remembers the lessons of the past and educates the generations to come about them, humankind will be doomed to repeat the dark chapters of its history. In this vein, I would like to recall the initiative of Ukraine with regard to the establishment of the international day of commemoration of the memory of the victims of terrorist acts. Finally, we see great merit in having the Council address the issue of the terrorism scourge on a regular and systematic basis, including this coming September at the highest possible level.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Our view is that certain principles of the Geneva Declaration on Terrorism, adopted in 1987 by the International Conference on the Question of Terrorism, as well as the proposal put forward in 2007 in the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly, could be taken as the bases for a new legally binding instrument. Another aspect that increasingly warrants our close attention is the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks capable of disrupting the functioning of banking and finance, telecommunications, emergency services, air and rail transportation, energy and water supplies, and of causing numerous civilian casualties. Ukraine is of the opinion that the Security Council should expeditiously address this problem by mobilizing international efforts aimed at diminishing the mere possibility of such attacks.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Our major task is to conclude the work on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, which would supplement the existing international legal counterterrorism framework and provide States with a useful tool. One of the major obstacles on this course is finding a clear definition for the act of terrorism. Resolving that problem would allow the international community to address more efficiently some outstanding issues related to bringing to account not only individual terrorists and organizations but also those States responsible for organizing, financing, encouraging, providing training or otherwise directly or indirectly supporting terrorist activities.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“This outrageous act by the aggressor country has a direct bearing on our debate today, for it will but further radicalize the already desperate and highly charged fabric of Crimean Tatars - the youth first of all - with consequences that are hard to predict. We call on the Security Council and the Secretary-General to unequivocally condemn this lawless act. We therefore consistently urge the international community to put additional pressure on the Russian Federation to stop war and terrorism in the heart of Europe. In recent decades, the international community has registered remarkable achievements in adopting legally binding instruments to counter terrorism. However, more should be done to prevent and combat this scourge.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Apart from that, Russia has launched a mass- media campaign aimed at the radicalization of the population in the occupied territories of the Donbas, which creates fertile ground for the spread of terrorist narratives. Moreover, the Russian media and nationalist circles glorify the Russian terrorist fighters as they depart to Ukraine and return to Russia, instead of being prosecuted. As for Crimea, yesterday the Russian occupation authorities adopted a decision to suspend altogether, and with immediate effect, the activities of the Majlis of the Crimean Tatars - their only legislative body. This is not just one more crime in the genocidal spree launched by Russia against the Crimean Tatars.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The Russian military continues to train terrorists and the fighters of illegal armed groups at the military camps set up in the occupied Crimea and parts of the Donbas, as well as in the Rostov, Belgorod and Tambov regions of the Russian Federation. Having been directly involved in all these terrorist activities, the Russian Federation is clearly violating its commitments undertaken in accordance with a set of legally binding international instruments on the prevention of and combating international terrorism, including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, as well as relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The shocking reality is that foreign terrorist fighters, primarily from Russia, constitute a significant part of the approximately 40,000-strong illegal armed group fighting against the Government of Ukraine in the Donbas. Weapons and manpower continue to flow from Russia to Ukraine's east through uncontrolled sections of the Ukrainian-Russian border. The observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe at the Russian checkpoints on the border has continuously reported high numbers of persons in military-style clothing crossing the border in both directions. In particular, since the beginning of the Mission's operation in July 2014, over 26,000 crossings of this category have been reported by the mission from only two border crossing points.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The terrorist component in the undeclared war against Ukraine is clearly visible and has become a fact of life of the occupied areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. During the past two years, Ukraine has received irrefutable evidence of the terrorist nature of the organizations known as the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, and of the direct involvement of the Russian Federation in the fmancing, support and coordination of these terrorist groups, which have perpetrated numerous crimes and carried out terrorist activities against civilians, in particular in Mariupol, Volnovakha, Kramatorsk, Donetsk. Kharkiv and many other Ukrainian cities.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Ensuring the genuine - and not merely declarative - cooperation of States and the mutual assistance of their law enforcement agencies in preventing the financing of terrorism is the key to overcoming this phenomenon, which has become rampant at the regional and global levels. Any link between this crime and Government agencies or officials must trigger the international responsibility of States to prosecute the crime of financing terrorism. In this very context, I cannot fail to mention the topicality of this issue for Ukraine, which has been dealing with the challenge of terrorist activities in the Donbas region, carried out with the direct support of the Russian Federation, since 2014. The policy of terror against Ukrainian civilians in the Donbas is one of the dreadful hallmarks of Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Combating the activities of individual terrorists and terrorist groups will be insufficient if the problem of terrorist financing, including of State-sponsored terrorism, is not properly addressed. We underline the particular importance of effective efforts at both the international and national levels to prevent and counteract the financing of terrorist activities and terrorist organizations, as well as to ensure the ultimate prosecution and punishment of individuals or organizations that provide such funding in any form and by any methods. These efforts should be based on relevant United Nations legal instruments and those elaborated within the framework of the Financial Action Task Force.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Over the past two years, about 600 foreign citizens have been denied entry into Ukraine on the basis of information about their involvement in ISIL activities. International terrorism and violent extremism threaten our core values and principles, including human rights, the rule of law, democracy, equal opportunity and freedom. It goes without saying that fighting these threats only through military means does not have a long-lasting effect. Eliminating their visible manifestations without removing their root causes propagates continuous outbreaks of terrorist attacks all over the world. In this regard, Ukraine would like to extend its full support for the Secretary-General's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which has capped international endeavours in this field.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The escalation of conflicts nowadays is directly influenced by the influx of foreign terrorist fighters. We believe that the primary obligation to prevent the movements of foreign terrorist fighters lies primarily with the source countries, which have to spot and stop them at the earliest stages. Ukraine is actively contributing to global and regional efforts aimed at stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters by countering the recruitment and transit of terrorists, in line with the relevant resolutions. During the past year alone, eight ISIL transit points have been identified in Ukraine and shut down by the national security services. Twenty-one ISIL supporters have been detained and deported to their source countries.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Ukraine is a party to all counter-terrorism treaties and is closely engaged in this endeavor with relevant international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Financial Action Task Force, and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab and others are not just a regional menace but a global challenge whose violent ideologies constitute a threat to the entire international community. My country strongly condemns the crimes and acts of mass violence that these terrorist groups are committing against civilians from Syria and Iraq to France and Belgium. We are fully committed to the international coalition's efforts to combat this global threat.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“I want to thank you, Sir, for convening this open debate to discuss one of the most pressing issues on the Security Council's agenda. Ukraine condemns the phenomenon of terrorism unreservedly in all its forms and manifestations. We support the central role of the United Nations and the Security Council in promoting international cooperation in fighting terrorism, including in the framework of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Ensuring its effective implementation requires closer cooperation among Member States, the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and other United Nations family agencies and bodies.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“Recently, we adopted a national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), developed in close consultations with agencies of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as civil society. The action plan is aimed at promoting women's greater participation in military, political, economic and social life, peace and recovery processes, the prevention of and combating gender-based violence, and the reintegration of persons affected by the consequences of the ongoing foreign aggression against my own country. Ukraine will remain actively engaged in promoting women's rights, women's participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction, and their protection from sexual and gender-based violence.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Noting the ever changing global context of peace and security - in particular as related to the surge of terrorism and violent extremism and the increasing numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons - today we need more than ever to ensure the participation of women in developing strategies to prevent and respond to these challenges. That trend was clearly demonstrated during the recent visit of the Security Council delegation to Mali, where we had a very useful meeting with a number of local women's organizations. In closing, let me stress that, having been involved with resolution 1325 (2000) from its origins, Ukraine is a strong supporter ofthe Security Council's women, peace and security agenda.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“We commend the fact that a number of African countries have embraced resolution 1325 (2000) and already have relevant national action plans in place. We take equally positive note of the fact that the African Union has also made significant efforts to integrate the women, peace and security agenda into its own security, crisis-response, human rights and peacebuilding efforts. It is of great importance that both the African Union and the United Nations have increased the number of female military and police officers in peacekeeping missions and set up units that provide protection to victims of gender-based violence in Somalia and Darfur. In Rwanda, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other places, the United Nations provides important support to survivors of such violence.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“It is also in this light that we welcome the joint initiative of Spain and the United Kingdom to set up the Informal Experts Group on Women, Peace and Security. Yet, while gender issues are increasingly integrated into United Nations activities, the challenges in this area remain grave and widespread around the globe. Nowhere is that more evident than in Africa. Women there play important roles as custodians of culture and nurturers of families, yet in times of conflict they are hardly represented at peace negotiating tables or in community reconstruction efforts. Moreover, according to UN-Women, women constitute fewer than 10 per cent of peace negotiators globally, and only 3 per cent of signatories to peace agreements.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Ukraine strongly supports the Council's efforts aimed at addressing the full range of human rights violations and abuses faced by women in armed conflict and post- conflict situations. In the face of the challenges of war and conflicts, women are increasingly becoming critical agents of change. According to the global study, there is growing evidence that women's empowerment contributes to the success of peace talks and the achievement of sustainable peace, accelerates economic recovery, strengthens our peace operations, improves our humanitarian assistance, and can help counter violent extremism. Ukraine recognizes the importance of the equal and full participation of women in all activities for the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peacebuilding and peacekeeping.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Sexual violence is used as a weapon of war in conflicts all around the continent. Ukraine condemns all acts of sexual violence, as well as any form of sexual abuse of women and children, which, in some conflict situations, surpass the level of war crimes and reach the scale of crimes against humanity or genocidal slaughter. Considering the growing magnitude of such crimes, we express our readiness and commitment to actively contributing to consolidated international efforts aimed at elaborating effective steps to address the issue of sexual violence. In this context, we welcome the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case of former Congolese Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba - the first trial of the ICC to focus on sexual violence as a weapon of war.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Ukraine appreciates Angola's initiative to hold this open debate. At the outset, I would like to state that Ukraine aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union on this subject. I would like to thank all the briefers, whose presence today proves the importance of the topic chosen by the Angolan presidency. Conflicts and crises in Africa have taken a more complex turn in recent years. They tend to be followed by devastating upsurges of violence against women and girls. We all recall with deep shock the tragic case of the abduction of 200 Chibok girls from a school in northern Nigeria by Boko Haram militants in April 2014. In too many places, women and girls are being wounded, mutilated and killed along with men and boys. They also suffer gender-based violence.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Let us hope that this discussion will serve as a Council contribution to fostering that commitment and as a sign of an unwavering dedication to carrying out our responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in that crucially important region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“I am proud of Ukraine's contribution to United Nations efforts to bring stability to the Great Lakes region, especially as one ofthe major troop-contributing countries to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and as a former member and vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. We are resolved to maintain that commitment, including as a member of the Security Council in the period 2016-2017. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Great Lakes region require strong commitment, joint action and dialogue. All of those are the necessary prerequisites for addressing current conflicts and preventing future crises and calamities.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“We cannot afford to waste the chance to prevent the impending conflict situation from descending into chaos. The wounds are still fresh, as we all remember very well the terrible repercussions of the Burundian genocide in 1972 and the 1993-2005 civil war there. It is the duty of the Security Council and of the whole international community to ensure that such tragic events do not unfold again. All stakeholders must spare no effort to prevent any development that could increase the risk ofa full-fledged conflict and mounting violence against the Burundian population. For its part, the Burundian Government should not fail to live up to its commitments and obligations.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“In our View, the International Conference of the Great Lakes Regional Initiative against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources is a good example of the search for a common solution that could ensure that those resources are used to generate much-needed revenue and to promote regional development. The flow of refugees is another pressing challenge faced by the Great Lakes region. Internal instability, poor governance, ethnic intolerance and violations of human rights on a massive scale by illegal armed groups cause people to flee. As a result, approximately 430,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are seeking shelter in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. In that connection, I cannot overlook the situation in Burundi.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The continued smuggling of natural resources from the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains among other serious challenges to the peace and stability of the region. Regrettably, in the regional context, natural resources tend to fuel conflicts rather that contribute to sustainable development and economic prosperity. In view of recorded facts with regard to the involvement of military elements in the smuggling, and the inability of the relevant authorities to prevent the illegal use of natural resources, we believe that additional serious efforts are needed to address the phenomenon and reverse the prevailing trend.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“We believe that the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region remains one of the key multilateral mechanisms that can bring stability to the country. Proceeding from the main principles and provisions of that document, it is of utmost importance for all parties and other relevant stakeholders to continue undertaking the necessary efforts aimed at fulfilling their obligations and commitments arising from the Framework. Taking into account the joint commitment not to interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, we are deeply concerned over reports, including those coming from the Panel of Experts, about numerous cases of the territory and capacities of neighbouring countries being used to train armed groups and infiltrate them into adjacent regions and conflict areas.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“They are still active in the eastern part of the country and continue to terrorize the civilian population, despite our numerous calls for their neutralization and the deployment in the area of one of the largest United Nations peacekeeping missions, which we fully support. In this regard, as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic, I would like to draw Council members' attention to the fact that the Committee recently added to its sanctions list the odious Lord's Resistance Army and its leader in response to its destructive violent activities affecting a large area of the region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“It is an axiom that a democratic change of power through elections is a fundamental principle and a gateway towards progress in other areas of the social and economic development of a country or community, as opposed to a continued simmering of popular discord, which can eventually erupt in a violent protest, casting the country back to reliving earlier distressful experiences. Bearing this in mind, we call upon all national stakeholders, for the sake of their own people, to pursue political dialogue and to accept the international mediation of the United Nations, African Union or other authoritative regional organization on this issue. One cannot but mention another issue that affects the whole region - the irregular armed groups present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“That is why I would briefly touch upon the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the first place. As the Council is aware, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has not had a peaceful transfer of power in the 55 years since its independence. Even today, we all have the same worries that the ongoing internal dispute over the elections in that country could spark violence, with a possible spillover of instability into neighboring countries. The Constitution ofthe Democratic Republic of the Congo limits a President's tenure to two popularly elected terms. This provision was established after years of the unchecked Mobutu rule, and it constitutes a safeguard against a return to dictatorial practices.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The root causes of conflicts in the region are all too familiar: inter-ethnic and intertribal rivalries, inefficient governance, weak political institutions, judicial systems partial to the views of those who happen to be in power, high levels of corruption, widespread poverty, the pervasive and deeply destabilizing activities of uncontrolled armed groups, flows of refugees and displaced persons due to armed conflicts and internal instability, and porous and fluid borders. In this context, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the biggest concerns. As Franz Fanon, an influential thinker and Afro-Caribbean philosopher, once said: "Africa is shaped like a gun, and Congo is the trigger. If that explosive trigger bursts, it's the whole Africa that will explode".”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“It is a great pleasure to see you, Mr. Minister, presiding over our meeting. At the outset, I should like to state that Ukraine also aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union. The security situation in the Great Lakes region remains a topical issue on the Security Council's agenda after several decades of consideration and numerous decisions taken on this subject.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Ukraine, as a troop-contributing country to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission, commends its national efforts in assisting Afghanistan in building effective and viable national security forces. We call on the United Nations and Afghanistan's international partners not to relent in helping the country bring about lasting peace, security and stability. In conclusion, I would like to confirm Ukraine's full support for Afghanistan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and for its endeavours to combat the scourge of international terrorism.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“Ukraine is also highly concerned about the serious threat that anti-personnel mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices pose to the most vulnerable parts of the population, in particular women and children, in Afghanistan. We are of the opinion that the international community should continue to enact relevant measures to prevent the flow of weapons and military equipment to the Taliban and other violent terrorist extremist groups. We also consider it necessary for UNAMA, together with other United Nations entities, such as the United Nations Mine Action Support Team, to promote mine-risk education programmes in order to reduce the risks posed to civilians.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“We also call on the Government of Afghanistan to systematically investigate, with the support of UNAMA, all violations of international humanitarian law to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable, as well to ensure that the victims and their families are provided with appropriate remedies. Given the appalling practice of the recruitment of children by the armed groups in the territory of Afghanistan, we commend the Government's commitment to ending and preventing grave violations against children, namely, through the full and complete implementation of the relevant action plan within the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, as well as its pledge to the United Nations "Children, Not Soldiers" campaign.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“That creates an atmosphere of fear and terror in the entire region and contributes to instability and prolongation of conflicts. Ukraine condemns all violations of international humanitarian law, in particular deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilian objects, internationally protected places, such as hospitals and clinics, as well as humanitarian and health personnel, thereby creating insurmountable difficulties for the implementation of the international community's humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan. We call on all parties in Afghanistan to take measures to minimize civilian casualties by taking all feasible precautions in that regard.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“Unfortunately, the efforts of the Afghan Government and its international partners are overshadowed by the overall deteriorating security situation in the country, with the intensification of violence by the Taliban movement and other terrorists and violent extremist groups as well as the dangerously growing presence of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and its affiliates. On the territories upon which the Taliban and other violent extremist groups impose their cruel terror, one can witness the alarming picture of flagrant violations of human rights, the maltreatment of civilian populations, summary executions, deliberate abuses and continuing discrimination against women and girls, as well as the use of child soldiers.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“In this regard, we look forward to the July 2016 NATO Conference in Warsaw to consider further military support to Afghanistan and the 2016 Ministerial Conference hosted by the EU in Brussels in October 2016, where renewed donor assistance to civilians will be discussed. Nevertheless, we note that the extent of the donor community's commitment to security and development assistance to Afghanistan goes hand in hand with the progress made by the Afghan Government in advancing its reform and good-governance agenda.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“We commend the Afghan Government's determination to focus its efforts on resolving economic issues and addressing the fiscal gap, poverty and unemployment, as stipulated in the Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework, as well as to promote regional economic cooperation. However, the ability of the Government of Afghanistan to promote further reforms, in particular in the economic sphere, and to effectively confront the numerous challenges and threats posed by the insurgency and the activities of violent extremists, depends on the continued support provided by the country's international partners.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“We are of the opinion that there is no viable alternative to the National Unity Government and we deplore any initiatives resulting in internal tensions that could put Afghanistan's much desired stability at risk. Like others, we commend the efforts of the recently established Quadrilateral Coordination Group on the Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Process to enable the holding of early peace talks between the Taliban factions and Afghan Government representatives. We also call on members of the international community with a degree of influence on the Taliban to use it to encourage their earnest participation in early peace negotiations.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source