YouSaid · the spoken record

Zehnder

lines on the record: 126
first: 2014-04-28
most recent: 2018-05-17
sittings or episodes: 22
sources: un-security-council

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“In conclusion, my delegation wishes to make one last remark. Since 2011, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, Switzerland has led an inter-State process aimed at establishing a regular, non-politicized and, above all, constructive dialogue among States to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law. While we call on the Security Council to assume all its responsibilities, we are also striving to contribute to better compliance with international law.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Fifthly, and as will be explained in the statement to be delivered by the representative of Belgium, it is essential that an ombudsperson be appointed as soon as possible to head the Office of the Ombudsperson to the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities. The post has been vacant for nearly 10 months, which undermines the credibility and legitimacy of United Nations sanctions and could constitute an obstacle to their uniform and universal implementation. The lack of procedural safeguards is all the more striking in relation to the other 13 sanctions regimes, which also require the creation of independent mechanisms to receive and process delisting requests.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“More than 70 years after the Nuremberg trials, a permanent international tribunal now has jurisdiction to hold those who lead wars of aggression to account for their actions. We hope that, from 17 July, the Council will be ready to refer situations to the ICC to ensure accountability and discourage future crimes of aggression. Fourthly, Switzerland calls on the Security Council to carefully consider the consequences of its sanctions for the integrity of international humanitarian law. The Council's decisions to impose sanctions have, in some instances, been interpreted as restricting the activities of humanitarian organizations that provide impartial assistance to affected populations, regardless of which side they belong to. The Council should consider ways to avoid such undesirable consequences.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“We encourage the other members of the Council and all other Member States to follow suit. Secondly, it is essential that the Security Council establish a coherent policy on resolutions referring situations to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ensure an effective follow-up. Switzerland calls once again on the Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC. After seven years of conflict, accountability is more important than ever for a return to lasting peace. Thirdly, we invite the Security Council to welcome the fact that, from 17 July, the ICC will havejurisdiction to prosecute the crime of aggression, thereby contributing to the enforcement of the prohibition of the use of force set out in the Charter of the United Nations.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland thanks Poland for convening this open debate on a topic that, although often addressed within the United Nations, remains highly relevant. In that regard, allow me to draw the Security Council's attention to the following five recommendations. First, we witness almost daily violations of international law, perpetrated in numerous armed conflicts worldwide. Faced with such crimes, the Security Council has a responsibility to take action to prevent atrocities and, if they cannot be prevented, to bring the perpetrators to justice. We welcome the fact that 116 Member States, including nine members of the Security Council, have signed the code of conduct of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group.”
2018-05-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8262 (2018) · source
“I would like to conclude by paying tribute to the numerous Blue Helmets who have lost their lives or been injured recently. They are a tragic reminder that the issue of safety and security remains vital and begs our continued attention and action. While there is increasing pressure to save costs in United Nations peacekeeping, that must not come at the expense of the courageous men and women who risk their lives in fulfilling the mandates of the Council.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“The equipment of peacekeepers must be in line with the threat environment and allow troops to prevent attacks, identify perpetrators and eliminate threats accordingly. Access to up-to-date and quality medical care capabilities is crucial to limit the victims of attacks. Thirdly, regarding the duty of care, some of our personnel in the field are active in highly volatile, hazardous or even intensely hostile areas. Member States and the Organization itself are therefore morally and legally bound to ensure that duty-of-care obligations are fulfilled. In order to mitigate the risks to all deployed personnel, those obligations - including certified predeployment training and other preparatory work - must be met by all parties involved.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“We also welcome the envisaged creation of a single plan of action to improve peacekeeping operations. I would like to focus today on three priority issues. First, let me underline the strategic importance of securing sustainable and predictable funding for peace operations, including in settings where the United Nations is working in partnership with others. Further enhancing cooperation with regional and subregional organizations will contribute to designing more context- specific and tailor-made mandates, which is one of the key recommendations of the peace operations review and the Santos-Cruz report. Secondly, Switzerland would like to emphasize the role of equipment in enhancing the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I join other speakers in thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this timely open debate. We are grateful to Lieutenant General Dos Santos Cruz, author ofthe report on improving security of United Nations peacekeepers. We also particularly welcome the presence of the African Union Commission Chairperson, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, at today's debate. Building on the outcome of the 2015 High-level Panel to review peace operations, the Santos-Cruz report contains important recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness, safety and security of current and future missions. Switzerland notes with satisfaction that the Secretariat has already started implementing key recommendations of the report.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“In the light of that, the fight against that phenomenon is the fundamental duty of all States. Switzerland will persevere in its efforts to combat that scourge, both as a cause and a consequence of armed conflict.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“We also welcome the references in the Secretary- General's report to the value of regional organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE is contributing effectively, through its action plan on combating trafficking in human beings, to the development of an operational response and a counter-trafficking policy covering every dimension of the trafficking phenomenon, particularly in conflict and post-conflict environments. Let me also highlight the importance of fact- finding and monitoring mechanisms in fighting the impunity of those involved in human trafficking. Such mechanisms allow us to build an important knowledge base on that phenomenon and contribute to strengthening accountability for that crime. Human trafficking is a crime that goes beyond national borders.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“That is why Switzerland is working on strengthening measures to identify and protect persons in the asylum procedure. The revised national action plan to fight human trafficking 2017-2020 establishes a number of actions in that regard. One such initiative is the systematic training of front-line workers in asylum reception centres. The action plan also puts a special focus on unaccompanied minors in the context of trafficking. The recent UNICEF-International Organization for Migration report on children and youth on the move across the Mediterranean Sea presents facts and figures that confirm the need for prevention and protection measures for that group, in particular unaccompanied minors, who are not only particularly vulnerable to trafficking, but are also disproportionally represented among the people on the move.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“For that reason, Switzerland thanks the Italian presidency for organizing this open debate on trafficking in persons in armed conflict and for submitting today's timely resolution 2388 (2017), which addresses, inter alia, the particular vulnerability of children in conflict situations. Trafficking in persons can be a consequence of crisis and armed conflict. Migration and forced displacement, including internal displacement, increase the risk of trafficking and exploitation. The problems that arise as a consequence affect all countries along the migration routes. While the absence of peace and security favours the business model of traffickers - as is clearly the case in Libya - countries at peace and with a strong rule of law are by no means exempt from the scourge.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): The Secretary-General's first report on the issue of trafficking in persons in armed conflict (S/2017/939), drafted pursuant to resolution 2331 (2016), provides an excellent point of reference for considering the activities undertaken by the United Nations agencies in that regard. It also offers an insight into the best practices developed by Member States. It is encouraging to see that several issues have been acted on that were discussed and recommended at the Council's previous open debate in 2016 (see S/PV.7898). Nevertheless, the report once again shows the scale ofthe repercussions on peace and security - including human security - resulting from trafficking in persons.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, Switzerland would like to acknowledge that many positive steps have been taken since the creation of the children and armed conflict mandate. Among them are the more than 124,000 children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups who have been released since 2000. Nevertheless, more needs to be done. Switzerland reaffirms its support to the mandate and work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and her Office and calls for her mandate to be extended in this year's child rights resolution and sufficient resources to be allotted to her so that she can fully carry out her mandate.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Switzerland also calls on Member States involved in countering violent extremism to carry out their measures in full compliance with international law, in particular their rules of engagement must include all the necessary preventive and protective measures. Furthermore, children arrested and detained on security-related charges in counter-terrorism operations should be treated as victims of serious violations, rather than as security threats and perpetrators. Thirdly, despite financial pressures, ensuring adequate resources for child protection within peacekeeping and political missions is essential, as they play a central role in establishing dialogue with parties to conflict to end and prevent serious violations against children, including through the signing and implementation of actions plans.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Secondly, and as highlighted by France, the challenges posed by Violent extremism to the protection of civilians, in particular children, are a major concern. The majority of the parties listed in the annexes of the annual report are armed groups. We do not know enough about children's trajectories in and out of non-State armed groups, including those listed as terrorist and Violent extremist groups. This is why Switzerland, together with UNICEF, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Luxembourg, has lent its support to a research initiative of the United Nations University aimed at producing programmatic guidance to prevent the recruitment and use of Children by armed groups that employ extreme violence.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland thanks France for organizing today's open debate. We would like to focus on three issues. First, Switzerland welcomes the recent release of the annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (S/2017/821) and the listing of perpetrators based on credible evidence gathered, reviewed and rigorously verified by the monitoring and reporting mechanism. We note that this year a distinction was introduced between those listed parties that "have put in place measures aimed at improving the protection of children" (S/2017/821, annex I) and those that have not. We ask the Secretary- General to provide updates on those measures and the progress made.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Switzerland is actively supporting the efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali in assisting the Malian authorities with the management of their ammunition stockpiles. It encourages the Security Council to include, when appropriate, the principle of safe and secure ammunition management in future mandates.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“I should like to conclude by presenting a concrete example of the positive impact that peacekeeping mandates can have on security in a specific context. The safe and secure management of ammunition is a crucial element in the context of various United Nations missions. The proliferation of ammunition from unsecured stockpiles can fuel other armed conflicts. Unsecured ammunition can be looted or misused. There are components in improvised explosive devices that threaten the lives of civilians and United Nations peacekeepers. There is a clear link between safely managing the life cycle of conventional ammunition and maintaining international security and sustaining peace.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“Through its reporting and engagement, the Commission gives effective support to the Council's efforts to prevent conflicts from breaking out or recurring. With regard to the issue of financing, if the Security Council is to fully take on its central role in preventing and peacefully resolving conflicts, it must be able to make full use of the various tools at its disposal. However, they cannot be really effective if they are underfunded or lack the necessary political and administrative support. Starting off with an inadequate budget frequently results in higher costs down the road. Switzerland therefore urges all Member States to support funding for the entire cycle of measures for dealing with conflict, especially conflict prevention and peacebuilding.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“The sequential approach to the conflict cycle, which is based on divisions between special political missions, peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions, followed by development, has too often resulted in failure. From the outset, and without any interruption, peace-operation mandates should include a full spectrum of appropriate responses, which will make for smoother transitions between the various phases of missions. Such an approach would also align better with the Secretary-General's vision for prevention, integrating all the United Nations pillars - peace and security, sustainable development and human rights - on the same plane. In that regard, Switzerland welcomes the Peacebuilding Commission's important role as an intergovernmental advisory body to the Council.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to thank the Egyptian presidency of the Council for organizing today's important debate. Our conceptual approach to preventing conflict and sustaining peace has evolved considerably over the past few years. In order to achieve conditions conducive to lasting peace, we should take a fresh look at how to get the best results from our peace operations. I will focus on two institutional issues that we believe are crucial to the Council's efforts to maintain lasting peace. First, a single strategy bringing the various peace operations together is best suited to addressing the multidimensional complexity of current conflicts, which require a whole range of tools.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“We must do all in our power to reduce the suffering of people affected by conflict. Fourthly, for many years the United Nations has been working with regional players, including the OSCE and the European Union. Its experience would be useful in the areas of early warning and the deployment of special political missions. Switzerland believes that preventive diplomacy must be strengthened, and organizations such as the OSCE must benefit from the experience of the United Nations.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Although the traditional notion of peacebuilding is linked, above all, to post- conflict situations, lasting peace encompasses the entire cycle of conflicts. Secondly, the United Nations is best placed to provide global experiences related to sustaining peace that could be beneficial to Europe. In 2015, the Secretary- General published a report (A/70/328) to promote the partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations to build mediation capacity. In Europe, the OSCE has established its own Mediation Support Unit, with significant support from Switzerland. Thirdly, the United Nations has enormous experience in assisting people affected by conflict, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which continues to play a key role.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Switzerland welcomes the commitment shown by authorities in Belgrade and Pristina, with a view to continuing talks in Brussels within the high-level dialogue to normalize relations, facilitated by the European Union. For Switzerland, the intensification of the dialogue among the parties on the question of Cyprus is encouraging. We thank the United Nations for its commitment to help find a solution to that issue. To date, Switzerland has hosted several rounds of negotiations in Mont Pelerin and Geneva, and we stand ready to continue our efforts in support of the process. Let me underscore four ways in which the United Nations could respond to conflicts in Europe. First, the notion of sustaining peace offers a comprehensive new approach to addressing conflicts, also applicable to Europe.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Switzerland believes that more intense, structured negotiations to arrive at a comprehensive settlement could pave the way for a peaceful solution. With regard to the process for resolving the Transnistrian conflict, in June last year the German presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) managed to restart the official 5-1-2 negotiations, after a two-year break. The parties have reaffirmed their willingness to hold regular meetings, and we commend their commitment. In the Western Balkans, several recent incidents have affected relations between Belgrade and Pristina, such as the sispatch ofa train from Belgrade to northern Kosovo. Such tensions are of concern.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“All sides must adhere to the ceasefire and the other commitments made in the Minsk agreements. With respect to Georgia, the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE continue to co-facilitate the Geneva International Discussions, which are a good example of effective cooperation among these three organizations. The discussions have in fact recently allowed for the resumption of the Gali Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism after a four- year interruption. The Nagorno Karabakh region saw an upsurge in violence in April last year. Post-crisis diplomacy prevented the large-scale use of force. Nonetheless, ceasefire violations are still all too frequent. The co-Chairs of the Minsk Group continue to do their utmost to prevent a worsening of the situation.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“The conflict in eastern part of the country has already left nearly 10,000 people dead, including many civilians. Switzerland notes with concern a lack of respect by the parties so far for their obligations under international humanitarian law. The way hostilities are being conducted has led to a rising death toll among civilians and the destruction of things needed for their survival. The humanitarian and human rights situations in the conflict area are precarious. For Switzerland, greater political will is indispensable for implementing the agreements reached in the OSCE Trilateral Contact Group and in the Normandy format, including the understanding reached on 18 February in Munich. Switzerland calls all sides to respect international humanitarian law and allow humanitarian access.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): At the outset, I would like to begin by transmitting my sincere condolences to the Russian Federation after the sudden passing of Ambassador Churkin yesterday. We thank Ukraine for organizing today's meeting. The ongoing or protracted conflicts in Europe prevent the creation of a common space of security, stability and prosperity throughout the continent. In View of that situation, we value the fruitful cooperation establishedin different settings between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to address the unresolved conflicts and their consequences. The illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the conflict in eastern Ukraine have caused a major crisis in Europe. In recent weeks we have seen upsurge in ceasefire violations.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Accordingly, Switzerland will continue to work with entities committed to such goals and stands ready to give its full support to the Secretary-General in the context of a renewed effort to prevent conflict.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“For example, the members of the Security Council can request periodic informational meetings with the High Commissioner for Human Rights. They can use the reports of the Human Rights Council and its various mechanisms as a source of information and enhance cooperation between the Security Council's subsidiary bodies and the relevant mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. More generally, we encourage the Security Council to further reflect on the nature of the existing interlinkage between its own mandate and activities and those of the other parts of the United Nations system. In order to strengthen prevention, partnerships, for example, between local, national, regional and international actors, or between States, organizations and civil society, are crucial.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The appeal is aimed at putting human rights at the core of conflict prevention and is now supported by 70 States. In that same regard, we firmly support the Human Rights Up Front initiative and commend the fact that the new Secretary-General will follow up with efforts to that end. That brings me to my third point, which is the role of the Security Council. In resolution 2171 (2014), the Council conveyed its determination to take effective and rapid measures to prevent armed conflicts. We stand ready to support the Council in its work aimed at strengthening its capacities in the area of prevention. In accordance with the appeal of 13 June, cooperation between the Security Council and the Human Rights Council is a central component.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“That calls for adopting a proactive, inclusive, comprehensive and coordinated approach to conflict, as well as for national ownership of peacekeeping. We need to work on our institutional measures in order better to understand the links between peace and security and between development and human rights. The nexus between peace and security and human rights has, in our view, particular potential with regard to conflict prevention. Human rights violations can be precursors that lead to conflicts. They can also indicate potential instability or an escalation of conflict. We must therefore step our efforts aimed at taking greater advantage of that capacity. For that reason, Switzerland launched the appeal of 13 June 2016 in the Human Rights Council.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The Department of Political Affairs entities in charge of mediation and good offices, as well as special political missions, play an important role. Nevertheless, Switzerland regrets that those instruments are chronically underfunded, and we remain firmly committed to providing our political and financial support to those key instruments. Secondly, prevention is a responsibility to be shared by all United Nations entities. That means that all parts of the United Nations, including its intergovernmental forums, need to conduct their work within the framework of their respective mandates with a preventive mindset, in line with the new notion of peacekeeping endorsed by the Security Council and the General Assembly.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank Sweden for convening this important debate. The multiple crises that we were faced with in 2016 show how acutely necessary this debate is and how important it is to draw lessons from the situation and improve conflict prevention. Switzerland is pleased that this debate is taking place in the presence of the Secretary-General, and we support his call for the strengthening of prevention. We would like in that connection to make three remarks. First, we need to invest more in United Nations instruments aimed at preventing conflict and maintaining peace. Those tools include the United Nations Development Programme-Department of Political Affairs Joint Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention and the Peacebuilding Fund, which have produced excellent results.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“We believe that the United Nations, in collaboration with regional organizations, has a major role to play in the area. It is particularly in the interest of the Council to address water-related issues from a preventive perspective, that is, when such issues can lead to conflict and destabilization threatening international peace and security. Experience shows us that water offers enormous potential in terms of peace and cooperation. For those reasons, we strongly hope that the various activities launched to address the issue of water, peace and security will be acknowledged by the Council and contribute to its work in the future. The meeting rose at 5.45 pm.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Secondly, a high-level side event was held on the margins the seventy-first session of the General Assembly. That event facilitated raising awareness about the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, which will publish its preliminary findings by end of this year and its final recommendations in 2017. Finally, international Geneva hosts several actors working actively on the connection between water and peace, such as the Geneva Water Hub, which provides input for the Panel's work, as well as the Group of Friends of the High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, with approximately 40 participating Member States. Switzerland believes that the issue of water, peace and security must be included on the United Nations political agenda in the same manner as the link between water and development and that between water and human rights have been.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“On the other hand, water possesses an important potential as a source of cooperation and peace. That is the case with transboundary cooperation with regard to water. There are many examples, such as the transboundary cooperation for the Rhine and the Senegal River Basin Development Organization. Collaborative water activities can also be an effective measure to prevent conflicts. Water can therefore serve as an entry point when other elements make dialogue between parties difficult. A number of efforts to strengthen the link between water, peace and security are currently being carried out at the international and regional levels. First, a draft resolution on water, peace and security is currently being negotiated within the International Organization of la Francophonie, based on a proposal put forward by Senegal and Switzerland.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“On the other hand, the connection between water and the United Nations peace and security pillar has as yet not been fully explored and recognized by the Security Council and the international community. Switzerland believes that that connection is key and must be further explored. On the one hand, competition for access to water can cause or fuel conflicts at both local and regional levels. Water-related problems often affect countries that are already in a fragile state and can exacerbate social tensions and weaken States. The challenges linked to water are also compounded by the effects of climate change and can cause increased regional tensions. Finally, cutting off the water supplies has become an instrument of war with disastrous consequences for civilian populations.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland thanks you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate on water, peace and security, and for bringing this important issue to the attention of the Security Council. We welcome Ms. Christine Beerli, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Mr. Danilo Turk, Chair of the Global High- Level Panel on Water and Peace; and Mr. Sundeep Waslekar, President of Strategic Foresight Group. We thank them for their contributions. To date, water has been linked primarily with two of the three pillars of the United Nations. The international community thus recognizes the fundamental connection between water and sustainable development and between water and human rights.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“We continue to be committed to the pledges that we issued last year during the fifteenth anniversary of the women and peace and security agenda, and we hope that the impressive amount of pledges issued by other States will also be implemented in due time.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“For that reason, we will jointly organize a side event, together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, on countering human trafficking and achieving the universal ratification of the Palermo Protocol, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, on Thursday, 27 October at 11.15 am. in Conference Room 9. We call on all States that have not yet done so to ratify and effectively implement the Palermo Protocol. Let me conclude by emphasizing once more our full commitment to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and all follow-up resolutions.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“We have data that show that women's participation increases the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least two years by 20 per cent, and at least 15 years by 35 per cent. In order to make that possible, we need to eliminate barriers to their participation in peace-related activities. We also need to ensure that women are fully included during the formulation and implementation of early- warning systems and peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts at all levels. The massive displacement of people in different conflict areas in the past year has once more shown that, when conflicts arise, women and children are among the first victims to suffer, not only in the conflict zone but also when fleeing it. Hence we also need to further strengthen the fight against human trafficking.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“We therefore call on the Security Council, the United Nations and its States Members to place greater emphasis on gender-sensitive conflict prevention and early warning. We see the Secretary-General's Human Rights Up Front Initiative as an important tool for doing so. We also see a strong need for the United Nations to become more effective in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) with regard to peacekeeping missions. Therefore, we support the call for proper resources for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations/ Department of Field Support gender advisers. When we look at positive examples of the inclusion of women in peace processes - for instance, in Colombia - we clearly see that it is indispensable to empower women as agents of peace.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“We hope that the Council will keep the broader membership informed of the work of the Expert Group and that its work will lead to a stronger presence by women and further peace and security debates and draft resolutions on conflict situations before the Council. As we can see from the name, peace is at the centre of the women and peace and security agenda. It is not just about making conflict safer for women or including women in post-conflict reconstruction; most important, it is about empowering women in order to prevent conflict. The need for the United Nations to become more effective in conflict prevention was one of the main outcomes of the three high-level reviews last year and is one of the most important aspects of the global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“It is my honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and my own country, Liechtenstein. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its follow-up resolutions, notably resolution 2242 (2015), adopted last year in the wake of the high-level review. We would like to use this opportunity to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his unwavering support of the women and peace and security agenda during his time in office. We look forward to working with his successor, Mr. Antonio Guterres, to strengthen the women and peace and security agenda. We would like to commend the Security Council for the establishment of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security, thereby implementing one important aspect of resolution 2242 (2015).”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“Accordingly, Switzerland will make sexual and gender-based violence a priority in its humanitarian commitments. That will include fostering access for victims to various services, mainstreaming the topic in the various areas of humanitarian aid and supporting partner humanitarian organizations in their work in the area of sexual and gender-based violence. Switzerland continues to be one of the major donors to UN-Women and has increased its contribution to CHF48 million Swiss for the period from 2015 to 2017. Earlier this month, we also inaugurated the new UN- Women Liaison Office at Geneva. As the Secretary- General stated, Member States continue to shoulder the primary responsibility for implementing the agenda for women and peace and security.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“In that connection, Switzerland supports the Women's Initiative for Gender Justice, a non-governmental organization that aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate former child soldiers of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by providing psychosocial support and access to medical assistance. The project also contributes to holding perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence accountable under national and international law. For example, the documentation of sexual and gender-based violence that was made possible through this project was used against two Congolese rebel leaders at the International Criminal Court. Thirdly, sexual and gender-based violence is a major, pressing issue.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“First of all, in order to support political dialogue in Libya and the process of drafting the constitution, Switzerland has facilitated women's discussion groups. Thirty-eight women's groups of different backgrounds negotiated and drew up a peace programme, which they launched at a high-level meeting in Geneva in November 2015. Secondly, non-State armed groups must be considered in the implementation of the agenda on women and peace and security. Switzerland continues its efforts to facilitate direct dialogue with those groups, which must recognize the principles of international humanitarian law and commit to respecting existing rules, including those regarding sexual and gender-based violence.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source