YouSaid · the spoken record

Zehnder

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126

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2014-04-28

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2018-05-17

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un-security-council

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1. “In that regard, I thank the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and all affiliated organizations for their tireless efforts to promote the women and peace and security agenda here in New York. Switzerland's national action plan is a Government instrument that contemplates a participative mechanism designed specifically for civil society. This year will see the third review of that plan. In that regard, civil society organizations have drafted an alternative implementation report. Switzerland will consider its conclusions when it updates the national action plan in 2017. Reports on the implementation of the national action plan are regularly submitted for parliamentary oversight. As for the fulfilment of the commitments undertaken last year, we would like to highlight three points.”

   2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source

2. “Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): We thank the Russian Federation for having convened this debate, and the Secretary-General and the two briefers for their unflagging commitment to this issue. When it comes to peacebuilding, the international community's record this past year is uninspiring. Not since 1945 have there been so many displaced persons, many of whom are women and young girls. Armed conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq are ongoing, causing immense suffering to their civilian populations. In these challenging times, it is essential to promote partnerships with civil society, and in particular with women's networks. Colombia is a perfect example of the role that civil society women's networks can play in peace and peacebuilding efforts.”

   2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source

3. “Furthermore, my country calls for avigorous response to the allegations of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse committed by United Nations personnel, notably involving the ban for the Government armed forces mentioned in the annexes to the reports on children in armed conflicts from contributing troops for peacekeeping operations. Finally, allow me to remind States that we, as States, established the mandate for the protection of children in armed conflicts through resolution 1612 (2005). Therefore, it is also our responsibility to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the mandate. Switzerland also wishes to express its unqualified support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, who has done outstanding work to ensure the protection of children in armed conflicts.”

   2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source

4. “In addition, we believe it is particularly important to ensure the protection of children who are detained because of their suspected or actual links to armed groups. With regard to concrete proposals to improve the protection of children, Switzerland encourages the Secretary-General to continue to include information on the specific impact on children of attacks against schools, hospitals and their staff in his reports to the Council. We also call for the full and immediate implementation of resolution 2286 (2016).”

   2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source

5. “When States are unable or unwilling to do so, the International Criminal Court can play a decisive role. In that regard, we welcome the initiative of the Prosecutor of the ICC, who is implementing a specific policy for children. With regard to the recommendations on how to address the persistent risks faced by children in armed conflicts, Switzerland believes that counter-terrorism measures are necessary and can contribute to helping children. However, we must ensure that such measures do not impede humanitarian efforts. My country pays particular attention to the importance of engaging in dialogue with all parties to armed conflicts on the matter of the protection of children, especially in areas controlled by armed groups.”

   2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source

6. “With regard to the international collaborations that have been successful in enhancing the protection of children in armed conflict, including the fight against impunity for serious violations, Switzerland wishes to mention its support for the international non-governmental organization Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice. This initiative has contributed in northern Uganda to rehabilitating and reintegrating former female Lord's Resistance Army soldiers into their families and communities, while also advocating that crimes sexual violence be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC). States must conduct investigations and bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes in order to render justice for the victims as well as to prevent further violations.”

   2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source

7. “During the past 20 years, we have seen many positive developments with regard to the fate of children in armed conflict; for example, the release of more than 115,000 children from armed forces and armed groups since 2000 and the signing of 25 action plans with parties to conflict towards halting violations against children. However, as we have heard from the briefers and previous speakers, there is little cause for celebration on this anniversary. The latest briefing of the Special Representative Secretary-General outlined worrying trends affecting children in armed conflict around the world. That is why the time has come to discuss the key issues raised by the Malaysian presidency.”

   2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source

8. “Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland thanks the Malaysia presidency for the organization of this open debate, as well as the briefers for their instructive briefings. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Graca Machel report (see A/51/306), which described the impact of armed conflict on children and alerted the international community about the devastating effects of war on girls and boys. It is largely due to the report that the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict could be created.”

   2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source

9. “Finally, I wish to highlight the importance of broad- based action against trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel. We call on the Secretary-General to continue unswervingly to pursue his efforts in this respect. We would recall that it is the responsibility of States to investigate and to prosecute all alleged violations and to bring perpetrators to justice. The Justice Rapid Response roster could be used to ensure that adequate human resources are present to enforce the zero-tolerance policy.”

   2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source

10. “This underlines the importance of strengthening dialogue with armed groups so as to improve their compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law. To this end, Switzerland supports, for example, the non-governmental organization Geneva Call, which engages with armed groups so as to enhance the prevention and reduction of sexual violence by having them sign voluntary commitments to abide by international norms. Switzerland is concerned by the climate of impunity in terms of conflict-related sexual violence. It supports the efforts made by the International Criminal Court and its Prosecutor to fight against impunity for sexual and gender-based crimes. It also advocates for a holistic approach to the treatment of survivors of sexual violence.”

    2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source

11. “On the one hand, it is important to understand that trafficking in persons, in particular ofwomen, girls and children, fuels armed conflict, terrorism and violent extremism. On the other, it is fundamental to ensure the participation of women and girls in the development of anti-trafficking and counter-terrorism strategies and strategies aimed at the prevention of violent extremism. The Secretary-General's report and his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism highlight the importance of empowering women as a force for sustainable peace. We believe that the fifth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is an opportunity to address this issue. The list of non-State armed groups engaged in conflict-related sexual violence contained in the current report of the Secretary-General remains long.”

    2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source

12. “Restrictive migration policies that limit opportunities for women and girls fleeing conflict zones increase the latter's vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking. Through increased dialogue and cooperation, we should find ways to adjust these policies and to ensure that women and girls coming from conflict-affected areas are not subject to trafficking. As underscored in the most recent report of the Secretary-General, the trafficking of women and girls has become a full-fledged element of the economy of war and terrorism, as well as violent extremism. We know that armed groups, including terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, are financing their activities through trafficking, and that women and girls are used as incentives and rewards for fighters.”

    2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source

13. “For this reason, we welcome the presence of Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children, among us today. Unregistered individuals on the move and displaced persons are particularly vulnerable to trafficking, especially women and girls. They are easy victims for criminal networks, including organized crime. We need to adopt a broad perspective and include all relevant actors: peacekeeping forces, border police, immigration officials and humanitarian actors. Indeed, they all have a role to play in preventing and fighting trafficking. These actors should work on the basis of a gender-sensitive approach that includes the use of female officers and personnel.”

    2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source

14. “Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland wishes to thank the French presidency for having organized this debate and welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/36l) and its recommendations. Switzerland would like to emphasize three elements: first, protection challenges in the face of large movements of migrants and forcefully displaced persons; secondly, trafficking in persons, in particular women and children, as a means to fuel armed conflict, terrorism and violent extremism; and thirdly, the importance of ending impunity for sexual and gender- based violence. Switzerland is deeply concerned by the accounts of exploitation and trafficking in the context of large-scale movements of refugees and migrants.”

    2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source

15. “The participants recalled that security solutions alone cannot solve the problem of terrorism and reiterated that violent extremism cannot, and should not, be linked to any particular religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group. Moreover, the Conference offered an opportunity to stress the importance of the first and fourth pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, ahead of its review to be held in June in New York. Other results of the discussion at the Conference can be found in the Co-Chairs' conclusions, which were circulated at the end of the Conference. We hope that the Conference is able to provide a valuable contribution following these discussions in the Council.”

    2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source

16. “We welcome the Secretary-General's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, which gives renewed energy to United Nations prevention activities and to pillars I and IV of the 2006 United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. On 7 and 8 April, Switzerland, with the United Nations, organized the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism. The Conference, attended by 125 Member States, gave participants the opportunity to present their views on the Secretary-General's Plan of Action. The Conference helped to highlight the need for a more comprehensive and balanced approach to tackling terrorism, which includes systematic measures to prevent violent extremism.”

    2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source

17. “Preventing terrorism and violent extremism means stepping up efforts to promote the rule of law, human rights and, in situations of armed conflicts, international humanitarian law. Fighting against terrorism through the prevention of violent extremism is a priority for Switzerland, a fact that is given concrete expression in the Swiss framework of commitments to peace, security, development and human rights. We are convinced that national security is inextricably interwoven with human security and human rights, and secondly, that preventing violent extremism is the most effective way of countering terrorism. In order to underline our commitment to prevention, Switzerland has developed a foreign policy plan of action for the prevention of violent extremism.”

    2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source

18. “Switzerland thanks the Chinese presidency for having convened this open debate. We would like to take this opportunity to emphasize two elements: first, the importance of prevention in countering terrorism and violent extremism, and secondly, the recent Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism, which was organized by Switzerland and the United Nations. Terrorism continues to spread around the globe. It constitutes one of the gravest threats to international peace and security, aggravated still further by the emergence of terrorist groups like Da'esh, which control vast swathes of territory, the people who live there and their resources. In our battle against terrorism, we must make use of preventive as well as punitive measures.”

    2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source

19. “In recent months, we have seen both a decrease in available resources and a continuing increase in the needs in the areas of peace and security, development and humanitarian affairs. Switzerland is aware of the growing number of challenges our world faces, including that of the shrinking space in the field for civilian, humanitarian and development actors. Based on their long-standing presence on the ground, United Nations funds and programmes can often play a positive role in peacebuilding, as demonstrated by the Joint Programme of the United Nations Development Programme and the Department of Political Affairs on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention and the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections, which are supported by Switzerland.”

    2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source

20. “That consistency must not be driven by any institutional or financial consideration. United Nations efforts must be guided by the needs on the ground. In that connection, joint and participatory analysis and planning, conducted prior to deployment in the field, are essential. The Human Rights Up Front initiative is of particular value in that regard, as it enables all stakeholders to respond in a coherent and comprehensive manner and it ensures that field expertise is taken into consideration. Finally, not only does the United Nations have to assume responsibility in this area. The establishment of partnerships is also crucial - with the World Bank, for example.”

    2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source

21. “Those capacities, which include mediation, good offices and special political missions, should also be strengthened institutionally and financially. In particular, we should make better use of the capacities of the peacebuilding architecture, which is strengthened by its mandate to address the root causes of conflict and to build bridges among the different actors in the field. It is particularly well placed to support an appropriate response. Thirdly, the commitment of the United Nations to peace needs to be more consistent. That is particularly visible in situations of transition between the different forms of United Nations engagement. However, in order to ensure smooth transitions, we must encourage consistency as soon as the Security Council begins to take up the situation in a country.”

    2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source

22. “More generally, the Security Council could play a more robust role in promoting accountability - for example, by referring specific situations to the International Criminal Court or by adopting sanctions against perpetrators of violations. Nevertheless, conflict prevention is not only about tools and instruments; it is first and foremost about political will and leadership at the national, regional and international levels. Secondly, the United Nations has a broad range of tools at its disposal. It is crucial to use them in a flexible, consistent and context-specific manner. In that way it will be possible to resort more often to light-footprint engagements that take into account existing United Nations capacities and draw on them for support.”

    2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source

23. “I will focus my remarks on three points. First, Switzerland calls for boosting conflict prevention. Conflicts are straining the countries concerned and represent a step backwards in terms of development. Moreover, efforts to stabilize countries emerging from conflict and help them to build sustainable peace are costly. The best way to lower those costs and, above all, to avoid suffering is to prevent conflicts. Strengthening human rights and the rule oflaw are among the ways the Security Council can contribute to a preventive agenda. Careful monitoring of contexts in which human rights violations occur can serve as an early warning mechanism, while timely Security Council reaction following such violations can contribute to the swift adoption of measures.”

    2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source

24. “At the outset, let me state that Switzerland is deeply shocked and saddened by the terrorist attacks committed in the recent weeks. Switzerland strongly condemns those heinous acts, which go against the fundamental values of any society. We extend our deep condolences to the families of the victims and to all affected countries. Peace and security, development and human rights are closely linked. That observation is not new, yet we are still struggling to adequately directing our efforts. In that regard, it seems necessary to recall one of the conclusions of the review of peacekeeping operations, namely, the need to find political solutions to safeguard peace and avoid conflicts. Switzerland welcomes this opportunity to discuss ways that might enable us to better meet the different aspects of this problem.”

    2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source

25. “Switzerland has contributed to the establishment of regulatory frameworks favourable to the media and has helped journalists develop their capacity to perform their vital role - for example, in the Great Lakes region of Africa and Tunisia. Switzerland is also helping to strengthen media associations that advocate the freedom of the media and the safety of journalists.”

    2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source

26. “It is for those reasons that, through its development cooperation programmes, Switzerland has been supporting the establishment of independent media outlets in conflict-affected countries. Through its partner organization, the Fondation Hirondelle, it has contributed to the establishment of credible media outlets that reach out to local communities in crises situations, such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Finally, clear legislative and regulatory measures need to be adopted to enable journalists to do their work without interference or danger to their personal safety and security.”

    2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source

27. “Switzerland would like to remind everyone that journalists are protected as civilians under international humanitarian law. They may not be attacked and they have to be protected by all parties to an armed conflict, which have an obligation to ensure their safety and security. In situations of armed conflict, journalists play an important role in monitoring and prevention. By uncovering and informing about violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law, they give voice to victims of such abuses. Thus they play an important part in ending impunity for such acts. Moreover, media freedom is of paramount importance during transition from violent conflict to peace.”

    2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source

28. “An example of successful cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is the Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Responses to Conflict Situations, issued earlier this month by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the Organization of American States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the African Union's African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. The Declaration recognizes that States have a direct responsibility under international human rights law to respect the freedom of expression, including ensuring accountability for any attacks on those exercising their right to freedom of expression. Thirdly, journalists not only need protection but the perpetrators of violations against journalists must also be held accountable.”

    2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source

29. “Journalists continue to be systematically targeted for their investigative work. We need to remind ourselves that the right of journalists to carry out their work under safe conditions without fear of being harassed, threatened, attacked, beaten or killed is of paramount importance to safeguard the freedom of the media and of expression. Secondly, Switzerland is convinced that cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is essential to improve the implementation of international norms and standards regarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law.”

    2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source

30. “Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Violence againstjournalists is unacceptable and should be treated as an attack on society as a whole. The right to the freedom of expression, and by extension freedom of the media, plays a critical role in any democracy. State authorities are therefore obliged to respect, and to ensure respect for, those freedoms as an essential component of effective governance. I should like briefly to highlight four points. First, the protection of journalists should not be limited to armed conflict. According to Reporters Without Borders, in 2014, one in three journalists was killed outside of zones of armed conflict, and more than 1,800 reporters were threatened or attacked. The security of journalists must also be guaranteed outside of armed conflict.”

    2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source

31. “In conclusion, Switzerland, like other States present in the Chamber today, encourages the Security Council to adopt a draft resolution that would strengthen the principles set out in resolution 2117 (2013).”

    2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source

32. “Switzerland acknowledges the central role of instruments such as the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, the International Tracing Instrument and the Firearms Protocol. The entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was a milestone. Only its universalization and its thorough implementation can seriously tackle illicit trafficking and the excessive accumulation of small arms and light weapons. Switzerland is dedicated to those goals and therefore supports, inter alia, capacity- building efforts and measures that promote the Treaty's universality. In order to maintain its commitment to the Arms Trade Treaty and to contribute to its inclusive and efficient implementation, Switzerland has offered to host the ATT secretariat in Geneva.”

    2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source

33. “For that reason, Switzerland fully supports the inclusion in United Nations peacekeeping operations mandates of a standardized approach to the life-cycle management of small arms and light weapons, including ammunition. My delegation welcomes the fact that the Secretary-General's report on small arms and light weapons (S/2015/289) recognizes the gendered nature of armed violence. Switzerland takes gender-specific aspects into account in its programmes and projects aimed at countering the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.”

    2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source

34. “On the one hand, they contribute to preventing the diversion of State-owned weapons and ammunition to civilians, criminals or armed groups; on the other, they mitigate the risk of unplanned explosions at munition sites. The humanitarian and security implications of poorly managed ammunition stockpiles are highly alarming. Measures at the international level lack cohesiveness. Switzerland will therefore organize an international meeting, to be held in Geneva in November, to identify the possible next steps to improve the safety and security of stockpiles of conventional ammunition. Furthermore, efforts addressing the supply side of small arms and light weapons are particularly relevant in post-conflict situations.”

    2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source

35. “In 2006, Switzerland, alongside the United Nations Development Programme, launched the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development. The 113 States that support the initiative are dedicated to developing measures to reduce armed violence in order to enhance sustainable development at the global, regional and national levels. The current goal of the Geneva Declaration is to ensure that the experience gained is firmly anchored in the post-2015 development agenda. On the supply side, lifecycle management of Government-owned weapons and ammunition should be improved. In that regard, existing instruments, such as the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines and the International Small Arms Control Standards, play an important role.”

    2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source

36. “Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Over the past 15 years, a broad range of instruments and initiatives - national, regional and global - have been developed to prevent the illicit transfer, the destabilizing accumulation and the misuse of small arms and light weapons. Given the immense negative effects of these arms, the international community must redouble its efforts in that regard. My statement will focus on three challenges. In order to comprehensively respond to the impact of illicit small arms and light weapons on peace, security and development, a holistic approach that takes into account both supply and demand for small arms and light weapons is necessary. On the demand side, addressing the nexus between armed violence and development is particularly important.”

    2015-05-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7442 (2015) · source

37. “The Security Council has a key role to play in combating extremism and protecting civilian populations and minorities in times of conflict. Switzerland therefore welcomes the efforts and unity of the Council in facing the escalation of extremism.”

    2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source

38. “The prevention of violent extremism is one of Switzerland's priorities in its efforts to promote peace and combat terrorism. In addition to participating in global security efforts in this field, we are committed to promoting alternatives for young people who might be tempted to join extremist groups, in particular by strengthening efforts to build the capacities of at-risk societies. For that reason, Switzerland supports the work of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, which seeks to implement a long-term strategy to create jobs and therefore future prospects, so as to make all forms of extremism appear less attractive. Such preventive engagement is also clearly encouraged by resolution 2178 (2014).”

    2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source

39. “Fourthly, Switzerland stresses the importance of accountability, nationally and internationally, for all Violations and abuses committed against civilians and for attacks against cultural property and places of worship. We emphasize the need to prosecute such crimes at the national level and encourage all States to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In accordance with the principle of complementarity, we invite the Security Council to consider referring the situation in Iraq to the Court. We reiterate our call for the situation in Syria also to be referred. We deem regrettable the rejection of the draft resolution submitted to the Security Council in that respect and will pursue our efforts in this area.”

    2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source

40. “The measures taken as part of the struggle against terrorism should not criminalize humanitarian aid or any contacts established with non-State armed groups for humanitarian purposes. Thirdly, Switzerland condemns all human rights violations, whoever the perpetrators may be, and calls on all actors to stop the violence. We would point out that respect for and the protection of human rights is the primary responsibility of States. Counter-terrorism efforts cannot justify any weakening of the measures aimed at ensuring the protection of and respect for human rights and the rule of law. In all conflicts and unstable situations, members of vulnerable groups, including religious and ethnic minorities, run a greater risk of suffering human rights violations.”

    2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source

41. “It is extremely concerned about the credible allegations made by the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that the self-proclaimed Islamic State and other extremist groups may have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide. The murder of children, women and men and the immense suffering inflicted on the civilian population are unacceptable. Secondly, Switzerland calls on all parties to armed conflictstomeettheirobligationsunderinternationallaw and to respect humanitarian principles. Humanitarian assistance must benefit the persons affected, without any discrimination.”

    2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source

42. “Mr. Zehnder (Switzerland) (spoke in French): Switzerland would like to thank the French presidency of the Security Council for having organized this open debate. The diversity of the social, ethnic and religious fabric of the Middle East must be defended against all forms of identity-based aggression. Switzerland would like to raise five points. First, my country condemns in the strongest possible terms the human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed by Government armed forces and non-State armed groups in the Middle East and elsewhere.”

    2015-03-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7419 (2015) · source

43. “Switzerland will contribute funds to evaluate the impact of deploying child protection advisors within the framework of DPKO missions. In conclusion, Switzerland appreciates the initiative of the French presidency to summarize in a non-paper the specific operational idees proposed by Member States and welcomes the Security Council's intention to pursue this discussion in the context of the next open debate on children and armed conflict in June. Switzerland will submit its proposals in writing.”

    2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source

44. “There is an urgent need for us to mobilize in order to better enforce international law and to put an end to serious violations of the rights of children. The Security Council must strengthen measures regarding the protection of children as part of mission mandates. It is also essential to train peacekeeping staff in the issues related to the protection of children and to write specific provisions into the operational procedures adopted as well as into the rules of engagement. Switzerland welcomes the programme of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) that provides appropriate training for soldiers prior to their deployment. The programme should be compulsory for all troop-contributing countries.”

    2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source

45. “In response to that development, a good number of States have taken measures to combat terrorism that seek at the same time to protect children. However, some of those measures criminalize all humanitarian action or any contact established to humanitarian ends with armed groups considered extremist. Children in areas controlled by such groups therefore directly suffer the horrific consequences of those measures, and children deemed to have presumed or real links with armed groups are placed in detention. Switzerland commends the work of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack and welcomes the conclusion of the Lucens Guidelines. The Guidelines provide a solid basis for the prevention of the use of schools and universities by armed forces and armed groups during armed conflicts.”

    2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source

46. “Geneva Call has also adopted an innovative mechanism known as the Deed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects ofArmed Conflicts, which offers armed groups the possibility to commit to a signed declaration to respect a specific set of standards. Switzerland also supports the International Committee for the Red Cross, the organization that also upholds international humanitarian law and that plays an active role in the protection of children, as for example through its visits to detention centres with a particular focus on children. Switzerland is concerned by the indoctrination of children as well as by the scale of the acts of violence and the atrocities committed against them by armed groups over the past months.”

    2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source

47. “Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and encourages her efforts to raise the awareness of States and armed groups with respect to their commitment to the protection of children. Switzerland calls on Member States and all other actors in a position to provide access to United Nations personnel and ensure their safety to undertake a dialogue on the establishment and implementation of action plans, as well their subsequent monitoring. Switzerland supports the organization known as Geneva Call, which aims to encourage armed groups to respect their obligations. To that end, the organization relies on dialogue, consciousness-raising and training.”

    2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source

48. “Switzerland would like to thank the French presidency for organizing this open debate. My country particularly commends the specific focus on child victims of armed groups. Like States, armed groups, as parties to armed conflicts, are required to respect international humanitarian law. They are responsible for taking the necessary measures to prevent the recruitment of children and to ensure that children are adequately protected. Such actors are often unaware of their obligations, and direct or indirect contact with them is therefore essential. In certain conditions and according to specific criteria, Switzerland is convinced that dialogue with armed groups is possible and can lead to concrete results. My country appreciates the important work being carried out by Ms.”

    2015-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7414 (2015) · source

49. “What is needed most is genuine political will on the part of all Member States to provide the United Nations with all of the relevant capacities to promote international security, human rights and sustainable development across the world.”

    2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source

50. “It is our common responsibility to ensure that the Council fulfils its role in the most effective manner possible. As the coordinator of the trans-regional Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) group, Switzerland will continue its efforts to reform the working methods of the Security Council. Switzerland aligns itself also with the statement read earlier by Maldives on behalf of the ACT Group. Today the world is ridden by conflict, and civilians are the primary victims. Human rights and fundamental freedoms are cast aside. The Charter provides a unique and universal framework to enhance and maintain international peace and security.”

    2015-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7389 (2015) · source