YouSaid · the spoken record

Zerihoun

lines on the record: 223
first: 2011-10-31
most recent: 2018-12-21
sittings or episodes: 19
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 question of missing persons and the need to create a mechanism by which all parties to the conflict exchange information and cooperate to establish the whereabouts of those who have gone missing in the conflict zone remains critical. In Crimea, isolation from mainland Ukraine continues to grow, with deepening concerns for the human rights situation in the peninsula. The recent decision to ban the activities of the Mejlis, the representative body of the Crimean Tatars, are of particular concern. On a positive note, on 29 December 2015, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine published a national human rights action plan.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“It is also important that the freedom of movement of civilians be ensured and that they have sustained and safe access across the contact line. As a result of the recent closure of and failure to open new checkpoints, many civilians continue to queue for hours, often at night, in unsafe locations just to access basic services or to visit families and properties. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through its monitoring mission in Ukraine, continues to monitor and report on the situation of human rights throughout the country and to make recommendations to all parties to the conflict. There are a number of pressing human rights concerns.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“The ongoing suspension by the de facto authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces of almost all operations of the United Nations and and international non-governmental organizations since July 2015 is of great concern. Undue bureaucratic impediments deprive hundreds of thousands of people access to urgently needed essential services, supplies and other protection activities. This is further compounded by the decision of the Ukrainian Government to suspend social payments, including pensions, to an estimated 600,000 displaced people, pending verification of their status. While the legitimate right of the Government to combat fraud is understandable, it is important to put in place a transparent system that provides clear information about the criteria for any cancellation of benefits and proper communication to those concerned.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“Of note are the ongoing negotiations in Minsk and among Normandy partners related to modalities for holding local elections in rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk under Ukrainian law and as per international standards. We hope that ensuing political, technical and legal divergences can soon be overcome. All concerned should find common ground and take immediate steps to live up to the commitments they have undertaken on other bedrock political issues, including amnesty and special-status constitutional changes, as well as on exchange of prisoners. The situation in Ukraine is also grave on the humanitarian front. More than 3 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance, especially those close to the contact line and in areas beyond Government control.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“The frequent clashes are also coupled with increased presence and use of proscribed heavy weaponry, with more such weapons now being reported outside of storage sites. In addition to these sobering developments, there is a lack of systemic mine action and reportedly high levels of military readiness and preparedness. This precarious situation should not be allowed to persist because it will create fertile ground for a further deterioration of the situation. All parties must immediately cease hostilities and implement in earnest their commitments under the Minsk agreements, as well as those made since then in the Trilateral Contact Group and its Security Working Group. Clearly, an improvement in the security situation would be crucial to creating an environment conducive to progress in the political sphere.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“In order to carry out its mandate, the Mission must urgently be granted full and unfettered access, including to the border, as stipulated under the Minsk agreements. All efforts to hinder such access should be condemned, and although the restrictions are happening on both sides of the contact line, according to statistics provided by the Special Monitoring Mission, they seem to take place more in rebel-held areas. Efforts to harass, intimidate and especially to perpetrate violence against the Mission must be deplored, and must cease immediately. Fighting is still being reported daily, with a sustained period of escalation witnessed over recent weeks and months at levels not seen since the intense phase of the conflict in August 2014.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“While some of the recent civilian casualties have been caused by indiscriminate shelling, most are caused by landmines, booby traps and other explosive remnants of war, which continue to represent the biggest threat to civilian life and security, underscoring the urgent need for extensive mine clearance and mine-awareness actions on both sides of the contact line. We are pleased that Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik are joining us, despite the late hour in Kyiv. We look forward to hearing their assessments of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, and wish to thank the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission for continuing to dutifully carry out its mandate in what is often a challenging and dangerous environment. The Special Monitoring Mission's role in eastern Ukraine remains instrumental.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“The total number of conflict-related casualties continues to increase, and now stands at more than 30,700, including more than 9,300 killed and almost to 21,400 injured since the beginning of the conflict, in mid-April 2014. The latest tragic incident, which occurred on 27 April when at least four civilians were killed and at least eight were injured by shelling in the village of Olenivka, near the city of Donetsk, is a stark reminder of the high human cost of the continued conflict.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“Regular meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group and its four working groups - on political affairs and security, humanitarian and economic matters - continue to be central in that regard. As the Council is well aware, on 14 April the Ukrainian Parliament voted for the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Mr. Volodymyr Groysman. The new Government's commitment to the implementation of the Minsk agreements has been widely welcomed. Such commitment is expected to be converted into further concrete actions. Those developments are highly valuable in their own right. However, those positive steps forward continue to be heavily undermined to some extent by an overall precarious and unsustainable situation in the conflict area.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“A second development was the commitment announced at the beginning of March this year, in the framework of the security working group, on the implementation of additional sectorial agreements on demining in priority areas, as well as the prohibition of military training in proximity to the contact line - all encouraging steps. The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, the Russian Federation and Ukraine on 3 March and the continued investment of time and political capital by all the relevant actors have also been instrumental in efforts to bridge prevailing differences and keep the focus on concrete milestones towards the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“Mr. Zerihoun: As the conflict in the eastern Ukraine enters its third year, the Security Council is meeting today with both a sense of urgency and hope. The continued failure to fully implement the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements has served to underscore the crucial need to make progress towards a political settlement of the conflict. Since the Security Council last considered the situation in Ukraine, on 11 December 2015 (see S/PV.7576), some positive developments have been registered. Not least among them was the fact that the ceasefire was largely respected during the last weeks of 2015.”
2016-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7683 (2016) · source
“Finally and most importantly, the African Union is scheduled to hold an extraordinary summit on maritime security and development for Africa on 15 and 16 October in Lome. We believe that the summit will provide a unique opportunity for the countries of the region to renew their commitment to jointly enhancing the maritime security architecture in the Gulf of Guinea.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Ultimately, countering the current threats will require a combination of capacities, including qualitative improvements in the collection of intelligence; the sharing and improved analysis of intelligence; the enhancement of capacities in both the infrastructure and training of local law-enforcement agencies of the Gulf of Guinea countries; and the establishment of effective customs and border-control systems throughout the subregion. It is also important to avoid the duplication of international capacity-building efforts with respect to maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. The G7++ and the Friends of the Gulf of Guinea groups have been serving as useful coordination platforms in this regard.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Tackling international crimes of trafficking, piracy and theft requires a combination of efforts and an understanding that suppression, while necessary, is not sufficient. Those who commit illegal acts at sea are highly adaptable, increasingly sophisticated in their methods and often well-informed. This requires national, regional and global efforts to be flexible and proactive. Initiatives aimed at addressing socioeconomic development and lack of job opportunities are also required to provide prospects to marginalized populations that may be involved in piracy activities, most notably young people.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The mobilization of resources remains a key priority for ensuring the effective operationalization of the Interregional Coordination Centre, particularly given that a significant component of the Centre's budgetary resources is expected to come from bilateral and international partners. For that reason, the Heads of State and Government of ECCAS, ECOWAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission have agreed in principle on the organization of a future conference of partners and third-party contributors in Yaounde'. The conference is expected to be held immediately after the meeting of the G7++ and Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, which is scheduled to be held on 6 and 7 June in Lisbon. The United Nations is committed to assisting in this endeavour through its regional offices in Central and West Africa.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The meeting reviewed the staff recruitment and procedures of the Interregional Coordination Centre, the budget for the second half of this year and for 2017, as well as a proposed programme of activities. With regard to the budget, the meeting recommended that member States contribute 40 percent of the necessary resources, while bilateral and international partners would contribute the rest. The Summit also recommended that ECCAS, ECOWAS, the Gulf of Guinea Commission and their member States expedite the disbursement of funds to allow for the operationalization of the International Criminal Court between July and December this year. Moreover, it was proposed that additional sources of funding be explored through the taxation of beneficiaries of the ports situated in the Gulf of Guinea region.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The regional maritime coordination centre for Central Africa has been operational since its official launch in October 2014, while the multinational and regional maritime coordination centres are at different stages of operationalization. However, despite its inauguration in 2014, the Interregional Coordination Centre itself is not fully operational due to staffing, funding and other logistical constraints. An extraordinary meeting of thed Heads of State and Government of ECCAS, ECOWAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission was held in Yaounde on 12 February to address the challenges in the operationalization of the Interregional Coordination Centre. Both the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for West Africa and for Central Africa attended the meeting on behalf of the United Nations.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The Interregional Coordination Centre was inaugurated in Yaounde' on 11 September 2014 to coordinate all operations with regard to the suppression of piracy and other criminal activities in the Gulf of Guinea. This marked an important and positive step in the cooperation between West and Central Africa in the fight against piracy and crimes at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region. The Interregional Cooperation Centre is expected to coordinate two regional maritime coordination centres: the Regional Maritime Security Centre for Central Africa (CRESMAC), located in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, and the yet-to-be established regional maritime security centre for West Africa, to be located in Abidjan.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“During the Summit, the Heads of State and Government committed to working towards the promotion ofpeace, security and stability in the Gulf of Guinea. Notably, the Summit adopted a memorandum of understanding on maritime safety and security in the Central and West African regions that set objectives and areas of cooperation; a code of conduct; and a political declaration on enhancing cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea. The Summit also agreed on the creation of the Gulf of Guinea Interregional Coordination Centre to implement the regional strategy for maritime safety and security, and established a clear division of labour that charged the regional organizations with responsibility for strategy and coordination, and the States with responsibility for operations.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The Council may recall that, following an upsurge in incidents of piracy, armed robbery at sea and other illicit activities in the Gulf of Guinea, its resolutions 2018 (2011) and 2039 (2012) encouraged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf of Guinea Commission (GGC) to develop a comprehensive regional anti-piracy strategy for the Gulf with United Nations support. As a result, the ECOWAS, ECCAS and GGC Summit of Heads of State and Government of on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea was held in Yaounde in June 2013, with the support of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“In the first quarter of 2016, the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre recorded six attacks and six attempted attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, including nine in Nigeria, one in Cote d'Ivoire and two within the territorial waters of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cases of the hijacking of vessels off the coast ofNigeria for political purposes by the self-described Biafra militants, and kidnappings along the coasts of Western and Central Africa, have also recently been recorded.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Mr. Zerihoun: I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. As the Council is well aware, the issue of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea is regularly covered in the biannual briefings by the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for the Central and West African regions. However, this is the first time in almost five years that the Security Council has dedicated a meeting to the subject. Over the past few years, there has been a steady decline in the number of recorded incidents of piracy, armed robbery at sea and other illicit activities in the Gulf of Guinea. However, insecurity at sea remains a source of concern in the region.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Experience has shown that, if we are present, with early diplomatic initiatives and by actively engaging civil society - notably women's organizations - with the support of the international community and the necessary resources, we stand a better chance of helping prevent and resolve conflicts and in making political stability and peace more sustainable.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“To promote women's political participation in Central Africa, the United Nations Office for Central Africa, in cooperation with its regional partner - the Economic Community of Central African States - in 2014 organized a gender workshop on the role of women in electoral processes in the region. That effort has helped the Central Africa region to establish a platform for the promotion of women's participation in politics. Ahead of elections in Chad next month, the Office is taking steps to facilitate a national political dialogue. A workshop on the participation of women was organized to feed into the broader dialogue with civil society organizations. The case for inclusive preventive diplomacy is compelling.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Those mediators have moved on to build the capacity of other women in the region, and have since contributed to national dialogue processes in Mali and Guinea. The Office also helped advance women's participation in electoral processes in Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Togo by supporting the adoption of legislation on gender parity and quotas to help women assume political office. Noticeable efforts have also been made by the African Union and other partners in the region to ensure that gender is more systematically integrated in electoral processes, including in election observation. It is encouraging to note that currently the average rate of women members of parliament in Africa is slightly above the global average.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Additional policy initiatives include the development of a framework for mainstreaming gender into SADC's peace and security architecture and a strategy for combating sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict situations. Regionally, we welcomed the appointment by the African Union, in 2014, of its first Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security. Our work on elections also underscores the centrality of women's participation in decision-making processes. The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel actively enhances the role of women in conflict prevention and political participation. In 2011, the Office started training and building the mediation and negotiation capacities of women and set up a network of 32 women mediators.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Today, about 85 per cent of United Nations mediation involves working closely with regional and subregional organizations. To cite but one example, the Department of Political Affairs has been working very closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) following the signing of a framework for cooperation between the two organizations in September 2010, focusing on the need to strengthen partnership in prevention, peacemaking and mediation. In close coordination with UN-Women, DPA continues to complement SADC efforts to advance the promotion of the women, peace and security agenda in the region.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“The United Nations therefore supports regional and subregional organizations by promoting and strengthening regional capacities for inclusive mediation to enable the more effective participation of women at all levels of peacemaking. This cooperation is built on the knowledge that women's effective participation in transformative decision-making processes will address underlying inequalities and social divisions. It also addresses the specific needs of women and helps to incorporate a stronger gender perspective in reconstruction, reconciliation and post-conflict peacebuilding. During the past decade, we have sharpened our preventive tools and achieved some progress. The good offices of the Secretary-General, our regional offices and our cooperation with regional organizations have yielded positive results.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“We must, however, not forget that despite the concerted efforts of international and regional organizations, as well as of national Governments, to eliminate discrimination and promote the empowerment of women, unequal access and opportunities for women's participation in political decision-making processes persist worldwide. As highlighted by all three peace and security reviews that were undertaken last year, prioritizing prevention and inclusive political solutions has never been more urgent. It is only by uniting our efforts that we will be able to advance the principles underpinning the Charter of the United Nations. Peace processes afford unique opportunities for promoting women's effective participation.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“It helps build mediation capacity for envoys and mediation teams by providing gender expertise and training, while UN-Women strengthens the capacity of regional, national and local women leaders and peace coalitions, and supports access opportunities for women in peace negotiations. We also document relevant lessons learned and develop practical guidance materials for mediators. The United Nations Guidance on Effective Mediation and the Guidance for Mediators on Addressing Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Ceasefire and Peace Agreements are yielding concrete results on the ground, where it matters the most.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“These positive developments have improved the inclusion of stronger gender-relevant provisions in ceasefires and peace agreements. To advance these efforts, the Department of Political Affairs has developed a high-level mediation-skills training. Half of the participants are women and the training aims to enhance gender parity and the future character and configuration of international peacemaking. To build institutional capacity, the Department conducts semi-annual training on gender/ women, peace and security. As a result, some 164 envoys and senior mediation actors have taken part in the high- level seminar series on gender and inclusive mediation. The Department also continues to implement its Joint Strategy with UN-Women on Gender and Mediation.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“For the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), promoting women's effective participation in conflict mediation and addressing their specific needs in peacemaking efforts has been a priority since the Department undertook 15 women, peace and security commitments in 2010. As many Council members are aware, the Department monitors and reports annually to the Security Council on progress made in implementing these commitments. As a result of senior leadership and institutional buy-in, combined with a systematic effort to mainstream these commitments in its work, the Department's conflict prevention work has become increasingly inclusive. Since 2012, all United Nations mediation support teams have included women. United Nations co-led mediation processes consult with women's representatives on the delegations of negotiating parties.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“Mr. Zerihoun: I thank you, Madam, for this opportunity to address this open debate on the role of women in conflict prevention and mediation in Africa, on behalf of the Department of Political Affairs. The Secretary-General has made the advancement of women a top priority since he assumed office and has instructed the senior management of the Secretariat to place the issue at the centre of what they do. This system-wide focus signalled the beginning of an important reorientation, informed by the basic fact that women living with conflict have strategic knowledge and networks that can contribute to its resolution. Recent research has also established that women's participation in peace talks facilitates not only the conclusion of agreements and their implementation but - crucially - also the sustainability of peace.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“We call on community, religious and political leaders on all sides to calm the language they use in this regard and to work together to de-escalate the situation.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The Secretary-General has called for a thorough investigation of all such cases. It is clear that such incidents serve only to exacerbate the situation, leading to a vicious cycle of needless bloodshed. We appreciate Israeli efforts to reduce the lethality of response, particularly in Gaza after the indefensible killings ofprotesters behind the separation fence, and we encourage greater restraint whenever there is no imminent threat to life or of serious injury. Finally, we have seen that the impact of social media and irresponsible rhetoric has played a dramatic role in the escalation. On this count, both sides have much to be blamed for, but we welcome the efforts of leaders in recent days to tone down their statements.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“Reckless statements made by Palestinian and Israeli extremist elements, reinforced by some mainstream voices as well, have insinuated that Israel is aiming to change the status quo at the holy sites. This fear has reverberated widely across the Arab world. Prime Minister Netanyahu's repeated assurances that Israel has no intention of changing the historic status quo at the holy sites have been welcome, but perceptions will change only when concrete actions, based on the agreements between Israel and Jordan, follow those words. A second factor feeding the escalation has been the apparent heavy-handed approach taken by Israeli security services. Wide dissemination of video footage of several incidents fueled more attacks and has raised serious questions as to the appropriate level of force used by the IDF and police.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The persistence of the occupation and diminishing prospects for achieving Palestinian aspirations to statehood have transformed long- simmering Palestinian anger into outright rage. That stark reality has been compounded by the increasingly dire economic situation and circumstances, including the bleak prospects for youth employment. The continued and expanding settlement activities further diminish the hope and potential for creating a viable Palestinian State. Such loss of political perspective is the single-most damaging factor that contributes to the anger and frustration driving the violence that we are seeing today. Against this backdrop, there are a number of factors that sparked the current crisis. Tensions at the holy sites in Jerusalem were the main instigators.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The homes of those accused of carrying out terror attacks will be demolished within days of any attack, and their families - if residents of East Jerusalem and not Israeli citizens - will have their permanent residency status revoked. Already this month, two structures have been blown up and a third one partially sealed. However, those actions followed attacks that took place in 2014. A total of 30 Palestinians, including 20 children, were displaced as a result of those demolitions. The United Nations has maintained a consistent position on those issues. Collective punishment, including house demolitions, is counterproductive and contravenes international law, and we have urged Israel to cease that damaging practice. What is clear is that the current crisis cannot be resolved through security measures alone.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The Israeli Defence Forces have already significantly bolstered their presence in Israeli city centres, while many Arab neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem have been surrounded by security forces, with access roads having been blocked and checkpoints established. Following the deterioration that began on 1 October, the Israeli authorities have also reinstated a number of movement restrictions in the West Bank, in particular by restaffing 16 checkpoints that had previously been left unstaffed. Ad hoc checkpoints have been erected at over 100 West Bank sites for varying periods of time. Additional measures are being introduced with the goal of deterring would-be terrorists from carrying out attacks.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“Palestinian militants fired at least eight rockets towards Israel during the past week alone, with most having fallen short and landed within Gazan territory, and one having been intercepted by Iron Dome. Another rocket was test-fired at the sea, to which the Israeli Defence Forces responded with warning shots, injuring one Palestinian. As of yesterday, a total of 7 Israelis and 32 Palestinians, including those who allegedly conducted or attempted attacks, were killed. Some 124 Israelis, including Israeli security force personnel, and over 1,118 Palestinians have reportedly been injured since 1 October. Since those latest attacks, Israel's Security Cabinet has passed a broad range of new security measures, which are already being implemented.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“There were 11 reported attacks against Israelis and Israeli security forces, leaving 4 Israelis and 9 Palestinians dead and 16 Israelis and 4 Palestinians wounded. There were also three reported stabbings and ramming attacks on Israelis in Israel, leaving 10 Israelis injured and 3 Palestinian suspects wounded. In Gaza, a seventh Palestinian succumbed to his wounds on 10 October, after clashing with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) near the security barrier the previous day. On 11 October, and a Palestinian woman and her 4-year-old child died in Gaza after Israeli air strikes on Hamas sites caused a building to collapse. The air strikes were in response to rocket-fire on southern Israel the day before, 10 October.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The United Nations welcomes President Abbas' condemnation of the arson attack and his announcement that a committee has been established to conduct a full investigation into the crime. This incident represents a particularly troubling development in the light of its religious dimension. We call on all sides to respect the sanctity of all holy sites and reject the extremist elements that are pursuing a political agenda and seeking to transform the current situation from a national into a religious struggle. If they are successful in those efforts, the consequences could be catastrophic for Palestinians and Israelis alike, with serious reverberations throughout the region. This latest incident comes on the heels of a deadly week in the West Bank, Jerusalem and East Jerusalem.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“Mr. Zerihoun: I thank you, Mr. President, and the members of the Security Council for the opportunity to brief the Council today on the current situation in the Middle East, which unfortunately remains extremely concerning. Today we witnessed yet another example of the escalating violence when a large group of Palestinians set fire to the compound containing the holy site of Joseph's Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, but the site sustained major damage. As with the many deadly incidents over the past weeks, the Secretary-General strongly condemns this reprehensible act and calls on those responsible to be swiftly brought to justice.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“Time is running out, and the Burundian leaders should do all they can to safeguard the hard-won peace and the letter and spirit of the Arusha Agreement.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source
“The grave danger the country faces should not be underestimated, given the increasing polarization and the apparent choice of Burundian leaders to put personal interests before those of the country. The East African Community summit communique provides a clear path forward. The United Nations remains ready to provide whatever support is needed. Burundian actors must accept that political dialogue and compromise is the only way out of the impending downward spiral. They must act responsibly. The Government, first and foremost, has the responsibility to protect all Burundian citizens and their fundamental rights. The opposition, for its part, also needs to disavow the use of violence and agree to enter into political dialogue with the Government.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source
“So far, the reaction in Burundi has been relatively muted. The Government of Burundi has indicated that it would consider the recommendations, while some opposition members have expressed disappointment that the communique did not go far enough. The Security Council has followed the situation in Burundi for many years through different reincarnations of the United Nations presence that have been dispatched to help implement the 2000 Arusha Agreement and to help consolidate peace and security in Burundi. It is regrettable that the hard-won progress achieved by Burundians is in serious danger of slipping away. As the Secretary-General indicates in the report before the Council, Burundi is once again on the brink.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source
“In its communique, the Summit implicitly recognizes the shortcomings identified by the two previous EAC summits and adopted, among others, the following decisions: first, the postponement of the presidential elections to 30 July; secondly, the appointment of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda as facilitator of the dialogue among the parties in Burundi; thirdly, the formation of a Government of national unity, involving both those who participated in the elections and those who did not; fourthly, the deployment of an East African Community election observer mission to observe the presidential elections; fifthly, the disarmament of the Imbonerakure and other armed groups and youth groups allied with political parties; and lastly, the deployment of military observers to oversee the disarmament process.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source
“In a further sign of potential escalation, one of the leaders of the failed coup recently claimed on a Kenyan television channel that his group was responsible for the wave of grenade attacks and security incidents in Burundi, and vowed to continue to use violence to overthrow the Government. Since the suspension of the political dialogue led by the joint international facilitation team on 26 June, there has not been any formal forum for dialogue among Burundian stakeholders. However, some States members of the East African Community have continued to consult the parties following the decision of the Community on the proposal of its Summit on the formation of a Government of national unity. The East African Community held its third Emergency Summit on 6 July in Dar es Salaam.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source
“The remaining four candidates have not launched their campaigns and belong to political parties and coalitions that have announced their intentions to boycott the polls. The political and security situations in Burundi have remained tense and volatile since the holding of the legislative and communal elections. The killing of a police officer on 1 July by unidentified armed men sparked a new wave of violence and clashes between the police and residents of the neighbourhood of Cibitoke and Mutakura in Bujumbura. Police raided the area to carry out house-to-house searches, reportedly to disarm the population, which resulted in the killing of five civilians. The police operation took place while Burundi was commemorating its fifty- third anniversary of independence.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source
“In line with the power-sharing arrangements enshrined in the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi and the Constitution of Burundi, the Electoral Commission intends to assign 21 more seats to meet the requirements of 30 per cent women representation and to balance Hutu, Tutsi and Batwa seats. The results, as I mentioned, have been rejected by the opposition. Preparations for the presidential election are ongoing. Ballot papers have been printed with all eight candidates approved by the Electoral Commission, including those who have announced they would boycott the election. The distribution of material to different parts of the country has started. Four presidential candidates have launched their campaigns, namely, CNDD-FDD, the Coalition for Peace in Africa, UPRONA and the Forces nationales de liberation.”
2015-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7482 (2015) · source