YouSaid · the spoken record

Zinsou

lines on the record: 354
first: 2004-02-17
most recent: 2015-05-13
sittings or episodes: 46
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

“AFISMA must be able to rapidly deploy its full capacity, in terms of troops and equipment, in order to assert itself on the ground before the terrorist groups with the sustained support of France and all countries of the free world highly concerned by the situation. For us, the start of that military campaign is fully authorized by resolution 2085 (2012). The United Nations should immediately deploy to the African Union and ECOWAS the logistics, equipment and financial support package provided for by the resolution, and finance the implementation of the Organization's earmarked resources and other available resources ahead of the donor conference expected to help set up the trust fund, pursuant to paragraph 22 of the resolution.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“France's intervention brought firepower consistent with the threat looming over Mali, stopped the aggressors from advancing and paved the way for the arrival of troops of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that are part of the African- led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA). The developing situation has placed Mali in a situation of extreme urgency and requires an immediate increase of AFISMA's strength, mindful of the fact that it is an international force open to all contributions from other African countries that wish to participate in destroying the terrorist hydra in the Sahel. We thank the countries that are providing logistical support for the deployment of the ECOWAS and African Union troops.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“Boni Yayi, has reiterated his belief in the ability of the international community to demonstrate the necessary decisiveness with respect to the advancing threat of religious intolerance and fanatical fundamentalism, which fuel terrorism, which is seeking safe haven in Mali. We wish to express our admiration of and deep gratitude to France, historically Mali's closest partner beyond the continent. At the decisive moment, France, through a robust intervention, came to the assistance of the Malian State, at the request of its legitimate authorities. It came to Africa's help a few hours after the urgent appeal launched by President Yayi, in his capacity as Chairman of the African Union, in the face of the swelling ranks of armed criminal groups advancing on Bamako.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“Mali's borders have impregnable ramparts forged by respect by its neighbours for the principle of the intangibility of borders, which is so dear to the African Union, and by the recognition of the territorial integrity of Mali by the international community. Mali can count on the solidarity of the States of Africa in general and those of West Africa in particular, which are strongly committed to regional integration and to mutual defence among its member countries. At no time was Benin's belief shaken that the free world would not let Bamako fall into the hands of a transnational criminal network masquerading in different forms. The President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Mr.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“Here Benin wishes to convey its condolences to the families of the victims of that attack, including the hostages, dozens of whom died at the hands of the terrorists. May their souls rest in peace. There is no doubt that Mali will recover from this situation. It will rise again to pay tribute to the illustrious memory of its sons and friends who died on the battlefield to prevent the country from falling to the terrorists. Indeed, Mali is a State member of the Community of Democracies and the site of the conception and adoption of the Bamako Declaration, which in November 2000 laid down a shared conception of democracy in francophone countries. In the view ofBenin, Mali is and wishes to remain a secular State.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“The crisis in that country is the undeniable outcome of the fall of the former Libyan regime and in particular the result of the inflow of hegemonistic outside elements with ties to criminal networks and religious extremists, who have sought to subjugate a free and independent State by making use of a tiny subgroup of one of the ethnic minorities. Since 10 January 2013, they have clearly shown themselves to be terrorists and they have made clear the nature of the threat that they pose to the State of Mali. Over and above their actions in Mali, in recent days they have attacked Algeria's vital infrastructures, causing the deaths of innocent victims who had been taken hostage as retribution for that country's support for the efforts undertaken against the terrorists in Mali.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“That heritage is part of the historical memory of Africa; UNESCO has rightly determined it to be the heritage of all humankind and called for the mobilization of resources to restore the sites that have been destroyed. We pay tribute to all agencies and partners, as well those persons of goodwill, who are seeking to provide humanitarian aid to the peoples affected by the crisis, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons. The evolution of the situation in Mali has dispelled any doubt as to the nature of the threat and the challenges faced by Mali.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): May I begin, Sir, by once again congratulating you most warmly on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and thanking you for having convened this important meeting on Mali, which is being held at a critical juncture in the history of the country. Over and above Mali, the crisis affects the stability of the entire Sahel region, West Africa and the continent as a whole, and even the entire world. I wish also to thank Mr. Feltman for his very informative briefing on the situation. Since northern Mali fell under the control of fundamentalist groups, the whole world has witnessed grave violations of human rights and the destruction of the cultural heritage of that country.”
2013-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6905 (2013) · source
“I would also like to endorse the appeal made by the Ambassador of France for more respect for multilingualism in the deployment of peacekeeping operations, in particular in French-speaking countries.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“I would be remiss not to mention the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, in particular in terms of deploying peacekeeping operations. The question of the financing of operations initiated by the African Union and its regional economic communities is on the table. It needs to be resolved in order to shore up complementarities in the collective security system established by the Charter of the United Nations to address threats to international peace and security. That is particularly relevant when there is a need for strenuous combat action, which the basic principles of peacekeeping operations do not allow the United Nations to undertake.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“In this regard, the CAPMATCH arrangement established by the Secretary-General is of real interest in terms of building the capacity of peacekeeping operations because it enables, inter alia, the sharing of experience with countries that have been through similar experiences. In conclusion, I underscore the need for cooperation between Member States in order to enhance the ability of least developed countries to contribute effectively to peacekeeping operations by providing them with equipment that meets United Nations standards. In that respect, I commend our partnerships with France, Belgium and the United States, which have allowed our country to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping operations.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“Quick-impact projects would be very useful in all phases of the normalization process, not only to win hearts and minds by providing immediate peace dividends, but also to create the appropriate context in which to undertake dialogue on long-term measures for post-conflict recovery. Soldiers deployed in the force should be made available for basic infrastructure projects. This would enable them to ensure the provision of essential social services. However, the most important point to be aware of is the need to harmonize efforts for stabilization and peacebuilding, and to ensure that the necessary civil skills are made available to that end as soon as possible.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“The completion of military operations should involve the departure of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General who led the mission in the first phase of its activities. That departure should enable the Deputy Special Representative to be promoted to head of the mission to manage the peacebuilding phase. The key role of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary- General is to prepare reforms in the context of long- term peacebuilding by identifying the problems and challenges to be faced and assisting the country in developing a strategic work plan drafted in conjunction with the country's authorities and various stakeholders. If possible, some structural reforms should be launched while the international force is still on the ground in order to maximize synergies.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“Such effectiveness depends on the ability of the mission to transfer the necessary know- how and expertise to national structures to enable them to fully play their role in the functioning of the State apparatuse. However, the manner in which disarmament, demobilization and reintegration measures for former combatants are carried out is also important in this respect, as is the manner in which the basis for economic recovery is laid out. The procurement policies of peacekeeping operations should contribute to that recovery. On another note, a degree of continuity should be ensured in the work of the international community in terms of the leadership of the mission.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“The definition of strategic priorities and the follow- up to their implementation should be undertaken in a coordinated manner through ongoing dialogue between the authorities of the country and the relevant head of the mission or Special Representative of the Secretary- General in order to enable full national ownership of the normalization process. The development of the nature and orientation of the mission must take into consideration the actions most necessary at each stage. The relevant decisions should be taken in conjunction with the national authorities. The comparative advantages of peacekeeping operations should be harnessed to increase the effectiveness of measures taken and their implementation.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“Such situations are increasingly encountered in the theatre of operations, in particular when there is a need to protect civilians from imminent violence and to monitor and enforce embargoes. On the second point, it is important to harmonize security measures with efforts to rebuild and strengthen national institutions, which are the main vehicles for peacebuilding. In order to be sustainable, those national institutions must be founded on a fair division of power among the different parts of society, and they must be inclusive. The configuration ofpeacekeeping operations should respond to the nature of the challenges faced. The relative clout of their various component should depend on the challenges faced in the various stages, as the situation on the ground returns to normal.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“At the current stage of its development, the main issues facing peacekeeping remain how to balance mandates for missions and the resources available to them with the challenges they face, and how to ensure complementarity between conventional peacekeeping activities and assistance measures designed to allow host countries of peacekeeping operations to swiftly reach a level of stability and normality. The forces deployed would thereby be able to withdraw at the right time, and the transition towards development in the context of autonomous governance could begin. On the first point, it is important to continue to consider the possibility of providing peacekeeping operations with robust mandates and high-tech equipment, enabling them to address situations that require such measures.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): Mr. President, I would like to offer you my heartfelt congratulations on your country's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and to thank you for having organized today's open debate on peacekeeping operations. I would like to pay particular tribute to you for having been kind enough to preside over today's debate yourself. The contribution of the Secretary-General to today's debate was a very edifying contribution as well. Peacekeeping operations are a crucial aspect of the work of the United Nations in exercising its responsibilities. The international community has made much progress in adapting that precious instrument to changing challenges and threats to international peace and security.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“A settlement to the Palestinian situation should go hand in hand with the settlement of all the pending issues in the Middle East, including the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone, respect for human rights and the promotion of gender equality in all countries of the region, respecting the fundamental principles and values contained in the United Nations Charter.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“Benin has always supported and continues to support a free and independent Palestinian State living in peaceful coexistence with Israel. Benin lends its unflagging support to the two-State solution and calls on the Security Council to facilitate the prompt execution of that solution in order to offer the Palestinian people relief from the compound sufferings that mark their daily lives. We believe in the virtues of mediation and of choosing that option as the means to resolve disputes in today's world. We therefore urge the Quartet to step up its efforts to quickly restore dialogue between the two parties in order to find a lasting solution to this situation, which has gone on far too long.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“It is high time to resolve all other final status issues in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions. (spoke in French) Having made that group statement, I would like to make some remarks and comments in my national capacity. At the outset, I wish to say that recent history teaches us that the greatest threats to international peace and security come from peoples who have long been frustrated. The Palestinian question makes of the Arab community a frustrated community. Benin believes firmly that the United Nations, with the dynamism that characterizes it today - and which Benin greatly appreciates - has the resources to find a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, and that it should not shirk its historic responsibility to do so.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“The African Group regrets the lack of progress in the peace process and calls for the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis. It reaffirms its support for a peaceful solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the principles of international law and all relevant United Nations resolutions, with an emphasis on the establishment of an independent Palestinian State within the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. It is high time for the international community to act decisively, guided by the rules and principles of international law and justice, in order to finally bring an end to the Israeli occupation. It is high time to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and freedom.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“The African Group reiterates that all Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, constitute grave breaches of international law and a grave danger to the viability of the internationally agreed two-State solution of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. The African Group calls on the international community, including the Security Council, to act in unison to compel Israel to cease forthwith its construction and expansion of settlements and to abide by its obligations under international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. That is imperative for salvaging the prospects for realizing the two-State solution based on the pre-1967 borders.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“The African Group remains deeply concerned by the grave situation prevailing in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as a result of the continuation and escalation of illegal Israeli policies and practices. Israel's unlawful actions and illegal practices have contributed to the worsening of the humanitarian situation and to economic deterioration in the occupied Palestinian territory. In this connection, the African Group calls for an end to all of those illegal practices and policies, and for the immediate and complete lifting of the illegal blockade imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The African Group is especially concerned by the continued construction and expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“At the outset, allow me, Sir, on behalf of the African Group, to congratulate South Africa on its assumption of the Security Council presidency and on its wise leadership of the Council. Allow me to also acknowledge the presence of South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, who is presiding over this important meeting today. The African Group would also like to express its appreciation to the Russian Federation for its proficient stewardship of the Council during the month of December. The African Group furthermore expresses its warm congratulations to the new Security Council members and conveys its appreciation to the members whose terms ended in December.”
2012-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6706Resumption1 (2012) · source
“I would like to assure him of the full readiness of Benin to cooperate with the entire United Nations system to totally eliminate the scourge of piracy and unlawful activities off our coast.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Benin is convinced that as the Council understands the global dimension of the problem, it will draw the appropriate conclusions to help the States of the region to effectively combat this threat to international peace and security. Benin very much hopes that, through the adoption of a resolution on this issue under Chapter VIII of the Charter, the Security Council will establish a clear mandate for a determined commitment by the international community to support the efforts being made by countries in the region in order to establish coordinated and coherent efforts to combat organized transborder crime. In this regard, we welcome the decision of the Secretary-General to send an integrated technical mission to Benin to examine the necessary forms of assistance.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Clearly, the process of integrating naval forces and of establishing a regional framework for cooperation, in line with the maritime security strategy of the African Union, will develop along the line of sharing means and resources so that the States concerned assume ownership of their maritime territorial waters and, above all, so that an information exchange network can be developed and local expertise built up to ensure the effectiveness of individual and collective management of threats at sea. The Government of Benin thanks the Security Council for sizing up the true scale of the threat represented by piracy and the growth of unlawful activities in the Gulf of Guinea, as it has demonstrated in this meeting.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Since the launching of these joint patrols, there has been no instance of piracy. Furthermore, Benin has decided to invest in strengthening maritime security and is taking measures to increase its logistical capacities for its navy by procuring new surveillance vessels, both maritime and aerial. By the beginning of next year, the Benin fleet will grow to six ships. Benin, through me, would like to thank all the development partners who are cooperating in building the capacity of our navy. A year from now, the armed forces of Benin will be able to ensure security within its territorial waters and to contribute more to efforts in the subregion to ensure, within the regional integration framework, the security of people and goods both on land and at sea.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“There were genuine signs of this income being wiped out because of the unsafe reputation of the port due to the growth in unlawful activities off the coast of Benin. Aware of the seriousness of the situation, the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Mr. Boni Yayi, brought it to the permanent members of the Security Council and the Secretary-General. Since then, the Government of Benin has sought every means possible to combat and eliminate piracy off the coast of Benin. Among the measures taken, I would like to mention here the repair and putting back into service of two patrol boats acquired by the Benin navy within the framework of cooperation with China, and the measures taken with Nigeria to conduct joint surveillance patrols in the territorial waters of Benin to make shipping activities safe.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“However, the threats coming from scourges such as maritime piracy and the growth in unlawful activities that threaten the security of States are also a genuine threat to international peace and security. The upsurge in attacks against banks and peaceful citizens going about their productive activities in markets and the concomitant increase in attacks at sea against commercial shipping and oil tankers have led to a significant reduction in the number of ships that berth in the autonomous port of Cotonou. The risk of seeing the State of Benin and its young democracy stifled under the impact of these illicit activities is enormous. The autonomous port of Cotonou is the main source of customs income, which represents more than 55 per cent of the income funding the national budget, which depends essentially on tax revenues.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“We are confident that the Security Council will assume its responsibility to act to strengthen peace and security in the subregion. (spoke in French) Having made this joint statement, I should like to make a few comments in my national capacity. I pay tribute to the Secretary-General, ECOWAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission for their significant contributions to this debate. The capacity of States to maintain order and peace on their territory depends on their ability to fulfil their sovereign function of ensuring human security and the provision of public services. With the entrenchment of regional integration, the threat of inter-State conflict is now negligible, if not almost extinct.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“It is well known that the implementation of such measures requires the mobilization of special expertise and material and financial resources for the development of strong capacities at national and regional levels. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm that the upsurge of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea is a global challenge. It should not be left on the shoulders of the countries affected, even if they have demonstrated, as we have done, strong determination to take action against this phenomenon and their readiness to develop a regional framework to foster the coordination of their collective measures against it. In this sense, the States of the Gulf of Guinea expect a lot from the debate being held today.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“We also believe that the adoption of such a resolution would send a strong signal to the pirates that the international community always remains united and strong in the fight against transboundary organized crime and terror wherever they occur. The States of the Gulf of Guinea suggest that, through such a resolution, the Council would offer them strong encouragement to step up their individual and collective efforts to overcome the scourge of piracy and armed robbery along their coasts, and strive to establish a common framework of action. We think that the Council could also pledge its full support and assistance to the establishment of such a regional framework, in liaison with the relevant regional organizations.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“The countries of the Gulf of Guinea highly appreciate the readiness of the international community to provide the necessary support to strengthen the national and regional efforts deployed to tackle the problem of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea. In this regard, we are of the view that the Security Council should consider going one step further by adopting a resolution on the issue in order to generate a clear mandate for all stakeholders to support the determination of our Governments to take decisive measures, individually and collectively, to restore maritime safety and the security of maritime navigation in the region.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Our Governments are galvanized by the recognition of the leadership role of the regional bodies and States on this issue and of the need for the international community to support affected countries, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States and other relevant organizations, as appropriate, in securing international navigation along the Gulf of Guinea. We would like to encourage the Secretary-General to deploy a United Nations assessment mission to consider the situation and explore possible options for United Nations support for developing a comprehensive strategy to address this threat.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, issued a press statement (SC/10372) on the matter of piracy and maritime armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of West Africa. In this regard, I would like, on behalf of the States of the region, to pay a sincere tribute to the Security Council for the promptness of its response, which, among other things, seriously strengthened the affected Member States in their efforts to find the best strategy against the threat. It was encouraging that, through the aforementioned press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed concern over the increase in piracy, maritime armed robbery and hostage-taking in the Gulf of Guinea and their damaging impact on security, trade and economic activities in the subregion.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“The Heads of States of the region are carrying on consultations with the intention of convening a summit for the consideration of a comprehensive response to the threat. In addition to these efforts, the Heads of States have also felt, quite rightly, the necessity to inform the wider international community, expecting its support in undertaking an effective fight against the phenomenon. In this regard, consultations and meetings have been held by the Permanent Representatives of the States of the Gulf of Guinea, and have been extended to all members of the African Group in August. The efforts made and other initiatives taken by the Heads of State of the region and here in New York by the ambassadors have enjoyed an initial favourable response of the United Nations. Indeed, on 30 August the Security Council, briefed on the matter by Mr.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“It is not in the interest of the international community to tolerate the establishment off the coast of West and Central Africa of a zone of lawlessness breeding all kinds of illicit activities, including the smuggling of illegal immigrants, human trafficking, and the traffic in small arms and light weapons. These worrying occurrences at sea have also been accompanied by an increase of arms attacks on banks and trading centres in cities along the rivers, undermining the confidence of citizens in the ability of the States to protect their assets and their lives. To tackle the problem, the States of the Gulf of Guinea have taken many initiatives, including joint patrols at sea, mainly between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, the countries most affected.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“It is seriously affecting the ability of the States to meet their primary responsibility to protect people and goods in their territory and to secure safe traffic in their territorial waters. As such, the upsurge of piracy and armed robbery represent a serious threat to peace and security in the region, since it also has negative impacts on the economic performance of the States concerned and could destabilize them. If left unaddressed, this situation could seriously jeopardize the tremendous investments made by the international community in both establishing durable peace and in fostering economic development in the subregion.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“As this is the first time that I take the floor, allow me, at the outset, to congratulate you, Madame President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. The countries of the Gulf of Guinea, on behalf of which I speak, wish you full success during your presidency. Let me also commend your predecessor for his leadership in guiding the work of the Council during the month of September. The States of the Gulf of Guinea are confronted with the resurgence of piracy and armed robbery along their coasts. In the recent months, the phenomenon has grown to worrying proportions on the coasts of those States. This situation seriously affects the safety of maritime navigation and increases the level of transnational organized crime in the region.”
2011-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6633 (2011) · source
“It supports the measures authorized by the resolution and, over and above that, all efforts undertaken at various levels to bring added pressure to bear on those who remorselessly trample on the rights of children caught up in armed conflict and in political or humanitarian crises. Benin reiterates its urgent appeal to the international community to work with greater determination to put an end to all conflicts in the world, regardless of their intensity, to promote reconciliation and peacebuilding in the countries affected.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It is important to step up international cooperation in order to guarantee access by children and young people to the basic services that are key to their well-being by establishing appropriate partnership and assistance programmes at the global, national and local levels. That is why Benin has been actively involved in preparing for the United Nations High- level Meeting on Youth, set to take place here in New York in several days to consider the situation of young people and children. In conclusion, Benin is proud to be a sponsor of the new resolution on children and armed conflict.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We congratulate the Council for having responded to the call by the Secretary-General that it make greater efforts to ensure that such facilities remain protected, in particular by appealing to all parties to the conflict to respect those essential institutions and their staff and to take all possible measures to protect them and ensure that they can function. Guaranteeing humanitarian access remains a crucial question. Benin, as the main negotiator of resolution 1612 (2005) and having set up the monitoring and reporting mechanism, welcomes the expansion of its remit to encompass other atrocities affecting children. Benin urges the Security Council to 11-41151 make full use of the instruments available to it so as to ensure the respect of the rights of children caught up in armed conflict or in humanitarian crises.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It also declared that such acts may constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and, for States parties, war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The same is true of attacks against schools and hospitals which should, during times of conflict, be considered as safe havens to ensure their inviolability. The initiative taken by the Security Council to expand the mandate of the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict to include attacks against schools and hospitals and protected persons working there demonstrates that the Council is addressing the concerns clearly expressed by the General Assembly in resolution 64/290 and by the Secretary-General in his latest report on children and armed conflict (S/2011/250).”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Benin would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Qatar for its leadership in the context of United Nations efforts to ensure the protection of the right to education in emergency situations. The adoption in 2010 by the General Assembly of resolution 64/290 represented a significant development in fighting international human rights violations affecting children. It offers hope for the effective achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular in the area of education. In that resolution, the General Assembly unequivocally condemned attacks deliberately targeting civilians in armed conflict, including schoolchildren, students and teachers, as well as attacks against civilian objects, in violation of international law.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I should like here to state that the Government of Benin is very pleased with the ongoing commitment and commendable dedication shown by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, and her team in terms of carrying out their responsibilities with respect to the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict. I should like to commend in particular her bravery in visiting dangerous conflict areas to obtain the release of children recruited into and used in armed conflicts. Benin would also like to encourage the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict to work with resolve in cooperation with the United Nations agencies and international civil society actors that are working to protect children and young people in armed conflict.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Mr. Zinsou (Benin) (spoke in French): My country, the Republic of Benin, is pleased to see the Federal Republic of Germany presiding over the Security Council. My delegation noted with great satisfaction the personal contribution of the Secretary- General and of the many representatives of the Governments of States members of the Council to the open debate today. This debate clearly touches on an extremely sensitive subject in terms of the capacity of the United Nations to fully and effectively shoulder its responsibilities in the promotion of the ideals enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular in the area of international peace and security and the protection of human rights.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Current international affairs have many lessons to teach us on the need to demonstrate greater flexibility in applying criteria for the use of the Fund. It must remain a rapid-reaction instrument for promoting multilateral preventive diplomacy in all its forms and for supporting Member States in difficulty, whether or not they are classified as fragile States.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The mandates of peacekeeping operations must incorporate peacebuilding perspectives that take institution-building and the need for synchronization into account at an early stage. That will help to shorten the duration of peacekeeping operations and to transition as soon as possible into less complex peacebuilding missions designed to last longer because of the nature of their tasks and related long-term objectives. The idea of devoting a part of the peacekeeping budget to financing priority peacebuilding activities in the countries affected must be expanded in order to alleviate pressure on the resources of the Peacebuilding Fund so that the Fund can truly serve the aims of conflict prevention in the broad sense of the term, including not only preventive institutional or operational support activities, but also post-conflict activities.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source