US, UNSC Condemn North Korea Nuclear Tests
“To address the persistent danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities, the UN Security Council must and will deliver a swift, credible, and strong response by way of a Security Council resolution that further impedes the growth of DPRK’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and its ability to engage in proliferation activities.”
- Ambassador Susan E. Rice
"The United States welcomes adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution on the situation in Mali. The resolution, cosponsored by the U.S., supports a comprehensive approach to addressing the overlapping governance, security, and humanitarian crises affecting Mali, which is an urgent priority of the United States."
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson address the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs today.
Click the link above to read the statement.
"As we look to the future of the CAAC process, we should reflect on what more we can do to better protect children in areas of armed conflict."
U.S. Co-sponsors Joint Statement on Women’s Rights, Peace and Security
The United States co-sponsored the following statement read by the United Kingdom at the Human Rights Council July 2 on behalf of 66 countries.
20th Human Rights Council
July 2, 2012
Women’s Rights, Peace and Security
We recognise women’s vital role in achieving and maintaining international peace and security and as such understand the need for equal political, civic and economic participation in times of peace, conflict and during periods of political transition. We also recognise that failure to respect human rights impacts on the wider peace and security agenda and reaffirm that women are equally entitled as men to the same rights enshrined in the UDHR and the two international covenants.
As such, we call on States:
- To protect the rights of women, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations;
- To promote equal involvement in all aspects of life during times of transition;
- And to ensure women’s access to positions of decision making in order to build and maintain democratic and stable societies
Madam President,
Sexual violence, specifically during periods of armed conflict, insecurity and transition as well as in post-conflict situations, disproportionately affects women and girls. Such violence not only undermines the safety, dignity and human rights of women and girls, but also undermines the critical contributions they make to society and hinders s inclusive and sustainable peace processes. Sexual violence must therefore be addressed throughout all stages of conflict resolution, starting with ceasefire agreements, and we encourage the presence of adequate gender expertise at the peace table.
The Vienna World Conference on Human Rights expressed its dismay at massive violations of human rights including systematic rape of women in conflict. It stressed that perpetrators must be punished and such practices immediately stopped.
Sexual violence may constitute a war crime or crime against humanity and states are responsible for complying with their relevant international obligations to prosecute these crimes. We therefore commit to work through appropriate national and international mechanisms towards the prevention, early warning and effective response to sexual violence in conflict-related situations, including through tackling impunity and increasing the number of prosecutions.
We remind all States, particularly parties to conflict, of their obligations under applicable international law with regard to the prohibition of all forms of sexual violence.
Madam President,
Times of transition have many causes. Elections or political change, conflict and natural disasters can all create uncertainty and upheaval. Whatever the cause, these times can present a period of immense vulnerability for women, but also a unique window of opportunity. Human rights violations and abuses must be prevented and the foundation for women’s longer term empowerment must be laid.
To this end, we call upon all States, including those affected by conflict and undergoing political transitions, to protect and promote the human rights of women including such rights as education and to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. We encourage all States to take proactive measures to address the barriers that prevent and discourage women from meaningful civic, economic and political participation, such as gender-based violence, poverty, unequal access to financing and to justice; We urge States to ratify CEDAW and implement their obligations under it. We urge all States to implement fully Security Council Resolution 1325 and its follow-up resolutions on Women and Peace and Security and General Assembly Resolution 66/130 on women and political participation
Finally we reaffirm and express full support for the important role of the UN in promoting gender equality between men and women and advancing the status of women. We welcome the role of UN Women and efforts to strengthen internal accountability and coordination. We especially note the role that the Human Rights Council and its Special Procedures could play within their respective mandates in supporting implementation of 1325.
"…the coming months will be a dynamic time for Afghanistan. The Afghan people, the international community, the UN and UNAMA have been unfaltering in their commitment to Afghanistan. I want to underscore the enduring importance of the United Nations and UNAMA’s work, from its good offices to promote regional cooperation and co-chairing of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board to its humanitarian assistance and support for refugees and internally displaced persons. The United Nations has remained steadfastly committed to the Afghan people, and we are grateful."
y Today, Assistant Secretary Brimmer will meet with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia in Washington
In 2003, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1509, establishing the UN Mission in Liberia. More about #UNMIL: http://ow.ly/brQ8P
"As we have consistently noted, Resolution 1970 and its referral of the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court represented an historic milestone in the fight against impunity. The Security Council’s unanimous decision to refer the situation underscores the importance of the role of justice and accountability in the resolution of conflicts and the maintenance of international peace and security. The referral has served to keep accountability and rule of law as key elements of Libya’s transition to a peaceful and democratic future."
Ambassador Susan E. Riceat the Security Council Stakeout, May 8, 2012
Good afternoon. The situation in Syria remains dire, especially for the millions who continue to endure daily attacks and who are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The United States has been clear that we want the United Nations mission to succeed. But we have been equally clear that the onus remains on the Syrian regime to create the conditions for that success. And thus far, it is plain that the Syrian regime has not implemented fully any of the six points of the Joint Special Envoy’s Six Point Plan.
As the Joint Special Envoy just briefed the Council, unacceptable levels of violence and abuse are continuing. While the use of heavy weapons has declined somewhat in recent days, we have seen an increase in other forms of violence, as scores continue to be killed each and every day. The United States remains focused on increasing the pressure on the Asad regime and on Asad himself to step down. We support international efforts to broker a political solution that ends the violence and facilitates a genuine political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. We also support efforts to strengthen the opposition, which we are ourselves contributing to and to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Let me close by thanking the brave UN monitors and civilians who are on the ground, operating in very risky and dangerous circumstances. We appreciate their service and their efforts.
