Tag Archives: UNSC
9 October 2013
Besides the almost 100 United Nations and chemical weapons experts that will be deployed over the coming months in a joint mission (with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons), to oversee the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that a staging area and support base will be established in Cyprus (due to the dangers on the ground in Syria), and that the UN contribution will primarily be for logistics, security, liaison, medical support, communications and administration.
Ban Ki-moon called upon UN member states ‘to offer their full support to the work of the Joint Mission including through the provision of financial, material, technical and operational assistance’ to carry out last month’s Security Council resolution on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons material and equipment. In phase three (from 1 November to 30 June 2014), the joint mission will be expected to support, monitor and verify the destruction of a ‘complex chemical weapons programme involving multiple sites.’ In this phase, ‘it is highly probable that assistance by other Member States will be required in the areas of the provision of both technical and operational advice, support and equipment, as well as security and possibly other areas in order to successfully complete the destruction and/or removal activities within the allotted time’, according to the Secretary-General.
Source: UN News Centre | Ban seeks 100-member joint mission to oversee destruction of Syrian chemical weapons
27 September 2013
The UN Security Council, meeting at the ministerial level, voiced its grave concern at the illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation and misuse of light weapons and small arms, that perpetuate conflict and instability worldwide and cause significant loss of life. It adopted a resolution on small arms (by a vote of 14 in favour, with Russia abstaining) and urged the further strengthening of cooperation and information sharing to combat the problem.
Maria Cristina Perceval (permanent representative of Argentina to the UN) stated that it was the international community’s responsibility to put an end to the challenge posed by the illicit trafficking of light weapons and small arms. The essence of real multilateralism was working together in shared responsibility.
The UN Secretary-General furthermore called on states to sign and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty, the treaty regulating the international trade in conventional arms (e.g. small arms, but also tanks and combat aircrafts).
Source: UN News Centre | Security Council urges strengthened efforts to tackle small arms scourge
Source: United Nations Security Council | 7036th Meeting (PM) | SC/11131 | Security Council adopts first-ever Resolution dedicated to questions of small arms, light weapons | 26 September 2013
25 September 2013
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, French President François Hollande proposed a ‘code of good conduct to for the Council’s permanent members: in the case of mass crimes they must renounce their right to a veto.’ Hollande said that in fields like security, proliferation, development and climate, ‘there is no worse danger than inaction’, and added that ‘It is the responsibility of the UN to act. And each time it reveals its impotence, peace loses.’
Also Chilean President Sebastián Piñera called for abandoning the veto of the five permanent members, and instituting a super-majority rule when adopting major decisions.
Source: UN News Centre | At UN, Chilean President tells permanent Security Council members to abandon veto
Source: International Law Prof Blog | France Calls on Permanent Members of the Security Council to Renounce Veto in Cases of Mass Crimes
Source: UN News Centre | France calls for strong UN resolution to enforce Syria’s surrender of chemical weapons
23 August 2013
The French foreign minister Laurent Fabius warned Syria over a reaction of force from the international community if the Assad regime is proven to have used chemical weapons.
Fabius was reported saying the reaction could take any form of force, but ruled out the deployment of foreign ground troops, thereby suggesting the possibility of Western air strikes. The warning comes after the UN Security Council expressed strong concerns over the alleged use of lethal toxin in the attack on the outskirts of Damascus on 21 August, but failed to reach agreement on the best response.
Source: The Guardian | France warns Syria of forceful response over chemical weapon claims
Source: Al Jazeera | France warns Syria of forceful response
15 January 2013
Following a call for help by the Malian government after offensives by Islamists groups in northern Mali, France started engaging in air-strikes on 11 January 2013.
The operations are carried out in support of the Malian army, while the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (authorized by UNSC Resolution 2085) has been slow moving.
Other States have announced they were ready to provide some logistical support (e.g. assistance in the transport of troops and materials). At the same time, ECOWAS announced it will also deploying a number of troops in the area.
The French President stated that the intervention was agreed upon with the interim President of Mali and hence was in compliance with international law.
Source: BBC | French troops continue operation against Mali Islamists
Source: The New York Times | France Battling Islamists in Mali
Source: The Wall Street Journal | French Join Africa Battle With Islamist Rebels
Source: France24 | France seeks allies in Mali operation