Friday, May 24, 2013

You are here: Home / Archives for AFGHANISTAN AT THE UN / Statements by Permanent Representative

United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and Security

April 17, 2013 By

Statement by  H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations at the Security Council debate on Women, Peace and Security

Mr. President,
I would like to start by congratulating you on your assumption of the Presidency of the Council for the month of April. We wish you every success in leading the work of the Council during your Presidency and thank you for convening today’s debate on an issue of crucial importance.

We are thankful to the Secretary-General, H.E Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, as well as to his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, for the presentations they gave this morning. Taking this opportunity, we congratulate Ms. Bangura on her appointment, and commend the strong determination with which she is carrying out her task.

Mr. President,

Armed conflicts leave a devastating effect on societies around the world. Violence breeds more violence. Undoubtedly, women often bear the brunt of the many destructive consequences of war and strife. In that regard, sexual violence in the context of armed conflicts remains pervasive; a devastating reality that has yet to be resolved, requiring steadfast efforts at all levels.

 

In adopting resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010), the Security Council sent the clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated, and that ending sexual violence is essential for maintaining international peace and security. All States have the moral and legal responsibility to uphold the rights of women, and all citizens, and to protect them from sexual violence.

Mr. President,

Protecting and promoting the rights of the Afghan people has been the cornerstone of all our efforts to build a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Central to these efforts is enabling women to regain their historic role as proactive citizens in Afghan society. Afghanistan is pursuing the vigorous implementation of SC resolution 1325 through our National Priority Program. We launched the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) as a ten-year blue print, which contains specific and time-bound benchmarks for progress in various areas. As the implementation of the Action Plan continues apace, we are confident that we will realize our vision to see Afghan women thrive, empowered in all sectors of society: social, political and economic.

Afghanistan is fully committed to preventing any form of violence against women, including sexual violence.  In this regard, we enacted in 2009 the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law, providing stronger judicial means through which we can combat violence. Throughout the country, where committed, perpetrators of such crimes are increasingly being held accountable, and prosecuted before the law.

Mr. President,

In reference to an observation made in the Secretary-General’s report, we wish to state, with full confidence, the Government of Afghanistan and its people do not, and will not tolerate impunity against any form of human rights violations. Together with our judicial authorities, the Afghan national security forces are working diligently to uphold law and order in all areas of the country.  On the way forward, we are confident our efforts will continue to bear fruit, and women will be further empowered.

We also wish to highlight the following: Afghanistan is fully committed to upholding human rights in Afghan detention centers. In this respect, a number of concrete measures have been taken by the National Directorate for Security (NDS), including establishment of a human right division to monitor and investigate human rights situations as well as capacity building, and human rights awareness workshops for personnel. Following UNAMA’s report of January 20, 2013 on alleged cases of prisoner mistreatment, President Karzai issued a decree, which established an Independent Commission to investigate said cases that were reflected in UNAMA’s report. Since then, greater focus is being given to ensuring full adherence to human rights standards in Afghan detention centers.

Mr. President,

As the security transition proceeds, Afghanistan is also adamant on a successful outcome to its peace and reconciliation process, aimed at ending the current conflict and strife. By ending the conflict, we will eliminate the very conditions that were conducive to challenges in the area of human rights. As members of the High Peace Council (HPC), and as members of civil society, women are playing a central role in the peace process. The results of our peace and reconciliation efforts will in no way jeopardize the hard won gains of the past 11 years, especially those relating to human rights, the rights of women in particular.

Mr. President,

Before concluding, the international community has a crucial role to play to support continuous efforts in conflict affected, and post-conflict countries to end all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence. For our part, Afghanistan stands firmly committed to do its part in ensuring full protection of women’s rights around the world, and to preventing sexual violence, and all other forms of violations of human rights.

I Thank You.

 

United Nations’ Security Council debate on the Situation in Afghanistan

March 19, 2013 By

Statment by H.E. Dr Zahir Tanin
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations
At the Security Council debate on the  Situation in Afghanistan

Statement

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening today’s important meeting, which includes the extension of UNAMA’s mandate. I also wish to congratulate you on your assumption of the Presidency for the month of March. We convey our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his remarks and presentation of his report, which provides a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground. I extend my appreciation to Special Representative Kubiš for joining us today. I wish to thank Foreign Minister Carr for honouring us with his presence and participation.

I would like to seize this opportunity to thank the members of the Council for the spirit of cooperation and openness shown during the course of negotiations. A special thanks goes to Ambassador Quinlan, and his team at the Australian Mission, for the able manner in which they led the process.

Mr. President,

In just two days, the Afghan New Year will begin, a year in which transition to full Afghan responsibility is central to our efforts, a year that will take us to the next elections, a year to bring an end to war, and a year of building confidence and resilience.

Since the adoption of UNAMA’s mandate last year, Afghanistan and the international community undertook a new focus on the needs of the transition period, which involves strengthening peace and security and the realization of national priorities. Together with the international community, we developed the parameters of future cooperation to ensure building a peaceful, stable, prosperous Afghanistan that is able to stand on its own feet. We did this through continuing dialogue with our partners, and agreements made in Chicago last May, at the Heart of Asia conference in Kabul in June and in Tokyo in July. More will need to be done to crystallize all aspects of cooperation between Afghanistan and the international community, including the shaping of our relations with the region.

Mr. President,

A successful and orderly transition to Afghan ownership and leadership is about a continuous focus on five priority areas:

First, strengthening Afghan national sovereignty and national ownership and leadership are central to transition. After more than a decade of shared efforts, strengthening of sovereignty entails normalization through security, political and economic transition. For the Afghan people, national sovereignty means taking full responsibility for their destiny.

With the announcement of the 4th tranche of transition this past December, assumption of full security responsibility by Afghan forces is more tangible than ever. By the end of this stage, eighty-seven percent of the Afghan population will be living in areas where Afghan security forces are in charge of security.

The Afghan people are keenly focused on a successful political transition, and all eyes are on the election next spring. The Government of Afghanistan is committed to fair, democratic, transparent and inclusive elections, in which the men and women of Afghanistan will again shape their political future. Preparations for elections are well underway. There is overwhelming consensus that a successful and credible election will be necessary for stability and lasting peace.

At the same time, peace talks and reconciliation with the armed opposition are essential for a successful election. The Afghan Government is doing its utmost to ensure the success of the reconciliation process. The High Peace Council has recently taken necessary steps to galvanize the reconciliation efforts. The support of the international community and in particular some countries in the region are important for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation process. As we work to move the peace process forward, the role of the Security Council will remain imperative; and we welcome the adoption of SC resolution 2082, which refined the Taliban sanctions regime in view of Afghanistan’s leadership of the reconciliation process.

Second, during transition and the decade of transformation to follow, the relationship between Afghanistan and our international partners will evolve. Strategic partnership agreements, such as those we finalized in the last two years, are key for shaping long-term relationships and for stability during transition and beyond. Afghanistan has established bilateral strategic partnerships with a number of countries including the agreement between Afghanistan and the US signed in May, which was followed by recognition of Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally. Talks are ongoing to conclude the security agreement between the two countries, which will be finalized in due course. Just last month, we signed a strategic partnership with Norway. We are now defining parameters of similar partnerships with Denmark and Finland. With the transition, Afghanistan is entering a new era of relations with international partners, and we are committed to basing our strategic cooperation on bilateral frameworks, an important step toward normalization of the situation.

Our close partnership with NATO has been a significant source of progress for stabilization efforts. We look forward to furthering our partnership into the transformation decade ahead. In this context, we welcome the important discussions which took place at the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings in Brussels on 21-22 February, where NATO took concrete steps toward planning improved capabilities and reinforced their commitment to NATO’s post-2014 role of training, advising and assisting Afghan National Security Forces. Such strategic cooperation will ensure the future sustainability of Afghan National Security Forces.

Third, economic transition and aid delivery will be crucial for the sustainability of transition. This requires the commitment of the international community for supporting our self-reliance strategy through the transformation decade. The Tokyo conference last July was about not letting the drawdown of international combat forces affect Afghanistan’s strides toward stability and prosperity. It will be important to see how realization of the mutual commitments made in Tokyo will help us to address humanitarian and development challenges essential for not only stability but sustainability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is committed to upholding the agreements made in Tokyo, which include commitments in the areas of equitable elections, good governance and rule of law, human right including women’s rights, and inclusive and sustainable development. We look forward to continuing to work with our international partners on the basis of the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework.

The economic transition is also about improving aid effectiveness, ensuring alignment with national priorities, and accountability and transparency of aid spending. Aid delivery and efficiency are particularly important at a time in which we not only face economic instability as a result of conflict, but unemployment and poverty remain significant problems. Capacity building for Afghan institutions to address the challenges ahead will be essential. It is crucial that the international community’s support is in line with national priorities and is channeled through the Afghan budget as agreed at the 2010 Kabul Conference. It is also important that aid delivery is based on emerging needs on the ground, and is directed to areas where need is greatest. Afghanistan is ready to be held accountable for any penny it spends, and we believe the commitments made in Tokyo will facilitate a sustainable economic future for Afghanistan.

Fourth, relations with Afghanistan’s neighbours and countries in our greater region are critical for stability and progress. Afghanistan is developing its bilateral and multilateral relations in all areas with countries in the region. We are in the centre of the Heart of Asia process, and see this cooperation as essential for peace and stability. Our partnerships with all countries in the region can be mutually beneficial; Afghanistan can serve as an economic bridge in an increasingly globalized region that is seeking progress and prosperity. At the Heart of Asia meeting in Kabul in June 2012, participating countries agreed upon a series of confidence building measures (CBMs) regarding a range of issues, a number of which were endorsed in February in Baku. We look forward to the next ministerial meeting in Almaty in April.

We are engaged with a number of countries on our path to normalization, which includes helping our reconciliation process. Most recently we have continued trilateral discussions with Pakistan and the UK as well as other forums to help cooperation. We are hopeful about the outcome that will result from our joint efforts.

Fifth, successful transition will require effective partnership with the UN. Since 2001, the UN has been at the centre of the coordination of international efforts in Afghanistan. We appreciate the important role it has played. More recently, we have seen how the UN is adjusting its role to meet the needs of transition. In this regard, the UN underwent a comprehensive review of its activities in Afghanistan in 2011; and in his recent report, the Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of realigning the relationship between the international community and Government of Afghanistan, and reflection on the UN’s role beyond transition.

As we complete transition, and transfer full responsibility to the Afghan Government, we can envisage normalization of the UN’s activities in the years to come. Aid coherence, One UN, and greater accountability are important for Afghanistan, the UN itself, and donor countries. Afghanistan looks forward to close cooperation with UNAMA in the coming year as it continues its efforts toward the priority areas of good offices in support of Afghan-led political processes, human rights, development coherence, and coordination of humanitarian assistance. In this regard, we welcome the renewal of UNAMA’s mandate, which has continually evolved to reflect and reinforce the principles of Afghan ownership and leadership.

Mr. President,

The end of transition will signal the beginning of a new chapter, one marked by national resilience and the strategic goal of self-reliance. While the nature of the international community’s engagement with Afghanistan is evolving, their continued support will be vital. Full realization of sovereignty and self-reliance will make Afghanistan a more effective partner for the world, but achieving this requires the trust, confidence and long-term commitment of international community. Afghanistan looks forward to lasting cooperation with our international partners toward enduring peace, stability, and prosperity in the country.

I thank you.

Video

 

“New Approaches to the Security Council Reform”

February 6, 2013 By

Statement by H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin

Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the question of equitable representation on and

increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters  At the meeting on

“New Approaches to the Security Council Reform”

Rome, Italy

4 February 2013

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would first like to extend my appreciation to our Co-Chairs the Honourable Minister Giulio Terzi and Secretary of State Gonzalo De Benito of Spain, for hosting this important Ministerial Meeting and for their earlier remarks. I also wish to thank the Italian Government for their hospitality in bringing us together again in the historic city of Rome.

For me, as the Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform, it is encouraging to see capitals, like our hosts today, investing in the reform process by organising meetings such as this third conference here in Rome. An active engagement of capitals is a key component in the reform process. These international meetings are an important factor in this equation and I welcome the pertinent questions framed in the concept paper for this meeting.

In New York we have undergone eight rounds of negotiations on Security Council reform. Our most recent round saw marked progress in regards to deepening interaction and dialogue amongst Member States. We witnessed a notable increase in the momentum of the process, and the beginning of real give and take. This is progress which should not be lost.

The eighth round allowed the membership to study in depth and discuss the proposals of five groupings of Member States. However, the focus on the five Member States’ initiatives has meant that there has not been an opportunity to fully explore all models for Security Council reform. It could prove to be productive to address these options in the current session of the General Assembly.

Together, since 2009, we have created a number of milestones. Member States came together around the idea of text based negotiations, which reflects the positions of all Member States. The next logical step from here, as suggested in my letter of 25 July 2012, would be to work towards genuine give and take based on a concise working document. It is my hope that this suggestion, and others contained within my letter, even if they are not a point of agreement for all, they can be points for discussion. As Chair I am committed to moving the negotiations forward, impartial to any position and yet partial to progress.

I have undertaken a number of consultations with Member States and groupings of States in the last months. I will be continuing these consultations in the coming weeks with all who wish to discuss the way forward during the 67th Session of the General Assembly. This continuing interaction with Member States will help to shape our collective thinking about the progress of Security Council reform negotiations this year. After this period of consultations we will need to re-focus our efforts within informal plenary, allowing all Member States to weigh in on our next steps during this General Assembly session.

Revision three of the text is now undergoing an update to reflect letters received from Member States, to ensure all positions are correctly reflected in the text. As a result of this update, the text will stand as an accurate reflection of all the positions on the table, to be used by Member States as a point of reference and possibly a tool for negotiations.

Early reform was envisioned by our leaders in 2005 and is encapsulated in the World Summit Outcome Document. Our effort towards this objective requires genuine political will from all stake holders in the process. As I outlined in my letter, to ensure that the current process of the Intergovernmental Negotiations is truly assisting us towards an early reform, it should not be seen as an open-ended process. There is a widespread reluctance against “artificial deadlines” but there is an equally widespread demand for concrete results.

Member States have expressed a wish for negotiations in which they can undergo genuine give and take. To achieve this, it would be helpful to hear from Member States about what would bring the process to this point and how Member States intend on contributing to that. In my view, this conversation would be central to our next discussions about Security Council reform, whether here in Rome or with all Member States at the United Nations in New York.

This conference’s focus on “new approaches” is important. We all agree that Member States must be the drivers of this process so it is indeed time for Member States to use the tools available to explore any new and creative initiatives through cross grouping collective efforts towards our common goal of a Council that reflects today’s realities.

I would once again like to thank our hosts here in Rome, Minister Terzi and his colleagues, for this opportunity to bring together distinguished participants. I am personally thankful for his commitment to this process in support of our efforts, one which we have shared since the Intergovernmental Negotiations began in the 63rd General Assembly session. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and all Member States.

A colleague told me last night at dinner, that it is now the Luna year of the snake. In the Chinese calendar this is a symbol of wisdom. I hope that such a message will boost our collective effort towards Security Council reform this year.

 

Thank you.