Official speeches and statements - October 5, 2021

1. United Nations - Syria - Chemical weapons - Statement by Mr. Nicolas de Rivière, permanent representative of France to the United Nations, to the Security Council (New York - October 4, 2021)

[translation from French]

Mr. President,

I would like to thank Ms. Nakamitsu for her presentation.

Clearly, the Syrian regime is not willing to cooperate. What I read in the Director-General’s monthly report is a deliberate attempt to obstruct the deployment of OPCW teams. Syria is not issuing the requested visas, and when it does, it is done sparingly and belatedly. The delay in issuing the visa for the liaison officer has had an impact on the preparation of the missions planned for this fall. This is not acceptable. Syria continues to act in contradiction to its obligations to cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat, enshrined in both the Chemical Weapons Convention and Resolution 2118.

In the absence of the ability to deploy the initial declaration assessment team to Syria, the Director-General invited Syria to The Hague in October to conduct the 25th round of consultations. Syria has yet to respond.

France calls on Syria to provide access to all members of the initial statement evaluation team as soon as possible. It also asks Syria to provide all the elements and documents requested by the Technical Secretariat, in accordance with its obligations. The Commission reiterates its appreciation for the tenacity, professionalism, and independence with which the Technical Secretariat is pursuing its mission.

Mr. President,

The unauthorized movement and destruction of two chlorine cylinders related to the attacks in Douma is of great concern. No explanation has been provided by the Syrian regime for this. We again call on Syria to respond to the questions posed by the Technical Secretariat.

I would like to recall that the decision taken in April by the OPCW Conference of States Parties is not irreversible. It is up to the Syrian regime to act if it wishes to regain its rights and privileges. Without its cooperation, the measures taken will remain in force. First, Syria must finally shed light on the twenty outstanding issues related to its initial declaration.

Finally, and this will be my last point, the use of these shocking weapons cannot go unpunished. The evidence continues to be collected and will be used. This is the message that France is defending with our partners, notably within the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons.

Thank you.

2. United Nations - BINUH - Statement by Ms. Nathalie Broadhurst, deputy permanent representative of France to the United Nations, to the Security Council (New York - October 4, 2021)

[translation from French]

Thank you Mr. President,

And I would also like to congratulate Ireland on its extremely successful presidency in September and to wish you, Mr. President, all the best for your presidency in October.

I would like to thank Special Representative La Lime for her presentation, as well as Madame Douillon. And I welcome the presence among us of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Claude Joseph.

Mr. President,

After the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the transition period that is just starting is extremely perilous. The Parliament has not been in session for more than a year and a half. The institutions are in disarray. And only dialogue can bring Haiti out of the crisis.

I therefore invite all political actors to build the necessary consensus in order to put in place an inclusive government, a government that is able to organize electoral polls in a peaceful climate. The September 11 agreement between the executive and some opposition parties is a first step. And the objective is of course the return to the normal functioning of the institutions.

Mr. President,

The resurgence of gang violence threatens all Haitians. Kidnappings and human rights violations are on the rise. And we know that these gangs act with impunity. The government must therefore devote more resources to the Haitian National Police, and they must be beyond reproach.

The investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse must be completed. The perpetrators must be sought; they must be brought to justice. Haitians expect justice to be done. This is also true of the assassination of Monferrier Dorval. It is also true of the massacres in Grand Ravine, La Saline, and Bel Air.

Corruption also undermines the institutions and destroys the confidence of the population. We know that four million Haitians live in extreme poverty. The Covid 19 pandemic has taken its toll. 400,000 doses of vaccine have been distributed. They must now be administered.

Mr. President,

In the face of all these challenges, the restoration of security must be a priority objective. Beyond the indispensable humanitarian assistance, the United Nations must support the reform of the police and the justice system in the upcoming transition period.

Allow me to express once again France’s deep sadness at the toll of the earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14. We have mobilized to help the Haitians. We sent 72 tons of humanitarian cargo. And we will continue this commitment.

Mr. President,

Finally, I would like to commend the absolutely remarkable work that the United Nations is doing in Haiti in an extremely difficult context. I would like to give and renew our full support to BINUH and the renewal of its mandate. France, along with the European Union and the International Organization for Francophonie, stands by Haiti to help it emerge from the crisis, which it so desperately needs to do.

Thank you.