Kuwaiti delegation visits Iraq to finalize Kuwait-Iraq free market

Kuwaiti delegation visits Iraq to finalize Kuwait-Iraq free market




 11/07/2019

[size=35]Kuwait grants multi-entry visas to 400 Iraqi businessmen[/size]


2019-07-23 07:24




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KUWAIT: Kuwait's Minister of Trade and Industry Khalid Al-Roudhan announced on Tuesday the granting of a multi-entry visa to 400 Iraqi businessmen.

The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai reported on the formation of a special committee with the Iraqi side under the name "White List", which includes the granting of a multi-entry visa to 400 Iraqi businessmen 

He added that "there is an ambitious plan to open different markets," pointing out that "visited Iraq last week , Pointing to the existence of a lofty desire to open free markets with them.






On February 21, 2019, the Iraqi Ministry of Trade signed a memorandum of understanding with Kuwait on joint bilateral cooperation in all fields, referring to the agreement on mechanisms for economic integration and resolving the outstanding problems between the two countries.


https://www.alsumaria.tv/news/%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF/312527/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AD-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%84%D9%80-400-%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%B1

[size=35]Halabousi Office publishes the results of the Speaker's visit to Kuwait[/size]


2019-07-30 



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The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Halboussi published on Tuesday the results of the Parliament Speaker's visit to the State of Kuwait.

"Al Halbusi concluded an official two-day visit to Kuwait to discuss ways of investing the funds allocated for the reconstruction of Iraq at the Kuwait International Conference of Donors held under Kuwaiti auspices in February 2018, and expand the horizons of cooperation between the two countries," the office said in a statement. The two countries in issues of common concern in the interests of the two brotherly peoples. "






He added that the visit included a number of meetings and meetings, which were attended by the Amir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Defense Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah.


"The meetings and discussions focused during the visit on strengthening relations between the Kuwaiti National Assembly and the Iraqi Council of Representatives, working to coordinate positions in international and regional forums, activating parliamentary diplomacy, as well as expanding cultural, artistic and sports participations in order to restore social harmony among the people of Iraq. Kuwait and the promotion of religious tourism and archaeological "" 

He pointed out that "the meetings stressed the need for all countries of the region to calm and reduce the escalation and tension and defuse the war; to maintain stability, and to prevent the danger of their people, in addition to supporting the work of the government Iraq, contribute to reconstruction, provide services to citizens, and achieve stability through: 

find a mechanism to collect funds allocated for the reconstruction of Iraq at the Kuwait International Conference of donors, and the formation of joint committees for this purpose.

• Accelerate the technical and administrative procedures for the implementation of Kuwait Development Fund projects in Iraq, donated by the State of Kuwait. 

Restoring the stability of the liberated cities by contributing to its reconstruction, rehabilitating the infrastructure, and building schools, hospitals and housing units at low cost. 

Facilitating the establishment of reception centers and health centers donated by the Amir of the State of Kuwait in the central and southern governorates to serve the citizens during the holy pilgrimage times in Najaf and Karbala. 

Qualifying and developing border ports between the two countries, and providing the necessary infrastructure for its work, financed by the Kuwait Fund for Development. 

Raising obstacles to housing and health projects that have not yet been completed and implemented by the Kuwaiti side in Basra governorate.

Activate trade cooperation and increase the volume of economic exchange, and resolve all obstacles to the development of commercial traffic between Iraq and Kuwait. 

Facilitating the granting of mutual visas between the two countries through joint offices and enhancing security cooperation between them. 

Work on the start of talks to establish free trade and industrial zones between the two countries; to enhance trade cooperation and provide employment opportunities for the people of Basra province. 

Provide investment opportunities in all sectors; to implement projects in the Iraqi governorates, and provide job opportunities for the unemployed.


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[size=35]Iraq and Kuwait sign a joint contract with the Global Advisor for Investment in Oil Fields[/size]


2019-08-02



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Iraq and Kuwait signed a joint contract with Global Advisory on Friday to prepare studies on the optimal investment of Iraq-Kuwait border fields.

The head of the Iraqi side, Director General of the Department of Contracts and Petroleum Licenses in the Ministry of Oil Abdul-Mahdi al-Amidi, in a statement published by the Ministry of Oil and received Alsumaria News, a copy of it, "The signing of the contract was the culmination of the work of the Iraqi-Kuwaiti, an important step to strengthen bilateral relations between And stressed the keenness of the government and the ministry to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries and work to expand horizons of cooperation between them in all areas, including the oil and energy sector.






"The global consultant will provide us with all the information related to the oil reservoirs and reserves and other information, which paves the way for joint investment between Iraq and Kuwait." 

For his part, the head of the Kuwaiti side, Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Petroleum Sheikh Talal Al-Fahd Al-Sabah, hailed the bilateral relations between the two countries, praising the role of the joint committee which worked seriously and resulted in this historic agreement and this important contract with the global consultant.


Al-Sabah stressed "the deep brotherly relations between the two brotherly peoples", expressing "feelings of happiness and pride for what has been achieved, which paints serious features of the nature of the distinguished relations which are witnessing a rise towards a broader and more comprehensive prospects." 

For his part, the head of the global consulting company (ERC) said that "our company will start work according to the contract, and the preparation of studies and the collection of technical information, in preparation for the conclusion of an agreement between the parties to invest jointly." 

"The importance of this agreement between the two brotherly countries and the importance of this contract, which provides for the company to prepare technical and reservoir studies for the joint productive border fields, namely the field (Dome of Safwan-Abdali) and the field (Rumaila South Rataqa - ), In preparation for the organization and exploitation of the border fields shared between the two countries and guarantee the right of each party in these fields.

"This agreement is the first in the history of the oil industry, and the first step towards the conclusion of new agreements that regulate the investment and optimal exploitation of border fields shared with neighboring countries in accordance with the formulas, mechanisms and international agreements adopted."


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[size=36][rtl]Invasion of Kuwait and the delayed fuse![/rtl][/size]

Saturday 03 August

[ltr]Iraq and Kuwait sign an oil agreement in the presence of a British company in Jordan[/ltr]

2019/8/4








[ltr]{Baghdad: Al-Furat News} The Ministry of Oil signed a cooperation contract with its Kuwaiti counterpart and a British consulting company in Jordan.[/ltr]
[ltr]"The Ministry of Oil held a meeting Sunday with its Kuwaiti counterpart in Jordan to discuss prospects for cooperation, which resulted in the signing of a contract on the joint fields in cooperation with a British consulting company," Safia al-Suhail, the Iraqi ambassador to Jordan, said in a statement. To develop joint fields with a view to the joint use by both parties of the right of the parties. " 
"The head of the legal department at the embassy, ​​Duraid Mahmoud, came under the guidance of the Ambassador of Iraq in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The contract between the two teams is aimed at developing and exploiting the joint oil fields located on both sides of the international border between Iraq and Kuwait." 
The Iraqi delegation was led by Abdul Mahdi Mahdi Al-Amidi, Director General of the Department of Contracts and Petroleum Licensing in the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, while the Kuwaiti delegation headed by Talal Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Oil. [/ltr]


[ltr]http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=206063[/ltr]

[size=34]Press release[/size]


08/08/2019






Press release


As part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministries of Defense and Health's endeavor to end the file of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing persons, with the participation of the Red Cross Mission in Baghdad, a ceremony was held to hand over the remains of 46 missing persons that the relevant technical team was able to find in Muthanna Governorate on 6/6/2019. These remains belong to the Kuwaiti missing persons. 

In this context, Iraq affirms that it will spare no efforts to determine the fate of the other missing persons, and the process of rendition today indicates the continuation of efforts to find out the fate of others. 

We are grateful for the great efforts made by the Red Cross Mission in Baghdad since 1991, which have had a major impact on the progress of this humanitarian issue.


A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
Dr. Ahmed Al- Sahaf 
08/08/2019


https://www.mofa.gov.iq/2019/08/?p=3123

[size=34]Foreign Minister holds a telephone conversation with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah[/size]


09/08/2019













Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim held a telephone conversation with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. 

They also discussed prospects of enhancing relations between the two countries in the political, economic and security fields, and the development of bilateral cooperation to serve the common interests. 

The two sides stressed the importance of coordination and consultation in order to solve the crises in the region.





https://www.mofa.gov.iq/2019/08/?p=3128

[ltr]Iraq and Kuwait are drawing up a roadmap to end their differences[/ltr]

10-08-2019 02:42 PM

[ltr]Iraq and Kuwait have drawn up a roadmap to end their differences by the end of next year, Iraqi government sources said. 

The Iraqi government source told the Petra news agency in Baghdad on Saturday that Iraq and Kuwait have drawn up a roadmap with good intentions to resolve all outstanding controversial issues by the end of 2020. Security and economic fields. He pointed out that the two countries agreed to establish a free zone between the two countries that are not subject to customs and can be moved to businessmen and investors without controls, within understandings reached the advanced stages. 

The source stressed that the two countries will witness mutual visits of official delegations in the coming period in order to achieve these agreements, which will end some of the disputes that lasted for decades such as borders and joint oil fields.[/ltr]

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[size=35]Kuwait is waiting for anger to export Iraqi gas to it[/size]


2019-08-15



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Kuwait's oil ministry said Thursday it was awaiting a response from Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban to export gas to it.

The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai quoted informed sources that the Kuwaiti side is awaiting the response of the current Iraqi Oil Minister, Thamer Al-Ghadban, to export gas to it after the things under his predecessor Abdul Jabbar Allaibi had approached their rings.






She added that although the export of Iraqi gas to Kuwait was "just around the corner" after the two countries agreed on all the details related to this file, Al-Rai learned that the Kuwaiti Ministry of Oil is currently awaiting the approval of its Iraqi counterpart to proceed with the project. 

The sources confirmed that the agreement on the import of Iraqi gas, delayed as a result of the change of the Iraqi government, after the two sides have come a long way from the discussions and discussions that reached the point of going into quantities, which was supposed to start with 50 million cubic feet per day, to be graduated to reach Threshold of 200 million cubic feet per day at a price comparable to world prices.


In the same context, the sources ruled out making progress this time in light of the situation facing Iraq, which import Iranian gas, in conjunction with Iraqi gas burning in the Rumaila, and the burning of oil to be used for electric power generation. " 

The Ghadhban announced on 23 December 2018 on the status of Final touches on the export of gas to Kuwait, indicating that Iraq had already exported gas to it in the eighties of the last century.




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Iraq Experts “fear Free Economic Zone with Kuwait”


17th August 2019 





17th August 2019 in Iraq Industry & Trade News, Politics

2019/09/05








https://shafaaq.com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA/

[size=36][rtl]A large parliamentary delegation arrives in Basra to follow up the border crisis with Kuwait[/rtl][/size]


Monday 09 September 2019














 

 

[size=35]Six countries participating in the Kuwait conference inform Iraq of non-compliance with its commitments[/size]


2019-10-21



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A government official revealed that six countries that participated in the Kuwait conference told Iraq not to abide by their commitments, pointing out that those countries attributed the reason to the widespread corruption and the lack of a clear road map to spend money on reconstruction projects.

The official said in a statement continued Alsumaria News, "Iraq needs according to government reports, between 80 to 90 billion dollars, for the reconstruction of 180 cities and the judiciary, town and district distributed over the provinces of Anbar, Nineveh, Diyala, Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, the belt of Baghdad and northern Babil, cities that have been ravaged ISIS north and west of Iraq in mid-2014 and was liberated in 2017, "indicating that" these areas represent 49 percent of the total area of ​​the country. "





 
In February 2018, Kuwait sponsored an international conference for the reconstruction and development of Iraq, with the participation of more than 40 countries and hundreds of foreign companies in various sectors, while the Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, at the time, that international pledges At the conference amounted to 30 billion.
 
The official added that "these pledges did not find their way to activate," pointing out that "six Arab and foreign countries have informed Iraq that corruption in Iraq and the failure of the government to provide a clear roadmap for how to spend money on reconstruction projects, which prompted them to hesitate to fulfill their pledges."

 
He stressed that "reconstruction efforts are currently based on contributions from the United Nations and local and other efforts of the federal government, and focuses on the cleaning and removal of debris and the restoration of roads, but there are more than 200 thousand destroyed housing units and dozens of hospitals and health centers and hundreds of schools out of service, and about 10,000 Kilometers of roads and bridges need reconstruction. "


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[size=34]The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hands over the last batch of archives and the Emiri archives to the Kuwaiti side[/size]


27/10/2019














The Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over to the Kuwaiti side the last batch of archives and the Emiri archive.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Legal Affairs and Multilateral Relations, Ambassador Hazem Al-Yousifi, headed the Iraqi delegation.The 200,000 books belonging to Kuwait University and the National Library were handed over on Sunday 27/10/2019 at Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.

Al-Yousifi explained that Iraq has handed over all Kuwaiti property found by the concerned authorities.

This is in compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the latest of which is resolution 2107 of 2013.




https://undocs.org/S/RES/2107(2013)








https://www.mofa.gov.iq/2019/10/?p=5558

Security Council 

Distr.: General 27 June 2013 

13-37663* (E) *1337663* Resolution 2107 (2013) Adopted by the Security Council at its 6990th meeting, on 27 June 2013 

The Security Council, Recalling its relevant resolutions on the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, in particular resolutions 686 (1991), 687 (1991), 833 (1993), and 1284 (1999), and the reports of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 14 of resolution 1284, 

Recognizing that the situation that now exists in Iraq is significantly different from that which existed at the time of the adoption of resolution 661 (1990), and further recognizing the importance of Iraq achieving international standing equal to that which it held prior to the adoption of resolution 661 (1990),

 Welcoming Iraq’s continued demonstration of its commitment to the full implementation of its outstanding obligations under the relevant Chapter VII resolutions, namely the continuation of payment of the outstanding amount of compensation administered by the United Nations Compensation Commission, and both Iraq and Kuwait’s efforts to advance regional stability, and welcoming also all the positive steps that have been taken by the Government of Iraq to fulfil resolution 833 (1993), 

Welcoming further the ongoing cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait in the search for missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals within the framework of the Tripartite Commission and its Technical Subcommittee under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the positive efforts by the Government of Iraq regarding the return of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains, and the return of Kuwaiti property,

 Reiterating the need for continued efforts to locate and repatriate missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, through the Iraqi interministerial committee established for this purpose,

 Expressing its deep appreciation to the late Ambassador Yuli Vorontsov and Ambassador Gennady Tarasov, who in the capacity of High-level Coordinator, devoted their time and professional skills to carrying out the mandate outlined in paragraph 14 of resolution 1284 (1999) and ensuring that its implementation built trust between Iraq and Kuwait and contributed to the full normalization of their relations, 



Noting that the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) includes advising, supporting, and assisting the Government of Iraq in facilitating regional dialogue, With consideration to the provisions of Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations on the pacific settlement of disputes, 

 1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 17 June 2013 (S/2013/357) and the letters from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait1 and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq2 to the Secretary-General; 

 2. Calls upon the Government of Iraq, in furtherance of its commitment to facilitate the repatriation of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals referred to in paragraph 30 of resolution 687 (1991), to continue cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by providing any information of such persons, facilitating the access of ICRC to all such persons wherever they might be and facilitating the search by ICRC for those Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains still unaccounted for, and to continue efforts to search for missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, through its interministerial committee; 

 3. Decides, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, to terminate the measures in paragraphs 2 (c), 2 (d) and 3 (c) of resolution 686 (1991), paragraph 30 of resolution 687 (1991) and the arrangements set forth in paragraph 14 of resolution 1284 (1999), and reaffirmed in subsequent relevant resolutions; 

 4. Requests that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) promote, support and facilitate efforts regarding the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and thirdcountry nationals or their remains, and the return of Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, seized by Iraq, further requests the Secretary-General to report separately to the Security Council on these matters in his reports on the progress made towards the fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities, and also requests that the Secretary-General consider designating the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General at UNAMI covering political affairs with the responsibility for overseeing these issues and ensuring appropriate resources for this purpose; 

 5. Expresses its intention to review the modalities of the reporting referred to in operative paragraph 4 of this resolution, upon the eventual termination of UNAMI’s mandate, with a view towards considering a continued role for the United Nations in such matters if needed; 

 6. Decides to remain seized of the matter. 



https://undocs.org/S/RES/2107(2013)

[size=35]تعلن Kuwait announces the recovery of the remains of 236 missing in Iraq out of 605[/size]


2019-11-03



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KUWAIT CITY - The government of Kuwait said Sunday it had recovered the remains of 236 of the 605 missing from Iraq.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled in a press statement, that "has been during the period from June 2003 until now the remains of 236 Kuwaiti missing out of 605 missing during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait."






Al-Khaled, in response to a parliamentary question to the Kuwaiti parliamentarian Mohammed Al-Dalal, that "international efforts continue to identify the fate of 369 missing," stressing that "Kuwait attaches great importance to the file of prisoners and missing persons; the second".

The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister pointed out that "within the framework of his country's interest in this vital file, the International Tripartite Commission - chaired by the International Committee of the Red Cross - about 48 meetings from March 1992 to 31 July last, a meeting every six months, while the Technical Committee held It has 109 meetings as of July 29, with five meetings each year.


Al-Khalid pointed out that "Kuwait and the United States initiated an official visit to the members of the Security Council at the end of June last to both Kuwait and Iraq; to discuss issues related to the search for missing persons, and urged Iraq to fulfill its remaining international obligations to Kuwait."

During his presidency of the UN Security Council, Kuwait also initiated an international humanitarian initiative, the adoption of resolution 2474 of 2019 on the issue of missing persons in armed conflict, under the protection of civilians in conflicts, to strengthen international efforts to address these. Important humanitarian issue. "


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[size=36]Security Council launches first collective appeal to resolve humanitarian priority of missing persons in conflict[/size]


JUNE 11, 2019









The Security Council today adopted resolution (2474) (2019) on missing persons in conflict, "the first collective appeal to address this humanitarian priority," according to the United States. 


In this text, defended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, who chaired the meeting and shared the "tragic" experience of his country after the first Gulf War, the Council calls on the parties to an armed conflict to take all the necessary measures to actively search for missing persons, to allow the return of their remains and to set up means of action to communicate with families.



To date, Ms. Reena Ghelani, the Director of Operations of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has acknowledged that there are no reliable statistics on the number of missing persons, but the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has received, for example, more than 10,000 requests for information on missing persons in Syria and 13,000 on people in Nigeria. In 2018 alone, confirmed the President of the ICRC, more than 45,000 new cases were registered by the ICRC Central Tracing Agency. This figure, which is only the tip of the iceberg, says nothing about the real scale of the problem and does not do justice to the suffering of families. 



Every time someone disappears, families wait for answers. Tossed between hope and despair, they mark anniversaries: one year, two years, 10 years, chanted Mr. Peter Maurer. The trauma of "ambiguous" loss is one of the deepest wounds of the war. The pain affects entire communities for decades, preventing societies from reconciling, he insisted. Several decades later, clarifications are still awaited on missing persons in the Balkans, Lebanon, Nepal or Sri Lanka, added OCHA's Director of Operations.

The resolution, which includes 62 co-sponsors, illustrating the Security Council's "firm" stance on respect for international humanitarian law, contains measures that can "contribute to confidence-building between the parties to a conflict and thereby accelerate peace negotiations and agreements, transitional justice processes, reconciliation, and the consolidation and perpetuation of peace.

The Council requests the parties to the conflict to establish national information offices or other mechanisms as soon as a conflict arises to exchange information on detainees and civilians belonging to an opposing party. They must allow for the free and secure access of humanitarian personnel, including personnel involved in the search and identification of missing persons and, when negotiating or implementing a peace agreement, include provisions to facilitate research and take all measures to protect victims and witnesses in missing persons cases. 

After Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, reported on the "tragic" experience of his country and said that since the first Gulf War only 236 605 missing were found, the United States added that Iraq and Kuwait showed how two countries, emerging from a conflict, can work in cooperation and friendship. This is an example that deserves the applause of the international community as an important step towards justice and reconciliation, they said.

States are called upon in the resolution to ensure that crimes related to the disappearance of persons lead to thorough, prompt, impartial and effective investigations and prosecutions. Germany has admitted that it would have liked more explicit and "firm" provisions on the "establishment of responsibilities", such as a reference to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rome Statute. France criticized the text for not explicitly mentioning the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.



The Security Council also urges States to invest in networking and the exchange of experiences, best practices and technical recommendations, as well as in any other form of cooperation and coordination with Member States. national institutions and, as appropriate, with the National Missing Persons Commissions and relevant regional and international organizations and mechanisms.



Beyond the resolution, the ICRC President stressed four points, while the Central Research Agency of its Committee is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary next year. He focused first on the respect by States and parties to the conflict of international humanitarian law including the right of families of knowledge, the protection of civilians, and the systematic and dignified management of the dead. The ICRC President also emphasized preventive measures, the strictly humanitarian and apolitical nature of the issue of the missing and the respect for the "professional, neutral and impartial" nature of humanitarian action. China has acquiesced, which has put forward with Indonesia on the principle of national sovereignty.  



PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS DURING ARMED CONFLICT
Missing persons in armed conflict ( S / 2019/458 )
Text of the draft resolution (S / 2019/475)

The Security Council ,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter,

Recalling that it holds the United Nations Charter the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and that it must therefore promote respect for the rules and principles of international humanitarian law,

Reaffirming the importance of addressing the root causes of armed conflict in order to achieve lasting peace and security by engaging in dialogue, mediation, consultations and political negotiations to resolve differences and put an end to conflicts,

Recalling the provisions of international law concerning the issue of persons who have disappeared as a result of armed conflict, in accordance with applicable international human rights and humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Protocols 1977, and also of the obligation of States parties to the 1949 Geneva Conventions to respect and ensure respect for the Conventions in all circumstances,

Recalling all its resolutions on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including resolutions [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/1265 (1999)]1265 (1999)[/url] , [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/1296 (2000)]1296 (2000)[/url] , [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/1674 (2006)]1674 (2006)[/url] , [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/1738 (2006)]1738 (2006)[/url] , [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/1894 (2009)]1894 (2009)[/url] , [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/2222 (2015)]2222 (2015)[/url] and [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/2286 (2016)]2286 ( 2016)[/url] , as well as all the statements of his presidency on the subject,

Recalling all its resolutions on the protection of humanitarian personnel, including resolutions [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/2417 (2018)]2417 (2018)[/url] , [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/2175 (2014)]2175 (2014)[/url] and [url=https://undocs.org/fr/S/RES/1502 (2003)]1502 (2003)[/url] ,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 73/178, "Missing persons",

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General dated 7 May 2019 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict ( S / 2019/373 ) and the relevant conclusions contained therein,

Bearing in mind that 2019 marks the seventieth anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which, together with the Additional Protocols thereto, form the basis of the legal framework for the protection of civilians in armed conflict,

Also noting that 2019 is also the twentieth anniversary of the first examination of the question of the protection of civilians in armed conflict as a thematic issue, and noting that it remains necessary for him and Member States further strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict,

Urging States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the 1977 Additional Protocols I and II to the Geneva Conventions as soon as possible,

Reaffirming that the parties to an armed conflict have the primary responsibility to take all possible measures to ensure the protection of civilians and that it is the primary responsibility of States to respect and uphold the human rights of all those present on their behalf. within their jurisdiction, in accordance with the relevant provisions of international law,

Stressing that certain measures play an important role in preventing the disappearance of persons in times of armed conflict, including, inter alia, the adoption of national legislation, the registration of detainees, the appropriate training of the armed forces, the production and distribution appropriate means of identification, including members of the armed forces, the establishment of national information offices during the outbreak of armed conflict, grave registration services and death registers, and the in place procedures to establish responsibilities as appropriate in cases of disappearance of persons,

Aware that major scientific and technological developments, particularly in the fields of forensics, DNA analysis, maps and satellite imagery and the use of ground penetrating radar, have contributed significantly to the growth of effective search and identification of missing persons,

Stressing the importance of the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence applicable to humanitarian action, reaffirming that those who participate in this action in situations of armed conflict must defend and respect them fully and recalling in this regard the statement of his presidency of 9 March 2000 ( S / PRST / 2000/7 ),

Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of international organizations, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross, to resolve the issue of missing persons, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the 1977 Additional Protocols thereto, and Welcoming the work of national, regional and international organizations and mechanisms in this area,

Expressing concern at the dramatic increase in the number of persons reported missing as a result of armed conflict, which has immediate and long-term consequences for the missing persons themselves and their families, particularly women and men. children and for the communities, and reaffirming in this respect the importance of enabling families to know what has happened to their missing loved ones and where they are, in accordance with applicable international humanitarian law, which is of great humanitarian importance,

Considering that it is essential for States to address the issue in a comprehensive manner, from the prevention of disappearances to restitution of human remains to families, including the location and identification of missing persons, without detrimental distinction; wise and expeditious action is essential to deal effectively and credibly with cases of missing persons, and the manner in which these cases are handled has implications for relations between the parties to an armed conflict and efforts to resolve conflicts,

Considering the importance of truth, justice and accountability in the context of reconciliation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, as well as the fight against impunity,

Recognizing that support without reserve wanted brought in time for humanitarian components can be critical in terms of ensuring and enhancing the sustainability of any peace agreement and all efforts to consolidate peace after conflict, and stressing the importance of including humanitarian elements in peace negotiations and agreements, including the issue of prisoners of war, detainees, missing persons and other persons protected by international humanitarian law,

1.    Reaffirms its strong condemnation of the practice of deliberately targeting civilians or other protected persons in situations of armed conflict, and calls upon all parties to an armed conflict to put an end to them, in accordance with their responsibility under international humanitarian law;

2.    Calls upon the parties to armed conflict to take all necessary measures to actively search for missing persons, to allow the return of their remains and to shed light on the fate of persons who have disappeared without any detrimental distinction; appropriate action to communicate with families about the research process, and to consider providing them with information about available services if they encounter difficulties or have administrative, legal, economic and psychological the disappearance of a loved one, particularly through contacts with relevant national and international organizations and institutions;

3.    Also calls upon parties to armed conflict, in accordance with their international obligations, to take appropriate measures to prevent persons from disappearing as a result of this conflict, by facilitating the reunion of families dispersed as a result of this armed conflict and to allow families to exchange news;

4.    Further calls upon the parties to an armed conflict to pay the utmost attention to the case of children reported missing as a result of armed conflict and to take appropriate measures to search for and identify them;

5. Calls upon the parties to an armed conflict, in accordance with their international obligations, to register and communicate the personal data of persons belonging to an adverse party deprived of their liberty as a result of armed conflict, including prisoners of war, and to allow them to correspond with their families;

6.    Calls upon States, in the event of their disappearance as a result of armed conflict, to take measures, as appropriate, to ensure that crimes related to the disappearance of persons give rise to full, prompt investigations impartial and effective and prosecute, in accordance with domestic and international law, with a view to establishing full responsibility;

7.    Urges the parties to an armed conflict, in accordance with applicable domestic and international law, to collect, protect and manage all data and records relating to persons who have disappeared as a result of armed conflict, respecting their privacy ;

8.    Also urgesparties to an armed conflict to search for and exhume persons who have died as a result of armed conflict, to identify them, including the recording of all available information and the identification of burial places, to respect for the remains of deceased persons and ensuring that they are properly maintained, and to return them to families, to the extent possible, in accordance with the applicable obligations of international humanitarian law and related law. human rights; with regard to the protection of personal data, to refrain from deliberately moving the bodies of the mass graves,

9.    Urges the parties to an armed conflict to establish national information offices or other mechanisms, as soon as a conflict erupts, to exchange information on detainees and civilians belonging to an opposing party, to transmit such information; information to that party, with the assistance of the Central Tracing Agency as a neutral intermediary, if necessary, and to inquire about such persons;

10.   Reaffirms its support for the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in accessing information on missing persons, and calls upon all parties to an armed conflict to respect their commitments in respect of access to this information and to cooperate with the ICRC and its Central Tracing Agency in resolving the issue of missing persons, in accordance with applicable obligations under international humanitarian law;

11.   Stresses the importance of strengthening the role and capacities of national, regional and international mechanisms that assist in addressing the issue of missing persons as a result of armed conflict in order to provide guidance and support to Member States and to organizations and other national, international and regional mechanisms in this field provide training courses, exchange information on missing persons cases registers and share best practices in close cooperation with all relevant organizations;

12.   Urges all parties to an armed conflict to allow the free and secure access of humanitarian personnel, including personnel involved in the search and identification of missing persons or their remains, as soon as possible. circumstances permit;

13.   Calls upon all Member States to invest in networking and exchange of experiences, best practices and technical recommendations, as well as any other forms of cooperation and coordination with other Member States. national institutions, and, as appropriate, National Commissions for Missing Persons and relevant regional and international organizations and mechanisms;

14.   Emphasizes that the establishment of responsibility in the cases of persons who have disappeared as a result of armed conflict may play a role in peace negotiations and agreements and in peace-building processes, including mechanisms administering justice and promoting the rule of law;

15.   Calls upon all parties to an armed conflict, when negotiating or implementing a peace agreement, to include provisions to facilitate the search for missing persons and to take all necessary measures to protect the victims and witnesses in the cases of missing persons, to put an end to impunity;

16.   Emphasizes that the measures set out in the present resolution can contribute to the strengthening of trust between the parties to an armed conflict and thus help to speed up peace negotiations and agreements, transitional justice processes, reconciliation, and the consolidation of and the perpetuation of peace;

17.   Encourages Member States to increase their voluntary assistance to States that request it during exhumation and identification procedures related to the search for persons who have disappeared as a result of armed conflict, provide funding, technical training or logistical support, in particular to promote scientific and methodological progress in the field of forensic science so that remains or human remains are exhumed, identified and treated with respect for human dignity;

18.   Encourages the representatives, envoys, coordinators and special advisers of the Secretary-General concerned to take into account, in the fulfillment of their respective mandates, the question of persons who have disappeared as a result of armed conflict;

19.   Requests the Secretary-General, in the reports on the protection of civilians, to devote a section to the issue of persons who have disappeared as a result of armed conflict, which will identify the measures taken by the parties to an armed conflict to implement the provisions of the present resolution, and to report to it every 12 months on the application of this resolution, as part of the annual presentation on the protection of civilians.



declarations



Ms REENA GHELANI, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) , welcomed the adoption of the resolution on missing persons in armed conflict. This resolution, she said, is timely given the large number of missing persons who are either victims of extrajudicial executions thrown into mass graves or civilians who have fled violence, children separated from their families, disabled people unable to leave or fighters. Families are in disarray, not knowing what happened to their loved ones, let alone where they would have been buried. 

Anxiety and uncertainty affect the reconstruction of the social fabric, Ms. Ghelani said. To date, there are no reliable statistics on the number of missing persons, but the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has received, for example, more than 10,000 requests for information on missing persons in Syria. and 13,000 on people in Nigeria. In Myanmar, Sudan and Yemen, the United Nations reported cases of enforced disappearances. Several decades later, clarifications are still expected on missing persons in the Balkans, Lebanon, Nepal or Sri Lanka.

The parties, Ms. Ghelani insisted, must respect international humanitarian law in order to count the missing persons after an armed conflict and inform their relatives. This will require the establishment of investigative mechanisms and the adoption of relevant legislation and policies. Mechanisms must be responsible for the collection, management and protection of information; the establishment of facts; management of the remains; and psychological and legal support for families.



As underlined by the "ambitious" resolution adopted today, it is up to the states parties to the conflicts to adopt these measures. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) encourages them to seek the assistance of the ICRC and other relevant actors to create the appropriate legal and policy frameworks. The resolution rightly emphasizes the need to strengthen the role and capacity of national, regional and international mechanisms to support Member States. She welcomed the establishment of the ICRC's Missing Persons Project this year, which would bring together experts and compile best practices to assist families, Member States, international organizations and the international community. other actors in order to stop the phenomenon of missing persons, find some of them and help families. The scale of the problem is such that an answer must be found, said Ms. Ghelani, emphasizing respect for international humanitarian law.



Mr PETER MAURER, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said some of the most horrible consequences of the war are the ones we can not see. When trauma is invisible, it is neglected, ignored or depriorised. This is perhaps the most glaring in the critical issue of missing persons. Every day, the President recalled, people disappear in conflicts, situations of violence, disasters or migrations. The ICRC has seen an alarming increase in these cases in recent years. In 2018 alone, more than 45,000 new cases were registered by the ICRC Central Tracing Agency. 


This figure, which is only the tip of the iceberg, says nothing about the real scale of the problem and does not do justice to the suffering of families, continued Maurer. Welcoming the adoption of the resolution, "which is the first resolution entirely devoted to people who have disappeared in conflict," he said that every time someone disappears, families wait for answers. Tossed between hope and despair, they mark birthdays: one year, two years, 10 years.



Mr. Maurer said that the trauma of "ambiguous" loss is one of the deepest wounds of the war. The pain affects entire communities for decades, preventing societies from reconciling. The ICRC is a daily witness to this suffering. Our teams are often solicited by mothers looking for sons, husbands looking for their wives. Sometimes, there are answers: every minute, the ICRC helps a family separated by a conflict to talk to each other on the phone. But we can do more. 


If the parties to the conflict fulfill their obligation to search for missing persons and if they manage the deaths systematically and with respect, we could find the people, identify the remains and give answers. We have, Mr Maurer stressed, the legal framework. International humanitarian law gives us advice to prevent people from disappearing in armed conflict and to clarify the fate of the disappeared and their whereabouts.


 We have practical experience: to prevent the separation of families, for example during evacuations, to register all persons deprived of their liberty or to provide identity storage capabilities to the armed forces.


 These are concrete measures that can be taken today, the head of the ICRC proposed. register all persons deprived of their liberty or provide ID security to the armed forces. These are concrete measures that can be taken today, the head of the ICRC proposed. register all persons deprived of their liberty or provide ID security to the armed forces. These are concrete measures that can be taken today, the head of the ICRC proposed. 

What is needed, he continued, is stronger political will and cooperation. ICRC activities range from chairing coordinating mechanisms to drafting legislation and policies, including inmate registration, family support and the provision of forensic expertise. We have seen what can be achieved through political will and cooperation. The agreement on the identification of the remains of unidentified soldiers involved in the Falkland / Malvinas conflict is a striking example.


 We also note the joint efforts of the Tripartite Commission of the Gulf War on the recovery of human remains in southern Iraq in recent weeks.

Today's wars pose new challenges, but also new opportunities to search for missing persons, he said. Although the question remains complex, there are now a multitude of new sources of information that can facilitate research. As the ICRC's Central Tracing Agency prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary next year, we are modernizing our approaches, including investing in improved research technologies such as facial recognition. In addition, there is a growing body of expertise and experience, particularly in forensic science, to improve prevention and response tactics. 

The ICRC is creating a community of practice and, as part of the Missing Persons Project, it is engaging experts and practitioners, international and non-governmental organizations, national institutions and families to identify the best practices. practices, develop technical recommendations and coordinate efforts. The way in which the issue of missing persons is dealt with during and after a conflict can determine the extent of the problem, its impact on communities and the future relations between the parties to the conflict, added the President for whom the cases of missing persons must be treated without discrimination. "Missing persons and their families are not coins. "

Mr Maurer urged Member States, in the context of today's resolution and beyond, to adopt four measures. First, States and parties to armed conflict must respect and enforce international humanitarian law in their operations. They must defend the right of families to know; ensure the protection of civilians, ensure that no one "disappears" in armed conflict as a result of hostilities or after his arrest, and ensure systematic and dignified management of the dead. The President called on the parties to a conflict to give the ICRC access to places of detention and to facilitate family contacts. This important step would go a long way toward preventing the disappearance of detainees. 

Secondly, States must put in place preventive measures. Without prompt action, work to address missing persons is becoming more complicated, exacerbating the suffering of families and compromising the support needed to meet their needs. The obligations do not begin after the end of hostilities, Maurer said. 

Third, the issue of the missing must be primarily humanitarian and not part of political agendas and accountability processes. States must deal with cases of missing persons without discrimination. "Too often, we are witnessing political manipulation of this issue or the stigmatization of the families of former enemies," he said indignantly. 

Fourth, States must support professional, neutral and impartial humanitarian action on the issue of the missing. "Thanks to your technical experts and institutions, you can partner with the ICRC and local and international organizations to support the creation of a global community of practice, technical standards and universally recognized recommendations," said Maurer. before asking States to rise to their responsibilities and take the necessary steps to meet this profound and yet neglected humanitarian challenge. 

Mr. SABAH KHALID AL HAMAD AL SABAH, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, welcomed the adoption of this resolution of great importance "human and humanitarian", which his delegation was a pen-maker. More generally, this text is part of a series of resolutions on humanitarian issues with a keen interest in Kuwait, "far from any political considerations," he said. For the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, missing persons are the main victims of "any conflict or war", which is why finding them must become a priority. In this context, it is necessary to hold accountable individuals who seek to conceal the remains during conflicts.


 The State of Kuwait has a "tragic" experience in this area, as illustrated by his difficulties in finding his missing citizens during the first Gulf War. Only 236 were found out of the 605 disappeared. Mr. Al Sabah renewed his commitment to make peacebuilding a major focus of preventive diplomacy, explaining that finding missing persons is a tool for conflict prevention. The Minister indicated his government's willingness to promote the capabilities of other states to help them better protect civilians. 

Mr JONATHAN GUY ALLEN ( United Kingdom), in turn, found that thousands of people are missing each year and that the trauma of this is undermining community relations and prospects for reconciliation in many cases. The circumstances of such disappearances, however, may differ, whether they are civilians fleeing conflict, combatants, victims of extrajudicial executions or enforced disappearances, migrants or hostages. The representative recalled that in northeastern Nigeria, Boko Haram abducted a large number of women and girls, while five to seven thousand Yazidi women were abducted by Daesh.


 He welcomed the fact that today's resolution strengthens collaboration in this area and stresses that States have the primary responsibility to address the issue of missing persons. After a conflict, international support is often essential for building national capacity, he said, welcoming the role played by the ICRC.
The issue of missing persons in armed conflict is a complex one, as we have seen with Iraq and Kuwait, the representative said. He took the opportunity to commend the role of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and asked Belgrade and Pristina to collaborate in the search for missing persons.


 The representative denounced extrajudicial executions, citing the case of Syria, where opposition groups are paying the price. He recognized the importance of creating an international mechanism to deal with all aspects of the issue of missing persons and their families. "Whatever the position of the parties to the conflict, do we recognize that the issue of missing persons is a priority for all," he said. 



Ms. AMPARO MELE COLIFA ( Equatorial Guinea) recalled that the growing complexity of armed conflicts gives them a "multidimensional" impact on the civilian population and makes protection more difficult. One aspect of this impact is the disappearance of civilians, which not only affects their loved ones, but also the prospects for resolving conflict, peacebuilding and sustainable development. The ICRC, recalled the representative, estimates that 140,000 people are missing in the world, including 36,000 in Africa mainly because of armed conflict. She therefore joined the Secretary-General's call for respect for international humanitarian law applicable to missing civilians, the prevention of disappearances and the establishment of responsibilities. 



"Of course, when this is not possible, and at the request of States, the international community, including humanitarian organizations, can provide support for a just and legitimate cause, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and respect for national sovereignty ". International humanitarian law, the representative added, includes provisions to prevent the disappearance of persons and to establish responsibilities. But it is the responsibility of the parties to the conflict to put in place effective mechanisms and means to locate missing persons and ensure that their disappearance is not part of a "military strategy". "This meeting is an important step forward in protecting civilians during conflict," said Colifa.

After having welcomed this meeting, which echoes the priorities of the March-April Franco-German presidency of the Security Council, Mr CHRISTOPH HEUSGEN ( Germany) considered that Syria remains the most difficult case. In this country, there are more than 10 000 missing persons cases, not counting the number of people held in secret detention, which would be "10 times higher". He therefore urged the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria to work with the parties to the conflict to secure the release of these persons or their whereabouts. He accused the Syrian state of being responsible for most of these crimes. With regard to today's resolution, the Representative admitted that he would have liked more explicit and "firm" provisions on "establishment of responsibilities", such as a reference to the International Criminal Court. (ICC) and the Rome Statute.

This was not possible, he revealed, because of the reluctance of some members of the Council. All parties, Heusgen urged, must respect the right of families to obtain information in order to locate missing persons from the beginning of a conflict. In conclusion, he welcomed the importance of the work of the International Commission on Missing Persons.



KACOU HOUADJA LÉON ADOM ( Côte d'Ivoire ) said that the ICRC's estimates of hundreds of thousands of missing persons are raising the collective conscience and committing to act together to formulate appropriate collective solutions. He called on the Council to ensure that no violation of the legal framework of the resolution is tolerated and urged States to cooperate fully with the accountability mechanisms provided for this purpose. He also called for the strengthening of the legal and institutional capacity of post-conflict states to investigate and prosecute armed persons or groups guilty of enforced disappearances.

Calling for the Council's action in a preventive approach, the representative noted that the upstream registration of detainees and the sharing of information on detention cases, among others, can provide a map of places and identities of detainees, thus facilitating the work of specialized agencies in protecting their rights and physical integrity. The establishment of a central research structure as a repository for database building is equally relevant to the process of identifying missing persons, their location and identification of remains and the protection of evidence.

The representative further noted that it is by federating means of struggle and by promoting the exchange of experience and good practices that we will be able to fill the capacity gaps in the fight against the disappearance of persons in conflicts. armed. He encouraged cooperation between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti authorities to provide a definitive answer to the question of missing Kuwaiti nationals.



Mr. ZHAOXU MA ( China) noted that the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols set clear rules for missing persons in armed conflict. Unfortunately, he acknowledged, these rules are often violated. The number of missing people is rising, and behind those numbers is one person and one family. The adoption of today's resolution, he said, illustrates the Security Council's firm position on respect for international humanitarian law.


 But to combat the phenomenon of missing persons in times of armed conflict, the Security Council must seek to eliminate the root causes of conflict by vigorously promoting dispute settlement through mediation and preventive diplomacy. It is necessary, insisted the representative, to reject once and for all,
Governments in conflict-affected countries have the primary responsibility to search for missing persons, to investigate the conditions of their disappearance and to communicate with families. "National sovereignty must be respected," stressed the representative, thanking the ICRC for continuing to uphold the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. He hoped that all humanitarian agencies could play a similar constructive role in the issue of missing persons in armed conflict.



Mr FRANÇOIS DELATTRE ( France ) stressed the need for parties to conflict to prevent and respond to the phenomenon of missing persons in times of conflict which, he said, is a matter for the protection of persons who do not participate or more to hostilities. From Sri Lanka, Kosovo, to Colombia, on all continents, conflicts have left thousands of missing persons behind and it is essential that the Security Council calls on the parties to prevent disappearances, to facilitate the meeting of families and to allow the exchange of information about them and the support of families. The "right to the truth" must be guaranteed, he stressed, and it is essential for that to cooperate with the ICRC.



The representative explained that in their theaters of operation, the French forces systematically inform the ICRC in the shortest time possible of the persons taking part in the hostilities they hold after a medical diagnosis and provide the ICRC with access to these detainees. They also report their transfer to the host countries; ensure that the persons surrendered do not run the risk of enforced disappearance, and report to the ICRC the burial places of the deceased "who are buried with dignity". France is also contributing to efforts to identify and search for missing persons. It also supports the recognition of missing persons status for peacekeepers and the development of a policy that fully takes into account this status at the United Nations.

Mr. Delattre then pointed out that the disappearance of a person constitutes a crime of extreme gravity when it results from the deliberate action of the State followed by the denial or concealment of the fate of the missing person and the place where she is. He recalled the report of the independent international commission of inquiry on Syria of November 2018, which evokes tens of thousands of people who have disappeared after having been in the hands of pro-government forces. Death certificates, when they exist, are a masquerade, and can not absolve the regime of crimes that he still has to answer. The representative also regretted that the resolution, sponsored by France, does not explicitly mention the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.



Mr GENNADY V. KUZMIN ( Russian Federation ) said that he had voted in favor of the resolution by "humanism" and in the hope that this document would help families find relatives who may still be alive. Unfortunately, disappearances have multiple reasons, and it would be an "intolerable" simplification to reduce them to a simple question of international humanitarian law. Relevant international legal instruments exist and it depends on the political will to implement them, including missing persons.

For Mr. DIAN TRIANSYAH DJANI ( Indonesia), the issue of missing persons in armed conflict is an integral part of efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians in wars. Taking up the alarming figures of the ICRC, the representative advocated the creation of centers for the coordination and the sharing of information "what is necessary from the outbreak of a conflict".


 In addition, there is a need for appropriate training of the armed forces and the identification of detainees, as well as the development of national laws in international legal instruments such as the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. The representative also encouraged the strengthening of international cooperation as another means of making progress, especially in the identification of remains through modern science and technology. Such assistance should only be provided at the request of the countries concerned, he said.


 
Mr. GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA ( Peru ) admitted that the data we have on missing persons reveal an "alarming" situation. Nevertheless, it is possible to adopt preventive measures. Disappearances of civilians have a twofold dimension: the victim herself and a family who suffers. Localization therefore has a "comforting" and "comforting" function. That's why, after the bloody terrorist attacks of the 1980s, Peru established a comprehensive national plan to help families. Mechanisms are needed to promote best practices, exchange experiences and secure funding to facilitate the location and identification of missing persons.



Mr JERRY MATTHEWS MATJILA ( South Africa) emphasized the responsibility of States to ensure the protection and counting of persons within their territory. He expressed serious concern about the increase in the number of people who disappeared in conflict, noting that, in addition to the victims themselves, the impact of the problem is long-lasting on families and communities. Uncertainty is a trauma that requires the full attention of national authorities, regional mechanisms and the international community. The representative emphasized the importance of international cooperation, particularly with regard to technologies for locating missing persons. Being able to repatriate the remains to their home country is a way to support the healing process for families and communities, he insisted.



Mr MARC PECSTEEN DE BUYTSWERVE ( Belgium) said that addressing the challenges of missing persons requires the prevention and early management of cases of disappearance, the fight against impunity and international cooperation. The prevention and early management of cases of disappearance are in the interest of individuals and their families, but also in the interest of States. The representative was pleased that the resolution adopted today outlines a number of concrete steps. These are often fairly simple measures that can have a huge impact if they are implemented early in a conflict. 


To take these measures is to limit the human suffering, to preserve the social fabric, and to limit a resentment carrying new tensions. Enforced disappearances can amount to crimes against humanity, he said. In this context, he expressed appreciation for the work of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. He called on States to accede to the International Convention on Enforced Disappearance and to implement it in their national legislation. 



He recalled that this legal framework regulates state obligations, including prosecution and punishment of perpetrators of enforced disappearances and compensation to victims and their families. We are convinced, he said, that any effort of reconciliation or peace is undermined if entire families are left in the dark about the fate of their loved ones, with no prospect of redress, leaving impunity to prevail. these disappearances. Before concluding, he stressed the importance of international cooperation for the prevention of disappearances as well as for addressing their consequences. It is essential not only to coordinate and exchange concrete information, but also to exchange experiences among existing mechanisms. 



Mr. JONATHAN R. COHEN ( United States) recalled in turn that thousands of Syrian civilians have disappeared in the past eight years, the majority of whom have been killed by the "Assad regime". Those who are still unjustly detained must be released and families are entitled to expect from the "regime" explanations about the fate of their loved ones. Taking such fundamental and humane measures can only help to lay the foundation for the success of the political process set out in resolution 2254, he said. The United States, he said, has been funding since 2005 the identification, security and exhumation of mass graves in Iraq. Of the 6,000 Yazidis kidnapped by Daesh in 2014, about 3,000 are still missing with hundreds of Christians and Shiites.



More than 20 years after the Balkan war, about 10,000 people are still missing and the experience of Kuwait is not to be forgotten either. Some 28 years after the first Gulf War, the United States is working tirelessly to provide satellite imagery and help identify remains. The pain and uncertainty of families can prevent grief, reconciliation and rebuilding. They have a negative impact on a society's ability to deliver justice. Iraq and Kuwait, said the representative, showed how two countries emerging from conflict can work in cooperation and friendship. This is an example that deserves the applause of the international community as an important step towards justice and reconciliation. All parties to a conflict must allow families to clarify the fate of their loved ones, including prisoners of war.


 The US Department of Defense has created a special agency to establish responsibility for prisoners of war and missing persons. The resolution adopted today, concluded the representative, is the first collective call the Council is making to address this "humanitarian priority". Let's now translate our words into action and doing the whole thing. concluded the representative, is the first collective call by the Council to address this "humanitarian priority". Let's now translate our words into action and doing the whole thing. concluded the representative, is the first collective call by the Council to address this "humanitarian priority". Let's now translate our words into action and doing the whole thing.
 
M JOSÉ SINGER WEISINGER ( Dominican Republic) felt that there is still room for the Security Council to "refine" its approach to the agenda item. He regretted that it was not possible to formally recognize in the resolution the right of families to locate and identify their relatives. Yet, states pay little or no obligation for missing persons. All parties, he stressed, must avoid targeting densely populated areas and civilian infrastructure. But this is unfortunately the case today in Syria, Libya and Afghanistan. States must also make progress in harmonizing existing procedures for the exhumation, identification, repatriation of remains and the location of mass graves.



JOANNA WRONECKA ( Poland ) noted that in far too many cases, families of missing persons have been waiting for years to know the fate of their loved ones and that the uncertainty of the communities can hinder reconciliation efforts. She called for preventive measures before the outbreak of conflicts, including the creation of registers listing persons "deprived of their liberty", the notification of families, the collection of information and treatment worthy of the remains.




For media organizations • Unofficial document.



https://www.un.org/press/fr/2019/cs13835.doc.htm