EU Presidency Statement - Safety of UN and Associated Personnel

Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel: Sixth Committee Statement by the United Kingdom on Behalf of the Member States of The European Union, New York

Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: the acceding countries Bulgaria and Romania; the candidate countries Croatia* and Turkey; the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro; the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area; and other aligning countries Ukraine and Moldova.

Mr Chairman,

Let me begin by thanking both Professor Michel and Ambassador Wenaweser for their very helpful reports this morning.

Mr Chairman,

The European Union is deeply disturbed by the continuing attacks and acts of violence against United Nations and associated personnel. The list of those killed since July 2004 in Annex I to the Secretary General's report (A/60/223) by explosions, gunshot wounds and stabbings, is truly shocking. And there is little or no information about prosecution of the perpetrators. The European Union unequivocally condemns these unjustifiable and unacceptable attacks. We urge States to ensure that such crimes do not go unpunished and that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

United Nations and associated personnel conducting operations in the field fulfil UN mandates and act in the common interest of the international community. We would like to pay tribute to the courageous men and women who have served and who continue to serve in UN operations and missions. We remember especially those who have lost their lives in UN service, and our thoughts are with their families.

The European Union welcomes the efforts being made by the Secretariat to ensure the inclusion of core provisions of the 1994 Convention in Status of Forces and Status of Mission agreements concluded with host countries as detailed by Professor Michel this morning. But we re-emphasise the fundamental importance of universal acceptance of the 1994 Convention. We welcome the measures taken at UN Headquarters to enhance security consciousness, including the very important step of establishing the Department of Safety and Security. The resulting enhancement of UN security strategies and training for personnel, including in the field, are crucial. But we underline the Secretary General's point that the UN is heavily reliant on the co-operation of the host State for its safety.

We urge all host States to provide timely information on arrests and detentions so that the UN can exercise its right to protection. And we urge that the perpetrators of attacks on UN and associated personnel are investigated and held accountable.

The increasing dangers faced by both international and local staff involved in UN operations underlines the urgency of the need for further measures to reinforce their safety and security. We stress the call made by world leaders in the Summit Outcome document that all States should consider becoming parties to the 1994 Convention on the Safety of UN and Associated Personnel, and the need to conclude negotiations on a Protocol expanding the scope of legal protection during this session of the General Assembly. The European Union was pleased with the progress and momentum toward that goal achieved at this October's Working Group. We commend the efforts of Ambassador Wenaweser of Liechtenstein in moving the negotiation forward. We now look to the few delegations remaining with difficulties to show the necessary flexibility to allow us to complete the Protocol. The European Union will participate actively and constructively in the ongoing informal consultations that Ambassador Wenaweser has just mentioned.

Thank you Mr Chairman.


*Croatia continues to be a part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

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• EU Presidency Statement - Safety of UN and Associated Personnel (8/12/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Strengthening the Role of the UN  (14/10/2005)