Week 77, 27 June – 1 July 2022

Ireland and the UN Security Council – This Week

This bulletin will provide a brief analysis of last week’s meetings at the UN Security Council (UNSC), and an overview of the upcoming meetings this week.

(UNSC), and an overview of the upcoming meetings this week.

Last week, the Security Council held briefings on South Sudan, Syria, the Central African Republic and Afghanistan. Albania organised a debate on “incitement to violence leading to atrocity crimes”, with the focus of the discussion on the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. The Council re-appointed Serge Brammertz as Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. Ireland held an Arria-formula meeting to mark the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Rome Statute.

• On 20 June 2022, the Council was briefed by Nicholas Haysom, the Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), who gave an overview of the continued violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country. Ireland expressed grave concern regarding reported violations of human rights and conflict-related sexual violence. With only eight months remaining until the end of the South Sudan’s Transitional Government, Ireland stressed that freedom of speech, assembly and expression must be protected to ensure a legitimate election process. 
• The Council met to discuss the humanitarian situation in Syria, on 20 June 2022. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, addressed the Council, underscoring that humanitarian needs in Syria are at their highest since the start of the war over 11 years ago. He strongly appealed to the Council to renew the cross-border resolution to ensure that aid will continue to be delivered from across the Turkish border for an additional 12 months. Ireland, speaking also on behalf of Norway, called on all parties to support the crossline deliveries mandated by resolution 2585 (2021), and reiterated the call for its renewal. Ireland underscored that a failure to do so would end the delivery of life-saving aid to millions of vulnerable people in Syria.
• Albania, holding the Council Presidency for June, organised a wide-ranging debate on “incitement to violence leading to atrocity crimes” on 21 June 2022. Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Alice Nderitu, outlined to the Council that promotion of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is prohibited by law. Delegates discussed Russia’s disinformation campaigns that have aimed at justifying its invasion of Ukraine. Russia responded by alleging that Ukrainian propaganda has been pushing that country into Nazism and condemned the demonisation of the Russia Federation by the United States and other Western allies. Ireland called on the Russian Federation to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and engage in true dialogue and diplomacy towards peace.

Alice Nderitu

• On 22 June 2022, the Security Council re-appointed Serge Brammertz as Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals for a term beginning on 1 July 2022 and ending on 30 June 2024. By a vote of 14 in favour, 0 against, and 1 abstention (the Russian Federation), the Council adopted resolution 2637 (2022), urging States to cooperate fully with the Mechanism.
• On 22 June 2022, Valentine Rugwabiza, the Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), briefed the Security Council for the first time. She underlined that the Strategic Review Meeting of the Political Process in the Central African Republic, held on 4 June 2022, marked a critical juncture in the country’s direction and that it achieved all the objectives assigned to it. Ireland welcomed this dialogue and encouraged authorities to prioritise preparations for the polls scheduled for January 2023, including the full, fair and meaningful participation of women in public. Ireland noted that sanctions are an important tool used to support the restoration of peace and security in the Central African Republic and reiterated its support for the 2127 Sanctions Committee

Valentine Rugwabiza

• The Security Council met on 23 June 2022 to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and other briefers outlined the worsening humanitarian and economic conditions in the country and described how women and girls in Afghanistan are being deprived of their most basic human rights by the Taliban.
• Ireland called for the full participation of Afghan women in public life and expressed deep concern over food insecurity across the country, condemning reports of aid interference by the Taliban.

 

Martin Griffiths

• Ireland called an Arria-formula  meeting on 24 June 2022 to mark the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Rome Statute. Briefers included Zeid Raad Al Hussein, President of the International Peace Institute, and Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the ICC in the Hague, who both reflected on the relationship between the International Criminal Court and the Security Council. Ireland stated that an effective relationship between the Council and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is essential for the maintenance of international peace and security and regretted that examples of such cooperation are all too rare. Ireland emphasised that the primary barrier to realising the potential of the Rome Statute is the use of, or the threat of the use of, the veto power by permanent members of the Council.  

The Week Ahead (27 June – 1 July 2022)

This week marks the final week of the Albanian Presidency of the Security Council, with Brazil assuming the Presidency for the month of July.  Albania will host the Council’s Annual Open Debate on Working Methods. Ireland’s Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN, Ambassador Byrne Nason, will deliver her third half-year report as Facilitator on the Iran Nuclear Agreement/JCPOA under the 2231 format.

Monday – 27 June 2022

• The Council will hold its monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. UN Special Coordinator for The Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, will brief the Council.
• The Council will hold closed consultations on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), with briefings from the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and civil society.

Tuesday – 28 June 2022

• Albania, as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Working Methods, will host the Council’s Annual Open Debate on Working Methods.

Wednesday – 29 June 2022

• The Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of MINUSMA (Mali).
• The Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of UNDOF (Golan Heights).
• The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bintou Keita, will brief the Council.
• The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Syria (Political) file and UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, will brief.

Thursday – 30 June 2022

• The Council is scheduled to renew the mandate of the 1533 Committee (DRC Sanctions) regime.
• The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the South Sudan Panel of Experts.
• Ambassador Byrne Nason will deliver her third half-year report as Facilitator of work under the 2231 format (Iran Nuclear Agreement/JCPOA).

Friday – 1 July 2022

• Brazil will assume the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of July.