Security Council: Meetings Coverage

With the humanitarian crisis in Mali deteriorating rapidly, the Security Council today adopted a resolution demanding that all armed groups cease human rights abuses and violations of humanitarian law, including targeted attacks against civilians, sexual violence, the recruitment of child soldiers and forced displacements.

Affirming “considerable strides” in Haiti’s recovery from the 2010 earthquake, as well as noting continued concern over security and institutional reforms, the Security Council this afternoon extended until 15 October 2013 the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the country, known as MINUSTAH, while reducing deployment levels of uniformed personnel.

The Security Council today commended the Special Court for Sierra Leone’s important contribution to international criminal justice, as well as its role in strengthening stability in West Africa and “bringing an end to impunity”, and also hailed the completion of trial proceedings against former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Welcoming national assumption of security responsibilities in Afghanistan while acknowledging continued challenges in completing that process, the Security Council this afternoon decided to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in that country for the twelve months ending 13 October 2013.

Haiti’s progress was “obvious”, given its strong steps towards recovery in the political, social and security sectors, as well as signs that the country was poised to overcome the steep challenges ahead, the senior United Nations official there told the Security Council today.

The Security Council voiced its strong support today for the contribution of the League of Arab States to collective efforts for the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the Middle East, and welcomed the intensification of its cooperation with the United Nations in the wake of recent transformations, during a high-level meeting on peace and security in the region.

The recent series of high-level meetings in Chicago, Kabul and Tokyo had “redefined and reinvigorated” the long term partnership between Afghanistan and the world community, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this afternoon.

Tougher sanctions and deeper diplomatic efforts would be essential in settling differences over Iran’s nuclear programme, Security Council members heard today during a briefing by the head of its sanctions committee on that country.

The Security Council today stated its readiness to adopt targeted sanctions against parties that persistently violated the rights of children in armed conflict, strongly condemning their recruitment, killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction and denial of aid, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals, ahead of a debate on the topic that drew some 60 speakers.

Welcoming significant political progress in Somalia that had led to the selection of a new President, the Security Council this morning called for the formation of an inclusive Government, the definition of post-transition priorities and the bolstering of security, peacebuilding, anti-corruption and anti-piracy efforts, in coordination with continued international support.