The position that it is imperative for the UN Security Council to show leadership and prove that its own resolutions cannot be ignored and must be applied in the case of Cyprus, was expressed by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the Organization, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou.
"To allow the effects of the illegal use of force against Cyprus to be consolidated would set a dangerous precedent for the Council's credibility," he noted, adding that "a prime example is the Council's ability to uphold its decisions on Varosha."
In his remarks on the occasion of the UN Security Council's annual report, Hatzichrysanthou said that Cyprus continues to support increased cooperation in fulfilling the distinct role of the General Assembly and the Security Council in achieving the primary objectives of the organisation.
He added that the report should be less like a collection of records of Council meetings and documents and more like a substantive reflection of the status of the consideration of each agenda item, an analysis of the status of each conflict faced by the Council, including the impact of Council action on the conflict, and an assessment on the implementation of Council decisions and the compliance of relevant actors with them.
Also, he added, an assessment of the Council's performance in fulfilling key aspects of its mandate, such as adherence to the prohibition on the use of force and a forward-looking assessment as to how the Council will ensure the peaceful settlement of any dispute before it.
Hadjichrysanthou made a number of suggestions on the content of the report, noting that it is good to have strategic insights into overall trends and patterns of conflict in relation to root causes and possible ways to make the Council's approach more comprehensive.
To provide solutions to the common consequences of conflict, such as population displacement, subsequent rights violations and demographic engineering in conflict-affected areas.
It also recommended a specific chapter on peace and justice, aimed at providing clarity on levels of impunity for atrocity crimes in armed conflict, including sexual violence, and the strategies needed to eradicate it.
"Regarding the content of the report, we welcome the two resolutions adopted by the Council on Cyprus, renewing the mandate of the United Nations Force in Cyprus in accordance with Resolution 186," he said.
According to the Permanent Representative of the RoC, "one of the oldest conflicts on the UN agenda is the Cyprus problem which remains unresolved because the numerous relevant Council Resolutions and resolutions have not been complied with and there has been no follow-up."
For this reason, he noted, "it is imperative that the Security Council demonstrates leadership and proves that its own resolutions cannot be ignored and must be implemented. To allow the effects of the illegal use of force against Cyprus to be consolidated would set a dangerous precedent for the Council's credibility."
"A prime example is the Council's ability to uphold its resolutions on Varosha. It is the Council's responsibility to protect member states, especially small ones, from the fate of submitting to the will of a powerful adversary."
He also pointed out that the Council must improve the way it relates to member states directly concerned or affected by items on its agenda, as well as to member states hosting UN peacekeeping operations.
Source: CNA
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