Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia after UNSC vote on a draft resolution on renewal of the mandate of the Monitoring Team on sanctions against ISIL and Al-Qaida, and the Ombudsperson on delisting
Mr.President,
Russia abstained at the vote on a Security Council draft resolution renewing the mandates of the Monitoring Team on sanctions against ISIL and Al-Qaida, as well as the Ombudsperson on delisting for three years.
We consistently support the current 1267 sanctions regime and consider it one of the most effective. The relevance and significance of the work of Security Council Committee 1267/1989/2253 is undeniable, especially given the nature of the current terrorist threats posed by ISIL, Al-Qaida and their affiliates in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, South-East Asia and Africa. The analysis of the challenges clearly demonstrates the importance of effective implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions. We support the mandates of the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsperson.
Russia does not call into question the heinousness of any sexual crimes. There is no doubt that if terrorists associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida use sexual violence as a method of achieving their goals and there is evidence of that, the Committee should take that information into account and act accordingly.
However, we have recently witnessed that UN mechanisms in general and subsidiary bodies of the Security Council in particular have been utilized to abuse the sanctions toolbox. In some cases, we have had the opportunity to witness unsubstantiated, propagandistic statements. This is unacceptable and undermines the authority of the United Nations.
We will firmly oppose attempts to use any politicized leverage to dilute the counter-terrorism nature of the 1267/1989/2253 Committee. We will be standing up against proposed shifts in priorities, where instead of real cooperation in combating ISIL, Al-Qaida and related terrorist groups, the focus of attention may be put onto secondary issues that have no added value as far as countering the terrorist threat. It is unacceptable to automatically link sexual and gender-based violence to terrorism.
We do believe that cases involving sexual violence should be considered on the basis of credible information and cannot and should not be used as stand-alone criteria for listing.
Mr.President,
In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that, when working on the text, our delegation has demonstrated a constructive attitude and readiness to search for compromise in a responsible manner. We have provided all the necessary arguments on all complex and contentious issues. However, the American sponsors did not think it valuable to keep the consensus spirit of the counter-terrorism agenda in the Security Council.
This was not an easy decision or us. But we did not block the Security Council resolution because we believe it is important to continue the work of the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsperson. In our work, we will continue to take a responsible approach to the inclusion of individuals and organizations on the 1267 sanctions list, based primarily on the terrorist nature of their actions.
Thank you.
