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Reaffirming the importance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in helping the Iraqi people and Government strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation and facilitate regional dialogue, the Security Council today decided to extend its mandate for 12 months.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2001 (2011), the 15-member body, also decided that the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq would, at the Government’s request, continue his mandate, as stipulated in resolution 1936 (2010).
Recognizing that the security of United Nations personnel was essential for UNAMI to carry out its work, the Council called on Iraq and other Member States to continue to provide UNAMI with security and logistical support, as well as sufficient resources.
Further by the text, the Council requested the Secretary-General to report back every four months on progress in fulfilling all the Mission’s responsibilities, expressing the intention to review its mandate in 12 months or earlier, as requested by the Government of Iraq.
The meeting began at 10:12 a.m. and ended at 10:14 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of Security Council resolution 2001 (2011) reads as follows:
“Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq, in particular 1500 (2003) of 14 August 2003, 1546 (2004) of 8 June 2004, 1557 (2004) of 12 August 2004, 1619 (2005) of 11 August 2005, 1700 (2006) of 10 August 2006, 1770 (2007) of 10 August 2007, 1830 (2008) of 7 August 2008, 1883 (2009) of 7 August 2009 and 1936 (2010) of 5 August 2010,
“Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq,
“Emphasizing the importance of the stability and security of Iraq for the people of Iraq, the region and the international community,
“Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue strengthening democracy and the rule of law, improving security and public order and combating terrorism and sectarian violence across the country, and reiterating its support to the people and the Government of Iraq in their efforts to build a secure, stable, federal, united and democratic nation, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights,
“Welcoming improvements in the security situation in Iraq achieved through concerted political and security efforts and stressing that challenges to security in Iraq still exist and that improvements need to be sustained through meaningful political dialogue and national unity,
“Underscoring the need for all communities in Iraq to participate in the political process and an inclusive political dialogue, to refrain from making statements and actions which could aggravate tensions, to reach a comprehensive solution on the distribution of resources, and to ensure stability and develop a just and fair solution for the nation’s disputed internal boundaries and work towards national unity,
“Reaffirming the importance of the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in advising, supporting and assisting the Iraqi people and Government to strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, facilitate regional dialogue, develop processes acceptable to the Government of Iraq to resolve disputed internal boundaries, aid vulnerable groups including refugees and internally displaced persons, strengthen gender equality, promote the protection of human rights, and promote judicial and legal reform, and emphasizing the importance of the United Nations, in particular UNAMI, prioritizing advice, support, and assistance to the Iraqi people and Government to achieve these goals,
“Urging the Government of Iraq to continue to promote and protect human rights and also to consider additional steps to support the Independent High Commission for Human Rights,
“Recognizing the efforts of the Government of Iraq in the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1960 (2010) on women, peace, and security and reiterating the need for the full, equal, and effective participation of women; reaffirming the key role women can play in re-establishing the fabric of society and stressing the need for their involvement in the development of national strategies in order to take into account their perspectives,
“Expressing the importance of addressing humanitarian issues confronting the Iraqi people and stressing the need to continue to form a coordinated response and to provide adequate resources to address these issues,
“Underscoring the sovereignty of the Government of Iraq, reaffirming that all parties should continue to take all feasible steps and to develop modalities to ensure the protection of affected civilians, including children, women and members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and should create conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons or local integration of internally displaced persons, welcoming commitments and encouraging continued efforts of the Government of Iraq for the relief of internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees, and noting the important role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, based on its mandate, in providing continued advice and support to the Government of Iraq, in coordination with UNAMI on these issues,
“Urging all those concerned, as set forth in international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Regulations, to allow full unimpeded access by humanitarian personnel to all people in need of assistance, and to make available, as far as possible, all necessary facilities for their operations, and to promote the safety, security, and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and its associated personnel and their assets,
“Welcoming the important progress Iraq has made towards regaining the international standing it held prior to the adoption of resolution 661 (1990), calling on the Government of Iraq to continue ongoing cooperation with the Government of Kuwait to address outstanding issues and to meet its outstanding obligations under the relevant Chapter VII Security Council resolutions pertaining to the situation between Iraq and Kuwait and underscoring the importance of ratification of the Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement,
“Expressing deep gratitude to all the United Nations staff in Iraq for their courageous and tireless efforts,
“1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for a period of 12 months;
“2. Decides further that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNAMI, at the request of the Government of Iraq, and taking into account the letter of from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq to the Secretary-General (S/2011/464, annex), shall continue to pursue their mandate as stipulated in resolution 1936 (2010);
“3. Recognizes that security of United Nations personnel is essential for UNAMI to carry out its work for the benefit of the people of Iraq and calls upon the Government of Iraq and other Member States to continue to provide security and logistical support to the United Nations presence in Iraq;
“4. Welcomes the contributions of Member States in providing UNAMI with the financial, logistical, and security resources and support that it needs to fulfil its mission and calls upon Member States to continue to provide UNAMI with sufficient resources and support;
“5. Expresses its intention to review the mandate of UNAMI in 12 months or sooner, if requested by the Government of Iraq;
“6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every four months on the progress made towards the fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities; and
“7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”
Background
Council members had before them the third report of the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1936 (2010) (document S/2011/435), which summarizes key political developments as well as regional and international events concerning Iraq since his second report, dated 31 March 2011. The Secretary-General expresses concern that in light of the region’s many pressing challenges, the Iraqi people’s important basic needs may be forgotten, especially since the national poverty index remained high, at 22.9 per cent. Almost seven months after the Council of Representatives approved the current Government, and 16 months after Iraq’s historic parliamentary elections, there are outstanding issues relating to Government formation, particularly appointments to key security posts. “I call on the political leaders of Iraq to put aside their differences and move swiftly to agree on the way forward,” he writes.
The report states that although the status of Kirkuk and other disputed internal territories remain divisive issues, the Secretary-General is encouraged by recent efforts on the part of key stakeholders to find common ground. Encouraging them to work towards national reconciliation and long-term stability, he notes that despite the improved human rights situation, challenges remain. He urges the Government to ensure that due process is upheld, and expresses support for ongoing preparations to create the Independent High Commission for Human Rights. Noting that the recent spate of assassinations and bombings highlight the threat that armed opposition groups still pose to the stability, he calls upon the Government to protect civilians from violence and hold those responsible to account.
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