Category: The Civic Circle

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France, Germany and the United Kingdom urged Iran to “take the necessary steps to address the international community’s serious concerns over its nuclear program, reiterating that the triggered mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran “does not mark the end of diplomacy.”

UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward spoke to reporters today (29 Aug) in New York, together with Ambassadors from France and Germany.

On Thursday (28 Aug), the three countries notified the Security Council that they “believe Iran to be in significant nonperformance of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” Ambassador Woodward said.

She explained, “Since 2019, Iran has increasingly and deliberately ceased performing almost all of its JCPOA commitments. This includes the accumulation of high enriched uranium stockpile, which lacks any credible civilian justification. In fact, according to the IAEA, Iran the only country without nuclear weapons producing high enriched uranium. Iran has stopped providing IAEA access agreed under the JCPOA.”

“Moreover, it has recently significantly reduced the access to nuclear material and sites. It is obliged to provide under the NPT,” the UK Ambassador added.

She noted that her country, France and Germany are “making every effort to resolve this diplomatically,” by offering Iran an extension to snapback, “should Iran take specific steps to address our most immediate concerns.”

“Our asks were fair and realistic,” Ambassador Woodward explained, “Iran’s resumption of negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, Iran’s compliance with its IAEA obligations, and steps to address our concerns regarding the high enriched uranium stockpile.”

However, she said, as of today, “Iran has shown no indication that it is serious about meeting them. It is not implementing its obligations to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. It has not reengaged in negotiations with the United States with a view to reaching an acceptable diplomatic resolution.”

“Our notification to the Security Council has now triggered a 30 day period. It does not mark the end of diplomacy,” the UK Ambassador highlighted, adding that the extension offer “remains on the table.”

“We urge Iran to reconsider this position to reach an agreement based on our offer, and to help create the space for a diplomatic solution to this issue for the long term. Otherwise targeted UN sanctions focused on tackling Iranian nuclear proliferation return at the end of this 30 day period,” Ambassador Woodward said.

She reiterated, “We remain determined that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. While we have been left with no choice but to take this course of action, we remain committed to diplomacy and to the peaceful resolution of threats to global peace and security.”

Highlights:
Sudan
Commissioner of the International Commission against Impunity/Guatemala 
Ninth Austrian World Summit
Human Rights/Climate Emergency
Deputy Secretary-General/Travels
Gaza
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syria
Ukraine
South Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Photo Exhibition
World Bicycle Day
Financial Contribution
Briefings – Today

SUDAN
You will have seen the horrific developments in Sudan in which five members of a UN humanitarian convoy were killed last night and several more were injured during an attack near Al Koma in North Darfur.
I can tell you that we condemn in the strongest terms this horrendous act of violence against humanitarian personnel who literally put their lives at risk attempting to reach vulnerable children and families in the famine-impacted areas.
This joint WFP-UNICEF 15-truck convoy had travelled over 1,800 km (just about 1,118 miles) from Port Sudan, and they were carrying food and nutrition supplies. The Agencies were negotiating access to complete the journey to El Fasher when it was attacked. The route was shared in advance, and parties on the ground were notified and aware of the location of the trucks.
Multiple trucks were burned in the attack, and critical humanitarian supplies were damaged. It is devastating the supplies have not reached the civilians in need. This is the first UN humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to El Fasher in over a year.
All attacks on humanitarian personnel, their facilities and vehicles must stop. They are a violation under international humanitarian law. And we call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.
We call for safe, secure operating conditions and for international humanitarian law to be respected by all parties, not just in Sudan, but in all conflict-impacted countries. Under international humanitarian law, aid convoys must be protected, and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
And for those who were killed in line of duty in Sudan, we extend our condolences to their families and loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery for the wounded. Shirin

COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION AGAINST IMPUNITY/GUATEMALA 
The Secretary-General is concerned about the announcement by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala regarding the issuance of arrest warrants against former Commissioner of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Iván Velásquez, former CICIG Head of Investigations Luz Adriana Camargo — now Colombia’s Attorney General — along with 24 other former CICIG national staff and independent justice officials who collaborated with CICIG.
The Secretary-General reiterates that the Commission’s international personnel, under the terms of the agreement between the UN and the Government of Guatemala regarding the establishment of the Commission, enjoys immunity from legal process with respect to acts done in the performance of their mission which continues even after the completion of their employment with CICIG. He recalls that under this agreement, the Government of Guatemala agreed to protect the personnel of CICIG – whether international or national – from abuse, threats, reprisals or acts of intimidation in virtue of their work for CICIG. 
The Secretary-General reiterates his concern at the numerous reports that criminal prosecution is being carried out against those who sought to shed light on cases of corruption and worked to strengthen rule of law and the justice system in Guatemala.