National statements
Thematic issues
- Counter-terrorism
- Extremism
- Humanitarian
- Iraq
- Sanctions
- Syria
- Terrorism
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Explanation of Vote by HE Mr Gary Quinlan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York
I thank the United Kingdom for its strong leadership in bringing this resolution forward for adoption today.
The resolution is a decisive step by the Council. It is an unambiguous condemnation of the brutal, savage acts of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and the Al-Nusrah Front, and an expression of determination to harness the full force of Security Council tools on counter-terrorism to target ISIL and the ANF.
ISIL is a major and lethal threat to the people of Iraq and Syria: including through its indiscriminate targeting of civilians; mass executions, and extrajudicial killings; sexual violence; the killing and maiming of children; and widespread, potentially genocidal, persecution based on ethnicity, religion or belief. It is imposing its own abhorrent rule and butchering those who do not submit. The impact of its violent extremism on civilian populations and stability in Iraq, Syria and the region is immense. It is a threat to the global community itself and we must all rally to counter the scourge.
We welcome the targeted US airstrikes against ISIL that relieved the siege of Mount Sinjar. Australia joined the US and UK in air-dropping humanitarian supplies to civilians and we will continue to work with these and other partners in responding to this humanitarian crisis. We are relieved to see the political situation in Iraq stabilising, and welcome the nomination of Haider al-Abadi as Prime Minister-designate, as an important step towards the formation of a new inclusive Iraqi Government. Iraq's leaders must now work together, including in meeting the threat posed by ISIL.
This resolution is a clarion call to Member States to continually review their national counter-terrorism measures to keep pace with the evolving threat so starkly – and lethally – embodied in these two entities. All Member States must take action to prevent the movement of terrorists and terror groups, including foreign fighters, across borders and to prevent the financing and the supply of weapons to terrorists. And to counter the emergence of violent extremism.
On 5 August the Australian Government announced its intention to adopt specific new measures to target the evolving terrorist threat.
These measures will strengthen our border controls to prevent terrorists leaving Australia and making it easier to prosecute foreign fighters; will inhibit terrorist training; and will enable greater engagement with those at risk of radicalisation and who may resort to extreme violence. Australia already has a sophisticated counter-terrorist architecture in place nationally. But it's clear that the threat from extremism and terrorism is real and growing. And that all countries need to ensure that their own counter-terrorism measures match this evolving threat.
The resolution is also a timely reminder of the role of the Council's Al Qaida Sanctions Regime in disrupting the activities of groups like ISIL and ANF. It underlines that anyone who provides material support to these entities, either in the recruitment or travel of foreign fighters, or in providing financing through donations or the illicit trade in the oil they now control, can be subject to the Al Qaida Sanctions Regime.
Today's listing of 6 key individuals in ISIL and ANF is an important step: but the Al Qaida Committee needs Member States to identify ISIL and ANF's agents and enablers, wherever they are, and bring information to the Committee in support of their inclusion on the Al Qaida Sanctions List.
Ultimately, the success of the sanctions and preventative counter-terrorism measures specified in today's Resolution will depend on their implementation by Member States. To this end the Council itself must energise its own existing systems to assist Member States to do this. And it must continue to keep a very close eye on the effectiveness of its own measures to counter the evolving threat from terrorism.
The report required within 90 days under Resolution 2170 (OP 22) on the threat from ISIL and ANF – and above all the requested recommendations for additional action to address that threat – will be important. It will be essential that the Council addresses those recommendations quickly.
Thank you.