HomeNews / DocumentsMalaysia's StatementsMalaysia's Statements 201526 JANUARY 2015 - STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR HUSSEIN HANIFF, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UN AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON UKRAINE, NEW YORK

26 JANUARY 2015 - STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR HUSSEIN HANIFF, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UN AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON UKRAINE, NEW YORK

Mr. President,


Thank you for convening this meeting. We are grateful to Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing at such short notice.


2. Malaysia is alarmed at the escalating violence in eastern Ukraine since the last Council meeting on Ukraine barely a week ago. Since then, we have seen a repeat of indiscriminate attacks against civilians. On 22 January, a public transport stop was shelled in the city of Donetsk, killing as many as 15 and injuring more than 20 civilians. Two days later, at least 30 people including two children, were killed in the city of Mariupol. More than 100 civilians were injured.


3. Malaysia condemns such indiscriminate attacks in the strongest terms. It is most unfortunate that the latest violence in Mariupol did not even merit condemnation by the Security Council, due to the lack of consensus among Council members on the draft press statement.


4. Malaysia calls for an independent investigation into the incidents. The perpetrators of the heinous crimes against civilians must be held accountable. Malaysia wishes to remind the parties to the conflict to adhere to international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Attacks against humanitarian convoys must also cease immediately.


Mr. President,


5. The recent events have seriously undermined the ceasefire agreed in September last year between the conflicting parties. Malaysia strongly urges the relevant parties to fulfil their commitment to the Minsk Protocol of 5 September and the Minsk Memorandum of 19 September 2014.


6. The latest developments in eastern Ukraine prove that a diplomatic and political solution is more urgent than ever. In this regard, Malaysia welcomes all efforts that could facilitate the de-escalation of the crisis and contribute to ending the conflict, including the possibility of resuming Geneva format negotiations. As Malaysia had stated last week, a military solution would not be in anyone’s interest in the long run and would not be sustainable.


Mr. President,


7. After 70 years since the establishment of the United Nations, we still see blatant disregard today for the core principles of the UN Charter, particularly respect for a country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Malaysia urges the relevant parties to reflect on the consequences of their actions on their long-term interest and their international standing.


8. Malaysia reiterates its call for the relevant parties to explore all possible avenues to find a peaceful solution. We are committed to play a constructive role in the Council towards de-escalating the crisis and for the resumption of talks to restore Ukraine’s stability and territorial integrity.


I thank you, Mr. President.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia
Wisma Putra
No. 1, Jalan Wisma Putra, Precinct 2
62602 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA

Sitemap


   Disclaimer: The Government of Malaysia shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by the usage of any information obtained from this portal.
Copyright © 2015 MALAYSIA : United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2015-2016

Go to top