Security Council

6179^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF UNITED NATIONS IRAQ MISSION FOR 12 MONTHS,

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1883 (2009)

 

The Security Council, reiterating its support to the people and 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”, today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in that country for another year.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1883 (2009), the Council further decided that the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) should continue to pursue their expanded mandate, in accordance with the request by the Government of Iraq and as stipulated in resolutions 1770 (2007) and 1830 (2008).

[By those texts, the Council expanded the Organization’s political role in Iraq, aiming to bring together the strife-torn country’s rival factions, gain broader support from neighbouring countries and tackle the deepening humanitarian crisis.  The head of UNAMI was authorized, among other things, to “advise, support and assist” the Iraqi Government in advancing an “inclusive, national dialogue and political reconciliation”, and help the Government and relevant institutions develop processes for holding elections and referendums.  Also expanded was the Special Representative’s role to bolster regional dialogue, including on issues of border security, energy and refugees.]

Recognizing that the security of United Nations personnel was essential for UNAMI to carry out its work, the Council called on the Government of Iraq and other Member States to continue providing security and logistical support to the United Nations presence in the country.  In that connection, the 15-member body called on Member States to continue to provide UNAMI with the financial, logistical and security resources and support it needed.

Expressing its intention to review the Mission’s mandate in 12 months or sooner, if requested by the Iraqi Government, the Council requested the Secretary-General to report quarterly on progress made towards the fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities.

Convening at 10:21 a.m., the meeting ended at 10:24 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1883 (2009) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“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, and 1830 (2008) of 7 August 2008,

“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,

“Commending the important efforts made by the Government of Iraq to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, to improve security and public order and to combat 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 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, 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,

“Emphasizing UNAMI’s efforts to assist the Independent High Electoral Commission and the Iraqi Government in the development of processes for holding successful Iraqi provincial elections in January 2009 and Kurdistan Regional Government elections in July 2009, and towards Iraqi national parliamentary elections in January 2010, and stressing the importance of the transparency, impartiality and independence of the Independent High Electoral Commission,

“Expressing concern for human rights challenges in Iraq, stressing the importance of addressing those challenges and in this regard urging the Government of Iraq to consider additional steps to support the Independent High Commission for Human Rights,

“Expressing concern also for the humanitarian issues confronting the Iraqi people and stressing the need to continue 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 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, welcoming commitments of the Government of Iraq for the relief of internally displaced persons, encouraging continued efforts for internally displaced persons and refugees, and noting the important role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, based on its mandate, in providing advice and support to the Government of Iraq, in coordination with UNAMI,

“Stressing the importance of implementing Security Council resolution 1882 (2009), including through the appointment of child protection advisers in UNAMI, as appropriate,

“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,

“Thanking former Special Representative of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura for his service and strong leadership of UNAMI,

“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s appointment of Ad Melkert on 7 July 2009, as the new Special Representative for Iraq,

“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 from the date of this resolution;

“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 30 July 2009 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq to the Secretary General (S/2009/259), shall continue to pursue their expanded mandate as stipulated in resolutions 1770 (2007) and 1830 (2008);

“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 these 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 on a quarterly basis on the progress made towards the fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities; and

“7.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record