[as delivered]

Monsieur le Ministre des affaires étrangères et du développement international,
  [Son Excellence Monsieur Laurent Fabius]
Mesdames et Messieurs,

Je remercie le Ministre français des affaires étrangères d’avoir convoqué ce débat de haut niveau. 

Je suis vivement préoccupé par les graves dangers auxquels sont exposées les minorités dans certaines parties du Moyen-Orient. Des millions de vies sont en jeu, ainsi que le tissu social de pays entiers.

À l’heure actuelle, des milliers de civils sont à la merci de l’État islamique d'Iraq et du Levant, appelé également Daech. Ses combattants tuent de manière systématique les membres des minorités ethniques et religieuses, celles et ceux qui ne partagent pas leur interprétation tendancieuse de l’islam et quiconque s’oppose à leur conception apocalyptique. Ils s’en prennent aux femmes et aux enfants avec une brutalité sans nom. Ils détruisent des symboles religieux et culturels qui constituent le patrimoine de l’humanité.

Nous constatons que ces actes se propagent en Syrie, en Iraq, et maintenant en Libye et même au Yémen, où les attaques à la bombe perpétrées contre des mosquées la semaine dernière ont encore attisé les violences confessionnelles.

Je condamne dans les termes les plus vifs tous les actes de persécution et les violations du droit à la vie et à l’intégrité physique commis contre des personnes et des communautés, quel qu’en soit le motif – religieux, ethnique, national, racial ou autre. Je demande instamment à toutes les parties d’assurer la protection des civils et d’épargner les vies innocentes.

Les membres de ce Conseil – et tous ceux qui ont de l’influence – doivent aider les populations de la région à se réapproprier leur diversité historique et leur dynamisme. 

Cela est essentiel pour garantir notre avenir commun.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The atrocity crimes in the region demand an urgent response. We must end impunity for those committing serious crimes against any and all humanities.

I also stress again that abuses in counter-terrorism are morally wrong and strategically counterproductive. The commission of atrocities never absolves governments of their responsibility to honour human rights obligations.

In Iraq, the OHCHR mission of investigation cited information strongly suggesting that Daesh may have perpetrated genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

My Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect warned last August that acts committed by Daesh pointed to the risk of genocide. Now we also see sectarian violence against local populations in areas liberated from its control.

There is strong evidence that members of a number of different minorities have been victims of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other very serious violations and abuses of human rights. This is especially true for women and girls.

We must also remember that violent extremism in Iraq precedes Daesh’s advance. The underlying conditions must be addressed.

I welcome steps by the Iraqi Government to further national reconciliation, promote inclusion, strengthen social cohesion, and reform the security sector.

I call on the Government to do more to uphold human rights and restore the rule of law in areas liberated from Daesh.

The international community must help Iraq in this effort.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Five years into the conflict in Syria, the lack of accountability has led to an exponential rise in war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations.

Both Government forces and non-State armed groups in Syria, especially Daesh and Jabhat al Nusra, have committed such deplorable acts.

As we consider the plight of minority communities, we must avoid highlighting differences and reaffirm the values of diversity and peaceful coexistence.

I urge the international community, particularly the Security Council, to overcome differences and seek new ways to ensure the protection of all Syrian civilians.

In a few days, I will travel to Kuwait to attend an international pledging conference for Syria.

I call on all countries to give generously to help the millions of Syrians who are suffering – and to assist the neighbouring countries which shoulder most of the burden.

This humanitarian assistance is also vital to the region’s political stability.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am deeply concerned about developments in Libya.

Daesh-affiliated groups are targeting minorities and attacking religious sites. Amid widespread violence, religious minorities remain highly vulnerable.
 
The main parties must quickly reach agreement to bring an end to the military and political conflict. That is crucial to curb the danger of Libya falling in the hands of terrorist groups.

I am also concerned at the ongoing tribal tensions in the South – which could ignite violence along identity lines.

No strategy will succeed without strong regional cooperation and an empowered Libyan State.

The United Nations is developing a Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism which we will launch in September.

We are also strengthening our efforts to champion – and protect – diversity in the Middle East.

I intend to convene a group of respected women and men with deep understanding of the region’s religious, civil, cultural, academic and business sectors.  They would serve as an advisory panel on inter- and intra-sectarian dynamics.

Governments and parties have the primary responsibility for protecting minorities – but we must engage with partners in civil society, faith leaders and others with influence, including regional and other actors.

I especially look to religious and community leaders to clearly remind their followers that religions are about peace, not violence and war.

Next month, the President of the General Assembly and I will invite leaders from different faith communities to a special event at the United Nations. We will build on the experience of the UN Alliance of Civilizations to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation.

The Middle East is widely considered the cradle of many of the world’s great civilizations.

Today, let us resolve to empower people – especially youth – to transform the region into the birthplace of a more stable and secure world.  Thank you.

Monsieur le Ministre des affaires étrangères,
Mesdames et Messieurs,

Il est largement admis que le Moyen-Orient est le berceau de plusieurs grandes civilisations. 

Décidons aujourd’hui de donner aux populations de cette région – surtout aux jeunes – les moyens d’en faire le berceau d’un monde plus stable et plus sûr.

Je vous remercie.