Thank you, Mr. President.
Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the Acting U.S. Representative, addressed the United Nations Security Council on May 15, 2025, highlighting the ongoing issue of missing persons in armed conflict. She expressed gratitude to Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and speakers Sung Eui Lee and Ruby Chen for their contributions.
Ambassador Shea extended condolences to the families of Chen and Lee and acknowledged the widespread suffering of families uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. She noted that almost six years ago, Resolution 2474 was adopted by the Security Council to address this injustice, with over 60 Member States sponsoring it. The resolution urged parties in armed conflict to search for those reported missing and return the remains of those deceased.
Shea emphasized that many parties have failed to implement Resolution 2474 effectively, leaving bereaved families in unresolved grief. "Today, that failure is staring us in the face," she stated.
The Ambassador shared her meeting with Dr. Leah Goldin, an advocate for those missing in conflict, particularly her son Lieutenant Hadar Goldin and another soldier Oron Shaul, killed and abducted by Hamas on August 1, 2014. Dr. Goldin criticized the institution's inability to uphold its responsibilities under Resolution 2474.
Shea called for accountability regarding Hamas' actions during conflicts and demanded the immediate return of remains belonging to Americans Itay Chen, Gaddi Haggai, Judi Weinstein-Haggai, Omer Neutra, and others held hostage or killed by Hamas.
The Ambassador praised efforts leading to Edan Alexander's return after his captivity by Hamas but stressed that silence would not prevail until all hostages are reunited with their families.
Acknowledging contributions from individuals like Dr. Leah Goldin and organizations such as The Korean War Abductee’s Family Union, Shea urged continued advocacy against abuses committed by entities like North Korea (DPRK).
"The DPRK is among the most repressive authoritarian states in the world," she said while reaffirming U.S. commitment toward resolving issues concerning abductees and detainees worldwide.
She concluded by urging full implementation of Resolution 2474 across all Member States and ending impunity for entities like Hamas and DPRK involved in armed conflicts.
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