Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, August 2013

Furthermore, Croatia continues to implement modern international standards through domestic legislation and to familiarize the general public with international humanitarian law. It goes without saying that civilians are the most vulnerable and unprotected group in any armed conflict — women and children in particular. But women can also play a specific and unique role in the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts, as well as in post-conflict reconstruction and peace consolidation.

The Namibian delegation appreciates the fact that, since adopting resolution 1265 (1999), the Security Council has been addressing the issue of the protection of civilians in conflict and has adopted numerous resolutions on that issue. The international community has long had in place instruments of international law that provide the legal framework for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts. They notably include the following: international humanitarian law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977, which established basic rules of conduct during hostilities and the need for making a fundamental distinction between the civilian population and combatants. Those instruments include the prohibition of torture. The protection of particularly vulnerable groups, notably women, the elderly, children and internally displaced persons, are essential elements in protecting civilians in armed conflict. It is more often women and girls who are disproportionately affected in conflict because, in many cases, they have been subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence.

The full and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance continues to be a sine qua non for the relief of affected populations, including in particular the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children. In that regard, we unequivocally condemn sexual and gender-based violence, including the use of sexual violence as a military tactic. Moreover, the effective protection of civilians requires that health-care facilities, schools, teaching staff, transport, humanitarian personnel and people seeking medical treatment be unconditionally spared from attacks and acts of displacement. We should always keep in mind that one of the most disastrous impacts of conflict is on refugees and internally displaced persons; we therefore need to tackle that challenge by taking measures that facilitate voluntary return, repatriation and reintegration.

Lithuania believes that the Arms Trade Treaty will help to reduce human suffering by ensuring a more responsible arms trade. We were glad to be part of successful efforts advocating for strong norms aimed at preventing arms transfers that could be used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law, in particular attacks directed against civilians, gender-based violence and violence against women and children.

In order to rededicate ourselves to the moral undertaking to protect defenceless civilians in conflict situations, it is imperative that we deepen our commitment to bolster accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. It is time to put our words into action and adopt standardized measures to bring persistent perpetrators of violence against women and children to justice. In that connection, the Council should take the lead by adopting targeted measures against such perpetrators. On their part, States must not hesitate to take appropriate legal action against perpetrators of such heinous acts, following extensive investigations.

Furthermore, Croatia continues to implement modern international standards through domestic legislation and to familiarize the general public with international humanitarian law. It goes without saying that civilians are the most vulnerable and unprotected group in any armed conflict — women and children in particular. But women can also play a specific and unique role in the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts, as well as in post-conflict reconstruction and peace consolidation.

We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict. In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender-based violence in areas of conflict.

Furthermore, Croatia adopted the Paris Commitments and Principles — documents that strengthen global efforts against impunity for crimes against children. It is our view that continued attention to the specific needs of women and children, as well as to their vulnerabilities during and after armed conflict, must form part of any effective policy for the protection of civilians and of every significant peacemaking or peacekeeping effort, including relief operations. Failure in that field involves much more than a lack of political success: such failure is measured in human lives and misery.

The Namibian delegation appreciates the fact that, since adopting resolution 1265 (1999), the Security Council has been addressing the issue of the protection of civilians in conflict and has adopted numerous resolutions on that issue. The international community has long had in place instruments of international law that provide the legal framework for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts. They notably include the following: international humanitarian law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977, which established basic rules of conduct during hostilities and the need for making a fundamental distinction between the civilian population and combatants. Those instruments include the prohibition of torture. The protection of particularly vulnerable groups, notably women, the elderly, children and internally displaced persons, are essential elements in protecting civilians in armed conflict. It is more often women and girls who are disproportionately affected in conflict because, in many cases, they have been subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence.

Following the invitation in the concept note (S/2013/447) prepared by the presidency, I should like to reiterate that Colombia deems essential measures aimed at prevention, protection and the guarantee of non-repetition for victims in situations of armed conflict. My Government believes that the rights of victims must be guaranteed and reflected in assistance, attention and reparation measures. We are therefore establishing a risk map as a means of identifying organizations and communities at risk, including women's organizations. We are also establishing a network of observatories for human rights and international humanitarian law. We are training public officials and members of the forces of law and order in matters relating to the rights of victims to truth, justice and full reparation; women's rights; the implementation of a differentiated approach; sexual violence; and the need to coordinate and publicize the various protection programmes.

We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict. In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender-based violence in areas of conflict.

The Namibian delegation appreciates the fact that, since adopting resolution 1265 (1999), the Security Council has been addressing the issue of the protection of civilians in conflict and has adopted numerous resolutions on that issue. The international community has long had in place instruments of international law that provide the legal framework for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts. They notably include the following: international humanitarian law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977, which established basic rules of conduct during hostilities and the need for making a fundamental distinction between the civilian population and combatants. Those instruments include the prohibition of torture. The protection of particularly vulnerable groups, notably women, the elderly, children and internally displaced persons, are essential elements in protecting civilians in armed conflict. It is more often women and girls who are disproportionately affected in conflict because, in many cases, they have been subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence.

The full and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance continues to be a sine qua non for the relief of affected populations, including in particular the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children. In that regard, we unequivocally condemn sexual and gender-based violence, including the use of sexual violence as a military tactic. Moreover, the effective protection of civilians requires that health-care facilities, schools, teaching staff, transport, humanitarian personnel and people seeking medical treatment be unconditionally spared from attacks and acts of displacement. We should always keep in mind that one of the most disastrous impacts of conflict is on refugees and internally displaced persons; we therefore need to tackle that challenge by taking measures that facilitate voluntary return, repatriation and reintegration.

Following the invitation in the concept note (S/2013/447) prepared by the presidency, I should like to reiterate that Colombia deems essential measures aimed at prevention, protection and the guarantee of non-repetition for victims in situations of armed conflict. My Government believes that the rights of victims must be guaranteed and reflected in assistance, attention and reparation measures. We are therefore establishing a risk map as a means of identifying organizations and communities at risk, including women's organizations. We are also establishing a network of observatories for human rights and international humanitarian law. We are training public officials and members of the forces of law and order in matters relating to the rights of victims to truth, justice and full reparation; women's rights; the implementation of a differentiated approach; sexual violence; and the need to coordinate and publicize the various protection programmes.

During armed conflicts, the risks faced by civilians will always differ depending on the context and on whether they affect boys or girls, men or women. Sexual assaults during warfare have horrendous implications for victims and entire communities and must simply stop. We re-emphasize the commitment by all Member States to end sexual violence in armed conflicts, and we welcome recent steps taken at the international level to that end. The inclusion of gender-based violence in the Arms Trade Treaty serves as an example. Women and girls who become pregnant after being raped as part of warfare in an armed conflict must have access to adequate sexual and reproductive health services, including access to emergency contraception and safe abortion. We need to eliminate the widespread impunity of the perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, and we strongly support the work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bangura and other international initiatives to that effect.

Lithuania believes that the Arms Trade Treaty will help to reduce human suffering by ensuring a more responsible arms trade. We were glad to be part of successful efforts advocating for strong norms aimed at preventing arms transfers that could be used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law, in particular attacks directed against civilians, gender-based violence and violence against women and children.

We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict. In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender-based violence in areas of conflict.

In order to rededicate ourselves to the moral undertaking to protect defenceless civilians in conflict situations, it is imperative that we deepen our commitment to bolster accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. It is time to put our words into action and adopt standardized measures to bring persistent perpetrators of violence against women and children to justice. In that connection, the Council should take the lead by adopting targeted measures against such perpetrators. On their part, States must not hesitate to take appropriate legal action against perpetrators of such heinous acts, following extensive investigations.

Before concluding, my delegation would like to reaffirm the need for continued attention to vulnerable groups, including women and children. It is deeply disturbing that sexual violence continues to be a prominent feature of conflict and remains widespread, even in many current situations on the Council's agenda, including in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Somalia, the Sudan, South Sudan and Syria. As resolution 2106 (2013), on women and peace and security, adopted in June, emphasized, accountability should be ensured for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, and women's political and economic empowerment should be further encouraged for the long-term prevention of sexual violence. To that end, the Council needs to strengthen its cooperation with all the relevant bodies in the United Nations system, including UN-Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict. In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender-based violence in areas of conflict.

Following the invitation in the concept note (S/2013/447) prepared by the presidency, I should like to reiterate that Colombia deems essential measures aimed at prevention, protection and the guarantee of non-repetition for victims in situations of armed conflict. My Government believes that the rights of victims must be guaranteed and reflected in assistance, attention and reparation measures. We are therefore establishing a risk map as a means of identifying organizations and communities at risk, including women's organizations. We are also establishing a network of observatories for human rights and international humanitarian law. We are training public officials and members of the forces of law and order in matters relating to the rights of victims to truth, justice and full reparation; women's rights; the implementation of a differentiated approach; sexual violence; and the need to coordinate and publicize the various protection programmes.

Lithuania believes that the Arms Trade Treaty will help to reduce human suffering by ensuring a more responsible arms trade. We were glad to be part of successful efforts advocating for strong norms aimed at preventing arms transfers that could be used to commit or facilitate violations of international humanitarian law, in particular attacks directed against civilians, gender-based violence and violence against women and children.

In order to rededicate ourselves to the moral undertaking to protect defenceless civilians in conflict situations, it is imperative that we deepen our commitment to bolster accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. It is time to put our words into action and adopt standardized measures to bring persistent perpetrators of violence against women and children to justice. In that connection, the Council should take the lead by adopting targeted measures against such perpetrators. On their part, States must not hesitate to take appropriate legal action against perpetrators of such heinous acts, following extensive investigations.

Following the invitation in the concept note (S/2013/447) prepared by the presidency, I should like to reiterate that Colombia deems essential measures aimed at prevention, protection and the guarantee of non-repetition for victims in situations of armed conflict. My Government believes that the rights of victims must be guaranteed and reflected in assistance, attention and reparation measures. We are therefore establishing a risk map as a means of identifying organizations and communities at risk, including women's organizations. We are also establishing a network of observatories for human rights and international humanitarian law. We are training public officials and members of the forces of law and order in matters relating to the rights of victims to truth, justice and full reparation; women's rights; the implementation of a differentiated approach; sexual violence; and the need to coordinate and publicize the various protection programmes.

In order to rededicate ourselves to the moral undertaking to protect defenceless civilians in conflict situations, it is imperative that we deepen our commitment to bolster accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. It is time to put our words into action and adopt standardized measures to bring persistent perpetrators of violence against women and children to justice. In that connection, the Council should take the lead by adopting targeted measures against such perpetrators. On their part, States must not hesitate to take appropriate legal action against perpetrators of such heinous acts, following extensive investigations.

Before concluding, my delegation would like to reaffirm the need for continued attention to vulnerable groups, including women and children. It is deeply disturbing that sexual violence continues to be a prominent feature of conflict and remains widespread, even in many current situations on the Council's agenda, including in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Somalia, the Sudan, South Sudan and Syria. As resolution 2106 (2013), on women and peace and security, adopted in June, emphasized, accountability should be ensured for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, and women's political and economic empowerment should be further encouraged for the long-term prevention of sexual violence. To that end, the Council needs to strengthen its cooperation with all the relevant bodies in the United Nations system, including UN-Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Furthermore, Croatia continues to implement modern international standards through domestic legislation and to familiarize the general public with international humanitarian law. It goes without saying that civilians are the most vulnerable and unprotected group in any armed conflict — women and children in particular. But women can also play a specific and unique role in the prevention and resolution of armed conflicts, as well as in post-conflict reconstruction and peace consolidation.

We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict. In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender-based violence in areas of conflict.

With that in mind, Croatia has been actively engaged in the Friends of Women, Peace and Security group of countries in promoting the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. In cooperation with civil society, a national action plan on the topic was created and adopted by the Croatian Government two years ago.

We must increase our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000), in order to protect vulnerable women in armed conflict. In building peace, we must take women seriously. We must include their views and interests in political agreements and peacekeeping operations. We welcome the progress that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations has made in that regard, and encourage further cooperation with UN-Women. All such actions should help to protect women and contribute to combating sexual and gender-based violence in areas of conflict.

Before concluding, my delegation would like to reaffirm the need for continued attention to vulnerable groups, including women and children. It is deeply disturbing that sexual violence continues to be a prominent feature of conflict and remains widespread, even in many current situations on the Council's agenda, including in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Somalia, the Sudan, South Sudan and Syria. As resolution 2106 (2013), on women and peace and security, adopted in June, emphasized, accountability should be ensured for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, and women's political and economic empowerment should be further encouraged for the long-term prevention of sexual violence. To that end, the Council needs to strengthen its cooperation with all the relevant bodies in the United Nations system, including UN-Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.